Meet Brenna Rosales | Real Estate Broker at eXp Realty

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brenna Rosales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brenna, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I chose to get divorced in a really small city in Oklahoma back in 2008. I had been told by my realtor when we bought our home there that I’d be a great realtor so naturally (I say sarcastically) I went from being a stay at home mom of 4 to being a single mom on a commission only career with fees, lots of taxes, in a crashed real estate market. No. Nothing crazy there (also said sarcastically lol). I cried so hard when I sold my first home. No idea what I was in for and thank God cause I would have ran away.

What should our readers know about your business?
There is nothing about my life that has ever been easy. Real estate included.

I put every effort into becoming the best most knowledgeable career when I started. My mentor has always told me that I could be the best real estate agent he ever knew. Even better than him he’d say. After coming out of a physically and emotionally abusive marriage and learning to believe in myself those words kept me going. I hustled and worked hard taking my kids with me to show and sell homes. With other challenges like my son being up all light with asthma and trying to be there for my kids I was beyond tired. I thought that was normal. I thought it was life as a parent and so I felt like a horrible failure despite the growth my business started seeing. I knew I had to make some changes so I set my eyes on beautiful Colorado Springs. I knew it would be a great move for me and my kids. The Colorado housing market was one of the first states expected to start turning around for the better. Plus I could sell homes for more than twice as much which would allow me to work a little less and give me the ability to still raise my kids. That was the plan anyways.

There was still a little drag in the housing market when we got here. I knew if I had started in real estate at such a horrible time to start in real estate that I’d be able to work in any market. Things got moving and my business was picking up as planned but I wasn’t. I’d find myself lathargic with headaches, always too tired to do anything and it felt horrible. I knew something was wrong and by Nov. 2016 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. An undiagnosed illness that I had been to the emergency room for starting when I was 21. That diagnosis was followed up in January 2017 with a diagnosis of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome. Both my business and personal life were officially changed forever.

Having been undiagnosed for so long my body was in a severely inflamed state. I had to make my most heartbreaking decision of having my youngest children go live with their dad because I could no longer care for us. I spent a year out in my hometown of Tucson AZ. Where the plan was to focus on my health so I could try and get stronger. It was past client referrals to other agents that got me by financially. However during time with my grandmother it became very clear very fast that her dementia was becoming Alzheimer’s and taking care of her was not going to work for either of our health. So I moved back to Colorado where I was still licensed. I had $300, my old jeep cherokee, and as circumstances would have it, I lived in my car for three months in the summer heat.

I was doing what I had to do just to survive. I got a cheap gym membership so I’d have a place to shower and get ready. I’d go volunteer to sit at new construction model homes so I could meet buyers and get out of the heat. Heat completely affected my MS at the time so it was a perfect solution.

My first check when I moved back to town was a listing from a past buyer I worked with. I didn’t have the money for yard signs or marketing so I referred that listing out too and slowly I got stronger and my business started picking back up again.

It’s not easy. I do not have a huge triumphant story to share. I have one of a career I love that took care of me when I could no longer do so. In my career I’ve been able to have time to heal. I can step away from work when I have to and it’s always there for me when I come back. I have been in this career for almost 17 years now that has an 80% turnover rate. I have built the best relationships with my clients who I owe my survival to even though they had no idea.

If I have to describe my brand it’s resilience. It’s the ability to overcome every damn obstacle that’s come my way. I’m just coming out of another bad health year. 2024 was not favorable to my Multiple Sclerosis as my newest diagnosis of Chronic Migraines took me out most of the year. Want to know the best thing about life knocking you down? You get to get back up.

I’m excited for this next year. I’m now looking to partner up with a friend and grow our team. I’m also going to be hosting a new Food Show that I can’t wait to bring to everyone! In July I turn 49 and am currently dragging myself to be strong again and to be in the best shape of my life.

I suppose I wouldn’t have been able to be ok and to be where I am without real estate. I’m proof that ANYBODY can make it if you just don’t quit.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love when family or friends come to visit me in the springs! The first stop I want to take them is to Garden of the Gods. How amazing is it to know that all of this area was completely covered with water. To only imagine how forceful that water had to be to leave us such exquisite rock sculptures. It’s fun to tell them we have our own dinosaur museum up in woodlark too!

I’m a total foodie so some of my favorite spots to take people to the at are Pig Latin Cocina and Shugas! Two local treasures! For dinner maybe stop by Kura, Bada, or Sushi Ato my three favorite sushi spots in town.

A drive into the mountains for a day trip just to site see in Buena Vista or Breckenridge is always a family favorite too. We are cradled in beauty here in the springs and if we want a fast big city type of day then Denver it is!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate this to my 4 children Adena, Belisa, Naliah, and RJ. They each brought life, light, and love into my life. For them I have always wanted to do better. For them I push myself to give them a mom they can be proud of. For them I dedicate all my successes and growth to. I couldn’t love each one of you anymore. ~Momma

Website: https://brennarosales.exprealty.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/livingbybrenna/?hl=en

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennarosales

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/PalomaLuxProperties/

Yelp: https://yelp.to/f434lyHnJ7

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@brennasovercomers488?si=ICuzgT3lhdCldyS9