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Rosemary Tran Lauer, Devoted to Children

By Jennie L. Ilustre

Rosemary Tran Lauer plans to write a book about her life. Unlike others, fame and money are not her motivation. “I'd like to let people who are going through similar experiences know that they're not alone,” she said, “as a way of offering my support.”

Hers is an inspiring story. Against all odds, this single mom who fled Vietnam in 1975 rose to the top of not one, but two professions.

Equally important, she is a success as a mother. Bang H. Trinh graduated from the University of Virginia (UVA) as a systems engineering major. He’s now the president of his own company. BHT is a real estate advisory, investment and development company. Mai Trinh Joubert graduated from Mary Washington. In 2005 she married Kobus Joubert, a lawyer.  Mai is studying to become a nutritionist.

Anh recently graduated from the College of William and Mary. She’s doing freelance graphic design before heading for graduate school. Elizabeth just graduated from UVA and will work with Long and Foster. Kim will soon be a junior at UVA. Her stepchildren with husband Bill Lauer are Kim and Andy, who are both successful real estate agents in Reston, Virginia with Tetra Partnerships.

Daughter Mai was six months old and Bang, 3, when Rosemary came to the US. With no formal college education and speaking little English, she worked several jobs. She completed a course in cosmetology, spending over 20 years in the beauty industry. She owned and operated three beauty salons. In 1999, she was inducted in Marquis' Who's Who in America. After battling breast cancer in 2001, Rosemary made a career change. Today, she’s a commercial realtor with Long and Foster.

Happily married and successful, Rosemary is giving back to the same community that made her success possible. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for Virginia Commerce Bank. In an email interview, she talked more about her life.

What was your motivation for founding Devotion to Children? When I came to the US, I worked two jobs, but I still could not make ends meet, much less have money for childcare.  I was forced to go through the welfare system for three years so I could attend cosmetology school and learn better English. I was fortunate to have friends care for my children as I struggled to achieve financial independence.

I believe Devotion can play an important role in helping to break the poverty cycle for even more families by providing support, education and quality childcare. Devotion works to provide access to affordable, quality preschool, daycare, and educational services for both working and unemployed families.

You're a cancer survivor.  What gave you the strength to go on?

I found out about my breast cancer in 2001.  For 22 years, I had owned my own business –a salon and spa.  As a single mom with young children, working seven days a week was too much pressure for me. So I finally sold my business and three months later, March 2001, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  My youngest was 13, and the other two girls were 15 and 17. My belief in God, my love for my children–I could not imagine them growing up without me–the support of my friends, and specially the support of my then-friend, now husband Bill, were what gave me the strength. 

You went on the real estate business. What were the difficulties you encountered before you succeeded? In December 2002, when I was 52, I changed careers from owning my own salon and spa to working in real estate. Some would consider it a difficult change at that age, especially as I wanted to focus on commercial real estate as opposed to residential, and it's a very competitive, fast-paced environment.

There are very few minority women in this field, and without a formal education there are even more challenges to face. Given that English is my second language, I forced myself to be very thorough in reading contracts and legal documents, and concentrated on overcoming the obstacle of not being a native English speaker.

It took me two years to close my first deal involving a church property.  In 2004 I started a partnership, which has grown into a team of eight intelligent, amazing people. The Lauer Group consists of a lawyer, a civil engineer, an architect, and four company owners. We cater to a very diverse community to fulfill its commercial real estate needs.

Please relate a story on a particular problem, and how you solved it.  I was a new commercial real estate agent.  At the closing table, the lawyer on the buyer's side had an issue with the contract. The lawyer on the seller's side became upset.A situation like that can end the deal if not dealt with properly.

However, raising seven children taught me how to resolve problems between people.  I learned the best way to solve a problem was to separate the disagreeing parties and work out a solution that would be fair.  I heard both sides' stories, and came up with a win-win solution, which closed the deal and allowed everyone to get what they wanted. I will never forget that experience, because it reinforced my belief that communication is the most important aspect in business and life. 

Who are the persons who have influenced you in your life? Jesus Christ, Buddha, Mother Theresa, and the Dalai Lama have inspired me to do good for others. I'm also really inspired by Oprah Winfrey, how she has overcome so many challenges and become so successful. 

            Mother Theresa’s goal was to help as many children as possible, even if it meant helping one child at a time. I realized I can't help everyone, but if I can make a difference for even one child, that's something I want to do. And honestly, the dedication of Devotion's Board of Directors and its volunteers is extremely inspiring. They are willing to offer what they can to make someone else's life better. I really wouldn't have been able to sustain this project without such dedicated, kind and like-minded people.

How many are you in the family? I was born in a family of 15, 5 girls and 10 boys. I was the middle child.  I’m just 4'11", and I used to weigh 90 pounds because I never had enough food to eat.  We were always fighting over food since there were too many kids.

What do you do for relaxation? I love to read, dance and cook.  I enjoy cooking for my huge family, and take pleasure in bonding over a family meal together.

Anything else you'd like to add? I really admire people like Vellie Dietrich Hall. She is running for office in Fairfax County.  She has also overcome a lot of challenges and still remains very positive, caring, and idealistic, and she always tries to give back to others.  She's also a cancer survivor. Vellie is a wonderful example for women everywhere. We're all empowered by people who have the strength, courage and conviction to make the world a better place.