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Meet Trailblazer Lauryn Dempsey

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauryn Dempsey.

Lauryn, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Real estate is a theme that has run through my life ever since I was a little girl. I could often be found helping my dad with home improvement projects around the house and he would talk to me about the importance of buying real estate early. It’s a lesson that has stuck with me for as long as I can remember and certainly influenced my decision to become a realtor.

My first real estate experience as an adult happened just six months after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy when I bought my first home – a condo in San Diego. I simply loved the experience and at the time, even researched how to get my license. However, as a young naval officer stationed on an aircraft carrier that was frequently out to sea, I simply didn’t have the bandwidth to get my license.

I spent more than eight years on active duty in the Navy driving warships, leading teams, and working on high-level communications at the Pentagon, Guantanamo Bay and throughout Southeast Asia. These experiences included seven moves across the country and internationally. Each move would pique my interest in real estate and I would search for new properties to buy at every duty station I was assigned.

When I chose to leave active duty, my husband and I decided to move to Denver and make it our final ‘homeport.’ Having been in the Navy ever since I was 18 years old, I wanted to spend some time exploring what else was out there besides the military. Fortunately, the proceeds from the sale of my first condo just a year earlier enabled me to take the time to discover who I am without the uniform. After spending a few years finishing my master’s degree, doing freelance work, and completing a stint in the corporate world, it became clear that I have more of an entrepreneurial spirit and needed to drive my own ship. When I evaluated the skills I have and reflected on where my interests lie, I realized real estate was the perfect job for me and dove headfirst into a new career.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The seas have been everything but smooth on my voyage to where I am today! I think the most challenging time in the past decade was my transition out of the military. Not only did I have to find a new profession, but I had to uncover a new identity. This process took years and there were plenty of bumps along the way, but it was the persistence and humility I learned at the Naval Academy and in the Navy that helped me through the turmoil. A book that guided me on this journey was called “Designing Your Life.” Not only did this book help me hone in on the personal and professional life I want, it also helped me focus on my energy and identified situations where I thrive. This insight enabled me to find my ‘fit’ and discover a career where I can be the best version of myself. As I look back on these years of self-discovery, I recognize I took a lot of risk, but by being true to who I am, I have reaped a lot of reward and have designed the life I want to live.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I believe my experience as a strategic communications advisor navigating high-profile crisis situations and sensitive issues sets me apart as a realtor. In a competitive real estate market like Denver, I serve as my clients’ trusted advocate and put my negotiation skills to work to help achieve their goals. With a degree in economics, I love going beyond the headlines and digging into the data so that I can advise my clients about the realities of the market. I recognize that every one of my clients are unique and I prioritize building relationships first so that I can develop a plan tailored to their specific needs. I’ve found that not only does this approach help my clients achieve their goals, but it also has the added bonus of developing meaningful relationships that transcend the transaction. Ultimately, I view my role as a realtor similar to that of a financial, tax or legal advisor, and what I am most proud of is being a member of my clients’ lifelong support team as they work towards designing the life they want to live.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
I am particularly passionate about helping women achieve their personal and professional goals. What helped me to survive and thrive in the Navy were the women who supported me, many of whom are my closest friends today even though continents may separate us! I have personally benefited from a supportive group of women and view it as a responsibility of mine to help foster similar connections and cooperation among women in and around Denver. Together with my friend and financial advisor, Ally Ecklund, our Margs + Money Women’s Social Club meets monthly to talk about wealth, wellness and workplace issues. Whether it’s practicing meditation, learning how to save for retirement, or discussing how to ask for a raise, our goal for the group is to have fun, add value, and make connections. Our group is open to all women and you can keep up with our event schedule at: https://www.facebook.com/margsandmoney/

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Lauryn Dempsey

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