Before real estate ever entered the picture, life had already trained me to adapt, pivot, and rise when circumstances demanded it. What happened next became the start of a completely new chapter.

In 2020, I was running a private money lending company, and when the world shut down, all of our employees quit at once. Stressed, I told my husband, “I think God is calling us into a new season.” As a way to get out of the house—and honestly, to breathe—I started showing homes and got serious about starting a real estate career.

By that point, I had become a seasoned businesswoman, which was never what I expected for myself. Back in high school at Xavier College Preparatory, I took a journalism class my senior year and fell completely in love with it. With my 4.2 GPA, I earned a Provost Scholarship at ASU, where I studied broadcast journalism and minored in political science.

Saying I threw myself into news broadcasting is an understatement. I interned at KTVK Channel 3 for Good Morning Arizona, arriving at 3 a.m. to write news until 9 a.m., then heading straight to campus until 9 p.m. I also worked at PBS Horizon and was selected—out of my entire graduating class—to produce ASU’s news broadcast.

Hard work doesn’t scare me; it’s in my blood. My grandfather came to Arizona at 16, working in a grocery store and sleeping on cardboard boxes for years to save enough money to bring my grandmother from China. In the 1940s, after years of sacrifice, he finally did. I’ve always carried their story with me, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to honor their efforts.

I planned to keep climbing in journalism, but when I graduated in 2008—right in the middle of the recession—there were no jobs. Broadcasting is competitive even in a strong market, and this was the worst timing possible. Disappointed but determined, I knew I had to pivot. I still believed in the American Dream: with grit and guts, you can create the life you want.

I started selling radio advertising for various stations, including FOX News. It was 100% commission, but I wasn’t afraid to bet on my work ethic. I earned the nickname “Mini Jaws” at Clear Channel because I consistently overcame objections and always took “no” from prospects to mean “not right now.” I tapped into my network to find who needed advertising, which led me to Robert Kiyosaki, co-author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Before long, I was producing a radio show for him—a connection that would later reemerge in my real estate career.

Even with that success, I realized I had little freedom in my schedule. When Brendon—my boyfriend at the time, now my husband—wanted to buy a summer home in Flagstaff to escape the heat, it hit me that I couldn’t go. My job kept me tied to Phoenix year-round. “Why don’t you come work with me instead?” he asked.

 Brendon owned a private money lending company, and once I joined him, I accidentally became a business owner. I helped grow the company to four locations, trained staff, hired teams, and managed the numbers.

But the truth is, the private money lending industry wasn’t for me. People came to us because they were struggling, and I wanted to help people truly thrive—not just survive. Chasing the American Dream and believing in a better America are values my grandparents instilled in me. As luck would have it, on Independence Day—July 4, 2019—I received a call to step up and serve America nationally on President Trump’s Finance Committee, where I became a top fundraiser. My love for this country was recognized both nationally and across the state.

  Service has always been at the core of everything I do. Indeed, when COVID hit and we suddenly lost our employees and our business, I took it as a sign: there had to be a better way to serve people and give back to my home state and the America I love. Enter real estate.

I got my real estate license in 2017, inspired again by my grandparents. I know how hard my grandfather worked to afford a home and how that single decision changed our family’s entire trajectory. I wanted to help others experience that same part of the American Dream. My fascination with real estate began through my introduction to Rich Dad, Poor Dad and its co-authors, Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter. Sharon—an international business leader, speaker, and best-selling author—invited me to join her eXp Realty organization. Of course, I said yes.

Real estate has been a perfect fit for me—not only professionally, but personally. It has allowed me to do real good in my community. I’ve been able to donate a portion of my revenue to organizations including Phoenix Children’s Hospital, the Phoenix Dream Center—the largest anti-human trafficking center in North America—and youth organizations that support my love for my state and country. Giving back is one of the most meaningful parts of my work.

 I truly feel blessed to have found a career where I can serve others, feel fulfilled, and make a living all at once.

Clients working with me can expect exceptional availability and genuine care. I move seamlessly between Phoenix and Flagstaff, showing homes, answering calls, and returning messages promptly. I treat clients like family, protecting them from avoidable stress and frustration. I am dedicated to staying connected to my people.

My background in journalism makes me an attentive lister—I take time to understand each client’s circumstance, story, and needs so I can build the right strategy for them. My priority is to make their experience as positive and easy as possible from beginning to end, which means I stay organized, solve problems thoughtfully and remain calm under pressure.  

Negotiation is another strength of mine. I research thoroughly, gather facts, ask the right questions, and create clarity at the table. My strong relationships with other realtors help keep transactions cooperative and efficient. My mindset is always, “How can we make this possible?”—Together we explore all options, and create the smartest path forward to achieving the American Dream. My husband always says, “Don’t hire Christine (mini Jaws) unless you are ready to do a transaction.”

Sincerely,

  

 

Christine Ong Cothrun