For Stacey Gualdoni, the path to real estate wasn’t a sudden leap, it was a steady evolution shaped by years of experience, personal milestones, and a willingness to embrace change.

Her professional journey began early, at just 18 years old, when she entered the workforce in banking. “My professional journey began with banking at 18 years old as a teller and worked my way up to a position in Commercial Lending department,” Stacey explains. Over time, she built a strong foundation in “financial services, customer relationships and community,” skills that would later prove essential in her real estate career.

But even then, real estate was never far from her mind. At 22, Stacey made a pivotal decision that would quietly shape her future. “I purchased my first home, a two family flat in South St Louis City, which later became a long term rental property that I proudly held for over 20 years,” she says. That experience gave her “a deep understanding of the financial side of homeownership and the responsibility that comes with major life decisions.”

In 2017, Stacey made the leap. Leaving behind a stable career in banking, she pursued what she describes as her true calling. “Leaving a stable career in banking was not a small step, but it was one I felt called to take,” she says. It was a transition made easier by the support system around her, especially her husband, Vinny. “His belief in me gave me the confidence to step outside my comfort zone and pursue the career I truly dreamed of.”

That same period marked significant changes in her personal life. Stacey and her husband relocated from Oakville, Missouri, to Waterloo, Illinois, in preparation for the next chapter. “Together we moved… to create more space and prepare to grow our family,” she shares. In the years that followed, they welcomed two daughters, Mila in 2018 and Josie in 2021.

Motherhood, Stacey says, has reshaped her perspective in profound ways. “Becoming a mom has been the greatest blessing of my life and continues to shape how I approach both my personal and professional world, with empathy, patience and heart.”

Those qualities now define her approach to real estate. Licensed in both Missouri and Illinois, Stacey brings a unique perspective to her work. “Having personal roots in Missouri and building our family life in Illinois gives me a well-rounded perspective that benefits the clients I work with every day,” she says.

What began as a solo venture has since grown into a collaborative team. After starting as an individual agent in 2017, Stacey expanded in 2021 by adding her first team member, Kate Meyer which allows me to focus on the relationship side both with business and family.  She is truly a blessing to have as a teammate and partner. Today, her team continues to grow, built on a shared philosophy of cooperation and mutual support.

“In 2025, we added Lori Kelly and Jessi Kraft, they are both amazing assets to our team! Our team is unique in the real estate world because we are powerful women in different seasons of life and career and we truly work as one unit,” Stacey explains. “When you hire one of us, you get all of us.” That collective approach, she adds, allows them to offer “ Going above and beyond, more availability, more expertise and more protection throughout the process.”

For Stacey, the work itself is rooted in relationships rather than transactions. “The most fulfilling part of our work is the trust our clients place in us and when they refer the people they love,” she says. “There is no greater compliment.”

Her goals moving forward reflect that same long-term mindset. “My goal is to be a trusted advisor for every chapter, not just a transaction,” Stacey says, noting her desire to support clients through every stage—from first homes to investment properties to more emotional transitions like selling a loved one’s home.

Outside of real estate, Stacey remains deeply connected to her communities. Whether hosting local events or supporting organizations like Human Support Services, TUBB5 Connect Group and Epilepsy Foundation, she emphasizes the importance of connection. “Connection is so important to us, my team and our family,” she says.

It’s a philosophy shaped, in part, by her upbringing and the lessons passed down from her mother. “She taught me strength, to show up daily & to follow my dreams,” Stacey reflects. “She modeled work ethic without preaching about it.”

Those lessons continue to guide her today, both in business and in life. And if there’s one principle she believes everyone should follow, it’s simple: “Never Stop Learning, Never Stop Listening.”