As a military spouse, mother of three, and full-time real estate professional, my life has never followed a conventional blueprint. What it has taught me, though, is how to stay organized in a bit of chaos, adapt quickly to change, and lead each day with purpose. These qualities have shaped my life, my work, and my greater mission.

If there is one theme in my life, it is that when I am presented with a challenge, I find a way to overcome it. I was raised by a strong single mother in Indiana, and from a young age, I knew I’d have to work hard for the life I wanted. 

College wasn’t something we could afford outright, so I got creative. I entered academic competitions, applied for every scholarship I could find, and took a leap into pageants—something that was completely out of my comfort zone. And it 

turns out I really enjoyed it. I even ended up being crowned the Indianapolis 500 Festival Queen—becoming the first woman of color to ever hold the title. Pageants not only paid for most of my college education at Purdue University, but they also helped me gain confidence and discover my voice.

I graduated with a degree in public relations and marketing, with a minor in broadcasting, and went on to work in both television and advertising. It was work I loved, but when I married my husband, JD, who serves in the U.S. military, our lives began to shift. After relocating to D.C. for his assignment, I continued my work in advertising. But I hit a point where I felt capped in my role. I started looking for a career that offered more growth, flexibility, and long-term potential—something that could evolve with our life as a military family.

That’s when real estate found me. A REALTOR® who helped us with our home purchase encouraged me to consider it. I got licensed in 2017 and never looked back. My first deal, a $1.9 million home, came from a chance conversation at a D.C. crosswalk. It showed me from the beginning that if I focus on relationships and really listen to people, I could do this. That first year, I closed over $8 million in sales and was named Rookie of the Year on my team.

When JD deployed in 2018, I moved back to our hometown in Indiana with our newborn daughter to be closer to family. Restarting my business in a new market while navigating motherhood and deployment wasn’t easy. I was juggling a lot, but was fortunate to have an amazing support system in my family. I knew that I was resilient, resourceful, and a fighter. 

So I kept working at it. And over time, I built a great relationship-based business and now lead a group of 20 agents within eXp Realty.

Today, my mission has evolved. I still love serving clients, especially families relocating, first-time buyers, and military-connected households, but I’m also passionate about supporting other women who want more for their lives. I mentor moms, military spouses, and aspiring agents who are trying to balance ambition with parenthood or military life, just like I was. I know what it’s like  to want flexibility and fulfillment, and I believe no one should have to choose between family and a meaningful career.

Beyond real estate, I serve on the board of the REALTOR® Foundation, supporting the fight against homelessness in Central Indiana. I also

serve as Secretary and Founding Leader of the OneZone Women’s Network, the chamber’s first women-focused organization created to support, connect, and empower women in business. I stay active in my church, involved in my children’s school and activities, and grounded in the same community that shaped me.

I’ve come to believe that you can have it all, but it takes intention, adaptability, and a willingness to keep showing up, even when the results aren’t immediate. That grit is almost a guarantee for success in the long run. I’m grateful that through this career, and through helping other women step into their own potential, I get to pass on what I’ve learned and help others create a life that they love too.

Being a military spouse has shaped so much of how I work. I’m used to balancing a lot and getting things done, even under pressure. There’s no waiting around—when something needs to happen, I figure it out. That mindset carries into real estate. I’m also a mom, so I understand how families’ needs shift over time, and how personal and emotional moving can be. That perspective helps me support my clients through the harder parts while still keeping the process moving forward and staying focused on our end goal. 

I act as boots on the ground for my clients, ensuring all the moving parts are coordinated on their behalf. I’m also very hands-on: I’ve helped clients pack, cut grass, solved problems from states away over phone calls—whatever it takes to make the process smoother. You don’t have to chase me down or wonder if I’m following through. I’m already on it and keeping you in the loop along the way. My goal is to serve as your lifelong real estate resource, because I care about you, your journey, and the short- and long-term goals you have for you and your family.

 

With gratitude,

 

Taylor Thomas