We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marcie Youtz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marcie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories 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.

One of the biggest—and scariest—risks I ever took was retiring early from the Ventura Unified School District at just 49 years old. For twenty years, driving a school bus provided me with stability, routine, and a steady paycheck. It was safe. Predictable. Secure. But at the same time, I felt a pull toward something bigger—toward serving my community in a different way and stepping fully into a career I had already been nurturing on the side: real estate.

Most people wait until they’re eligible to collect retirement before leaving a government job. I wasn’t. I walked away from the district without being old enough to receive retirement benefits, with no safety net other than my faith, my work ethic, and the belief that God had a plan for me. It was a leap into the unknown.

And to be honest—my timing felt terrible. The very first year after I retired full-time into real estate ended up being one of the hardest years of my entire career. The market shifted, deals fell through, and I questioned more than once if I’d made a huge mistake by giving up my secure income.

But here’s the part of the story most people don’t see: I kept going.

I kept building relationships. I kept showing up for my community. I kept serving families, volunteering, and pouring into my nonprofit, 805 Community for Children. I leaned into my faith harder than ever before and reminded myself daily that growth often comes through discomfort.

And then—everything shifted.

The very next year, after the hardest season of my career, I had one of the best years I’ve ever had in real estate. Doors opened, clients came, my business exploded, and the impact of my nonprofit grew right alongside it. That leap of faith, the one that terrified me, ended up being the turning point that aligned me with my purpose.

Looking back, retiring early wasn’t just a career decision—it was an act of trust. A risk that taught me resilience. A risk that reminded me that sometimes we have to let go of the good to make room for the great. And today, I’m grateful every single day that I had the courage to jump.

Marcie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Marcie Youtz — a Ventura County Realtor®, community advocate, and founder of the nonprofit 805 Community for Children. My path into real estate wasn’t traditional, but it was purposeful. For 20 years, I worked for the Ventura Unified School District as a school bus driver. It was a career rooted in service, consistency, and connection — values that continue to guide every aspect of my work today. Even then, I felt a strong pull toward something more. I loved helping people, I loved real estate, and I felt called to use my gifts to build community in a deeper, more impactful way.

In 2017, I became a Realtor® while still driving a school bus full-time. I built my business in the evenings, on weekends, and in every spare moment. Real estate wasn’t just a job — it felt like a mission. Eventually, I made a courageous decision: at 49 years old, long before I was eligible to collect retirement, I retired from the district to pursue real estate full-time. It was a major leap of faith, leaving behind the security of a consistent paycheck for the uncertainty of entrepreneurship.

And then, in a twist that would test anyone’s resilience, the first year after retiring into real estate ended up being one of the toughest years of my entire career. The market shifted, deals fell apart, and I questioned whether I had made the right choice. But instead of retreating, I leaned in harder. I continued building relationships, serving families, volunteering, and deepening my involvement in the community. I trusted God, stayed faithful, and held on to the belief that the seeds I was planting would eventually grow.

And they did. The very next year, I had one of the best years of my entire real estate career. My business took off, my referrals grew, and the relationships I had invested in blossomed. It confirmed something I now teach others: sometimes the hardest leap leads to the greatest blessing.

Today, I’m a full-time Realtor® with Resource Real Estate, serving Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Ojai, and surrounding communities. I specialize in helping buyers, sellers, seniors, veterans, and families in transition. What sets me apart is my heart-first approach — I give back a portion of every commission to the charity of my client’s choice, and I treat every transaction as a relationship, not a number.

I am also the founder of 805 Community for Children, a nonprofit that supports homeless and vulnerable children across Ventura County. We provide birthday parties, prom essentials, Halloween costumes, Easter baskets, Christmas gifts, sports sponsorships, practical needs, and more.

One of the programs I’m most passionate about is equine therapy. Through our nonprofit, we provide equine therapy sessions to children who have experienced trauma — giving them a safe, nurturing, and healing space to grow, connect, and rebuild trust. Horses have an extraordinary ability to mirror emotions, calm anxiety, and help children process overwhelming experiences. I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when a child who has been through unimaginable hardship finds comfort and confidence through working with these incredible animals.

What I’m most proud of — in both my business and nonprofit — is the impact. I’ve helped families navigate inherited homes, supported widows and seniors through life transitions, assisted veterans, guided first-time buyers, and shown up for children who are facing the toughest circumstances imaginable. Many of my clients become lifelong friends, and that’s something I cherish deeply.

If there’s one thing I hope people take away about me and my brand, it’s this:
I lead with heart, faith, and service.

My real estate business and my nonprofit are deeply intertwined, both driven by the same purpose — to love my community well and to make a meaningful difference. Whether I’m helping a family buy a home, providing healing through equine therapy, or delivering Christmas gifts to homeless children, I show up wholeheartedly, consistently, and with a genuine desire to help.

For me, this work isn’t just a career — it’s a calling.
And I’m grateful every day to build community, one home and one child at a time.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

For me, staying connected with my clients is about far more than business — it’s about building genuine, lasting relationships. I don’t believe in transactional real estate. I believe in people, in stories, and in creating a sense of community that continues long after the paperwork is signed.

One of the ways I stay in touch is by personally calling every single client on their birthday — and I don’t just call, I sing “Happy Birthday” to them. It’s simple, it’s fun, and it means more to people than most would expect. It reminds my clients that they’re not just names in a database; they’re part of my extended family.

Another key way I foster loyalty is by giving back. With every transaction, I donate a portion of my commission to my client’s charity of choice. It’s my way of saying “thank you,” of honoring what matters to them, and of reinforcing the idea that real estate can be a force for good in our community. This approach not only supports local organizations but also deepens the connection I have with each client — because together we’re making an impact.

I also stay visible and engaged by being active in the community, attending local events, volunteering, running my nonprofit, and showing up consistently online and in person. My clients see me serving, giving, and contributing, which reinforces that my brand is rooted in heart, integrity, and community.

Ultimately, I foster loyalty by showing up authentically, staying connected in meaningful ways, and making sure my clients feel valued long after their transaction is complete. My goal is to be their Realtor® for life — and more importantly, someone they trust, appreciate, and know will always be there for them.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation in the real estate market was built on one thing above all else: showing up for people, consistently and authentically.

I didn’t grow my business through shortcuts, gimmicks, or pressure tactics. I built it the same way I built my nonprofit — through trust, relationships, and a genuine desire to help others. For twenty years, I served my community as a school bus driver, and many of the families I connected with back then are still part of my life today. They watched me transition into real estate and saw that I was the same person, just serving in a new way.

A few key things helped shape my reputation:

1. Leading With Heart
People can feel when you truly care. My clients know I’m not just here to sell a house — I’m here to listen, guide, support, and walk alongside them through some of life’s biggest transitions.

2. Community Involvement
I’m deeply involved in Ventura County through my nonprofit, 805 Community for Children, and programs like equine therapy for children with trauma. I serve at events, volunteer, host community drives, and give back at every opportunity. My community-first mindset has become a major part of my brand.

3. Giving Back With Every Sale
Donating a portion of every commission to my client’s charity of choice shows them that we are on the same team — and that their transaction has a purpose beyond the sale. It sets me apart and builds trust and loyalty.

4. Word of Mouth and Referrals
Most of my business comes from referrals. When people feel valued, when they feel taken care of, they tell others. With every client, I focus on delivering an experience worth talking about — honest communication, dedication, and follow-through.

5. Staying True to My Values
Faith, integrity, humility, and service. These aren’t just words to me — they guide how I treat people and how I run both my business and my nonprofit. I think people sense that, and it has helped me stand out in a very competitive market.

6. Personal Touches That Make People Feel Seen
From singing “Happy Birthday” to my clients on their birthdays to checking in long after closing, I build real relationships. People remember how you made them feel.

Ultimately, my reputation grew because I put people first. Real estate is just the vehicle — serving my community is the heart. And when you lead with service, your reputation builds itself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.marcieyoutzhomes.com www.805CommunityforChildren.com
• Facebook: Marcie Youtz