I walked away from the stability of a corporate job to follow my passion for real estate and be more present for my kids—because missing their lives wasn’t an option.
It’s not that I disliked my job—but I felt trapped. It was as if I had to choose between providing for my family and being present for them. Couldn’t I do both?
From a young age, independence was instilled in me. I was raised in Southern California in a family where money was tight, so I started working at 14 and never stopped. I worked through high school and college, determined to earn my degree in business management and create a stable future. That work ethic led me to roles in college, corporate, and healthcare recruiting.
I settled in the Sacramento area in 2012 with the goal of starting a family. Becoming a mother had always been my greatest dream and guiding purpose. I felt a deep sense of belonging here—this was where I was meant to plant roots. I was eager to build a grounded life where I could focus on being the best mother possible.
When I became pregnant with our first son, Luca, I was overjoyed—my dreams were coming true. Sadly, our time with him was tragically short, as he passed away at birth. Losing Luca was the most devastating experience of my life. It split everything into “before” and “after.” The grief was immense, but I knew I had to keep going.
That loss gave me a deeper sense of purpose and a desire to help others walking similar paths. I got involved with multiple nonprofits supporting grieving parents and families. Giving back in Luca’s memory became part of my healing.
Eventually, I welcomed two daughters, Lola and Lexi, and they became my world. As they grew, I realized I didn’t just want to provide for them—I wanted to be there for them. I wanted to be present at games, school events, and milestones—things I would’ve missed in a 9-to-5 job.
Struggling to balance career and motherhood, I reached a breaking point. I wanted to set an example for my daughters—an example of following your passion with bravery.
That’s when I turned to real estate—something I had long considered. It felt like a natural fit, given my passion for helping families and my 15 years of experience in sales and recruiting.
So, in 2019, inspired to lead by example, I took a leap of faith and got my real estate license. Becoming a REALTOR® instantly felt right. Real estate gave me more than a profession—it gave me a platform to connect with people and serve them in deeply meaningful ways. And although I often work seven days a week, I can now balance work and family like never before.
Today, Lola is 9 and Lexi is 6. I’m proud that they’ve seen their mom work hard to follow her dreams—even when it was scary. That’s the legacy I want to leave them.
I’m not the kind of agent who puts myself first—my clients are always my top priority and often become as close as family. Like family, I focus on what’s best for them, now and in the long term, because real estate is a powerful tool for building wealth. I look after my clients by pointing out red flags, steering them away from risky investments, and never pressuring them into decisions that don’t feel right. Thanks to strong relationships with other local agents, I give my clients a competitive edge during negotiations and strive to make transactions as smooth as possible.
I’m a fierce negotiator who consistently fights for my clients' best interests. I have a natural ability to connect with a wide range of people, understand their unique needs, and guide them forward with tailored solutions. One of my favorite parts of this job is building real, lasting relationships—I love hearing people’s stories, getting to know their families, and celebrating their milestones.
Whether it’s your first home or your tenth, I’ll make sure you’re educated, confident, and never settle for less.
Sincerely,
Kristen Donlinger
REALTOR® | DRE# 02109634
