At an early age, I knew I wanted would be an entrepreneur; I just didn't know exactly where I would land. I thought I would take over the family business, maybe open my own boutique shop, but little did I know it would be far from either of those visions. Growing up with immigrant parents from Romania, I knew what hard work and grit looked like. My parents moved from Romania in the 1970s, landed in South Boston, ventured down to Braintree, and finally settled in Weymouth, on the South Shore. My father owned his own jewelry store in downtown Boston from 1975 until 2022 (or thereabouts because, let's be real, do entrepreneurs ever retire?), and I grew up helping my dad in his store my entire life. I saw what it took to run your own business and have carried those lessons with me. 

My mom was the opposite-she didn't have a traditional job but focused on raising me and my brother. I witnessed the hardships of running your own business as well as the toll it can take on family life. One could say, I am the perfect combination of both my parents: a hardworking entrepreneur and a nurturing mother. 

My competitive nature showed up early. I started on dance teams at a young age before my focus shifted to a love of sports. I was introduced to field hockey in the fifth grade and fell in love. I played throughout high school at Thayer Academy and college at Bentley University, even winning the NCAA National Championship with my team during my sophomore year. Being part of a team taught me so much, and that sense of teamwork has deeply shaped my work ethic. 

After graduating college, I had no real idea what I wanted to do, as most kids do. I earned a marketing degree with a management minor from Bentley, but what did that really mean for my future? I took the first job that came my way, which was working for a company that sold copy and fax machines in downtown Boston. Not only did I have to wear a suit every day to work, but I also had to cold call, knock on doors, and convince people to buy copy machines from me. After three months of doing this and earning "rookie" of the quarter, I quickly realized that selling copy machines wasn't for me. 

I moved on to work for a fashion house, Akris, in Boston on the wholesale side-and I loved it! What wasn't to love? I worked on Newbury Street, surrounded by beautiful clothing, models, designers, and so much creativity. This opportunity eventually led me to New York City, where I spent two years continuing my work for Akris on Madison Avenue. But, like so many Bostonians, I knew there was only one Boston, and the pull of being closer to my family and friends eventually brought me back to the Bean. 

This was the beginning of what I consider the true "retail" era of my career. I worked for Staples Corporate, Lyn Evans for Potpourri Designs, and eventually landed at Rue La La in South Boston as an associate buyer. On paper, it was every fashion lover's dream, but the reality of endless grinding and struggle led me to leave the retail industry behind. During my time at Rue La La, I married my husband Brian in 2012 and had my two children, Reilly in 2014 and Maddie in 2016. Those years were tough. I was leaving the house at five a.m. to catch the train while my mom watched my kids, and I wasn't getting home until six p.m., feeling like I was failing at both work and motherhood. My kids were miserable. I was miserable. Something had to 

change. 

Then came one of those "aha" moments. I realized I needed a change-something with more flexibility, something that would allow me to pick the kids up from school, take them to sports, and just be there for them. After poring over Excel spreadsheets to figure out budgets and plans, I decided to take the leap. I found a brokerage that felt like home and valued family life as much as I did: Lamacchia Realty. In 2017 with my son then three years old and my daughter one year old, I started as a brand-new agent with no prior real estate experience and quickly became a force on the South Shore. In those early years, I almost doubled my business year over year, and now I average fifty to sixty deals annually. Best of all, I've been able to be the mom I always dreamed of being. 

I've realized there's no true work-life balance; it's all a blend. I might be up early catching up on emails or writing offers from the sidelines of my kids' games, but I never miss the important moments-concerts, games, you name it. My career change allowed me to do both: succeed professionally and prioritize my family. 

Even while thriving as a realtor, I've always felt a desire to do more-to contribute to something bigger. In 2019, I lost my college best friend to cancer at just thirty-eight years old. To honor her memory, I dedicated my time to riding in the PMC (Pan-Mass Challenge), an annual bike ride that raises billions for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Then, in August 2022, my son was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes-a challenge that took my  family by surprise. Adjusting to this "new normal" of carrying medical supplies everywhere and always having snacks on hand, I realized that this was my new cause. I've since dedicated time to fundraising for type 1 diabetes, even launching an annual hockey fundraiser that I hope to grow bigger every year. 

From being the first generation to graduate college in my family, to running my own successful business, to being a mom of two, at the end of the day I know what inspires me and drives my inner voice, which is to be the change. Whether I am helping a first time home buyer win their first home, helping sellers downsizing from the home they raised their family in, or being a mom and raising two respectful kids, I love helping others and making an impact in my direct world, and others. I live my life with no regrets, and one day when all that's left is this book and two grown Murphy kids, I want people to remember Bea Murphy, as the woman who made a change, even if it was a small one.