Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiffany Chen.
Tiffany, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The events that changed were life changing for me happened in December of 2009. On 12/19/2009 I was in a near-death car accident which left me in a coma for two weeks & unable to walk for three entire years due to a large fracture in my right femur (my thighbone, the largest bone in my body). In the initial surgery, a titanium rod was inserted through the middle of my bone alone with two screws at my hip & two at my knee. Throughout that timeframe, I went from being pushed around in a wheelchair, to using a walker to crutches, to a cane, to then forcing myself to walk (in reality I was limping) while in severe inexplicable pain without the assistance of anything due to the embarrassment of having been injured for so long.
The regular femur fracture heals within 6 months. Mine simply would not. I had my second surgery two years later where they removed the two screws at my knee because they said it would promote healing. Another year passed and there was absolutely no healing. I tried it ALL… physical therapy, hyperbaric oxygen sessions, acupuncture, prayer. I was absolutely depressed & depending on pain medicine to get through my daily life and all along my pain was only getting worse. I was told by many of the orthopedic doctors/surgeons I went to that my bone was among the rare 1% of fractures that do not heal, or that it was a nonunion, as they call it.
I held off for an entire year but finally gave into a third surgery in the end of 2012 when I simply couldn’t take the pain anymore. This was a big surgery where the initial surgery had do be completely redone and the titanium rod had to be replaced with a larger one. It ended up being the best move of my life because my bone gradually started to heal.
Words could never explain what a humbling life experience I went through for those three years. I gained weight drastically due to not walking, I was depending on opioids in an attempt to mask my pain, & lastly, I truly thought I would never be able to walk again, which is something we all take for granted & do not realize the value of.
Once I knew I’d been given another chance, I knew I had to gradually rebuild everything around me. I started by leaving my 9-5 corporate world job which I had for six years where I was working accounting/operations for a security company. I took a chance and went to work with my dad, who always told me that as his only child, I needed to learn the ropes of his business. He happens to be a well-known marine artist by the name of Carey Chen.
From 2013 until now, I have fully committed myself to be in the best physical health of my life. I took up weight training & most people who meet me would never imagine the trauma I’ve been through both physically & emotionally.
I know what it is for life to do a 360 for the worst overnight. This is why I am so confident that anyone can overcome anything.
Here I am, in 2019, able to work in two industries that I love simultaneously in hopes of bringing them together. The fishing industry & real estate. I’m so blessed & ecstatic about what this year has in store.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Again, nothing about life is easy or simple. Every single person you meet has their own personal battles that they are fighting internally that we know nothing about. That’s why over the years with my own life experiences I’ve learned how important it is to always be empathetic & to not be quick to judge others.
You can be on top one day & hit rock bottom the next so always remain humble and try not to burn bridges.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about your business – what should we know?
With Carey Chen Inc., we work the majority of the boat shows in South Florida, selling our art, clothing, etc… We also sponsor numerous fishing tournaments throughout the year, some in the US & most of them being in the Caribbean. I’m very proud to be able to work with the most talented marine artist in the world (not saying it cause I’m bias).
I also work with a brokerage called Luxe Properties as a real estate agent. To me, this company stands out so much amongst the other brokerages I’ve seen. Everyone around me is such an inspiration & we are always willing to help one another. In the end, we all have the same goal… to be a better version of ourselves.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Chemistry is all that matters. If it doesn’t feel organic and flow naturally, don’t force it. Energy & your intuition will never lie.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.RealEstateByTiffanyChen.com
- Phone: 3059242300
- Email: TiffanyChenRE@gmail.com
- Instagram: RealEstateByTiffanyChen
- Other: CareyChenStore
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