Meet Amber Gorbett, MBA | REALTOR

We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Gorbett, MBA and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Amber, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
Work life balance has been an evolutionary thing in my life. One consistency with my balance has been exercise. Somewhere along the lines of 24-25 years old, I figured out that I was happiest when I was working out regularly. And being in southern California, working out, outside, in the sunshine is a pretty easy thing to do. I get a regular amount of exercise daily, but I have fun while I’m exercising. I play with my kids at the park, climb the slides with them, jump on the trampoline. If it makes me sweat, I count it. I also take Tuesdays off professionally. Every Tuesday, I play tennis with my mom. Luckily, it’s a sport I grew up playing, so I’m not half bad at it, but the best part is being outside, in the fresh air, chatting with my mom and her friends. I get to hear opinions of women who have raised children, held big corporate jobs, have started their own businesses, and are now enjoying retirement (or semi-retirement) playing tennis with their friends. On those Tuesdays, I don’t look at my phone while I’m on the court. I laugh, I play, it’s like being a kid, but the jokes are more sophisticated, but somehow dirtier.

Along with exercise, I find that not over-caffeinating, having a rigid schedule in which I ignore social media for a few hours at a time are very helpful in feeling like I’m maintaining my balance. The angst that comes with running your own business can be jaw-clenching, so the less caffeine and the more structure for me, the better.

Lastly, I make time for girlfriends. My friends have gotten me through some of the darkest times in my life, and I make sure to nurture those friendships as much as I nurture my marriage.

What should our readers know about your business?
When I started studying for the real estate license exam, the first page of the book tells you that by the numbers, 1 in 6 Californians is a real estate agent. Whoa. I knew I had to somehow set myself apart. Having worked in HR because I wanted to work with people and make a community happy, my husband and I planned community events in my neighborhood, sponsored by my business. I’ve hosted all kinds of neighborhood get togethers; from Reptile Parties, to Santa visits, to Movie Nights in the Park. I want to find ways to bring my community together for laughs and fun, and to provide something that no other Realtor offers. Many agents spend their time looking for business by cold-calling. Who likes receiving a cold call, honestly? I’m so proud of the fact that I’ve brought neighbors together who wouldn’t have normally met. Because of COVID, our movie nights were put on hold, but we are about to host a few more coming up and I can’t wait to get everyone together.

Getting to this point has not been an easy road. Having two young kids, a pandemic, and being entirely commission-based is terrifying. However, my best mantra I use when I’m feeling overwhelmed is “Move forward today.” I find that as long as I continuously work hard toward my goals, eventually they come to fruition. It might not be in the timeline I want, but letting go of what I can’t control and moving forward keep me going.

What I’d love the world to know about me and my brand is that I’m not in this for myself. Of course I have to feed my family, and pay the mortgage, but I’m living a dream because I decided to invest in real estate. I want the people in my life to live this dream and to do it successfully with someone who can read a contract, negotiate, and not convolute information on the biggest purchase of your life!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Not hard to do, I have a running itinerary of how to vacation where I live. (this is a no budget limit trip, FYI) First things first, head to the San Clemente Pier. We can enjoy the sound of the waves, swing with the kids at the swingset, take a dip, then head to Pierside for a fancy cocktail and apps.
After yesterdays beach day, let’s head to Cafe Maison in Dana Point for Avo Toast and coffee. From there, we can set sail out of the Harbor and go whale watching. We’ll be lucky to catch a grey whale, it’s late in the migration, but the common dolphins will be dancing for us I’m sure!
Let’s head inland for day 3, and let’s go on a hike through Cleveland National Forest. We can actually get some elevation, and early enough in the season, we might see patches of snow! After that hike, let’s get in a big Mexican meal at Jalapenos, in Tustin! They have the best chips and salsa, beans, rice, carnitas…honestly, everything they have is delicious.
Day 4, head back to the coast and hang out at the Montage in Laguna. Great food, beautiful tide pools, and resort-style fun, snorkeling, drinks, etc.
Day 5, you probably would like to get some shopping done. High-end availability of South Coast Plaza, stop by Chanel, Gucci, Versace, they got ’em all!
Day 6, because my best friend loves roller coasters like me, we would hit up Knott’s Berry Farm, ride coasters, eat funnel cakes and fried chicken.
Day 7, Lounge with me in the pool at my house, where we will DoorDash and drink Mom-mosas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t physically read a lot of books, but I’m an Audible subscriber, and I think Dale Carnegie’s “How to Win Friends and Influence Others” will always be a classic: be a good business person by being kind person and a good listener, we should all do that. I love the book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, that’s on the re-read list. I’m a naturally messy individual, but hate working in mess, and that book helped me get to the point where people are surprised how tidy I’ve kept my house with a 4yo and 2yo at home!

My mentor, Jeanette, or the Empress as I jokingly call her, her ability to navigate not only being a phenomenal teacher, but to hang tight being my friend. My mother helped me begin this endeavor, so much of my success is owed to her. Thank you for pushing me, and for being my doubles partner, Mom. My husband deserves some serious recognition, not only did he support our family while I embarked on this career, but he promoted me publicly, built me my first logo, printed me shirts and hats for my birthday with my name on it, he’s been the most generous person in all of this. I couldn’t be the woman I am without him.

Website: http://ambergrealty.com/

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Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-gorbett-mba-04006410/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amber_gorbett

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCls7OyZig7TN5nJLN6JKCVg