Resident begins her own business to help islanders
St. James City resident Thayla Martinez began Trop.Prise Real Estate and Adjusting with both her real estate and insurance adjuster licenses in place. She fixes and flips homes in the area, she explained.
Due to tornadoes in the Midwest, Martinez said it’s likely she will have to travel where emergency adjusters are needed, for a business trip. Hurricane Ian was a major reason she got both her real estate and adjusting licenses.
“I’m a very hands-on kind of person. After I spoke with my FEMA adjuster I realized I could make a living helping people,” Martinez said.
After having worked at Comcast for 7 years, Martinez was laid off in December, just as she was getting her adjusting license. She felt the timing was perfect to launch her new career, so that’s exactly what she did.
“I was supervising the analysts in a remote position, and they didn’t need the department anymore so they decided to reorganize. They laid me off with a nice package and gave me the option to find another job within the company and I said, no, I think this is a sign, so I’m gonna run with it,” Martinez said.
She has been on the island since November 2021, and said she feels she is in exactly the right place. Like many islanders, Martinez admits, she’s found her deepest desire is in helping people.
“That’s what brings me most of my happiness. It just fills up my tank -experts say, what brings us the most joy is our ability to help others,” Martinez said.
Conversely, Martinez said she finds it difficult to let others help her, finding it a much bigger struggle than simply doing for those around her. Her focus right now she said is in getting the island back on track since Hurricane Ian.
“Rest assured that I will do my part in helping the community regroup and get our island back. Never lose faith,” Martinez said.
Trop.Prise Real Estate and Adjusting is at 3692 Tropical Point Drive,
St James City. For more information, call 305-798-4755.
To reach PAULETTE LeBLANC / pleblanc@breezenewspapers.com, please email