Inspiring Conversations with Angela Mattera of Angela Mattera – Affiliate Broker at The Realty Firm

Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Mattera.

Hi Angela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I remember staring through the glass window of our local mall watching the pretty girls wearing tutus and leotards twirl around the hardwood floors of a studio. I remember pointing and begging my mother, “I want to do that. I want to wear a tutu and be pretty.” She then told me “You will sweetie, when you go to America you can.” I must’ve been three at the time.

I began my chase of the American Dream at four years old when I moved to the states with my father. Unfortunately, my mother wasn’t able to join us as she had to stay behind in Thailand to take care of my grandmother. I wouldn’t see my mother again until I was eight years old.

I would say this was the beginning of my story.

Growing up in the American School system was a difficulty many immigrant children typically face. I lived with my father who was the son of Italian immigrants while learning English but slowly lost touch with my Thai roots, as I had no one to speak or encourage my Thai culture. Of course, my mother made my father promise her he would enroll me in ballet classes when we got to the states, which he kept his promise. I would go on to dance for nine years from the age of five years old in multiple disciplines of dance-ballet, pointe, jazz, lyrical, and modern.

We moved a lot in my childhood due to financial instability, many times we would end up losing many of our things between moves due to the urgency of needing to be out by a certain time. When you’re a child, the concept of money is not as significant as when you’re an adult, but when you come home to utilities not turned on or not having food in the kitchen, you catch on pretty quickly. Fortunately, I was able to stay in dance during these times from scholarships my school offered and family members pitching in to help.

When I was eighteen and freshly graduated high school, I went to Thailand to visit my mother. I had not seen her since I was eight when she visited us in the states and also when she and my father announced their divorce. I hadn’t had much communication with her since then, I believe I retreated into myself for much of my teen years when I was old enough to understand what had happened. My father and the rest of my family were angry at the situation and at her during the same time.

From then on, I had only ever heard negative things said about my mother. I was a very angry and miserable person as a result. After spending a couple of months with my mother in Thailand, I learned a lot about my parent’s relationship, my mother, and more importantly myself. I learned that not all adults are mature and ready for commitment. I learned my mother was the one who lost the most. I learned that my mother is the definition of a hustler and a strong woman. I learned that I am my mother’s daughter.

Fast forward to now, I am a twenty-one-year-old entrepreneur, real estate agent, social media manager, humanitarian, and dog mom. I wear many hats from day-to-day, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything in the world. I think it’s important to help people, and it doesn’t have to be the entire world, start local. If you make a difference in one person’s life, that’s one person who you’ve brought happiness to. I started the Homes and Hearts Program at The Realty Firm to embody this vision and to continue helping our local community.

Unfortunately, I didn’t become a professional ballerina-like four-year-old me had hoped, though I am still grateful for the lessons dance taught me along the way. In my twenty-one years of life, I’ve found that every chapter in life is like a series of steps, after a while these steps create a dance. Through the storms and bad chapters of your life, those steps create who you are and the dance is the life you’ve lived.

My purpose in life? I think back to that little girl staring into the window of the dance studio and wonder if she’d be proud of me.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s definitely not been a smooth journey. When I was eighteen, I officially moved out and was on my own.

This was a decision I had made for myself at the time due to the growing negative impact my family’s dynamic had on my mental and overall health. Unfortunately, mental illness is not a made-up thing and can cause strain on relationships, especially when gone undiagnosed for a long period of time. My decision was also supported by my childhood therapist who had been dealing with my family since I was very young and knew the toll it was taking on me.

When I moved out, I had no car, no job, and nowhere to live (great way to start huh?) One of my friends was working as a camp counselor that summer at an overnight camp which paid a salary and provided boarding and meals. And for that summer I spent my days teaching horseback riding and canoeing. The salary I was paid was enough for a downpayment for a car loan and deposit on an apartment.

When summer was over, I worked twenty hours a week at a restaurant while staying full-time in college to keep my bills paid for.

We’ve been impressed with Angela Mattera – Affiliate Broker at The Realty Firm, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a licensed Realtor who has unparalleled insight into the Cookeville and Knoxville markets as I currently live and have lived in both markets. I am dedicated to using top-notch marketing and negotiation skills to deliver excellent results to my clients. I value my client’s wants and needs over everything else.

I’m proud to be a part of the real estate industry. From showing homes to meeting new people, and nurturing positive relationships, I love every aspect of my job. My goal is to help clients buy and sell properties favorably.

If you are in the market for a home, land, or investment property in the Cookeville or Knoxville area, give me a call!

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
One thing many people don’t know about me is that I have a podcast that I host called “Shady History” available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Every Monday, we sit down and talk about true crime, legends, and dark history that many people don’t know about. If you are a true crime junkie like I am, give it a listen!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selltnwithangela/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sellingtnwithangela
• Other: https://shadyhistory.buzzsprout.com/

Image Credits
James Davis