From Cramped City Streets to Sky-High Freedom: How I Bought My Dream Apartment at 26
I used to walk through the tight, shadowed streets of downtown Toronto, past the endless rows of glass towers reflecting each other like a maze I couldn’t escape from. The sidewalks were always packed—business professionals rushing past, the honking of impatient taxis, the occasional scent of coffee mixing with city dust.
Every morning, I’d glance up at the luxury condos towering above me, wondering if I would ever get to call one of them home. With my corporate salary barely covering rent, groceries, and the simplest lifestyle expenses, homeownership felt like an impossible dream. No matter how much I saved, it never seemed to be enough.
But I refused to believe that this was all there was.
Instead of waiting for the right time, I took a leap of faith. I stepped into entrepreneurship, fueled by curiosity, resilience, and the spirit of lifelong learning. I had many falls, battled social anxiety, and navigated financial uncertainty, but I kept going.
And at 26, I finally bought my dream apartment—entirely with my own money.
My Dream Apartment: A Manifestation of Freedom
When I finally stepped into my home, it was everything I had envisioned and more.
- One of the highest floors—where the city feels like a miniature world beneath me.
- A breathtaking river view that shifts with the seasons, reminding me how far I’ve come.
- Snow-capped mountains in the distance, pastel cotton-candy clouds, and the sight of planes and birds soaring freely—a constant symbol of possibility.
- A spacious balcony where I now sip tea with my golden retrievers, Buddy and Honey Bear, watching the sky change colors.
- A home office designed exactly how I imagined—a space where I could build Buddy & Bear, not just as a fashion brand, but as a movement for women to embrace their power, femininity, and freedom.
This wasn’t just an apartment. It was proof that entrepreneurship could change my life.
How You Can Own Your First Real Estate Property
If you’ve ever walked through your city wondering how you’ll ever afford a home of your own, I get it. But I also know that it’s possible. Here are some of the biggest lessons I learned that helped me achieve homeownership earlier than I ever expected:
1. Expand Your Income—Relying on a Salary Alone Will Keep You Stuck
Corporate salaries provide stability, but they rarely provide freedom. I realized early on that if I wanted to build wealth, I needed multiple streams of income.
- Start a business: Whether it’s fashion, coaching, e-commerce, or digital products, having something of your own changes everything.
- Freelancing & side hustles: If you’re not ready to quit your job, start monetizing skills outside of work.
- Investing: Even small, consistent investments over time can compound into significant wealth.
💡 Key takeaway: The more you earn, the faster you can save for real estate—and the more leverage you have when opportunities arise.
2. Shift from a "Saving" Mindset to a "Wealth-Building" Mindset
Saving alone won’t get you there—it’s about strategic money moves.
- House hacking: Consider renting out a room or a portion of your space to offset mortgage costs.
- Pre-construction properties: Some real estate deals require lower upfront capital and allow you to secure a home at today’s price while it appreciates in value.
- Real estate partnerships: If buying alone seems daunting, explore joint ventures with trusted partners.
💡 Key takeaway: Look beyond traditional savings—real estate is a game of strategy.
3. Understand Leverage—You Don’t Need to Have the Full Price in Cash
One of the biggest misconceptions is that you need to have all the money upfront. What you really need is a solid financial profile and leverage through loans, grants, and creative financing options.
- Improve your credit score: A higher credit score means better mortgage rates.
- First-time homebuyer programs: Many cities offer assistance programs that help with down payments or reduce taxes.
- Think long-term: Even if your first property isn’t your dream home, it can be a stepping stone to your ideal real estate portfolio.
💡 Key takeaway: Money isn’t just about what you have—it’s about how you use it.
4. Your Environment Shapes Your Mindset—Surround Yourself with Possibility
I used to walk through wealthy neighborhoods, imagining what it would feel like to live there. I followed successful entrepreneurs, learned from real estate investors, and surrounded myself with people who were already where I wanted to be. Proximity to success changes everything.
- Read books on wealth and business.
- Attend networking events where homeowners and investors gather.
- Follow entrepreneurs who inspire you to think bigger.
💡 Key takeaway: If you keep expanding your vision, you’ll start moving in that direction.
The Real Reward: Freedom
Owning my dream apartment at 26 wasn’t just about the property itself—it was about the freedom it represented.
🌿 The freedom to wake up and work on something I love.
🏡 The freedom to design a space that reflects my vision.
✈️ The freedom to travel, take risks, and keep growing.
And this is why I started Buddy & Bear. Because fashion isn’t just about clothes—it’s about stepping into the next level of yourself. And why I’m launching a coaching program for women—because I believe every woman deserves to build a business and life that gives her freedom.
If You Take One Thing From This, Let It Be This…
You don’t have to wait years to live the life you want.
You don’t have to settle for a job that just covers the bills.
You don’t have to accept that homeownership is out of reach.
✨ Take the leap. Build something for yourself. And never stop learning.
If you’re ready to step into your next chapter—whether through style or entrepreneurship—let’s do it together.
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