For as long as you are living, it is inevitable to avoid adversities and setbacks. If you are lucky, these episodes might just be fleeting moments. For some people, adversities might last for years or even a lifetime. Things like these you can never plan for, they usually sneak up on you unexpectedly.

But hardship might not be all that bad, it can be a very powerful teacher. It can help mould your character and build resilience, making you a stronger person that can brave bigger storms in life. Let's take a look at two individuals who took adversity by the scruff of the neck and rise above the occasion.

So, when you meet adversities in life, do you fold or do you fight back?

"Life's challenges are stepping stones to move forward gracefully amidst turbulent times. Never forsake integrity; do right even when no one is watching. The desired outcome is possible."

The eldest child out of three children, Gracelynn was born into an average family where her parents were not educated. Though they did not have a lot growing up, life was relatively happy.

Tragedy struck in 2005 with her brother's sudden passing at the age of 32. This heart-wrenching news sent her mother into depression. It's not easy dealing with the loss of a child. Gracelynn had to juggle taking care of her mother and her previous job, working as a pharmaceutical sales representative, and on top of that, looking after her daughter as a single mother.

Gracelynn and her daughter

She was doing well with a stable income in her regional pharmaceutical sales job, but fulfilling her role at home was tough. Looking for flexibility in her work schedule, she decided to transition into the real estate industry in 2008. Her passion for shophouses ignited after she read an article about how they were transformed in Geylang in 2012 and recognised their possibilities.

For over a decade, Gracelynn endured hardships to learn the ins and outs of shophouses, eventually becoming one of Singapore's prominent people involved in shophouse transactions and educating people about commercial shophouses. In 2020, even the web developer of the GoBusiness and Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) portals approached Gracelynn for suggestions on improving labour-intensive issues.

Initially, with another agency, Gracelynn vividly remembered being in a show flat as a core project member. There, she saw that PropNex agents had speedy turnaround marketing support resources compared to other agents. Inspiring video by Ismail about a company providing value to its people-she leapt in 2019.

Ever since joining PropNex, Gracelynn has won as many as 85 awards. She was even a millionaire producer in 2022 and 2023, a testament to hard work and customers' trust in her hands-on experience with complex transactional processes. She attributes her success to the agency's resources, especially the in-house legal team.

Receiving her millionaire award at convention

Gracelynn's father suffered a stroke earlier this year, and she shifted her focus to taking care of him most of the time. Filial piety is the foundation of all virtues. Gracelynn may not reach millionaire status in 2024; her father recovering from a stroke is worth more.

Gracelynn and her father after viewing shophouse

Struggles are stepping stones. Gracelynn will continue striving to help customers achieve their heart's desired outcomes and fulfil their business needs. The goodwill and trust she has built over time will drive her to even greater heights in the coming year.

"Don't wait for things to happen, make things happen!"

Salihin witnessed firsthand how real estate can transform a family's finances and provide them with a better life. As an ex-policeman, a defining moment for him came when he saw one of his teammates receive a car from his parents for his 21st birthday. That moment opened Salihin's eyes to a world of possibilities and sparked a deep desire to provide his own family with a brighter future. At the time, Salihin was already a father of three and determined to build a strong foundation for his children to achieve their best in life.

Salihin (second from the left) with his ex-colleagues in the force

In 2012, Salihin made the life-changing decision to join the real estate industry, beginning his career with PropNex. He excelled from the start, earning the prestigious Top Rookie Award by the end of his first year. The following year, his wife Fidah joined him in the industry and achieved the same accolade in her debut year. Together, they embarked on a shared mission to succeed in real estate while raising their growing family, which soon included their fourth and fifth children.

Salihin's journey to success, however, has been anything but easy. Few know of the challenges he faces daily as a devoted father to his third child, Mateen, now 17, who was diagnosed with autism. Like many parents of children with special needs, Salihin has dedicated significant time and energy to Mateen's care. The bond between father and son is especially strong, and Mateen often accompanies Salihin to client viewings-a dynamic made possible by the understanding and support of Salihin's clients.

The journey comes with its share of struggles. Mateen experiences daily episodes, often marked by emotional outbursts, that require Salihin to drop everything to calm him down. One particularly poignant moment came when Salihin and Fidah had to cut short an overseas trip to celebrate their wedding anniversary, flying back the same day due to an episode that no one else could manage. Despite the challenges, Salihin has remained steadfast in balancing his responsibilities as a father and a professional, always prioritising his son's well-being.

Salihin, Mateen and Fidah at convention receiving award

In addition to caring for Mateen, Salihin is deeply committed to supporting his four other children, ensuring they receive a quality education and the opportunities they need to thrive. He takes great pride in his two eldest daughters: the elder recently graduated from NUS and is now working in a prestigious multinational corporation, while the younger is set to graduate next year. He credits much of his ability to manage these responsibilities to the unwavering partnership he shares with Fidah, who has been his anchor in both family life and their real estate endeavors.

The Salihin family on vacation

Today, Salihin is a highly accomplished real estate professional leading a team of 80 agents. He attributes much of his success to the PropNex PropNeXperience Bootcamp, which has played a key role in helping him recharge and find the motivation to pursue his goals. As a committed volunteer facilitator at the bootcamp, Salihin is passionate about giving back to the agent community, inspiring and empowering others to transform their lives through real estate, just as he has done for his own family.

Hearing these inspiring stories I am sure you know that nothing is impossible if you put your heart to it. There is no better time than now and if you want to craft your own personal success, head over here to see how we can help you achieve those dreams!

Views expressed in this article belong to the writer(s) and do not reflect PropNex's position.