What does it really take to leave the safety of a 9-5 and build something of your own - without losing your mind or your marriage?

In this episode of Unapologetically Me, Heather Blankenship sits down with Reauna Lopez - entrepreneur, real estate investor, and co-owner of Five Walnut Construction - to talk about identity, ambition, marriage, and the messy but meaningful path to building a life you love.

Reauna shares how she went from W2 employee to business owner, why she and her husband launched a marriage retreat, and how her 73-year-old mom’s fitness journey reminds her it’s never too late to start over.

🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with someone who needs to hear Reauna’s story.

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
02:48 Women in Construction & Gender Dynamics
07:50 The Leap into Entrepreneurship: A Personal Battle
15:18 Business Growth Through Mentorship & Mindset Shift
22:39 Marriage Dynamics & The Upcoming Retreat
35:26 Mixed Heritage & Identity
39:43 Inspiring Fitness at 73

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Reauna's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reaunalopez/
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Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3
Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310

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Today's guest was running a humanitarian mission in Iraq… raising two kids… and navigating life without reliable electricity. Then her husband had a near-death experience - and everything changed.

Jessica Courtney didn’t plan to become a real estate investor. But one $63K townhome in Waco turned into a life-changing backup plan for her family. In this episode, she shares how she bought properties using stock-backed loans, accidentally acquired an assisted living facility for $5K, and why “boring” rentals are her secret weapon.

If you’ve ever thought: "Real estate isn’t for people like me", think again. 👉

This story proves you don’t need to quit your job or have millions in the bank to build wealth. You just need a little creativity… and a lot of guts.

Chapters:

00:00 An Introduction to Jessica Courtney
01:32 Life in Iraq and Humanitarian Calling
10:09 Real Estate as a Foundation for Security
18:08 Political Divides and Common Ground
16:45 Expanding the Portfolio: Campgrounds and Creative Financing
39:02 The Accidental Assisted Living Venture and Sub-To Lessons
43:59 Prioritization, Partnership, and Navigating Challenges
50:27 The Power of Resilience and Learning from Failures

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Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310
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In this episode, Heather Blankenship talks with Tori Bolt, co-founder of Bolt Farm Treehouse, about building a luxury resort with her husband, navigating setbacks, and balancing business with family life.

Tori shares how a failed $250K project became a turning point, the power of pivoting during hard times, and why staying true to your mission matters more than trying to please everyone.

🎧 Tune in for honest insights on entrepreneurship, partnership, and purpose.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro

01:34 The "Behind Every Great Man" Moment

04:06 The Charleston Debacle: A Hard Lesson Learned

05:55 The Pivot to Tennessee and Finding the Perfect Location

13:11 Balancing the Creativity and Business Mindset

14:44 Navigating Partnership and Motherhood in Business

21:44 Embracing the "Adults Only" Niche and The Power of Focus

31:03 The Art of the Pivot: Lessons in Resilience

35:02 Conclusion and Where to Find Bolt Farm Treehouse

Join Our Women's Mastermind: https://woman.heatherblankenship.com/

Tori Bolt's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toribolt/?hl=en

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3

Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/

Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3

Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EtqDw41QW193bH3TKnCiI

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#BoltFarmTreehouse #Entrepreneurship #UnapologeticallyMe #HeatherBlankenship #WomenInBusiness #LuxuryAirbnb #Airbnb

In this episode, Heather Blankenship chats with Ingryd Hernandez - real estate investor, entrepreneur, and proud go-giver. Ingryd shares how she left a high-paying corporate job, built her business through the PACE Community, and balances life, deals, and family alongside her husband.

They dive into creative finance, the myths around needing a license to invest, raising entrepreneurial kids, and why real estate isn’t just about money - it’s about freedom, faith, and control over your time.

Chapters:

00:00 Intro
03:15 The Reality of Real Estate Licensing and Investing
04:53 Navigating Business and Family Life
10:56 The Entrepreneurial Mindset Beyond Real Estate
23:20 Raising the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
27:17 Faith, Grit, and the Unapologetic Self

Join Our Women's Mastermind: https://woman.heatherblankenship.com/

Ingryd's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingryd_hernandez/?hl=en
Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3
Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/
Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3
Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EtqDw41QW193bH3TKnCiI

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#UnapologeticallyMe #RealEstateInvesting #CreativeFinance #WomenInBusiness #HeatherBlankenship

Olympian. Mom. SEC attorney. Yeah… LaVonne’s kind of a legend.
 

In this episode, we catch up with LaVonne about what it really looks like to juggle a serious legal career, raise kids, and still make time for real estate and giving back.

She drops some major truth bombs on:
 
– What actually gets people in trouble when raising private money
 
– Why most real estate gurus are handing out garbage legal advice
 
– The debt vs. equity stuff no one explains well
 
– And how she’s helping new builders make real moves in her community

We also get into the messy stuff - parenting, mom guilt, losing the baby weight, and trying to keep your own goals alive while raising tiny humans. It’s real, it’s funny, and it’s full of the kind of advice that’ll save you from some expensive mistakes.

🎧 Hit play, you’ll thank us later. 
 

Chapters:
00:00 Intro 
01:20 Meal Preparation 
3:56 Family Life and Parenting
 
19:07 Homeschooling and Education
 
27:14 Cooking Discussion
 
33:35 Business and Investments
 
44:14 Current Projects and Client Advice
 
56:30 Life in Florida and Property Ownership



👇 Want to grab anything we mentioned in the episode? Find them all in one spot: https://a.co/4NQUNdd  

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Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3
Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310
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Get ready for an inspiring and laugh-out-loud episode of the Unapologetically Me Podcast! Heather Blankenship reconnects with her long-time friend, the powerhouse developer Katie Neason. They take you back to their unforgettable (and slightly chaotic) first encounter at Brandon Turner's Mastermind in Maui.

But it's not all reminiscing! Katie shares her secrets to finding overlooked properties and transforming them into vibrant, community-focused spaces, breathing new life into downtown Bryan, Texas. She breaks down her approach to navigating city planning, zoning, and the often-challenging world of development. Plus, hear about Katie's hilarious and disciplined fitness challenge journey!

If you're a budding real estate investor, an aspiring entrepreneur, or simply someone looking for inspiration to live life unapologetically, this episode is a must-watch. Learn how to identify opportunities in your own city and turn your vision into reality.

Chapters:

[00:00] Introduction and Catching Up
[2:10] Fitness Journey and Accountability
[7:04] Transitioning into Development
[12:45] The Power of Local Market Knowledge
[14:28] A Traumatic Accident and a Memorable First Meeting
[17:59] Future Investment Strategies and Diversification
[20:04] Identifying Promising Cities and Developers
[25:45] Thoughts on the 30A Area
[29:47] Getting Started in Local Development
[37:32] Conclusion and Where to Find Katie

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Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3

Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/

Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3

Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EtqDw41QW193bH3TKnCiI

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In this episode, Heather Blankenship sits down with Laura Morby - wife of investor Pace Morby - to talk about carving out your own identity when you're constantly seen as someone else’s “plus one.”


Laura opens up about the identity shifts that come with motherhood, and the pressure to live up to someone else's spotlight. She shares how she’s embracing her behind-the-scenes nature, staying grounded in her own interests - like real estate, cookbook clubs, and thrifting with her kids - and why motherhood is just one chapter, not the whole book.


👉 Real talk on identity, balance, creativity, and doing life your way.

[00:00] Introduction
[02:01] Laura's Perspective on Not Seeking the Spotlight
[03:59] Finding Common Ground and Shared Interests

[5:46] Laura's Real Estate Background and Feeling Underrated
[7:45] The Reality of Motherhood
[10:51] The Million Dollar Question: More Babies?
[18:18] Navigating Body Image As A Mom & Partner's Public Life
[30:05] Thrifting as a Hobby
[34:40] Where to Find Laura

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Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3
Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/
Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3
Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310
Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EtqDw41QW193bH3TKnCiI

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🎙️ From Fashion PR to Real Estate: Reinventing Yourself, One Bold Move at a Time

In this episode, branding expert and short-term rental investor Katie Cline shares how she went from the fashion world to global hotel PR to launching boutique vacation rentals - and now, to working at Airbnb.

Katie opens up about what it really takes to reinvent yourself, build a brand in real estate, and turn rejection into redirection. From learning septic systems on the fly to writing a book while raising a family, this conversation is packed with real talk, inspiration, and tangible advice.

You’ll learn:

✨ How to brand yourself in real estate (without feeling fake)

🏠 Why short-term rentals are more accessible than you think

👩‍💻 What to do when life forces a pivot - and how to own it

💬 The power of defining your message before anyone asks

This one is equal parts tactical and empowering. Whether you're an entrepreneur, investor, or just dreaming of your next chapter - you’ll walk away feeling like you can figure it out.

Chapters:

[00:00] Intro

[03:18] Buying Your Second Home First

[05:12] The Sacrifices Behind the 'Must Be Nice'

[06:56] Bringing Hotel Hospitality to Airbnb

[12:26] Hospitality Should Not Be Optional

[16:38] From Fashion PR to Real Estate Branding

[34:45] From Michael Kors to Airbnb

[44:03] You Can Figure Out Anything

Join Our Women's Mastermind: https://woman.heatherblankenship.com/

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3

Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/

Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3

Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EtqDw41QW193bH3TKnCiI

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In this episode, Heather Blankenship sits down with Isabel Guarino to chat about life, business, and the crazy journey of turning a family-run business into something epic. Isabel went from being a flight attendant to running a successful senior living business with her dad - and she’s got some wild stories to share along the way!

Here’s what you’ll get into:

- How Isabel ended up in the senior living biz and why it was a total game changer for her family.
- A real talk about interracial relationships and how cultural differences show up in love, food, and family life.
- Plus, tons of laughs and real talk about balancing business with family life.

If you’re interested in family businesses, relationship dynamics, or just want to hear a down-to-earth convo about real life, this episode is for you!

Chapters:
00:00 Intro
1:29 What to Know About Residential Assisted Living
3:16 Residential Assisted Living 101
4:49 Great Care Starts with Great Caregivers
8:30 Is Senior Care Profitable?
10:04 The Unexpected Start of an Assisted Living Empire
12:20 The Reality of Working with Family
19:13 Love Across Cultures

Join Our Women's Mastermind: https://woman.heatherblankenship.com/
Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3
Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/
Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3
Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/
Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310
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In this episode of the Unapologetically Me Podcast, Heather chats with Kacia Ghetmiri, mom, podcast host, and entrepreneur.

Kacia shares her journey from corporate life at Google to building a 4,000-person MLM team, launching her own podcast (Empower Her), and navigating motherhood while traveling the world with her toddler. She opens up about rebuilding after a devastating miscarriage, pivoting from MLM success to entrepreneurship, and balancing marriage with a business partnership after her husband left dentistry.

If you’re curious about turning setbacks into strength, traveling with kids, or keeping relationships strong while chasing big dreams, this one’s for you!

Chapters:

[00:00] Sneak Peek
[01:57] Leaving the Perfect Job to Follow a Different Calling
[06:37] What They Don’t Tell You About Creating a Community
[08:58] Raw Talk: Miscarriage & Motherhood
[15:11] Traveling with Kids & Family Dynamics
[17:07] Entrepreneurship & Marriage
[21:13] Closing Inspiration

Join Our Women's Mastermind: https://woman.heatherblankenship.com/

Heather’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heatherblankenshipx3

Heather's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.blankenship.182/

Heather's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heatherblankenshipx3

Heather’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-blankenship-271908140/

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unapologetically-me/id1713972310

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4EtqDw41QW193bH3TKnCiI

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