My journey has been about learning to set boundaries and standing up for myself with both strength and gentleness. I feel blessed for the challenges that have shaped me into a strong yet kind woman. 
 
I have learned that if you’re not content with your situation, it means there’s something better on the horizon for you. I loved growing up in rainy Seattle, but when my parents separated, we moved to California, where I continued my love for horseback riding. After high school, I dreamed of being in front of the camera, as a news anchor, so I enrolled in Broadcast Journalism at California State University Northridge. But something didn’t feel right, it wasn’t the right fit for me, and this is where trusting my intuition began. I spoke with my mom, got her blessing, and after 3 years of college, I dropped out. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. 
 
 I moved from campus down to Los Angeles and started modeling and exploring who I wanted to be. Those were amazing years filled with fun and travel. Eventually, I got into sales, representing alcohol brands in Hollywood nightclubs.  
 
While the lifestyle was exciting at first, after 6 years, I wanted a job that didn’t involve going to bed at 4 a.m. With a keen eye for design, I shifted to representing an international clothing line and realized that I’m a visual person: fashion, architecture, and interior design lit me up. During this time, I also came to love the idea of flipping houses, which was the inspiration for me to get into real estate. 
 
In 2013, I got my REALTOR® license and joined a Beverly Hills brokerage. I had a fantastic mentor, Peter, who also owned the brokerage; he taught me the business from the ground up. I sold my first house within six months, an almost 2-million-dollar home, and I was hooked. 
 
 After 12 years in Los Angeles, I met my now ex-husband, was introduced to Bear Valley Springs, and fell in love. I moved shortly thereafter and began to establish roots. We were married and started a family. After a few years, although my professional life was going well, my personal life was going through some challenges. I again trusted my intuition and decided to end our marriage. As if the ending of a marriage wasn’t heartbreaking enough, a year into the process, my dad passed away from cancer within a matter of weeks. These events forced me to reevaluate my life and how I wanted it to feel; it set me on an incredible healing journey. I went to therapy, attended retreats, and tried every healing modality you could imagine. 
 
I learned that healing can be uncomfortable and requires gentleness with oneself. I gave myself space to sleep, grieve, and prioritize self-care. It took me three years to emerge from the pain and confusion as the empowered woman I am today. Self-care remains a key part of my life; I work out or do yoga five days a week, meditate, focus on nutrition, get regular massages, receive acupuncture, and deeply value my relationship with God and The Universe. This commitment to self-care allows me to show up at my best for others, especially my kids, Shiloh and Emerson. I’m proud they get to have this renewed, strong version of their mom. I’ve also learned to set healthy boundaries, ensuring they receive my full presence and attention. Being their mom is the greatest gift of my life. 
 
Today, I continue to enjoy my work as a real estate agent. Recently, I flipped my first house, which had been a decade’s dream! I’m also grateful to have an amazing group of friends and community around me, including my mom, who is an unshakable pillar of strength. She inspired me to stand up for myself, and for my children, and to never settle for less than you desire. For fun, I ride my horse, travel across the country to visit friends, and spend as much time as possible with Shiloh and Emerson. 
 I feel blessed to be where I am today and even grateful for the challenges that shaped me. They’ve molded me into a woman with an unbreakable spirit and a fire that burns so hot that nothing can shake me. I’m proud my children get to grow up with that mom. 
 
I take pride in helping my clients navigate the home-buying process, and it’s my joy to introduce them to Tehachapi and especially to Bear Valley Springs, the warm and welcoming community that I call home. I give tours of neighborhoods, schools, and amenities, helping clients feel at home in this special place. My job is more than just finding a house—it’s about helping people reach an important life milestone, especially those going through challenging times like divorce, loss, or financial struggles. 
 
At closing, I like to surprise clients with a personalized gift, including a binder filled with their home warranty details and a list of trusted local referrals—from plumbers to dog sitters. My goal is to be a lifelong resource, someone they can turn to for advice and support even after the sale. With 12 years of real estate experience, I have deep market knowledge and a strong network of professionals ready to assist. Over 75% of my clients come through referrals, which I see as a testament to the trust we build together.  
 
 

Sincerely,  
Heather McKinley (Skow) 
REALTOR® | LIC#01921774 
Call/Text 310.424.0805 
heather@mckinleyregroup.com 
mckinleyregroup.com