Meet Laura Gilsdorf | Laura Gilsdorf | Realtor®, Entrepreneur, Jill of All Trades, & Mom

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

Hi Laura, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
If I had to name the most important thing I’ve done as a parent, it would be allowing my son to see resilience lived out in real life.

Life hasn’t always followed the neat, predictable path we might hope for. There have been seasons that were incredibly difficult, including making the decision to leave an abusive relationship and beginning the long process of rebuilding. That chapter brought significant financial challenges, and while I’m still working my way out of the debt that came with it, I’m proud to say I’m almost there.

At the same time, my real estate career has had its own humbling moments. Even nine years into the business, I experienced a stretch last year where I went nine months without a single closing. After years of momentum, that season tested my confidence and resolve more than I expected.

Those are the kinds of moments when quitting can start to feel like the easier option.

But as a parent, you realize that your children are always watching how you respond to adversity. I made a decision that even when things were uncertain, I would keep showing up. I would keep working, keep learning, and keep moving forward.

I haven’t tried to hide those realities from my son. Not in a way that burdens him, but in a way that shows him that life will sometimes knock you down. What matters most is how you choose to get back up.

Real estate has reinforced that perspective for me. Behind every home is a story of people navigating change, challenge, and new beginnings. In our own home, the lesson I hope my son carries with him is that resilience isn’t something you talk about. It’s something you practice, one hard day at a time.

If he grows up knowing that setbacks don’t define you and that with determination, faith, and hard work you can rebuild and move forward, then I will feel like I’ve given him one of the most important lessons a parent can offer.

What should our readers know about your business?
My business is built around helping people navigate some of the most important decisions of their lives with clarity, honesty, and a steady hand. Real estate is often about far more than property. It’s about life transitions, financial decisions, family dreams, and sometimes deeply emotional moments, and I take that responsibility seriously.

What sets me apart is that I approach my work as a strategist, problem solver, dreamer, and someone with real tenacity. I believe the things that are meant to be will work out, but that doesn’t mean they come easily. Often they require persistence, creativity, and the willingness to keep pushing forward when others might give up. Every client and every property presents a different puzzle, and I genuinely enjoy finding the path that will best serve the people involved.

My background in culinary arts actually shaped a lot of how I run my business. In a professional kitchen you learn to stay calm under pressure, juggle many moving parts at once, and deliver something excellent at the end. Real estate requires many of those same skills. Transactions can be complex, timelines can shift, and emotions can run high, but I enjoy navigating those moments and helping people reach the finish line.

Getting to where I am today was definitely not easy. My path has included both personal and professional challenges. I had to make the difficult decision to leave an abusive relationship and rebuild my life while working through the financial impact that came with it. That rebuilding process is still something I’m finishing today, but I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come.

Real estate itself can also be humbling. Even nine years into my career, I experienced a stretch last year where I went nine months without a single closing. In a business built on momentum, that kind of season forces you to dig deep. There were moments where it would have been easy to question everything.

But that’s where tenacity comes in. I kept showing up. I kept learning, strengthening relationships, and continuing to serve my clients with the same care and attention I always have. Over time those efforts compound, and they remind you that resilience is just as important as talent.

What I want people to know about my brand and my story is that it’s built on authenticity, perseverance, and relationships. My business has grown largely through trust, referrals, and community, and that means everything to me.

At the end of the day, real estate is about helping people move forward into the next chapter of their lives. Being trusted to guide people through those moments is something I never take for granted, and it continues to inspire me every single day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend came to visit for a week, I’d want them to experience Colorado the way I experience it. Not just the big destinations people read about, but the little routines and places that make life here feel special.

The trip would start right where I live, in Evergreen. Our first morning would begin slowly with coffee at Muddy Buck or Wildflower Café. Both have that cozy mountain town feel where you can sit with a warm drink, watch the town wake up, and ease into the day. After coffee we’d walk the loop around Evergreen Lake, which is one of my favorite ways to start a morning. The reflection of the mountains on the water never gets old.

From there we’d head to Three Sisters Park for a hike. It’s one of my favorite trails because you get incredible rock formations, wide open views, and that feeling of being deep in the foothills even though you’re just minutes from town. I always say if you want to understand why people fall in love with Evergreen, hike Three Sisters.

After a good hike, dinner would absolutely be at Willow Creek Restaurant. Sitting on the patio overlooking Evergreen Lake as the sun sets is about as perfect a Colorado evening as you can get.

Later in the week I’d start expanding the adventure a little. One afternoon we’d head to Red Rocks. Even if there’s not a concert, walking down onto the stage and looking out at the amphitheater surrounded by red rock formations is something everyone should experience at least once.

Another day we’d wander through Boulder, strolling along Pearl Street. It’s always entertaining with street performers, little shops, and a very Boulder kind of energy that makes the whole area feel lively and creative.

We’d also spend a day in Denver, walking through 16th Street, popping into interesting restaurants and shops, and maybe finding one of those fun tourist moments like taking a photo at the Welcome to Colorful Colorado sign or somewhere quirky and memorable.

For the bigger adventure days, I’d take them deeper into the mountains. Rifle Falls is one of my favorite hidden gems in the state. Seeing three waterfalls cascading through the canyon at once feels almost surreal. It’s one of those places that surprises people.

And if we were already heading that direction, I’d make sure they experienced the dramatic views at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Standing at the rim and looking down into that massive canyon is the kind of moment that reminds you how wild and powerful the Colorado landscape really is.

But honestly, some of my favorite moments would probably be the simplest ones. Cooking dinner at home, sitting outside under the stars in the cool mountain air, and just talking late into the night.

Colorado has incredible places everywhere, but what makes it special to me is the rhythm of life here. The mix of quiet mountain mornings, spontaneous adventures, and a community that feels both small and welcoming. That’s the side of Colorado I’d want a friend to experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would dedicate my shoutout to the many people who stood beside me during some of the hardest chapters of my life. The kind of support that truly shapes you often comes quietly and consistently, and I have been fortunate to experience a lot of that.

My neighbors, friends, family, and coworkers all played a role in helping me keep going during some very tough days and long nights. Some cheered me on loudly and reminded me of my strength when I needed it most. Others supported me more quietly, simply being present, offering encouragement, or believing in me from the sidelines while I worked to find my footing again.

One thing I have come to realize through those experiences is that while life can bring challenges financially, emotionally, or professionally, one place I have always been incredibly rich is in love. The people around me have shown up in ways both big and small, and that has left me with an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Their encouragement reminded me that even in difficult seasons, you’re never truly doing it alone. I carry a deep appreciation for every person who lifted me up, whether they realized it at the time or not. That support has been one of the greatest gifts of my life.

Website: https://www.laura-homes.com

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