Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Luce.
Hi Maggie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I was raised in Williamson County, and although I wasn’t born in TX this State is my HOME.
I was born making the first 5th generation possible, all 5 generations 1st born were women. My great grandmother, Bertha H. Lailson was my inspiration. She was an independent woman who was still working at 101 years young at her family restaurant, “Loncheria La Mexicana,” in Laredo. The women who influenced my life taught me that women can do anything they put their mind to; a sense of “Girl Power” that was used when one of us needed encouragement to succeed in our life goals. My great grandmother would complete another 5th generation in 2012 with my daughter, Rylee Coco.
My first job was a gymnastics coach, this instigated my love for teaching. I’d been in gymnastics since the age of 7, and truly loved the sport! I would coach the younger classes up to the cheerleaders, before team practice. I competed at USGF (now USA) meets across the state winning numerous awards at all levels. At twelve, I competed in U.S. Junior Olympic Regional Championships against some of the top gymnasts in the State of Texas and received 1st place metals and ribbon placements. I Lived, Breathed, Ate Gymnastics M-F 6-9:30 PM, in which I’d receive my PE grades for 6th-9th grades from my coaches, Tom Hammitt and Cindy Cardenas, at High Tech Gymnastics in Leander. This sport taught me strength, endurance, how to work as a team, pride, awareness of my health, a better mental well-being, and long term life skills. My goal was to play the sport, in hopes of a college scholarship; but in 1991 I hyper extended my knee during my floor routine. I tried to go back after I healed, but one day during practice I fell off the balance beam and my knee popped out and popped back in. I was terrified that if I continued the sport I would face knee surgery; so I quit the sport. This was my first crucial decision in my life, for gymnastics had been a big part of my life, and this is the first time I’d quit something, but not before I had accomplished winning 1st all around in the State of Texas.
I also coached at the gym in 2015-2019, in hopes my daughter would like the sport, but her aspirations were set on a different sport. Today, I’m an involved volleyball parent, and love to see my daughter grow as an athlete and gain all the benefits of becoming an active athlete.
I graduated from Leander High School in 1994, with my first professional license-Cosmetologist, and my mom encouraged me to get my Instructor license through Central TX Beauty College before beginning college. This Instructor license added to my love for teaching. I was able to find a good cosmetologist job at JcPenneys, and chose to go to Southwest Texas State University, now called Texas State University. I graduated with my Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Management in 2000. I am thankful to have graduated with $0 student loans, being debt free.
After college I wanted to venture out and see what Las Vegas, NV had to offer. In Las Vegas is where my education skills broaden. As a cosmetologist/instructor I worked at a Casino Spa Resort, and loved the mixture of guests that I would meet in the salon. I attended beauty trade shows, and would come back to work to teach stylists what I’d learned. It was in Las Vegas that I met my first real estate mentor, Zolt Szorenyi, who encouraged me to do both jobs-cosmo + real estate. I received my NV real estate salesperson license in 2004, and my NV broker license in 2009.
I lived in Las Vegas for 14 years and loved it; but it wasn’t the city I wanted to raise my daughter in, and I needed family closer to me. It does take a village to raise a child, and I wanted my daughter to know her family; as family is important to me. I began making relocation plans to move back to TX in 2013, and finalized the move in 2014.
The relocation was hard, as the majority of my cliental was in the State of NV, but I decided to work real estate jobs in TX and NV, and I temporary put the cosmo job on hold. I never let my TX cosmetologist instructor license expire.
As my family settled back into living in Round Rock, I encountered the best children’s consignment sale JBF-Wilco (Just Between Friends-Williamson). A sale where families could buy, sell, and support each other in one place. Families love the great deals, the extra cash, and the sense of community. Fast forward to today, and Just Between Friends has helped over 1 million families save money, declutter, and connect. All while making a difference in their local communities. I’ve been volunteering as a Team Lead/Recall Specialist and consigning at this sale since 2016. Owners Timmy & Nicole Euting, the JBF team leads have become my 2nd family, and we see our kids growing up at each sale. JBF became my source to shopping for my growing daughter, and I learned that I didn’t have to pay retail prices to get the things my daughter needed. Today, my teenager helps me tag, deliver the items, and most importantly sees me volunteer. She gets to see how hard we all work to make this sale happen, and when the shopping is done we split the proceeds 50/50. This sale occurs twice a year, and we both look forward to finding the next bargain!
In 2017 I received my loan license, and began doing real estate + loans. This was the best combination, and I was able to have more control of the real estate transaction while providing my clients with my “hybrid agent” services. I began my YouTube video channel “The Perfect Balance, Living in Austin, TX,” and advertising my Hybrid Agent services. In 2021 I began educating my fellow real estate colleagues as a member of the ABOR (Austin Board of REALTORS) Global Ambassador to Greater Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. I taught members the importance of viable information concerning ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) borrowers, and ABOR MLS (Multiple Listing Service) added an ITIN option to better help future ITIN tenants. I continued to educate by being the Education Director on the board with NAHREP (National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals) for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024; as well as Education Director on the board of The Women’s Council of Realtors for 2025. Teaching was not only inspiring to me, it made me feel empowering when people appreciate me sharing my knowledge. Because Real Estate was working in Texas, I did put my NV broker license in inactive status.
For the years 2022- 2023 my daughter and I were active in AKC (American Kennel Club) Scent Work with our basset hound, Sir Duke. We are members of the Capitol Dog Training Club of Austin, and we got to experience competing in AKC Scent Work trials. We learned how to communicate as a canine team, and achieved a couple AKC titles: SIN2023 (scent work interior) and SEN 2023 (scent work exterior). We also competed in AKC FCAT (Fast Coursing Ability Test). We saw many talented dogs, and learned that a dog’s sense of smell is a powerful tool. We both now have an appreciation towards dogs, understand more about the canine-human relationships, their close companionship, and service to humans.
In late 2023 I received my TX, NV insurance licenses. I was encouraged to get my P&C Insurance license to help more Spanish speaking clients. My initial thought was, “No way, another license!” As I saw the value in holding a property and casualty license I opened up to the idea, and began helping my clients with more of my services.
The last license I obtained was my TX, NV, AK life insurance licenses in 2025, and I struggled with the idea to add yet another license; but my insurance mentor, Polo Jaimes, advised me this would be the last and best license I would hold. Today, I’m glad I followed through in getting my life license, and wished this was the 1st license I’d obtained. My eyes opened up with the possibilities of life products that not only protects individuals’ assets, but can act as investments for the future. The possibilities are endless with the proper protection in place. I learned about the 8th wonder of the world, compound interest and saw the possibilities. With this license I understood the importance of having life insurance and an estate plan in place. What better position to offer all my services to my clients at the real estate closing table. Now that you’ve closed on the biggest investment, buying a house, why not protect it with life insurance and setting an estate plan, protect your legacy.
Lastly, in late 2024 the TX real estate market slowed down, and I started working part-time at an assisted living community at the salon. I had forgotten my passion for beauty services, and the residents enjoyed my talent. It was at this job that I felt as I was giving back, and as I got close to the residents I realized life is short and we have to take time to make as many memories while we still can. I also learned that “Growing old isn’t for sissies,” as most of the residents would tell me! As my real estate and insurance businesses picked up I assured the residents I would make time for them and not leave.
So there you have it, my professional journey to where I am today. I’m blessed to have great mentors in all my professions; for I do have to pick their brain on occasion.
I still hold active licenses: TX Associate Broker, TX Loan Officer, TX, NV P&C Insurance, TX, NV, AK Life Insurance, and TX Cosmetology Instructor/Operator.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
If it was easy everyone would be doing it! Some of the struggles along the way have been with my professional licenses; as I hold more licenses than the average real estate broker/insurance agent/mortgage banker.
I was audited by the Dept. of Savings & Mortgage Lending in 2018, and it was a tedious process. I had to prove to them I had all my ethics documents in place, (particularly concerning Dual Licenses document that is presented at the beginning of the relationship), and that everything was presented to my borrowers/buyers in writing, nothing under the table. It was at this point that I’m glad my organization on having my documents in place saved me! After this event I was more open with my clients about all my licenses. I would only advise on my license expertise, but having multiple licenses allows my clients to communicate any issues, questions, or needs they might need after I’ve provided them with any of my services. I’m also glad to be a referring source for their questions I’m not qualified to answer. After all it’s this type of service that builds and keeps relationships, and that’s what the industry calls for.
A big challenge arose in 2019 when the lender/real estate brokerage I was working for changed owners, and the TX office closed. I had a deadline of 20 days to find another TX real estate broker and an independent mortgage bank to hang my licenses with. The present issue was that I had to find separate real estate and lender brokers that would allow me to work both real estate and lending transactions. I found out very quickly that major franchise names would not allow it, and labeled it a “conflict of interest,” and they mandate me to put 1 of my licenses as “non-active” while conducting business under their firm. Not only was I being asked to not work 1 of my licenses, I was asked to cover my own E&O Insurance on my real estate transactions. These real estate brokers looked at me as a liability. I was determined to find a real estate broker that would allow me to continue offering multiple lines of business and offered support in my business. I reached out to my Las Vegas colleagues, where working both businesses was more common and asked about real estate brokers that were friendly to the idea of working both; this route lead me to find my current TX real estate brokerage home, as an associate broker with David Cavalier. This experience showed me that throughout my real estate career I’ve been graced with having knowledgable brokers to support and educate me. In life everything happens for a reason, and every challenge is an opportunity to grow your abilities and learn. This also solidified my belief in networking and helping others.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I work as an associate real estate broker, insurance agent-life-property & casualty, loan officer, and cosmetologist (part-time). I specialize in real estate and insurance needs. My real estate and insurance licenses are used most frequently; but 2 years ago I started working part-time, as a cosmetologist, at an assisted living community. I am thankful that all my licenses are used, but value keeping the residents in style, it’s my way of giving back to the older generation and learning from them.
I specialize in 1 stop shop: offering real estate services: residential & commercial, non-captive insurance services: Home, Auto, Life -with referrals to set estate plans, and independent mortgage broker services.
What sets me apart from others is my ability to work with clients throughout the whole transaction; did I mention I speak fluent Spanish. I make sure clients are educated on how to protect all their assets. Knowledge is the key and potential power. It transforms into real power the moment you take action, organize it into a plan, and apply it to solve problems or create results. This is my favorite part of the job, education, and I plan educational networking events to help teach anyone who wants to get their LEARN ON!
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Advice for those who are just starting out would be: Don’t try to fix stupid. My 1st real estate broker, Deirdre Felgar, taught me this, and it saves me every time. Some people just waste your time, and don’t value the professional guidance that is given. My knowledge, expertise, and time are the most precious commodities I have, so occasionally I have to remind myself of this and move on.
Every person has the ability for greatness; you just have to find your niche in life.
I wish I valued time when I first started. As a younger version of myself, no kiddo yet, I didn’t have what I now recognize as good time management skills. As I grew older, had my daughter, I found I had to be mindful of where I spent my time, having less time when kids are in your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://maggieluce.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maggieluce22/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggieluce01
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-luce-6a29528
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maggieluce7969
