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pW / MY CAREER
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Realtor, Advocate, Breast Cancer Survivor Meet Sally Cashman Phoenix Woman: What do you enjoy most about being in the real estate industry? Sally Cashman: I absolutely love the process of meeting someone new every day. Buying or selling property is potentially one of the biggest decisions we make in life. Clients need to have an advocate who listens and manages their transactions effectively, working truly on their behalf. PW: How have you stayed positive and strong with your business in this down economy?
Originally I had promised myself I would do the walk once in 2009—that was the year I had my bilateral mastectomies. But after three days with these incredible people, I couldn’t walk away. So, we are back bigger than ever, with a team nearing 20 walkers and hopes of hitting $50,000 or more in donations.
SC: As realty professionals, we are responsible for spreading positive energy to the market. Even in times of economic stress, we can bring that positive energy to our clients and become part of the solution, rather than regurgitating the doom and gloom. We have to stay aggressive and professional in all market conditions.
PW: Why are you so passionate about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Arizona 3-Day Walk and breast cancer awareness in general? SC: My commitment to captain our 3-Day Team, “Bad Girls” stemmed from a desire to give back to the people who helped me through an immensely difficult time. My family, friends, colleagues and community are all at risk in my eyes, and I feel strongly about making an impact on finding a cure.
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phoenixWoman.com
Sally Cashman, Realtor
“My breast cancer diagnosis and subsequent multiple surgeries have given me motivation to become all I can be.” — Sally Cashman
PW: How has your battle with cancer changed you, personally and/or on a professional level? SC: There are ways in which I feel more sensitive to things that happen in my life now; they seem more important and pivotal. Maybe in some ways this journey has made me more confident in my ability to push through anything. I was a young 46-year-old wife, happily married, mother of two awesome teenage boys, business owner and was very involved in my community. Then all of a sudden I was compromised. It’s what you decide at that moment that takes you either up or down. I carry that same suitcase with me on my professional journey.
PW: What advice do you offer other women who may be faced with a difficult journey themselves? SC: I had the honor of being the survivor speaker at last year’s 3-Day, and after writing a script and stressing over it to “get it right,” I threw it away on my way to the stage. There isn’t really any right or wrong way to talk about this experience, but the key is to talk about it—period. It will make our very precious lives even richer. pW If you are interested in joining Sally Cashman’s team or making a donation, visit www.The3Day.org/goto/teambadgirls.