Meet Athena

We had the good fortune of connecting with Athena and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Athena, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
As a parent, I believe the most important thing I’ve done is point my children to Jesus. Life has challenges, uncertainties, and seasons we can’t control, and having God as their foundation gives children strength, peace, guidance, and hope no matter what comes their way. More than anything else, I wanted them to know where to turn in both good times and the hard times. With my girls now being 19 and 21, I can attest to the proof is in the pudding. They have modeled a life that is more than I could have asked for or imagined.

What should our readers know about your business?
I’m a residential loan officer, and one thing that makes my story unique is that I entered this industry during one of the hardest times in mortgage history — right around COVID and immediately after the historically low 2s & 3s interest rates. When rates rose quickly and the market shifted, many left the industry altogether. I was at the start of learning and building.

I didn’t know it was a hard time, so I built strong relationships, stayed consistent, and found ways to bring value in what I learned later was a difficult market. Those hidden challenges taught me resilience, problem solving, and the importance of treating people well no matter the circumstances.

What I’m most proud of is the trust people place in me. Most of my business comes from very tenured real estate agents who trust me to help get our clients to the finish line, most especially in complicated or challenging scenarios. From there, many of those clients refer their friends and family, which means a great deal because it reflects my desire to have lasting relationships and the trust built throughout the process.

I want people to know my brand is built on my faith, integrity, compassion, and hard work. I believe you can succeed without a scarcity mindset, and I’m grateful to be surrounded by a team and partners who support one another and want to see each other win.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’d split the week between Houston, the NASA/Clear Lake area, and Galveston because together they give you the best mix of culture, waterfront views, history, and incredible food.

Mornings should always start at Java Owl Coffee House near NASA before exploring Space Center Houston, walking around Kemah and Seabrook, and catching sunsets by the water.

Food would be a huge part of the trip. For dinner we would definitely hit The Toasted Coconut in Houston for the fun tropical vibe, delicious food and drinks, and then on another night, Opus Ocean Grille on the water since it’s one of our favorite spots.

We’d also spend a day in Galveston walking The Strand, stopping at Star Drug Store for an old-fashioned shake or malt, and taking the ferry to Bolivar Peninsula to walk the quieter beaches and hopefully spot dolphins along the way.

And of course, I’d want them to experience Houston’s personality too — rooftop views, live music, amazing food from every culture imaginable, and the welcoming, hardworking people that really make this area memorable.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
First and foremost, all glory to God. My faith carries me through every season of life and business and has been the foundation that keeps me grounded, focused, and grateful.

My family deserves tremendous credit as well. This industry comes with long hours, constant demands, and a lot of sacrifice behind the scenes, and they endure it while continuing to support and encourage me every step of the way.

I also have to give a huge shoutout to SMP Mortgage. The support, leadership, and culture make it possible for top producers like me to truly succeed. And my colleagues at SMP are incredible — there’s no scarcity mindset. People openly share ideas, knowledge, and encouragement because everyone genuinely wants to see each other win. That kind of environment is rare, and I’m incredibly grateful for it. The executive management cares what we say, that we win, and that we are all on the same team. Where else can you find that kind of commitment. It’s family.

Website: https://www.athenapena.com

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