About Valencia West, AZ

Shawn was living the life she wanted. It was a life Shawn worked hard for. But when she had a son to raise and learned other family members needed help, she left that life behind. All Shawn wanted was to help people and bring them happiness. Shawn discovered there was another way she could do that!

Shawn was sick to her stomach when she found out how her family was being treated. Both Shawn’s grandmother and great-aunt were living independently, in their own homes, in their early 90’s. Rather than being shown the respect they deserved, they were preyed upon. It seemed several organizations were out to swindle money from them. Shawn couldn’t stand by and let that continue. Even if it meant leaving Colorado and her old life behind.

Moving to Arizona wasn’t a decision Shawn made lightly. Up until then, she had been on an entirely different trajectory. During college, Shawn took a jewelry art class, initially just for the credits. But she fell in love with it. Shawn guesses it’s in her blood. Shawn’s father and maternal grandfather were both self trained silversmiths and jewelers. But it soon became apparent that if she wanted to pursue becoming a jeweler, Shawn would need more training than she could find in Fort Collins, Colorado. It would require a leap of faith. But when Shawn laid awake at night, thinking about what she wanted to do, this was the clear answer.

Shawn stored most of her belongings, packed her car, and made the move to California. California is the home of the Gemological Institute of America, one of the best places to learn about becoming a gemologist and a jeweler. And Shawn must have caught the right people’s attention because, upon graduation, she was asked to stay and teach. It was during that time that Shawn met her husband. We later decided to return to Colorado but continued our work as jewelers. Shawn manufactured for independent designers as well as her own design line Monday through Thursday. Then Shawn would go on the road to art shows all over the country: California, Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania and Colorado. Shawn loved that lifestyle, and she wanted it to go on forever.

When Shawn got pregnant, the writing was on the wall. You can’t be working 13-hour days every day and be there for your child. Shawn’s husband accepted that before she did and got a regular job. Shawn still thought she could take her son to the art shows with her. Shawn didn’t have to stop!

But it was also during this time that Shawn realized what was happening with her grandmother and great-aunt. Shawn moved to Arizona, and she had her son. Shawn couldn’t take care of all those different people in all those different ways while living that busy and travel-intensive life. It was time for a new chapter.

Shawn knew she wanted a career with flexibility. Even before her grandmother and great-aunt passed, it was important to me that she could attend her son's events. When Shawn started doing her research, real estate came up multiple times as a job with flexible hours and great opportunities. On top of that, Shawn had experiences with an agent. He helped Shawn sell her great-aunt’s house and buy her home. But he hadn’t even found that house! Shawn had! Shawn was underwhelmed by his service and thought, if he can do it, she sure could as well!

Of course, the job was far more intensive than she realized once she got into it. But she had a drive to help people. That’s what Shawn had liked about jewelry. It made people happy. Real estate did that on a huge scale.

Even when the market crashed and agents were fleeing the industry, Shawn stayed. Agents had put people in these houses, and it was the agent’s responsibility to get them through those difficult times with grace. Even if it was hard for the agents.
And in better times, it’s Shawn’s privilege to help people achieve their dreams.
Shawn stays connected with her clients. For that reason, many of them remember her and return when they need further real estate guidance in the future. They know that Shawn will bend over backward for them. Shawn will advise, educate and counsel through each transaction. Shawn doesn’t limit herself to any type of transaction, Shawn will work with anyone, and she will go wherever they need her.

Shawn has personal experience flipping, rehabbing, and purchasing investment properties, so she looks forward to working with investors as well.

Real estate is ever-evolving. That’s what makes it so challenging. It’s also the reason it’s so rewarding. A huge part of this job is about learning and staying educated. Shawn is always reading about and researching the market. Shawn is constantly enrolling in educational courses. Having the information means she is in the best position to get you to your goal.

Shawn sticks with people at the worst and best of times. Shawn is dedicated to getting them wherever they need to go. Shawn looks forward to doing that for you!