07/20/2026
I want to share a story that reminded me of something every founder should remember: the relationships we build today can create opportunities we may not see for years.
Let’s go back to the spring of 2012.
Avery and I were preparing to move from Las Vegas to Portland, and I had flown into Washington to find an apartment for us and our dog, Buckwheat. My grandma loaned me her car, and I spent the day driving across the Portland metro from one apartment viewing to the next.
Nothing was working out.
Feeling discouraged, I stopped at Ava Roasteria in Progress Ridge to regroup. I immediately loved the neighborhood. It felt welcoming, safe, and full of possibility.
I remember thinking, “I want to live here.”
So, I got back into my grandma’s car and started exploring until I found Monte Vista Apartments.
The property manager was a kind woman named Tiffany. She helped us secure a two-bedroom, two-bath apartment for $750 a month, including a waived pet deposit. At that stage of our lives, it felt like we had won the lottery.
Tiffany and I connected immediately. We built a sweet friendship and stayed in touch through Facebook over the next 14 years.
This spring, when we announced that Pod Shark Media was hosting a content shoot in Portland, Tiffany reached out through Facebook Messenger to learn more.
We jumped on Zoom, reminisced about how we first met, and caught up on everything that had unfolded since those early days.
Today, Tiffany is the president of Meritus Property Group.
What began as a content shoot has grown into the opportunity to help her build her personal brand while supporting the company she now leads.
It was an incredible full-circle moment—and a powerful reminder that business is built through people.
Never underestimate the power of reaching out, staying connected, and allowing people to witness what you are building.
You never know who you are inspiring today—or who may need exactly what you offer years from now.
Tiffany Garver Wallace
Meritus | Property Management
