The term "up and coming" can bring to mind the idea that one hasn't quite arrived. In the case of Lia Gerke, it's hard to imagine her very far away from that proverbial arrival gate. In Lia's deceptively scant 24 years, she's packed in more than many people twice her age.

A successful business owner, wife, homeowner and Habitat for Humanity volunteer, she jumped into the "grown-up" world with gusto.

"I guess I'm ahead of others my age. I have one girlfriend from junior high and she always calls me her 'grown-up friend,'" Lia shares with a laugh. "I just decided to do it all at once. I mean, why not?" Her enthusiasm and energy are infectious and, after just one hour with the smiling, blonde dervish, it's easy to see why she has been able to sell over $40 million in real estate over the past five years.

After initially swearing off the real estate industry ("My mom was in real estate and I wanted to do anything but that."), Lia found that her natural love of people and business savvy were just too perfect a fit to deny. With a shrug and a smile, she admits, "Mothers know best."

Real estate led Lia to her other passion: home staging. "I'm an HGTV addict," she explains. "I loved to watch shows where they take a small budget and use what people already have to make their home more pretty than functional. That's important when you're selling."

Lia started her company, Simply Chic Design, to do for her clients what the experts on HGTV did for theirs. "Staging is so cool because you can really take a lot of stuff that people already have and find a way to use it to make the house look its best. Particularly in this economy, it's important not to need a huge budget," she shares.

When Lia isn't selling or staging homes, she is volunteering. "Habitat for Humanity is such a cool cause because a home is a sanctuary; a place of comfort. It's one of the bare necessities — food, clothing and shelter," she say . "I strongly believe in providing shelter, especially now. It's neat that they've been able to continue and keep providing houses, even with the economy."

Lia was introduced to Habitat for Humanity through the youth group at Coram Deo, the nondenominational church that she and her husband of four years attend. She's participated in building projects in Utah and Mexico, and she uses her business to bring support and awareness to the charity.

"I think businesses should have social responsibility. I'd love to see more people get involved," she urges "Just a couple hours a month can make such a huge difference. I know how hard it can be with family, work, school, but I feel more energized to get things done in my life when I give back."

Being honored by Wasatch Woman has been somewhat overwhelming for Lia. She doesn't feel that anything she's done is extraordinary, but she hopes to use this honor as a way to inspire other young women in Utah.

"I try to impact everyone I come in contact with positively. Especially in Utah, it can be challenging for young women to make their mark. I want to tell them to grab life by the handles and ride it for all it's worth. I know many woman who, once they hit the 50-year mark, decide, 'It's my turn to start living.' I wish they could realize it sooner. The younger you start, the more fun you have."

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