Some lessons are hard-earned—but they shape how you show up, what you stand for, and who you become.

 

Getting let go came out of nowhere. I had just won “Best of Chesapeake” as an esthetician two years in a row and had a packed schedule of loyal clients. I spent over two decades as an esthetician and makeup artist, leading teams, working luxury beauty counters, and training under major brands like Laura Mercier. Then one day, the owner decided she was done offering skincare. No notice. No conversation. Just like that, I was let go.

 

At the time, it felt like another door slamming shut. But I’d already been through worse—and came out stronger.

 

Years earlier, I had gone through a very difficult divorce. I was a mom of two, Kora and Tyler, trying to hold things together while navigating financial stress and emotional fallout. I had to move into a small apartment with the kids and start completely over. I didn’t have the option to give up. My kids needed me to push forward, even when I didn’t know how I was going to.

 

 It pushed me to draw on the lessons of my upbringing. Growing up, we lived in a condemned home where I didn’t even have a bedroom. My mom is the kindest woman I know and did everything she could for me. We would pick berries together just to make some cash. I took those lessons and focused on providing for my kids and creating stability again. My work ethic became the defining factor, helping me create stability again and proving I could achieve anything I set my mind to.

 

When I met my now-husband, Ronnie, a Navy Chief, it felt like the start of a new chapter once again. We got married, had our daughter, Abby and moved to North Carolina in 2017 for his final duty station. For the first time in a long time, I had a sense of home again. 

 

I had always loved my career as an esthetician and makeup artist, connecting with people and helping them feel beautiful. But when I was let go, I started to feel like I had more to offer—a bigger impact to make.

 

That is when I decided to make a big change.

 

 In 2020, I started my real estate career. No backup plan, no safety net. Just a belief that I could figure it out and work hard enough to be successful. With two decades of experience serving people, I had built a loyal following. Those relationships became the foundation of my business because they already knew and trusted me. 

 

Once I found my footing, the momentum really picked up. I became a top producer across both North Carolina and Virginia. That success gave me the ability to provide for my family and create that sense of stability. It also gave me a chance to give back.

 

When Hurricane Helene hit the Appalachian region, I raised over $3,000 in three days, packed a truck full of supplies, and drove into the mountains to deliver them directly to families who had lost everything. Despite everything these people had been through, they were still beyond grateful for any and all help we could offer. 

 

 That experience confirmed to me that acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, do make a difference. I continue that passion for giving back by organizing horse rescues, hosting community coat drives to give to foster care kids in need, helping with equestrian therapy for people with PTSD and special needs children, and giving back to First Responders and Military. I’m grateful to be in a position where I can give back in these ways.

 

Everything I’ve learned along my journey helps me guide others through their own pivotal moments. I’m here to help people create the life they want and navigate their own journeys, knowing they have someone they can count on!

 

Building our home was like putting the pieces together of the kind of life we wanted to live. We created a space that reflects who we are: room for a horse farm (a passion of mine since I was a kid), a place for my mom to live close by, and the kind of environment where our daughter can grow up surrounded by family and nature. I spend my free time riding my horses, enjoying nature, and being close to family—our home and property have become a lifestyle for us.

 

 I’ve owned homes since I was 21, so I know firsthand how real estate can create stability, build equity, and open doors for the future. I specialize in equestrian properties, rural land, investment opportunities, traditional residential, and working with veterans—a group I’m especially passionate about serving, given my own family’s military background. What I enjoy most is helping people navigate major life transitions and finding a home that truly fits. I’m highly communicative, direct, and hands-on throughout the process, and I focus on building relationships that last well beyond the closing table!

 

 Sincerely,

 

 

Kat McCroskey

REALTOR®

Direct (253) 347-5577

katcloses757@gmail.com

PaleHorseRanchHomes.com