We recently had the chance to connect with Deidra McDowell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Deidra, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day. I start off with meditation. Prayer, praise and worship. This helps me set the tone for the day, giving honor to God and showing gratitude. Life can be stressful, overwhelming, busy and hard sometimes, but I believe that starting my day with prayer brings me joy no matter what I am going through. After meditation, I do a 30 minute peloton ride. I love the feeling after I finish a ride. After fitness, I wake my daughter up for school and we both get ready to start our day.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Deidra McDowell, and I’m a proud Real Estate Agent operating under the incredible leadership of Raquel Obumba at Millennial Properties Realty. I launched my real estate career in 2021 after taking a leap of faith during the pandemic. While many were slowing down, I decided to level up—I studied for the Georgia Real Estate Exam during quarantine, passed on my first try, and never looked back.
Real estate isn’t just a job for me—it’s a purpose-driven business. What I love most about working in the Atlanta market is the vibrant mix of people, the energy of the city, and the opportunity to genuinely impact lives. Within my first 8 months as an agent, I sold over $1.2 million in real estate. That early momentum wasn’t luck—it was fueled by grit, hustle, and the desire to help others build generational wealth.
Raquel Obumba was my agent when I bought my first home at just 25 years old. That experience was so inspiring, I knew I wanted to work with her. Even before I passed my exam, I reached out and told her I wanted to join her brokerage—and today, I’m proud to be part of Millennial Properties Realty.
I stand on authenticity, knowledge, and empowerment. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a seller, or an investor, my mission is to educate, advocate, and help you unlock the doors to your future.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
My mom and my uncle taught me everything I know about hard work. They came from the Philippines, a country where poverty is a daily reality, and both grew up with very little. My uncle had to stop going to school after the 4th grade so he could work in the rice fields to help support their family. At the time, I didn’t fully understand the weight of that sacrifice—but as I got older, it hit me just how deep that level of dedication ran.
Watching and knowing my mom build a life for herself from the ground up has been one of the greatest inspirations of my life. She came here with nothing and became a self-made woman through sheer determination. My uncle worked tirelessly his entire life. When he passed in 2021, he had not only taken care of his family but also left behind assets and savings—a true legacy.
Their stories are my motivation. If my mom and her brother could rise above every obstacle, create opportunities, and provide for their families despite where they started, then I have no excuse. Their grit runs in my blood, and they are the reason I show up every day with purpose and drive.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience, resilience, and perspective—things success alone could never give me. When everything is going right, it’s easy to feel confident. But when things fall apart, that’s when you really find out who you are.
Suffering forced me to sit with discomfort, to face uncertainty, and to grow through things I never would have chosen. It taught me how to keep showing up when the outcome isn’t guaranteed. It showed me how to be resourceful, how to lean into faith, and how to get back up after failure without losing heart.
Most importantly, it taught me empathy. When you’ve struggled, you move through the world with more compassion. You know what it’s like to carry weight and still move forward. That kind of strength can’t be taught in moments of ease—it’s built in the hard seasons, and it stays with you long after.
Success feels good—but suffering built me.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What truths are so foundational in your life that you rarely articulate them?
One truth I live by is this: You don’t have to start with much to end up with everything you need. I was raised around people who came from struggle, who built lives not because they had the perfect blueprint, but because they had heart, faith, and work ethic. That truth is so deeply woven into me, I don’t even say it out loud—it’s just how I move.
Another truth: Your name and how you treat people will carry you further than any resume. Relationships, reputation, and character open doors that degrees and titles can’t. That’s something I’ve watched play out time and time again in both business and life.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say: She loved people—truly. She was compassionate, selfless, and always found a way to show up for others. If you needed help, she was already figuring out how to make it happen. Her heart was big, and her intentions were pure.
I hope they say I lived for my daughter and gave everything I had to make her life better. That family came first—always—and you could feel it in the way I carried mine.
And I hope they remember the laughs. That I was hilarious, wild in the best way, and my sense of humor? Definitely out of pocket—but always real.
I want to be remembered as someone who cared deeply, gave freely, and never lost her joy, even when life got hard. That’s the legacy I’m building every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://millennialpros.com/
- Instagram: deidramcdowellproperties
- Facebook: deidramcdowellproperties
- Other: https://deidramcdowell.georgiamls.com/
Image Credits
Deidra McDowell
