The career I planned never fit. The one I stumbled into changed everything.

 

I never imagined I'd be an agent. In fact, I thought I was going to be a police officer. Growing up, I was fascinated by law enforcement—the crime shows and the three-letter agencies. I even studied criminal justice at Texas State University, convinced that was my path.

 

But as I edged closer to graduation, something didn’t feel right. I began noticing it in the classroom: I wasn't exactly connecting with my classmates or faculty. Then I began applying for law enforcement jobs. I’d sit in interviews and stand in lines with other candidates, and we just didn’t connect.

 

I realized I wanted something different but I didn't know what that was. What I did know was that I felt a strong pull back to Washington State. Part of it was my mom—she was sick with cancer, and I wanted to be near her before she passed. My parents had divorced when I was fifteen, and I carried some resentment toward my mom. When she got sick, I was forced to confront those feelings. In the end, I was able to mend our relationship and lean into forgiveness before she passed away in 2020. I'm so grateful we had the chance to say goodbye and spend that final year together.

 

The second reason I wanted to move to Washington was Ashley. We’d met as kids through a church program, and though life had taken us in different directions, I never forgot her. I wanted to date her, but she either had a boyfriend or I was in a relationship. When I returned, the timing was finally right. We fell in love quickly and got married a year and a half later. It felt like everything was falling into place—except my career.

 

I was still searching for my purpose when a Facebook post changed everything. Ronny, my dad’s real estate agent, posted that he was looking for someone to join his team. I liked Ronny and admired him as both a person and a business owner, so I jumped at the chance.

 

Suddenly, I was managing listings—sometimes up to fourteen at a time—and learning the ropes from the ground up. It was busy, sometimes overwhelming, but I loved the challenge. One day, during a drive in Ronny’s Jeep, we had a conversation that changed everything.

 

"You're too talented to stay in this position just managing listings," said Ronny.  “I think it’s time for you to take the leap and start selling homes." That conversation pushed me to become a traditional real estate agent, which ended up being life-changing.

 

Ashley and I now have three children: Ezra, Titus, and Selah. They are all close in age, with the youngest just over a year old. They play together, laugh together, and remind me every day why I work so hard.

 

We live in what we call the “family compound” in downtown Puyallup—three neighboring homes filled with cousins, grandparents, and endless games of poker. I’m deeply involved in my church, leading worship with Ashley every Sunday. And when I’m not working, I find fulfillment as a foster parent, opening our home to children who need a safe place.

 

Looking back, I see a thread running through all of it—forgiveness, timing, and the quiet courage it takes to follow a pull you can't quite explain. I’m grateful that I found a career that allows me to connect with people in such a meaningful way.

 

What sets me apart from other agents is my commitment to ensuring my clients are in a better financial position after working with me. I want to improve their lives through real estate. I approach every transaction with an investor’s mindset, always looking for ways to increase a property’s value and set my clients up for long-term success. For sellers, my firm offers a premier listing package where we invest up to $100,000 into their property—covering things like paint, flooring, landscaping—to help them net significantly more when they sell.

 

I pride myself on my speed to service, by being available and responsive when my clients are in need. Education is also a big part of my process, especially for first-time buyers; I take the time to walk them through every step, ensuring they feel confident and informed. Ultimately, I’m not just focused on a quick sale—I want to help my clients build wealth, achieve their goals and form life – long relationships.

 

Sincerely,

Josiah Toole