Angela Tourville and Mike Tourville NA shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Angela Tourville and Mike Tourville, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Angela:
My quick answer is the gym! Outside of work, that brings me instant joy. And I certainly notice the days when I’m forced to skip it. Something’s off, missing, and I’m at half speed. It is a place where I can tune out the noise, process through thoughts and exhaust myself physically instead of always mentally. I also feel very powerful when I push past a barrier and level up my work out.
But on a larger scale, and far more important, it’s seeing my four children grow, change, and adapt to life’s changes around them. I have two daughters in college, Lily and Bryn, a son in high school, Nick, and my younger son Mikey is in first grade. It’s a whirlwind, and time moves much too fast!
Mike:
Well, the gym doesn’t work for me! I’ll work out at home every morning, finish in in 20 minutes, walk upstairs and I’m done! And I agree that my energy is off on the days I skip it. I have a hard time sitting still… but when I do, I like to write. I also run a non-profit and a video podcast called The Healing Voices Project, where our guests discuss addiction and recovery, mental health issues, and coping with grief. That evolved from my second book, Voices from the Fallen, and I feel it’s a way to educate and share stories to help people going through difficult times.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Angela Tourville, and I am Mortgage advisor helping people buy homes. I manage a branch with a team of loan officers for AnnieMac Home Mortgage and work closely with my father-in-law, Mike Tourville, who is a veteran of the mortgage business. We just completed our book called GET MOVING! A Personal Mortgage Guide to Get You in TOP Home Buying Shape.
The purpose is to educate, help people prepare, and take the fear out of the home buying process, often the biggest transaction of their lives. Sometimes the joy of buying a house is fraught with stress and anxiety, and we try to answer the most often asked questions with clear answers and examples. The bonus of the book is having many of our trusted colleagues share their experiences and advice.
Aside from helping buyers with useful information, it was a fun family project AND I got to collaborate with many of our local real estate experts.
Both Mike and I like to stress the advising component of our job and that’s why we wrote the book. There is so much more to look at than “Here’s your lowest rate!” We look at the whole picture, to make sure our clients can achieve both short- and long-term goals.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
Angela:
I’ve noticed a change over the past few years where I’d be anticipating other’s needs, adjusting my reactions to fit the room, and theneeds of people around me, even strangers. I now know that I can let that go and not try to be such a people pleaser. Sometimes it’s appropriate, but now I can assess the situation, read the room, and do things on my own terms unapologetically.
My confidence has grown and I don’t need validation from others as I had in the past.
Experience has helped – along with being a mom – and that progression didn’t come quick or easy. And I’m still working on it! Probably always will…
Mike:
It’s interesting to hear Angela talk about similar experiences and perceptions I had many years ago, so I can certainly relate to that (except the mom part!). For me, I get a sense of release by sharing stories and experiences, and I’m not necessarily talking about my own. So many people have inspiring stories to share, that can motivate, educate, or even help others going through tough times. I love stories and analogies that help people relate to a situation and see things more clearly. We used a few in our new book GET MOVING! because they can make a topic more easily understood and relatable.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Angela:
As a child who grew up in foster care- moving from home to home and school to school every year from the age of 7-13 led to abandonment issues. Thinking that my value was held in the hands of others’ views of me. And over and over being passed on to others. Eventually I was able to move past the hurt of abandonment by forgiving those who had done that to me. This wound has built a superpower to problem solve. Which, now with hindsight, I see that is exactly why I do not need to rely on others’ opinions of me or needs from me. I can be me, and support and help other people with their goals or problems. However, I now can put myself and my family first and know my worth is safe inside of me.
Having to be self-reliant shaped my personality and abilities to pivot to real estate lending, where problem solving is a huge part of the job. I almost feel as if I’ve turned an adversity into a gift. And if I can guide home buyers change their lives with a new home, find stability, and have a chance at building wealth, there is nothing more gratifying.
Mike:
I can’t recall a defining time or experience, but within the entire context of growing up in a housing project with no money, where our parents worked several jobs just to keep the family afloat makes me appreciate the value of working and the ability to relate and understand the struggles people go through. I played sports growing up and lost as much (maybe more) than I’ve won. But I wouldn’t have it any other way and wouldn’t change a single thing. I’ve succeeded at things and failed at others, but I’m still not afraid to lose, not afraid to take a chance, never hesitant to try something new.
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 do you believe is true but cannot prove?
Angela:
It’s a challenge to know something is true, and want to genuinely convey to people, but cannot prove. For example, in my line of work I often get emotionally attached to my clients (sometimes too much!) where I truly want the best financing and outcome for their family. Commission is secondary. My approach is not making a decision for them, but by providing honest advice and education to equip them to make their own decisions. It’s hard to explain the satisfaction I get when they achieve homeownership, especially if they overcame obstacles to get there. My performance might demonstrate that every day, but saying it is one thing, and doing it every day is another. I don’t take trust for granted; I need to earn their trust – not just because I say it, but my behavior and actions will have to say it to them.
Mike:
I appreciate what Angela said above. Sometimes the more you say something, the less effective it is. Proof is in the doing, and to earn trust, it’s doing it repeatedly.
And maybe in my older age I think I don’t need to prove anything anymore to anyone – I’m tired of it! If they don’t believe or trust me , it’s their problem! Ok, a little harsh, but the point is I’ve done my best and knowing you can’t please everyone, I’ll be just fine with the ones that give me an opportunity to work with them. If not, it’s ok.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What light inside you have you been dimming?
Angela:
In short: Sharing my success – my story – without shame or fear. It goes hand and hand, and I am trying to be braver and share it in full. Only a few short years ago I remember the fear of taking on a new role with more responsibilities. Becoming a loan officer and now Branch Manager. Like many people starting a new role, I sometimes felt burdened with the imposter syndrome. It’s feeling that people see through you as not worthy of the job you’re in, yet you’re there. Earlier in my career, I would hide it, maybe a little out of embarrassment. A goal is to own my story and share to inspire others.
Mike:
Well this fits right in with our story, and our book GET MOVING!. Angela gets to share her knowledge and experiences and use it as a wonderful educational tool. Also, we were able to include some of our colleagues in the real estate business to share their stories and advice. Their help was a huge part of the book’s message. And a bonus for me is I get to see Angela, as my daughter-in-law and a professional partner, grow in her career, achieve her goals, share her story, and find ways to help her friends and clients through the home buying process. So much to accomplish all at once!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ATHomewithAngelaTourville.com
- Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/angela-tourville-245783178
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angela.tourville
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