We’re looking forward to introducing you to Damaris Dover. Check out our conversation below.
Hi Damaris, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What is a normal day like for you right now?
You know, in motherhood and real estate it’s never the same, you truly never know what the day will bring. Lately though, my mornings start around 5am. I splash some cold water on my face, drink a lot of water, get in a workout, and of course, make coffee. Then it’s usually a round of emails before I get ready for the day. My son wakes up anywhere between 6:30 and 8:30, so I adjust depending on him. Once he’s up, it’s breakfast together and then I’ll dive back into work, checking off-market listings for my buyers, creating content for social media, and working on marketing projects (always creating something).
A big part of my day is balancing real estate with being a mom. I take breaks to go outside with my son, whether it’s a walk, the park, or just playtime in the yard. And since real estate is unpredictable, I’ll often get those last-minute calls from clients wanting to see a property, which shifts the day around. But for the most part, my “normal” looks like a mix of laptop work, creative marketing, client calls, and lots of playtime with my little guy.
After 5pm, it’s all about cooking and prepping dinner, though sometimes I’ll sneak in a client call between stirring pots. After dinner, it’s family time. My husband, son, and I always end the evening together playing, laughing, and just enjoying each other. I try to set “phone off” hours, but real estate doesn’t always make that easy, especially if something urgent comes up. By 8pm we’re winding down, and my son is usually asleep by 8:30–9. Depending on the night, my husband and I will either squeeze in a show or movie, scroll on our phones, or honestly just crash by 9:30 if we’re exhausted.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Damaris Dover, a REALTOR® with The Strock Team | eXp Luxury Realty here in the Bay Area and Santa Cruz County. I’ve been in real estate for over a decade, and I’ve built my business around two things: creative marketing and genuine relationships. What makes my approach unique is that I don’t just sell homes, I tell their stories. From luxury photography and videography to social media strategies, I create marketing that truly connects buyers to the lifestyle a home offers.
I’m also a mom, and that part of my life shapes a lot of how I work. Balancing motherhood and real estate has taught me how important it is to be flexible, resourceful, and intentional with my time. Many of my clients are families themselves, so they appreciate that I understand both the excitement and the challenges of making a big move.
Right now, I’m focused on helping more first-time buyers feel confident in this market while also supporting sellers with strategies that help them stand out and net top dollar. Beyond real estate, I also create marketing campaigns for a hospitality tech company, which keeps me creative and constantly inspired.
Lately, I’ve been working on creating aesthetic but valuable digital products for other realtors, things like listing and buyer presentations that feel luxurious and professional yet are simple enough to customize with their own photos and contact info. I’ve always been told I have a creative eye and that my content really stands out, so this feels like a way to give back and share what I do best. I’m excited to see where it goes and even more excited to see others using my work to elevate their own brands.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed I was this ugly, weird, chubby little girl who didn’t fit in. Around 12, I felt so out of place and convinced I wasn’t pretty enough. Those insecurities shaped a lot of how I saw myself back then. Today, while I still have moments of doubt, I no longer believe those things about myself. I’ve grown into someone who works daily on confidence, who takes risks, and who steps outside her comfort zone in ways that younger me never would have imagined. Now I believe in my own strength, my own looks and my ability to create the life I once thought was out of reach.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I lost my dad almost five months ago, and it has been one of the hardest things I’ve ever faced. I almost died giving birth, so that should tell you how deeply this has impacted me. It’s a wound I am still healing from every single day. Some days feel lighter, and I can find comfort knowing he’s no longer suffering, but other days the grief feels raw again, almost like picking at a scab. What I’ve learned is that healing doesn’t look the same for everyone, and it’s not linear.
Losing my dad has affected every part of me, even my work. There were weeks when I felt like a zombie, unable to focus on follow-ups or even create content. But with time, love, and support, I’ve slowly started to feel stronger. I remind myself that everything happens for a reason, and I’m learning to accept that it was his time, whether I agree with it or not. Healing for me has meant leaning into my grief, allowing space for the hard days, and choosing to believe that I can carry him with me as I keep moving forward.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Right now, I’m working toward my interior design degree through online college. I started in the fall of 2022, and since I work full time and had my son that same year, I can only take a couple of classes at a time. Between that and the general education requirements, it’s been a long process. But I’m committed. There have been moments when I’ve thought, “I can’t do this,” but I always push through and do it anyway.
Even if it takes another five years, I won’t give up because I want to prove to myself and show my son that anything is possible. My goal is to bring together my love for interior design and real estate, and I have a clear vision of where I want that to take me. No matter how long it takes, I’m determined to see it through.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I think with social media it’s both the best and the worst thing for your ego. You put so much energy into creating content, putting yourself out there, and sometimes it takes off and feels amazing, and other times it just flops. No one’s rolling out the red carpet for you. Sure, being asked to collaborate with brands like Fabletics was incredible, but most days you post your best work and get 20 likes if you’re lucky.
What I’ve learned is that you keep going anyway. You post, you share, you create, even when the praise isn’t there. Because when you meet people in real life, they’ll tell you they’ve been following along and that what you’re doing inspires them. That’s when you realize people are watching, even if they’re not always engaging online. So yes, I give it everything I’ve got no matter what. I don’t delete posts, I stand by my work, and I believe in what I’m doing because the value doesn’t come from praise, it comes from showing up fully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://damarisdover.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damarisdover/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damarisdover/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damarisdover.realtor
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@damarisdover
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
