The Beginning

Who in their right mind starts a business with their in-laws?

Well, we did!

Yup, my daughter-in-law, Mikaela, and I decided to start a real estate investment business and quite honestly, I think it was a long time coming that we would embark on a project together.

Let me go back to the first year she and my son started dating and came to south Florida to live with us for a few months. That in itself sounds like it would be a challenge, but once she figured out that I talk excessively in the mornings (umm, maybe the evenings too) and I figured out that she just needs her quiet alone time, everything moved along quite smoothly. Then there was the magical moment when we went into a store together. I said, “Mikaeala , I’m really trying to save for a trip to Italy next year, I’m counting on you…DO NOT LET ME BUY SHOES!” And she replied, “OK, I got you.”

Next thing I know, we are both trying on one pair of gorgeous pumps, boots, flats, and wedges after the other, when she looked at me prancing up and down in front of the mirror and coyly encouraged, “You can wear them IN Italy!” From that moment on, I knew we would be the kind of women, actually the kind of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law, that lifted each other up and supported the things that make each other happy, that boosted each other toward our goals. Yes, the perfect shoes can lift, support and boost just about anything! In the words of Marilyn Monroe “Give a girl the right shoes and she can conquer the World”.

Fast forward almost a decade. Many parties, holiday dinners, vacations, family Sunday-funday gatherings, movie and game nights, weddings, home relocations, celebrations of births and a few mournings of loved ones have been shared. My daughter-in-law and I enjoy many of the same core values and also discuss with respect, while hopefully learning from one another, our different views on world and life topics, We have both run our own (unrelated) businesses, And most importantly, are on the constant journey of becoming the best version of ourselves, because isn’t that the quintessential ultimate goal we should all strive for? At the ripe old age (NOT) of fifty-four I decided to retire because my business was not aligning with my work-life balance and a few years later due to covid challenges, Mikaela’s business underwent changes in the industry that were no longer aligning with her work-life balance either.

Next came the stars, the universe, our higher powers bringing us the opportunity to put our talents, our skills, our creative juices together for a yummy cocktail better known as Fare You Well Properties. Here’s the short version of how it happened. The first year into my ‘retirement” my first grandchild, Ezra was born, keeping me one busy MiMi. A few years later during a year or more of virtual lockdown because of C-19, with lots of time on my hands my eldest daughter, Mallory, encouraged me to take the Florida real estate course. While I was meandering with the online course, I was processing with Mikaela about what she wanted to do with her life professionally. She was on a hot pursuit of finding a house to buy for their growing family and said she always had an interest in real estate. Like me, she has no desire to work in real estate sales, but more in the investment side, the passive income side, the not so passive side of flipping. When I responded with “Oooooh, Me too!” It was a fait accompli, because from that moment on we were laying out ground rules, sorting out skill sets and planning out what would fill our souls, writing our mission statement and mapping out our business plan. (Ezra and Mallory pictured)

Mikaela and I both love to travel and have stayed at quite a few vacation rentals so we know what sets great hospitality apart from the average. We individually and collectively know exactly how we like being hosted and how to make others feel exceptionally welcome. Both our husbands are real estate lawyers (different firms and different specialties), so our vision as well as our team were falling into place seamlessly.

Business objectives were made, meetings were had and before long the opportunities were finding us. One of my most favorite things we incorporated into our weekly business practices is our “Monday Motivation”. Every Monday this mother-in-law or that daughter-in-law sends the other an affirmation, an uplifting quote, a poem, a song, an image, or an interesting podcast link. No limits, no structure, no plan …just a creative message that says, “You Got This!”

We are beyond excited to have you follow and join us as we share our experiences while growing our family business. Trust that we will share the good, the bad, the ugly and hopefully have a majority of positive parts to our journey, for we are all about the Good Vibes Only mantra. With each and every investment property (mostly in South Florida, but really we have no geographical limits!), look out for special events, parties and stays introducing our finished spaces for you to enjoy along with us.

Fare You Well,

Sarah “SJ” Strock