Today we’d like to introduce you to Becca Locke.
Hi Becca, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
There was a time in my life when it felt like everything was unraveling, and no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t get ahead. I had my first son and was pregnant with my second, a marriage that was going through its own struggles, and the weight of the world on my shoulders. It felt like life was happening to me, not for me. My husband at the time had just discovered a secret family in Texas—family members he never knew existed, and it hit him like a ton of bricks. We were named in a frivolous lawsuit, an amount so large that it felt like we’d never be able to recover. On top of that, my sister-in-law was going through a mental crisis that was tearing apart our family dynamics.
It was a period where everything seemed to come together at one pivotal moment, and I had simply had enough. I looked around at the chaos, the pain, the frustration, and I realized that I couldn’t keep living this way. I was constantly reactive to life, always responding to the blows and curveballs it threw my way. But I knew deep down that I didn’t want to live in fear anymore. I didn’t want to just survive—I wanted to thrive. I wanted more for my kids, for my family, and most importantly, for myself.
In that moment, I made a decision that would change everything. I decided I was no longer going to let life dictate who I was or what I could become. I was going to take control of my life, my future, and the direction I was headed. I was going to bet on myself.
But the road ahead wasn’t easy. I had no experience in real estate—no idea how to sell homes, how to build relationships, or even what the industry truly entailed. I didn’t know what a CRM was, let alone how to build a sphere of influence. All I knew was that if I continued down the path I was on—sticking with music as my career—I would never have the kind of financial freedom or fulfillment I envisioned for my family. I had dreams, but they felt so far out of reach. I wanted a different life, a life where I could provide for my family, where I didn’t feel stuck or limited.
Taking that leap was terrifying. I had no support, and everyone around me thought I was crazy. People thought I was abandoning my musical career, and I felt like I was letting everyone down. But in my heart, I knew it was the right decision. I believed in myself, in my determination, and I trusted that if anyone could succeed in real estate, it would be me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting in real estate was never easy, especially for a woman trying to find her place in a field that was heavily dominated by men. From the very beginning, I faced challenges that most people, particularly men in the industry, didn’t see—or didn’t care to see. When I attended real estate conferences, it was impossible to ignore how many of the successful men there assumed I was just looking for a husband (even though I was married…). It wasn’t just irritating; it was offensive, condescending, and misogynistic. It was the kind of assumption that made me feel like I wasn’t being taken seriously for my skill, experience, or ambition.
On top of that, the specific type of real estate I was working in—bank-owned properties—was also predominantly male. It wasn’t a welcoming environment for someone like me, who was trying to build a reputation based on grit, determination, and hard work. They never understood that every sale I made came from sheer persistence, even when the odds were stacked against me. The business at that time was impossible – this was right when the bottom fell out of the real estate industry. What we know today as the Great Recession. Deals weren’t closing. Lenders were folding every day, and getting a file closed was like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. But no one cared about the struggle—I was just assumed to have made my way up through other means, which was frustrating beyond measure.
As my career continued, I found myself growing into more corporate roles. But what I wasn’t prepared for was how much more political and cutthroat the corporate landscape would become. In the earlier years of my career, I was used to being self-employed, where honesty and integrity were the currency of relationships. If someone told me something to my face, I had no reason to doubt them—that was just how I operated. But I quickly learned that the corporate world wasn’t like that. Behind the smiles and handshakes, there were games being played, and I wasn’t equipped to deal with the manipulative tactics of those around me.
The lessons were hard-earned. I had to learn the difficult way that not everyone who is gracious to your face has the same intentions behind your back. The naivety I brought with me from being self-employed didn’t serve me in the corporate world, and I became a casualty of the environment I found myself in. It wasn’t easy—there were moments where I questioned myself, my choices, and whether I had been too trusting. Was I naïve? Did I deserve to be taken advantage of? Those questions lingered, but in the end, I realized something powerful.
Being a casualty of war isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, it was one of the most valuable lessons I could have learned. It gave me the ability to see who I was truly dealing with when the stakes were high, to discern who was worth trusting and who wasn’t. The experience hardened me in ways I hadn’t expected, but it also sharpened my intuition. I learned how to navigate a complex world of politics and manipulation, and more importantly, I learned to trust myself and my instincts in a way that I hadn’t before.
Building my real estate business wasn’t just about closing deals; it was about growing stronger, becoming more resilient, and learning who I was in the process. I realized that the real battles weren’t always external—they were internal. The true test of success was not how many deals I closed or how quickly I climbed the ladder, but how I grew through the challenges, how I faced adversity head-on, and how I stayed true to myself in the face of it all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Locke Real Estate?
My name is Becca Locke, and I’m a Seattle-based real estate professional with nearly 20 years of experience helping clients buy and sell homes. Over the course of my career, I’ve sold over $120M in volume and more than 500 homes. I’ve also spent the last decade in real estate leadership, including serving as the founding Broker of Record for Compass Real Estate when they launched in Washington and as a GM for Ben Kinney Companies and Keller Williams in Seattle. Recently, I returned to the field full-time now that my boys are off to college because my passion for this business is as strong as ever.
For me, real estate is more than just transactions—it’s about helping people confidently navigate one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Whether I’m guiding first-time buyers, helping families maximize the value of inherited properties, or supporting out-of-state buyers on tight timelines, I’m driven by a love for problem-solving and connecting with people.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
You might be surprised to learn that before real estate, I was a full-time musician. Music taught me how to think outside the box, how to tap into my creativity, and how to solve problems in ways that others might not immediately see. That creative foundation has helped me approach real estate with a fresh perspective—after all, every deal is unique, just like every piece of music. I was classically trained and initially thought I would be headed to Boston Conservatory to train in Musical Theater, but alas, the universe had other plans for my life.
But that’s not the only surprising part of my life. Alongside my real estate career, I also own a small organic, cruelty-free kitchen spray company called Locke Organics. It started out as a passion project to create non-toxic, sustainable products for my own home, but it quickly grew into something I’m incredibly proud of. Our sprays are made with love and care, using only eco-friendly, ethical ingredients. Locke Organics offers a range of sustainable cleaning options for homes, and I’m committed to providing products that reflect my values of sustainability and ethics. You can find Locke Organics kitchen spray available for purchase—it’s the perfect way to keep your home sparkling clean while supporting eco-friendly practices.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.BeccaLocke.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locke_realestate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100076340299886
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/becca-locke-273a1a10/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Locke_RealEstate
- Other: https://www.lockeorganics.com/
Image Credits
Peter Branchflower – listing images.