From a thrilling life traveling the world to settling down and creating a true home, I have found that nothing compares to the simple joys of building a life filled with love, purpose and relationships.

 

Since I was a kid, I have had to earn everything I have — resilience, determination and hard work have defined my path. By the time I was 19, I was managing a high-end apartment community and responsible for problem-solving for my tenants, hosting marketing events and filling vacancies. Many of my residents were connected to the airline and military, working as pilots and flight attendants. At 20, I received recommendation letters from some of my residents, marking the start of an amazing adventure. 

 

I was flown to Dallas for my first interview with Southwest Airlines, and they hired me on the spot. It was bittersweet to leave the business I had grown to love, but I was ready for a new chapter.

 

My time at Southwest brought me face-to-face with Herb Kelleher, the CEO, who became my mentor. His passion and leadership style motivated me. While working as a flight attendant, I pursued a bachelor's degree in business management, fitting my coursework around my favorite running paths across California beaches, Texas lakes and city streets.

 

When I had time off, I embarked on journeys to Australia, Europe and beyond. With each new experience, I fell in love with exploring new countries and cultures. I biked across the Czech Republic and ran several marathons, enjoying the thrill of testing my limits. It was during a hike in Nepal, while living in tea houses in the Annapurna mountains, that I truly understood the meaning of "Namaste."

 

During my days off, I volunteered at an animal shelter. I missed having dogs, and before I knew it, I adopted two wonderful companions: a German Shepherd and a Black Lab-Dane mix. They became my running partners and transformed my priorities, drawing me closer to home.

 

I purchased my first house, an old-town Scottsdale gem that needed some love. With the guidance of my uncle, a contractor, I dove headfirst into the renovation process, learning about construction along the way. It was a turning point in my life — real estate was my true passion.

 

It was around this time that I held my annual holiday party, where I met my husband, Adam. He grew up with a construction and real estate background, was a REALTOR® and shared the same passion for animals and travel. Our lives fell seamlessly together.

 

With a strong foundation in property management and customer service, I had the tools to build trust and relationships organically. I refused to cold call; my goal was to establish credibility through hard work and dedication. In 2001, I hit the ground running, earning Realty Executives 100% and Diamond Club awards. By 2003, I was ready to put my business degree to use, opening our brokerage, Montebello Fine Properties; Adam and I formed a strong partnership. 

 

It has been beautiful to blend our personal and professional lives — our clients often become friends because we love building relationships and fostering connections. With a great foundation, we continued to build our lives together, building our new home with an office on the same property.  With our business close to home, we can raise our daughters, Olivia and Charly, and keep up with the demands of our business.

 

Our family enjoys rescuing dogs and being foster parents, caring for them until they are old enough to be adopted. Along with supporting animal rescues, we also contribute to homeless outreach and other programs, striving to support our community. 

 

We, as a family, still travel and pin our world map of each place on our return home. We still find that every day is an adventure. Adam and I have climbed Kilimanjaro, completed multiple Rim-to-Rim hikes across the Grand Canyon and have had many sailing adventures. Whether I am with my family, taking care of our four dogs or working with clients, there is never a dull moment!

 

One of the most rewarding aspects of real estate is helping my clients find their perfect home. I love the moment when they know it's "the one" because that's my cue to put my knowledge, strategies and negotiation skills to work, securing the best deal possible. Equally gratifying is securing the best deal when selling a property, exceeding my client's expectations and ensuring a win-win outcome for everyone involved.

 

What truly sets me apart is my dedication to relationships. I cherish the fact that clients I served 20 years ago still reach out to me when it's time for their next real estate adventure. I have worked with multiple generations, serving the children and even grandchildren of past clients. It's a testament to the trust and lasting bonds I strive to build. Additionally, I have strong relationships with fellow brokers and agents in the industry, keeping me informed about new listings and opportunities giving my clients an advantage in the market. When you work with me, I am always in your corner, serving as your REALTOR® for life.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

Dana Dearien

Real Estate Broker

(602) 697-5139

dana@montebelloaz.com

www.montebelloaz.com