If you’ve ever worked in retail or customer service and wondered, “Is there more than this?”—this story is for you.
In this episode of Unlocking Doors, we meet Makenna Caffey, a community manager in the apartment industry who began her career as a cashier at Buc-ee’s while attending college.
She didn’t grow up dreaming of managing apartment communities. In fact, she found the industry almost by accident. While looking for a new job during college, she applied for a temporary leasing role at an apartment community. That “temporary” opportunity changed everything.
What she discovered was that the skills she already had—customer service, leadership, problem-solving, communication—translated perfectly into multifamily housing.
As a leasing professional, she got to:
- Help people find homes
- Plan resident events
- Manage social media and marketing
- Learn business operations
- Solve real-world problems daily
And from there, she kept growing.
In just five years, Makenna progressed from leasing professional to assistant community manager to community manager—now overseeing an entire property and running what is essentially a multimillion-dollar business.
One of the biggest surprises for her was realizing how much opportunity existed. In retail, growth felt limited. In multifamily, doors kept opening.
She also completed her bachelor’s degree in marketing during this time—and discovered that the business concepts she learned in school (like SWOT analysis and marketing strategy) directly applied to her day-to-day work.
Another important part of her story? Support.
When she became a working mom, she received structured maternity leave and leadership encouragement. She returned to work feeling supported and valued—proof that the industry can offer both career growth and work-life balance.
Her advice to anyone in retail, hospitality, or another service-based job is simple:
Your skills matter here.
You already know how to:
- Work with people
- Handle difficult conversations
- Think on your feet
- Provide great customer experiences
In multifamily, those skills can lead to leadership roles, strong earning potential, and long-term career growth.
You don’t have to start with a degree. You don’t have to know everything on day one. You just have to step through the door.
Makenna’s journey shows that sometimes the career you’re looking for isn’t the one you planned—it’s the one you’re willing to explore. Learn more about careers in the Texas apartment industry: roomtogrowtx.org
Watch the episodes on the Unlocking Doors YouTube playlist.
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