Q: So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
BL: Wow. I’m humbled to be able to tell you parts of my story, but before I begin, I’d like to preface by sharing that we will all face struggles in our lives, and I have been very blessed to overcome devastation in my life. I am 36 now, but at the age of 29, I lost my dad, and my husband was in a tragic accident that left him in a coma-like state for two years. I was pregnant at the time of both of these tremendous losses, and I had my second child in a moving vehicle. My family and I were the recipients of many blessings, much love and a huge community surrounding us. This accident and coma lasted from 2014-2016. We lost my husband and best friend in 2016. 

In 2019, I was kidnapped and assaulted in downtown St. Louis. I was able to overtake this man and I am privileged to be the heroine and victor of that story. While many difficult things have happened, one of the most wonderful blessings and changes in my life has been my work in home warranty, as I was hired four months after this attack. I am a widowed mother of two and I have remained in the home that my husband and I shared—it has been a work of love and I am so thankful to have the weaving of some very difficult things into a life so unimaginably beautiful. 

Q: What attracted you to the Home Warranty industry?
BL: As it so happened, I had no history in home warranty, and I was hired as a support person to another Account Executive. While I learned, I saw the opportunity for a career and the creation of a true business. As I walked in my learning and met agents across the St. Louis and Metro East, I was given a whole new territory that covers the remaining area of Missouri. The draw is assisting agents in protecting their clients after closings and helping when it really matters. The comfortable parts of our homes are what home warranties protect!

Q: Tell us about your position as Director of Membership for the St. Louis Women Council of Realtors?
BL: I am the Co-Director and share responsibility with my wonderful friend and colleague Kami Kimes. The Women’s Council of Realtors St. Louis Chapter is a dynamic community that does highlight the women in real estate but is widely known in all of Missouri. The community and networking events are designed to engage with other agents and build community. There are so many opportunities for learning and friendship! 

One of our next events in September is a Realtor Safety Lunch, and this is very important for me to share—simply because I was attacked, and it can happen to ANYONE. I am introducing Janet Judd, (2021 President of Missouri Realtors) who will be the Keynote Speaker at that event. 

Q: Were there moments in your career that were pivotal to getting where you are today?
BL: This is such a good question! Yes, I remember working many hours and waking up early just to learn and be prepared. It felt exhausting because I was in over my head. I started in May of 2019 and summer season was just beginning. Claims for A/C in the summer can be challenging and I learned that we need to meet people where they are. Engaging with clients and being able to communicate well in moments of discomfort and frustration was a very important lesson and also led to a lot of positive feedback for my business. This was the first season and a noticeable moment that changed the direction of my role. Secondly, the pandemic changed the Real Estate world, and my territory grew! Working and continuing to connect, albeit virtually, allowed me to be in distant places that I may not have been able to be otherwise. I still believe that in-person allows us to really build meaningful relationships but knowing that we can still adapt, and grow has shown me that a strong work ethic and being accessible is paramount. 

Q: What are the best practices you have employed to build a successful career? 
BL: Building relationships in business is always based on trust. People overall want to be able to depend on you and your word. I extend the opportunity for both to my sphere, and I believe in the work Choice Home Warranty does across the nation and in MO. I have seen so many good repairs and replacements of our household mechanics. Moreover, when I get to be involved and help when it matters to a homeowner, it’s so rewarding.

Q: What is it about your job that most excites you?
BL: I love helping people. I love it when an agent says “I knew I could call you. Thank you!” It’s the feeling of stick-to-it-ness and gaining that end reward that is SO powerful and exciting. We don’t get huge accolades or awards in the day-to-day, but when someone is happy and saving money, it’s awesome!

Q: What's your advice for women in male-dominated fields?
BL: I get a bit tearful in this response. This question asks me to reflect on where I came from. My father was a real estate broker/owner in Memphis, Tennessee. He was Tennessee’s Most Outstanding Young Man in the mid-1970s as well as the most successful Program Chairman of the Memphis Jaycees. He was also a representative in the Tennessee State legislature for two consecutive terms. My mom was also the first female elected official as the Register of Deeds in the county where I grew up. She and my father both gave me a childhood that was full of adventure and learning. Both of them said, “There’s no one that can tell you you’re not good enough or you can’t because your female.” They both gave me opportunities to explore activities that would highlight female entrepreneurship as I won a business plan competition when I was sixteen and gave a speech on Software compliance in San Francisco, California. With some of those winnings, my dad also insisted I learn to drive a motorcycle and get my license—which I still have and keep current. We spoke of being well-rounded and interesting. A favorite quote of my father’s, “If you are going to’ dream, dream big- it doesn't cost anymore

Q: What's the greatest fear you've had to overcome to get where you are today?  
BL:  The fear of failing is always a motivation, but I think sharing in the fact that when you fail, you learn the most, has been an epiphany. We all fall short of perfection and that’s ok. I think doing our best is a better goal, especially since we are facing new challenges daily. 

Q: Can you tell our audience one of your most memorable moments your career?
BL: Yes—also start the waterworks. A family member is in my leadership team, and I was MVP of 2019. My award was given to me in Nashville and presented to me by him. Not only was he tearful, but it was just a very moving experience. My father did some of his most distinguished work in Nashville, and I worked very hard with little reward initially. Also, I was the first to be awarded the MVP!

Q: What’s one lesson you’ve learned in your career that you can share with our audience?
BL: I’ve learned that kindness wins. The verse in Proverbs 15:1 of the Bible “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up wrath.” When people are hot, they are stressed and short! This verse is a good reminder every day, but even more so every hot day in warranty. Emotions can get high in nearly anything, so meet those around us with kindness because we never know what battles they are facing. And apply this verse to other areas of life, it’s still wisdom!

Q: Which woman inspires you and why? 
BL: My mom. I realize I’ve spoken a lot about my dad, but my mom was my solid rock. My mother worked hard and provided and experienced many difficulties in her life. I learned the big pillars of character from her. She has all the characteristics we see in inspirational memes and posters. She has tenacity, audacity, integrity, grit, and grace. She is tough and tender, loving and strong, and strives for the best. My mother is the one you want in your corner for any milestones—the good, the bad, and the ugly. I have observed her triumph over difficulty and endure life. She also is most deserving of knowing how beautiful she always appeared to me. I am very blessed and grateful to have her as my mother with the many things I have also endured. 

Q: What are some of the challenges you feel women face today?
BL: I believe one of the biggest challenges we face today is being the breadwinner and a good mother. When I started at Choice Home Warranty, I had primarily been a stay-at-home mother. The transition for my kids was harder than it was for me. 

Q: What advice would you give to young women who want to succeed in the workplace?
BL: EVERY and ANY opportunity is an opportunity to do well. If you are doing your best, and you are consistent, it will be noticed. I feel like this is cliché and we hear this all the time but showing up is the hardest part. But if you show up and do your best—you will succeed.

Q: After high school, where did you feel your career path would take you?  
BL: This is very boisterous, but I’ll share anyway. I was 7th in my high school graduating class, and I was named “Most Likely to Succeed” for my classes’ “Who’s Who.” I went to a local private prestigious college in Memphis, and I was given a rude awakening. College was very difficult for me. I had applied to Harvard (declined), waitlisted at Washington University (rough), and I had many colleges where I was accepted. Many thousands of dollars in scholarships I did not take to colleges out of the state of Tennessee. At my alma mater, I struggled with the classwork, and I did have lofty dreams to become an attorney at one time. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Religious Studies, and that was probably the right thing—I built a strong faith. However, right after high school, I thought I was pretty hot stuff. My college years were formative for me. 

Q: Can you tell us how you manage your work life balance?
BL: I make time for what is important. My boss says that if it isn’t in your calendar, it doesn’t exist. I think she learned that from her time working with a very large real estate brokerage. I plan for time off. One other thing that helped me during the pandemic and life with kids at home, working at home, and being less wonderful versions of ourselves, I learned to start and end the day well. I listened to something that gave me this tidbit of wisdom and it has stuck. Integrating the things that bring me joy throughout the day by time-blocking and prioritizing work tasks helps me balance. I must mention that when the work phone rings, I answer. However, making sure I have spare time to recharge and reconnect with my favorite people renews me. There will always be tension.

I read a book earlier this year where they used the pebble, rock, and sand anecdote. If you haven’t heard it, I highly recommend Googling it. The premise is that each of those items in a container, one at a time, it may look full. Rocks first, then pebbles fill the open space, then sand—and finally water. It’s a powerful anecdote.

Q: What would be the title of your autobiography?
BL: No Broken Bones—out of all the trials and hardship, it was not a physical brokenness. It was/is an emotional and spiritual one. I think we have the ability to heal and grow, but sometimes a nod to what wasn’t wrong can be powerful too. 

Five Things About Britain Lenz

1. What's your favorite family tradition?  
Dinner time at the table we always ask, “What was the best part of your day?” and, “What would be something you would change about today?” I love hearing my kids’ responses.

2. What celebrity would you like to meet at Starbucks for a cup of coffee?
Candace Cameron Bure. We watched the new Fuller House and it was very therapeutic for me and my kids. I think there were a lot of similarities in circumstance and also something therapeutic about being the same personality type. And she was widowed with 3 kids—and the main character on Full House was a widower. It just made something familiar special to us. And it appears Candace is also strong in her faith, driven and approachable. 

3. What was the last book you really got into?  
I am a huge reader of books and I started trying to read as many books as years as I am old. I recently finished Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. I found it very interesting because he finds a novel way to express how our family culture shapes us. Sometimes it’s hard to find the words for that in general, but he does and it is endearing and enlightening. His “Outlaw Logic” of his upbringing resonated with me and highlights that family relationships can be challenging but we love them anyway. It’s so good!

4. What’s the most amazing adventures have you’ve ever been on?
After college, I was jobless, and I had always lived close to my family. It was time to adventure. I packed my car and drove west to Grand Teton National Park. I lived there in the park for 4 months and I transplanted. The Teton Mountains are magical and I met my husband there. All the love that I have for the outdoors began there. Any off day, I am in the wilderness and this created a love for spending time in nature for my family. This adventure as a single woman is one of which I am still very proud. 

5. Favorite City?
I love Santiago, Chile. I taught English briefly in a small rural town outside of Santiago in 2009. The city is enormous and the culture so different-- the siesta and being very close to the earth with the plethora of rich produce. I loved the language, the food, the sights, and sounds- AND FUTBOL. I also love how each culture can open your eyes to how we live and love! We are still one humanity. Reminiscing about it now makes me what to have a pisco sour!