I’ve learned that praying is the easy part. Living out His plan when He answers? That’s where the real adventure begins.

 

Every morning on my drive to work, I prayed the same prayer: “Lord, please let something happen so I can leave this job.” I was working in mortgages, and at first, I felt like I was really helping people. But over time, it became more about high performance, long hours, and constant pressure with no room to grow. I was stuck, and I knew it. I wanted out, but fear kept me tied to that steady paycheck.

 

Years earlier, I’d felt this nudge in my spirit about real estate. And my immediate reaction? Absolutely not! Commission? No thank you. I wanted security, not risk. So, I ignored it. But the thought never left. It sat quietly in the back of my mind for seven years before I finally signed up for the class. At the time I was pregnant, raising a child, and still in mortgages full time. But I just knew I needed to get my license.

 

For five years, I juggled both careers. I was determined, because deep down, I knew this was what I was supposed to do. Then my employer gave me an ultimatum: give up real estate or leave immediately. That was the answer to the prayer I’d been praying every single day, but in the moment, it was nerve-wracking. But I realized God had been preparing me all along. I’d already typed my resignation letter. I’d already started clearing my desk. I didn’t even see how close I was to walking out the door until I was finally forced to make that final leap of faith.

 

The first couple of years were a roller coaster. Real estate is unpredictable, and I had to fight to find my footing. But then came 2009. While the world called it a housing crisis, it was my best year ever. Short sales, investors, new homes—I thrived helping people navigate that extremely difficult market. That’s when I knew for sure I was walking in God’s purpose for me.

 

As the years passed, my business grew, and so did my vision. I love serving clients, but something inside me wanted more: a chance to lead, teach, and build something lasting. I didn’t know how it could happen, but I prayed about it anyway. And in 2021, God opened a door I never saw coming: I became the first Black woman in North Carolina to own a Century 21 franchise. Today, I lead a team of 30 agents, pouring into them and helping them learn the ropes.

 

I’ve focused on giving back to the community that has given me so much. Faith is such a big part of my life, and I enjoy supporting outreach programs through my church. I’ve also been on the Harrisburg Park and Recreation Advisory Board and currently am a board member for the Logan Community Daycare Center, one of the oldest Black-owned daycares in Cabarrus County. When there’s a need or an opportunity to help, I’m always willing to step in and contribute.

 

With the support of an incredible team, my community, and of course my husband and kids, I’ve been able to chase dreams I once only imagined. I’m truly grateful for this journey because every big adventure in my life started the same way: with a prayer. None of them unfolded the way I pictured, but every single time, God’s plan turned out bigger and better than mine.

When I’m not working, I love traveling, exploring new restaurants, and enjoying some quiet time to recharge. I also treasure moments with my kids. My daughter is building her career in Washington, D.C., and my son is finishing college, so whenever we’re all together, we really try to make the most of it!

 

When my husband and I bought our first home, we didn’t really know what we were doing, just that it was the next step for us. But the more I learned, the more I realized homeownership is a tremendous tool for building wealth. Over time, we delved into investment properties that we have since sold, and now we’re building a home in Belize—you guessed it, another prayer answered! And to think, my parents only ever owned one home when I was growing up. That experience taught me something important: the right education can completely change your trajectory.

 

That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others through real estate. With over 20 years in the business, I’ve helped first-time buyers, investors, move-up clients, and seniors navigate every stage of homeownership, as well as being a resource for estate planning. I focus on education and transparency, walking my clients through every detail so they can make confident decisions. Building lasting connections is one of my favorite parts of this work, so I make it a priority to stay in touch long after closing as a resource for anything you may need in the next chapter!

 

Sincerely,

 

Arica Rucker

Broker-Owner

Mobile 704.490.1894

Office 980.237.2902

arica@c21ruckerrealeestate.com

aricarucker.com