Today we’d like to introduce you to Michaela Boone.
Hi Michaela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, I started my career in Charlotte, NC at one of the largest global banks. I loved numbers, excelled in my real estate and finance courses, and was ready to put my skills to the test. I entered into a three-year rotational program where I learned every aspect of corporate lending from a commercial real estate perspective. I was bright-eyed and eager—there was not a project too large or small for me to undertake—but I wasn’t being challenged.
During my third year of the program, I requested a more rigorous position, and I certainly got what I asked for. The new role gave me more autonomy and responsibility, but it also came with 80-100 hour workweeks, sleepless nights, and overwhelming anxiety. After a year in this role, I experienced serious burnout and started looking for better ways to position myself.
While I did enjoy the work, the workload was intense. After counseling with my mentors, I decided to try something new. I moved to Atlanta and began a role as a portfolio manager within the bank’s asset-backed finance division. I hoped that a leadership position would mean less grunt work and more time for the aspects of the job that I enjoyed.
Initially, the position met my expectations, but once the pandemic began my life returned to anxiety-ridden chaos. My team was stretched incredibly thin, leading to all of us being overworked and exhausted. My mental health took a beating during this time, and I finally decided that enough was enough.
To determine my next career move, I fasted and prayed in search of clarity. My spirit led me back to real estate, but this time I wanted a role that served a deeper purpose. Instead of making the rich richer, I sought to impact my community and help ambitious everyday people better their lives. I watched hours of educational videos on YouTube, studied for my real estate license, and scoured LinkedIn for opportunities.
One day, I located a job posting for Terra Alma, a boutique brokerage advisory. As I investigated further, I discovered an amazing woman named Edie Weintraub who built her company based on her expertise and love for people, food, and real estate. As a friendly foodie myself, I was intrigued. Her client list included many of my favorite restaurants in Charlotte and some heavy hitters in Atlanta.
After a successful interview, I was invited to shadow Edie, which gave both of us the chance to evaluate each other and see how I would fit into the role. Needless to say, I loved it! I had never been so inspired by another person’s work ethic—Edie was sharp, charismatic, persistent, and extremely well-regarded. I sensed an opportunity to be challenged, but in a way that differed from my previous positions. The role required hard work, extensive market research and intense networking but also included community building and fostering relationships that would change the lives of the clients I served.
This was it—my way back into commercial real estate in a purpose-driven capacity that also supported a healthy work-life balance. A few weeks later, I quit my job, passed my licensure exam, and I have been on this phenomenal journey ever since.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
After graduating college, life was an open-ended question mark. I struggled with finding purpose and maintaining a healthy work-life balance, which eventually led to extreme burnout.
Growing up, I understood that my objectives were to make the best grades, involve myself in extracurricular activities, and become as well-rounded as possible. Once the structure of education was removed, I needed to create new goals of my own. It seemed that everyone around me was a part of this “hustle culture,” and my main priorities quickly shifted to include making as much money as I could in as little time as possible.
I was guilty of frequently trading my personal life for time in the office. I was mentally trapped because I thought that long hours and big bonuses meant I was on the right track. It did not occur to me that I needed more out of life until my mental health began to suffer.
Once I began therapy and truly gained a sense of self, my priorities changed. I no longer coveted superficial things. I shifted my energy toward taking care of myself, serving my loved ones and my community, and making a difference in this world that would far exceed my life on earth.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am a commercial real estate broker that specializes in food and beverage, entertainment and retail leasing. About 80% of my time is spent representing tenants, while the remaining 20% includes representing landlords.
For my tenant clients, my main objective is to find their next business home within Metro Atlanta, but my work goes well beyond touring sites. I educate clients on different neighborhoods and opportunities within the city help with branding, negotiations, and contractors. For first-time operators, I proudly teach the basics of business ownership and provide mentorship through the challenges they face.
I’m extremely proud of the work I do to shape my community and to change the lives and legacies of the business owners that I work with. I absolutely love what I do, and because of this, I am willing to go above and beyond for anything my clients need. This not only sets me apart but truly lays the foundation for my clients to become my family and vice versa.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I have had many awesome mentors, and my career would not be nearly as successful without them. When looking for a mentor, it is so important to be selective with who you choose to guide you. Make sure you respect not only your potential mentor’s achievements but also their process. One person’s tools for success might lead you on a journey that is similar to theirs but may not align with your values or cause you to stray from your intended purpose.
It’s also important to ensure that your mentor relationship is mutually beneficial versus transactional. Don’t make it all about you. Sometimes it can be hard to find ways to help someone that’s further along in their career, but the best relationships are reciprocal. Everyone appreciates a kind gesture or a token of appreciation. Throughout your mentor relationship consider sending ‘thank you’ cards, treating your mentor to lunch, or giving them a birthday shoutout. The little things matter.
Contact Info:
- Email: michaela.boone@terraalma.com
- Website: terraalma.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/mrb.onthemove
Image Credits
Isadora Pennington Jasmine Hutcherson
