Growing up in Montgomery County, Maryland, Theresa Mills learned early that life is built in the in-between moments — the summer mornings spent by the Chesapeake Bay, the shared chores with five siblings, and the responsibility of a large, lively household that never really slowed down. Those early years, shaped by both structure and freedom, left a lasting imprint on how she moves through the world today.

“I grew up in Montgomery County MD but spent all my summers on the Chesapeake Bay at my family's beach cottage with five siblings,” Theresa shares. “We learned to do all kinds of things during the summer. Making dinners for the whole family, different rotating chores and of course crabbing, swimming and fishing.”

But alongside the sun-soaked summers and busy household rhythms, there was another layer to her upbringing that would quietly define her approach to people and work. Theresa, a twin to her brother Tom, who has Down syndrome, says growing up alongside him shaped her understanding of patience and compassion in ways no classroom ever could.

“He taught me patience and kindness toward others who need support,” she says. “Be grateful in all things.”

That foundation — gratitude, service, and empathy — would follow her into adulthood, long before she ever entered real estate.

Before becoming a full-time agent with Samson Properties, Theresa built a career that moved between physical education, coaching, and bartending. Each role, in its own way, required presence, communication, and the ability to read people quickly — skills that would later translate naturally into her work in real estate.

Today, Theresa is an individual agent supported by a small operational team, including virtual assistance and transaction coordination, allowing her to stay focused on clients and relationships rather than administrative burden. She has been in real estate since 2006, steadily building a business defined less by volume alone and more by consistency, trust, and longevity.

“I’m an individual agent with a supportive team behind me, including a VA, a social media VA, and a transaction coordinator,” she explains.

Over the years, her work has been recognized, including the SMAR Diamond Award 2026 and the Samson Properties 12 million plus award in 2026. Still, Theresa speaks less about accolades and more about process — about the day-to-day work of guiding people through decisions that often carry emotional weight.

What she finds most fulfilling is not the transaction itself, but the collaboration it requires.

“Work together with all participants within a transaction and solve hurdles /bumps in the road together as a team!” she says.

That mindset — steady, cooperative, and grounded — reflects the same values she grew up with. It is also what she believes sets her apart in a competitive field. For Theresa, success is rooted in connection, honesty, and asking the right questions from the very beginning.

“My ability to connect with people and my honesty with my clients, along with my strong negotiation skills when navigating contracts and advocating for my clients’ best interests,” she says, describing what makes her approach unique. Her advice to newer agents is simple but direct: “Ask good questions to your seller/buyers so you get to know their needs first so you can make an action plan for each individual client.”

Outside of work, Theresa’s life remains closely tied to family and water. She is a mother of four adult children and grandmother to seven grandchildren, and much of her time is spent traveling and gathering with them. Summers often bring the family to the Outer Banks, where old traditions resurface naturally.

“I have a big family, and I have 4 adult children and 7 grandchildren. We love going on vacation together to the outer banks in the summer, we love to clam, fish and swim!”

When she’s not working or with family, Theresa finds balance in movement and simplicity — tennis, pickleball, gardening, and time at the beach. Her personal goal for the near future is less about expansion and more about presence.

“My personal goal would be to schedule more self-care activities and enjoy being in the moment with family and friends,” she says.

Even her community involvement reflects that same steady commitment. Theresa supports seniors through her church, participates in local school initiatives, and is a member of the Southern AA County Chamber, staying closely connected to the broader community she serves.

Across every chapter, from Chesapeake summers to real estate negotiations, Theresa returns to a simple philosophy that anchors both her work and her life.

“Move with Mills,” she says. And just as often, she lives by another guiding belief: “Less is more.”