Dad’s Legacy: Kate Hamlin’s life took a sharp turn four years ago when her father, at age 55, died of lung cancer. "I woke up and smelled the roses," says Hamlin, who’d been working in an unfulfilling career as an engineer. Her real passion was real estate. She earned her license in 2006, and within a week, she was writing her first contract. She credits her people skills with propelling her to $5.82 million in sales on 35 transaction sides in 2008.

Her kind of town: As a transplant to Billings, Hamlin recognized that new residents might need help to learn all the wonderful things the city had to offer. So within a year of entering the business, she founded Life Launch Inc., to assist families and employees relocating to the Billings area.

Thanks, Dad: Every time she closes a transaction, she thinks about her dad. "He’s the one who gave me the courage to change careers and do what I love most," Hamlin says.