Horton was 17, married, and expecting a baby when she sat down to analyze her career options. She decided to earn her real estate license and within six months had sold more than $800,000 worth of property and won her company's "Rookie of the Year" award. Three years later, in 2005, she became a RE/MAX franchise owner. "I gave the franchise 110 percent and knew I was going to be successful," she says. Her sales volume last year was $20 million, up from $8 million the previous year.

Moving on up: After her first sale, Horton purchased a moving van, advertised her picture on the side, and offered it to her sellers to help them move. She also markets with car wraps, audio and phone tours, and video tours of communities.

Mapping her future: Horton's goal is to own several RE/MAX offices. Eventually, she wants to own a bed-and-breakfast in St. Augustine, Fla., where her parents took her every year for vacations. "It's a special place to me," she says.