The Sky's the Limit!

I was walking down State Street last week in Santa Barbara when it hit me!  My dreams that I had as a child of working in Santa Barbara one day had finally come true!  I get to work at my office in Santa Barbara tomorrow and it still is slowly sinking in that another one of my dreams has become a reality!
I am extremely blessed to be a successful financial advisor for the central coast of California spanning from Paso Robles to Santa Barbara!  I have worked in the financial industry now for over 11 years and absolutely love what I do!  I love helping clients reach their financial dreams and see their hard earned savings finally go to work for them.  I enjoy helping those just starting off plan for a day that they can retire and live out their future dreams!
I have a motto and that is "the sky's the limit!"  My father taught me to work hard in life.  You have to work hard to play hard!  Some people say I was spoiled when I was younger.  My sisters and I lived in a beautiful home, had nice things, wonderful parents and traveled a lot!  I loved how we were raised and knew that someday when I had a family I wanted to continue that lifestyle.  I knew that when I "grew up" I wanted to live on the coast, have a job that allowed me to have my own office and make my own schedule, make at least six figures a year, have a beautiful family, travel and still enjoy the simple things in life.
Money doesn't buy you happiness but it sure does make life a little easier and a lot more fun!  I got married to my high school sweetheart at the young age of 19!  We had our first child when I was 20.  My life was completely different 13 years ago then it is today but I really appreciate what I learned and the growth opportunity I was given from how we lived back then.  I went from a big house near the bluffs, in an upscale neighborhood, to small apartment living with just a mattress and some milk crates as our side tables.  My husband came home one day after working in -10 degree weather to a wife crying on the bathroom floor because she did not know how to clean a shower.  We barely had enough money for food and a baby was soon on the way.  My dream life seemed to be pure chaos but I loved it and I was happy to share it with the love of my life.  I knew that both of us, as determined as we were, would "put our shoulder to the wheel" and make life become what our dreams were.  It was an exciting time in our lives.  We worked hard and struggled, but we were focused and that in time has paid off.  
I look back and feel so blessed.  I have grown so much through the years.  I am a different person today then I was in my early 20's but one thing has not changed and that is my thirst for success and reaching for the stars.   You are never to young or old to live out your dreams or accomplish your goals.  My mom is another huge inspiration in my life.  She went back to school at age 50, started from scratch, and now has her masters degree and is working as a very successful marriage and family therapist in the central valley.  I am so proud of her and fortunate to have another amazing role model in my life.  
Life is here, life is now.  Search out who you are and what you want to become and go for it!  Don't let your dash of life go by without accomplishing some, if not all your dreams!  
I know tomorrow I will be walking down State street again in beautiful Santa Barbara feeling ever so thankful.  My dreams have come true, now I just need to add a few more to the list again and continue to reach for the stars!  :) 
Cheers, Natalie