Success doesn’t come all at once—it’s built through grit, reinvention, and a willingness to keep going.

It’s amazing what a good mentor can do in your life. For me, that mentor was Mr. Mertz, my business professor at Mesa Community College. He got me thinking big—on another level entirely—and kickstarted my journey into personal growth.

I was never particularly interested in school, except for business. I played football in college, but after a back injury, I knew I wasn’t going pro. That wasn’t my path. So I had to ask myself: what’s next?

That’s when I met this well-dressed college teacher who ran several businesses and taught as a way to give back. He was sharp, disciplined, and different from anyone I’d met. He taught me to write down my goals, my dreams—everything—on a daily basis, and then take the steps to make them real. When I told him I wanted to start a cleaning business, he was the first person to say, “You have to do it.”

 By my early 20s, I’d already owned, managed, and sold that business. It was thrilling, and I was hungry for more. I set my sights on real estate investments.

The only problem? I had no money.

My dad, a coal miner, helped me land a construction gig in Los Angeles. For two years, I worked as a tunneler, saving every dollar and studying real estate in my spare time. When I saw the tunnel completed, I was inspired—seeing what men can accomplish with focus and teamwork. With some savings under my belt, I came back to Mesa and got my real estate license in 1998.

Soon after, I met my wife, Melissa, through mutual friends. Funny enough, I sold her a house, and after the deal closed, she asked me out! Now we have three amazing kids: Dominic (21), Brandon (16), and Emilia (9).

 Of course, life doesn’t always go according to plan. One of the hardest chapters came during the 2008 market crash. Homebuyers disappeared, business slowed down drastically, and I could no longer finance my investment properties. I lost both land and a home. Then my dad passed away. I was emotionally devastated.

Melissa, who worked at the hospital, kept us afloat, and I knew I had to pivot. My dad had taught me two things: believe in yourself and always provide for your family. So that’s what I did. I didn’t give up on my career as a realtor–I knew I was damn good at it– but while the market was down, I found other work to bring in income. It took five years for things to go back to normal.

Today, life is simpler and more grounded. I love coaching my kids’ sports teams. I also play golf and basketball and travel internationally whenever I can—I enjoy seeing how other cultures live and think. I volunteer to clean schools and support shelters that provide meals and showers for people in need. My  kids volunteer with me, which means a lot: I want them to see more of the world than their school or life at home.

After more than 25 years in real estate, I’ve learned: life is about resilience—the ability to stay focused and bounce back when life throws challenges your way. I still write down my goals and revisit them often, but I’ve learned that the strength to rise after setbacks is just as important as the goals themselves.

I love my job because I get to protect my clients with honesty and care. My guiding principle is clarity—I am a facilitator of it. I break things down in simple, straightforward terms, laying out every option and the implications of each one so my clients can make great decisions. The final call is always theirs, but I make sure their choices are based on clear, honest guidance rooted in real-world market conditions.

 I’m passionate about removing obstacles and preventing problems before they arise. I believe the process of buying or selling a home should feel smooth, not chaotic—and definitely easy. That’s why I stay fully engaged from beginning to end, never making excuses and never giving up until the job is done.

Behind me is a trusted team of stagers, photographers, and lenders—it really does take a village—and I coordinate all the moving parts so my clients don’t have to. I’m known for being a collaborative negotiator who works respectfully with other agents, creating win-win outcomes so everyone walks away feeling good about the deal.

 Sincerely,

 

Nathan Cannon