We were lucky to catch up with Marcia Guthrie And Sophia Castillo recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Marcia Guthrie and Sophia Castillo thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
“I’ve worked in real estate for most of my adult life and have taken a great deal of risks over the years, but the biggest ventures I’ve ever undertaken in this industry have always been alongside my husband or daughter—my greatest partners in both business and in life. The biggest risk I ever took was opening our first small, family-owned real estate office with my husband, Jamie, in the 1980s, in an entirely new and unfamiliar place—Three Rivers, California.
Jamie and I were married in the fall of 1982 in a little mountain town nestled in the Sequoia Forest, on the deck of the White Horse Inn. Three Rivers had been our favorite weekend getaway spot for years—a wilderness-shrouded slice of paradise. When we learned that one of the few storefronts downtown was vacant, we saw it as fate. I had always dreamed of owning my own business, and together, we decided to take a leap of faith and put down roots there. We secured the lease, I found a broker willing to co-sign, Jamie rushed to get his real estate license, and soon we were opening the doors to our very first self-funded real estate office.
At that time, Three Rivers had fewer than 1,000 residents and just a handful of local businesses—one general store, one gas station, one restaurant, and one inn. But when it came to real estate, there was no shortage of competition. Several agents were already established in the area, all vying for the same small pool of clients. We didn’t know a soul there, and we were taking a major financial gamble—using the last of our savings to fund our first joint business venture in a place where the odds were stacked against us.
Despite the very real risk of failure, we dove headfirst into launching our first independent realty enterprise in this rugged mountain oasis. Together, my husband and I took a leap of faith, and with a lot of hard work and a few good ideas, we made it a success. We bet on ourselves—on our shared ingenuity—and built something meaningful that served both our clients and our small-town community. Through persistence, creativity, and countless long nights, we grew a thriving business from nothing but ambition, grit, and a shared dream.
As the years went on, however, Jamie’s health began to decline. He had been diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis—a rare degenerative bone disease caused by his years of service aboard an improperly pressurized submarine during his time in the U.S. Navy. The high mountain elevation worsened his symptoms, and it became clear that we needed to make another life-altering leap—to start over somewhere new. Once again, we took a tremendous risk, leaving behind the successful business we had built in Three Rivers to relocate to a coastal community with better medical care and an ocean-level climate more suitable for Jamie’s health.
In the early 2000s, with our four-year-old daughter in tow, we moved to Pismo Beach, California. We got to work rebuilding our real estate business from scratch with the little savings we had, constantly aware of how precarious our situation was. What made this move so much riskier than before? For starters, we arrived with no network, no business connections, and limited funds after medical and moving expenses. Unlike our first venture, this time we were starting over with a small child to care for, and Jamie’s illness had progressed to the point where he needed multiple surgeries in a short span of time.
Yet despite it all, I don’t remember feeling afraid—because we were a team. Every challenge we faced, we faced together. We knew we were risking our livelihood by venturing into uncharted territory, but failure wasn’t something we ever considered. We simply believed that if we worked hard and stayed united, we could make it through anything. In my long career as a real estate agent, I never weathered a storm alone. Jamie and I succeeded where others might have faltered because we supported and trusted each other in both life and business. In our partnership, Jamie was bold, innovative, and fearless, while I was the cautious, client-focused counterbalance.
The risks we took together shaped not only our business, but the life and legacy we built for our family.
In 2022, after more than 30 years of working alongside my husband in our shared industry, Jamie suffered a major stroke that left him unable to walk or communicate. While I am endlessly grateful to still have him in my life, my passion and drive to continue my career momentarily stalled under the weight of new responsibilities that suddenly fell solely on my shoulders.
But I didn’t have to carry that weight alone for long. My daughter, Sophia, stepped in to help—just as her father once did. The same support Jamie offered through decades of shared hard work, Sophia now brings as my newly licensed partner in real estate. Like her father, she is bold, fearless, and filled with endless creativity and innovative ideas to elevate our business. Together, Sophia and I continue to serve our Central Coast community with the same passion and dedication that has always defined our family’s legacy.”
– Marcia Guthrie
“When I reflect upon the first two decades of my life, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward my parents. While I didn’t fully understand or appreciate the enormous strides they each made in their intertwined yet independently impressive real estate careers until I reached adulthood, I’ve always known that every opportunity, privilege, and freedom I enjoyed was the direct result of their endless hard work and selflessness—both in the office and at home.
Despite both of them working full-time as realtors, tirelessly helping their clients buy and sell homes, my parents somehow managed to attend every single sports game, science fair, and even the painfully long middle school plays I starred in. They never complained, never faltered, and never showed a hint of strain under the constant pressure of managing a thriving real estate business while being extraordinary parents. My childhood was filled with love, encouragement, and stability—an idyllic foundation that shaped the confident and curious adult I would become.
Although their lives and livelihood revolved around real estate, they never once pressured me to follow in their footsteps. Instead, they encouraged me to chase my own passions. For me, that path led to academia. My parents supported me wholeheartedly, even when my ambitions took me far from home—to new cities, countries, and continents. After earning my bachelor’s degree in Biological Anthropology with a focus in epigenetics from California State University, Long Beach, I traveled extensively before enrolling in San Diego State University’s graduate program in Anthropology. There, I served as lead researcher on several projects, taught university-level courses, acted as President of our Graduate Student Association, and eventually published a large, multi-disciplinary collaborative-action ethnography as my master’s thesis. Every accomplishment—large or small—was met with pride, enthusiasm, and endless support from my parents during our near-daily phone calls.
Then one afternoon, that familiar daily call changed everything. I answered distractedly, assuming it would be another casual chat with my parents while I multitasked at my computer. Instead, I was met with my mother’s trembling voice breaking the news that my father had suffered a stroke. In an instant, every to-do list, deadline, and academic plan evaporated. All that mattered was getting home to my family.
I took a leave of absence from my teaching and research responsibilities and spent the next month at my father’s bedside, holding my mother’s hand as we navigated this unimaginable new reality together. As my leave ended, I learned I was pregnant—with twins. In that moment, the path ahead became clear. I could no longer imagine building a life on the opposite end of the state, separated from the parents who had given me everything.
While I never expected to follow in my father’s footsteps or work in real estate, the decision to return home and carry on my family’s legacy—while raising my children alongside their grandparents—felt both instinctual and right. What once seemed like a detour became my destiny.
Today, every moment I spend learning from my mother, working side by side with her to serve our clients, while my twin boys play on my father’s lap, feels more rewarding than any academic accolade I’ve achieved. The lessons my parents instilled in me—the value of integrity, perseverance, and compassion—continue to guide every decision I make.
Through my mother’s mentorship, I’ve found ways to merge my academic background with our family business, introducing new forms of client-centered innovation and marketing creativity that build upon my father’s bold legacy. What began as a return home has become the most fulfilling chapter of my life—a full-circle journey rooted in gratitude, love, and the timeless lessons passed down from my parents.”
– Sophia Castillo
Marcia Guthrie and Sophia Castillo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Sophia Castillo, and I’m a licensed REALTOR® proudly representing Coastal Connection Real Estate on California’s beautiful Central Coast. I work as part of a mother–daughter team alongside my mom, Marcia Guthrie, who has been a respected REALTOR® in this region for over 35 years. Together, we combine her decades of experience and strong community ties with my modern, research-based approach to client relations, marketing, and real estate strategy.
My path into real estate wasn’t a straight line—it was a homecoming. I originally built a career in academia, earning my Master’s degree in Anthropology from San Diego State University, where I taught classes, published research, and led collaborative grassroots projects focused on the bio-cultural dynamics of human connection and the technological integrations of socio-economic systems. However, after my father’s stroke, I made the life-changing decision to move back to my hometown in 2023 to help my family and raise my twin boys close to their grandparents. What began as a temporary pause from academia transformed into a new chapter of purpose—carrying forward the real estate legacy my parents built from the ground up while bringing my own unique academic perspective and skills to help shape a more thoughtful, forward-thinking approach to the industry.
Working as part of a team with my mother at Coastal Connection Real Estate, Marcia and I help clients buy, sell, and invest in properties across California—from small coastal bungalows to expansive country ranches—while offering an experience that’s both personalized and deeply informed. We don’t just sell homes; we guide people through crucial life transitions. For some clients, that means finding their first home near the beach. For others, it’s helping them sell the home where they raised their children and begin a new chapter. Every client’s story is unique, and we value hearing and understanding those stories as we approach each relationship with empathy, transparency, and meticulous attention to detail.
Marcia Guthrie has built her career on integrity, expertise, and award-winning service. With more than three decades of experience as a licensed California real estate agent, she has earned a reputation as one of the Central Coast’s most trusted and knowledgeable REALTORS®. She’s a two-time recipient of a 100% client satisfaction rating, a member of the Million Dollar Club, and has spent over 25 years specializing in luxury properties, investment opportunities, acreage, and equestrian estates. Her extensive knowledge of the region—from Pismo Beach and Arroyo Grande to Morro Bay, Nipomo, and Paso Robles—allows her to offer clients customized guidance and exceptional results.
Beyond real estate, Marcia is also a respected public servant and community leader. She has served eight years on the Pismo Beach City Council and is currently serving another four-year term. Her leadership and involvement in local government provide invaluable insight into zoning, development, and long-term community planning—expertise that directly benefits her clients. She’s also deeply involved in community life, having served as a past member of the Parks, Recreation, and Beautification Commission and as a volunteer with local youth programs and 4-H.
What truly sets our team apart is the balance between seasoned expertise and modern innovation. Marcia brings an unmatched level of experience, leadership, and integrity, while I bring a data-driven, creative, and digital-forward approach to marketing and communications. With my background in research and education, I’ve developed tools that blend market analytics with storytelling, using visuals, video tours, and strategic online exposure to help listings stand out in today’s digital landscape.
We also take pride in serving bilingual and multicultural clients. “Marcia Guthrie & Sophia Castillo” pride themselves on their dedication to making the buying and selling process accessible and welcoming for everyone.
I’m proud that our business continues to grow while staying grounded in integrity and community connection—pivotal elements of my family’s larger legacy in our shared industry. My mom’s career began with handshakes and word-of-mouth referrals, and today our reputation continues to thrive on authentic relationships and repeat clients who feel like family.
Ultimately, our mother–daughter team at Coastal Connection Real Estate is more than just a partnership—it’s the continuation of a family legacy built on trust, compassion, and the belief that home is more than a property; it’s a foundation for life. Having been raised on the Central Coast, I feel a deep sense of pride in helping others build their lives in the very place that shaped mine. My goal is to honor the work my parents built while shaping a forward-thinking model of real estate that blends heart, heritage, and innovation.
How’d you meet your business partner?
“You could say my business partnership began the day I was born — I just didn’t realize it until decades later. My cofounder and partner in real estate, Marcia Guthrie, also happens to be my mom, so our story started long before real estate ever formally entered the picture. For most of my life, I watched her from a distance — balancing career, family, and public service with the kind of poise and determination that made it all look effortless.
Our paths were completely different for years. While she built a reputation as one of the Central Coast’s most trusted REALTORS®, I was immersed in academia, teaching and conducting research in anthropology. It wasn’t until my father’s stroke that our worlds truly converged. I moved home to help my family and raise my newborn twins, and in the quiet chaos of that season, I found myself drawn to the rhythm of my mother’s work — the client calls, the open houses, the small acts of service that make up a life in real estate.
What began as helping her part-time soon became something much bigger. I realized that everything I loved about anthropology — connection, storytelling, and understanding people — had a home in this field too. Marcia didn’t just welcome me in; she encouraged me to make the business my own.
Now, our partnership is a blend of experience and innovation, family and professionalism. I still learn from her every day, and I like to think that, in return, I’ve helped breathe new life into the business she built from the ground up.”
–
Sophia Castillo
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
“I think it really comes down to consistency and caring about people. When I first started out in real estate more than three decades ago, everything depended on word of mouth. There weren’t online reviews or fancy marketing tools — your reputation was built on how you treated people and whether you did what you said you’d do.
I made it a point early on to always be available, to call people back, to listen, and to stay honest — even when that meant having tough conversations. Over time, that built trust. Clients began referring their friends and family, and eventually I started helping the children of my first clients buy their own homes. That kind of long-term trust means the world to me.
I’ve always believed the little things make a big difference. I still write personal notes, drop off homemade Christmas fudge, and send updates about new listings or changes in their neighborhood. We live in a small town where those personal touches matter, and I’ve always chosen people first — the money has always followed. My clients know I’ll never just sell them a house. I’ll help them find a home.
I’ve also stayed very involved in the community — from serving on the Pismo Beach City Council to volunteering locally — because I believe being part of a place is just as important as working in it. People can tell when you genuinely care, and I think that’s what’s helped me earn their trust over the years.”
–
Marcia Guthrie
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.centralcoastrealestateexperts.com/
- Instagram: sophia__guthrie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.castillo.262563?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marciaguthrie
- Other: https://nextdoor.com/page/marcia-guthrie-sophia-castillo-realtor-team-pismo-beach-ca?utm_campaign=1760631117816&share_action_id=7e7ce79c-32c0-4f55-b394-0e8dac1b406b
https://www.reddit.com/u/SLO_PropertyExpert/s/XpxHdypfxl
https://www2.savvycard.com/sophia-castillo/sophia-castillo-pismo-beach-realtor/465bf2_scid
https://www.tiktok.com/@centralcoastproperty_ppl
