Annette: From Optician to Owner, Building Legacy Through Hustle and Heart

Before the businesses, before the cars, before the vision of generational wealth—there was Annette.

She grew up in a one-parent household as the third of four siblings, with two brothers and a sister. Life wasn’t glamorous, but it was grounding. When she was just 21, her father passed away, a loss that reshaped how she saw responsibility and family. A 12th-grade graduate, Annette leaned into stability first—working 15 years as an optician while raising her two beautiful daughters as a single mom.

Back then, she didn’t consider herself a “hustler.” In fact, she admits, “I didn’t have a hustle bone in my body growing up. I’d see everyone else hustling on TV, on social media, and I thought, I can do that. I can be my own boss.”

Entrepreneurship wasn’t something she grew up around. It wasn’t passed down. It was something she had to teach herself—late nights, trial and error, and the drive to figure things out on her own. The spark? Her daughters, Kortnee and Adryanna. “They’re the main reason. But also, working to make someone else successful was not the answer for me.”

Stepping Into the Car Rental Game

When Annette looked for her entry point into business, she landed on the car rental industry and Turo. Why not real estate or another field? For her, it was about accessibility and impact.

“It’s easy to get started, it doesn’t require higher education, and as a born and raised Washingtonian, I knew people in the city are always looking for convenience. That’s something I wanted to provide.”

Her first investment wasn’t smooth sailing—she was swindled by a dealership. That early stumble could’ve broken her confidence, but instead it lit a fire. “The dealerships are a ripoff. But I wanted to create something where people left feeling taken care of, not taken advantage of.”

Since then, she’s learned the lessons of patience and strategy. “Rushing the process was my biggest mistake. Taking a moment is not always procrastination.” Today, she makes decisions about renting versus selling with a clear formula—newer cars go into her rental fleet, while older vehicles get sold off.

And while some underestimate the business, Annette keeps it real: “It’s a very lucrative business and it can get you to financial freedom quicker than you think.”

More Than a Businesswoman

Of course, Annette’s story isn’t just about business. It’s about faith, resilience, and impact.

On how she stays grounded while leveling up: “GOD. I’m learning to trust in God and put Him first through all aspects of my life.”

On what drives her soul: inspiring others. She wants people to walk away from her story saying, “She’s inspiring and uplifting.”

If her younger self could see her now, she knows exactly what she’d say: “If you knew then what you know now… You did a great job. Your dreams and goals paid off. I’m so proud of you.”

And as for her legacy, it’s not just about cars, cashflow, or success—it’s about kindness. “Never forget the ones who helped you along the way. Always be kind to others and stay true to yourself.”

The Bigger Picture

Annette isn’t just building a business—she’s rewriting her family’s narrative. From the optician’s office to the world of ownership, she embodies what it means to bet on yourself and win. Her journey shows that even without a blueprint, you can still build something lasting—brick by brick, prayer by prayer, and hustle by hustle.

Because Annette isn’t just in the business of cars. She’s in the business of legacy. Check out her website https://pensight.com/x/dcitywheels/book-here