After two years of early mornings and long shifts, I left Starbucks to rebuild my life on my terms. Here’s how choosing peace led to purpose, real estate success, and work-life balance as a mom and entrepreneur.
There’s something sacred about 6:00 a.m.
The air is cooler. The world is still. My coffee tastes better when it’s not rushed. And the squirrels in the yard? They put on a whole show if you slow down long enough to notice.
For the past 2 years, I didn’t have this space. I gave my mornings—my best hours—to someone else’s vision. I wore a green apron. I led a team. I clocked in before the sun. And in return, I got structure, a steady paycheck, and a constant tug in my chest reminding me: This isn’t it.
This is my real story of leaving the corporate grind, redefining success, and building a career I love as a Realtor and mom entrepreneur.
When Work-Life Balance No Longer Works
I didn’t leave my job because I hated it. I left because the cost of staying got too high.
Work-life balance wasn’t balancing.
My energy was low.
My creativity was tapped.
My kids were growing faster than my dreams.
I was surviving more than I was living.
And the peace I craved didn’t exist in ten-minute breaks or one to two days off a week. I needed more. More room to breathe. More time with my family. More control over my own schedule.
Saying Goodbye to Starbucks: A Career Change Story
I officially resigned from Starbucks, a company I truly loved. It gave me community and stability during a difficult season—but it no longer aligned with the life I wanted to live.
So I walked away.
Not because it was easy. But because the idea of staying in the same place, with the same limits, felt harder.
A Job That Made Room for My Real Estate Dreams
When I interviewed for a new assistant store manager position, I was honest. I told them exactly why I was hanging up my green apron.
I said, “I love Starbucks, but I can’t work in a space where work-life balance doesn’t exist for me.”
And honestly? I thought I had talked myself right out of the job.
But to my surprise—they said yes.
I was offered a new position that gives me time to lead a team and time to build my real estate business on the side. It’s not perfect—but it’s aligned. And that changes everything.
Why I’m Building My Real Estate Business Now
Every day is different now.
There’s no script. No guarantee. But every step is mine.
I’m building a real estate business from the ground up—focused on helping first-time homebuyers and investors who never thought they could own property.
I’m creating tools that help first-time buyers and investors feel seen and confident.
And I’m finally operating in a space that allows me to be a mom, a wife, a businesswoman, and a whole person all at once.
The Real Shift: From Hustle to Alignment
Career shifts aren’t always dramatic. Sometimes they look like quiet realizations:
“I can’t keep missing this much of my life.”
“I want more peace than hustle.”
“My dreams deserve real time—not just leftover time.”
For me, it was all of the above.
And once I saw it, I couldn’t unsee it.
To the Woman Ready to Make a Move
If you’re reading this while silently questioning if you’re stuck, here’s your sign:
You’re not behind.
You’re not selfish for wanting more.
And you don’t have to choose between a paycheck and your peace.
You can pivot. You can pause. You can rebuild.
Even if it’s scary.
Even if it doesn’t make sense to others.
Even if you’re still figuring it out.
Final Thoughts: Why I Took My Mornings Back
I took my mornings back—and with them, I took back my voice, my freedom, and my purpose.
And now, every time I help someone move closer to owning their first home or investing in real estate, it’s a reminder: This is what I was meant to do.
Author Bio:
Damita McGhee is a licensed REALTOR® in Illinois, founder of McGhee Property Group, and a proud mom of three. After leaving her leadership role at Starbucks, she now helps first-time homebuyers and real estate investors build generational wealth with confidence and clarity. Follow her journey as she redefines success—one home, one family, and one morning at a time.
Leave a Reply