Celebrating 20 Years in Real Estate
I’m celebrating 20 years in real estate this year, and a friend recently asked me,
“Why did you choose the name YogaBug?”
The question stopped me in my tracks—because the answer is layered, personal, and, honestly, a little wild.
So I decided to tell the story.
And yes—it all started in a kombucha aisle.
A Natural Brand Experiment: My Life
When I started selling real estate, I lived outside the city but spent my days at the office and the yoga studio in Portland. I became a regular at the downtown Whole Foods.
Standing in the express checkout line one day, someone asked what I was up to.
I replied, “I just taught a yoga class.”
Boom. They lit up. Told me their life story. Talked about their back pain. Poured their heart out.
But when I said, “I just finished showing homes,”
❄️ Conversation over. Crickets.
This repeated itself. Over and over.
I felt like I was living in two worlds—yoga teacher and Realtor—but I was the same person in both.
That disconnect became the spark for something new:
YogaBug Real Estate.
Bold, Awkward, Brave (and Totally Portland)
Combining my two passions—yoga and real estate—felt awkward, exciting, terrifying, and 100% me.
I’ve never been one to shy away from the uncomfortable (ask my mom), and I’ve always been a little unconventional. I was a double major type in college and a creative at heart. In hindsight, YogaBug was inevitable.
But still—I was scared.
The Brand Is Born
I talked to my Principal Broker. He handed me The Brand Gap and said, “Read this.”
I had the vision. I just needed a name.
My yoga business was already called YogaBug. I thought, “I can’t use that… can I?”
But when I floated it to a title rep, he said, “It’s catchy, fun, memorable—do it.”
At 5’1” with curly hair, I’d long ago let go of being the tall, sleek blonde Realtor.
So I embraced the adorable and ran with it.
YogaBug it was.
About That Ladybug…
When it came time for a logo, all I could see was a ladybug.
Ladybugs are symbols of mindfulness, magic, and environmental stewardship.
That aligned with my mission—and my husband, a designer, turned the vision into a logo I loved.
Was I still scared? Yes.
Did people question it? Absolutely.
A close friend even said, “I just don’t get the bug.”
That comment made me pause… but in the end?
I didn’t care.
The logo made me smile. It felt like me.
And that’s what mattered.
Building a Community
One of my biggest goals was to bring the yoga/wellness community into my real estate world.
So I launched a free bi-monthly wellness series at my office, which still runs today.
Speakers from the health and wellness world shared their wisdom. I marketed the events. They brought value—and gained clients.
I announced the series in my yoga classes. Students became naturally aware that I was a Realtor.
It wasn’t about pushing real estate.
It was about offering something of value.
The Reactions
Let’s just say… responses to the brand were mixed:
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“I love it!”
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“Well, that’s different…”
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“What???”
But The Brand Gap said: the stronger the emotional reaction, the more memorable the brand.
✅ Mission accomplished.
When people started calling me “YogaBug,” I knew it was sticking.
The Fears
One of my deepest insecurities?
Telling high-end clients that I was YogaBug.
Would they take me seriously? Would they think I was “unprofessional”?
Would they even call me?
One day, I asked a luxury client-turned-friend for honest feedback.
She said she might not have reached out if she’d seen the name online—but then gave me ideas to refine the logo.
I listened. I made changes. I kept evolving.
✨ The Turning Point
Years of showing up, staying the course, and being visible paid off.
Inman News found YogaBug.
In 2013, they interviewed me, published my story, and invited me to speak at Inman Connect San Francisco on a panel about the marketing that’s best reaching buyers and sellers.
I stood in front of 1,200 of the best and brightest in real estate, whipped out a yoga mat on stage and owned my brand.
And Now?
Today, I’m not just a Realtor—I’m:
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A national speaker
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A TV host
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A real estate columnist
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An industry influencer
And YogaBug continues to grow.
♀️ What I’ve Learned
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Authenticity isn’t a strategy. It’s the whole point.
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The road less traveled is lonely—but incredibly rewarding.
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Know your people. Speak to them.
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Ask for support when you need it.
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Growth only happens outside your comfort zone.
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Keep evolving—your brand, your business, and yourself.
❤️ Final Thoughts
Branding myself as YogaBug has been the bravest and best thing I’ve done for my business.
It’s sustainable because it’s true.
It’s connected me to the community—and the world—in ways I never imagined.
Yoga and real estate are for everyone.
Both are about transformation.
So is YogaBug.
And YogaBug has absolutely transformed me.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to 20 years—and to whatever magic the next chapter holds. ✨
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