While other girls were playing dress-up or hosting tea parties, I was in the schoolyard clutching a beat-up Sabrina the Teenage Witch book that I treated like sacred text because it had spells in it. I’d flip through the pages like they held real magic, convinced I could whip up a love potion, hex a pop quiz, or at least make my math homework disappear.

As I got older, reruns of Charmed made me wish that supernatural powers were real — not to freeze time or vanquish demons (well, maybe sometimes), but to have the kind of confidence, gut instinct, and take-no-crap energy those women seemed to summon on command.

Fast forward to a week ago, I was at the airport heading to Irvine, California for Mortgage Star West (ironically, just a few hours south of San Francisco, the home of the Halliwell sisters), when I spotted Charmed playing on the TV at the airport bar. I practically shouted to my travel companions, “Charmed is on!” like it was breaking news. It struck me as funny, and honestly, kind of perfect, that as I was on my way to a mortgage conference full of real-life powerful women, the powerful female figures of my childhood were flashing across the screen. It was a reminder that while I may not have supernatural powers, I’m surrounded by women every day who are just as magical in their own right.

Mortgage Star West was absolutely magical, from its very inception to its seamless execution. It was clear from the start that every detail had intention and heart behind it. The hostess with the mostest, Melissa Pianin, set the tone with her warmth and energy, and the space itself bloomed with stunning floral arrangements that made everything feel elevated and thoughtful. But what truly made it unforgettable was the camaraderie. The speakers didn’t just share insight; they offered wisdom, encouragement, and a genuine willingness to support other women. It wasn’t just a conference, it was a community, and it reminded me how powerful it is when women come together with purpose and heart.

Now, as I prepare for my next Mortgage Star women’s conference, which just so happens to be held in another iconic center for witchy women (New Orleans), I’m excited to see what new “powers” these mortgage stars bring to the table. From the power of connection and collaboration to empathy, intuition, vision, and sheer willpower, I know I’ll leave inspired all over again.

Because like the Halliwell sisters, our powers as women in mortgage are strongest when we come together. And while we may not need a spellbook to do what we do, there’s no denying it — we are absolutely charmed.