How We Are Connected — and Why We Created San Miguel Life

Now that you’ve read a little about each of our individual stories and how each of us found our way to San Miguel—we want to share something even more beautiful: how we are connected. Because the magic of San Miguel isn’t just in the cobblestones or the sunsets. It’s in the way people find each other here, often by chance, sometimes by timing… but always for a reason.

This is the story of four women whose paths intertwined long before San Miguel Life—a story woven from friendship, mentorship, family, and possibility.

The Women Who Opened the Doors

Ann was one of the original trailblazers of property rentals in San Miguel—an Army wife who, together with Sally Gibson, another inspiring woman she still calls a dear friend today, helped create the city’s first full-service rental agency, opening doors for travelers and newcomers long before San Miguel became what it is now. When they eventually sold their company, they didn’t just pass along a business… they passed along a legacy. They sold the company to another person, and then, when Katharine was beginning her journey to Mexico in 2003, the company—once called Casas de San Miguel—was up for sale again. Katharine was offered the opportunity to buy the rental component of the business and jumped at the opportunity.

Taking the Leap—and the Lead

Katharine and Nancy in the early days

Katharine moved to San Miguel inspired by someone she deeply admired—her mother, Nancy. Watching Nancy build a new life in Mexico gave her the confidence to follow her own heart here too. What she found was not just a home, but a calling. After buying Casas de San Miguel, she immediately rebranded the company, which is now known as Premier San Miguel House Rentals, and has built a company spanning over 20 years. During that time, she also met her husband, a San Miguelense, further planting her roots in San Miguel.  Meanwhile, Nancy and Ann were forming their own connection. Nancy had become partners with Ann’s husband, Jim, at CDR San Miguel, and later, the two of them grew into a real estate team—a pairing rooted in mutual respect, trust, and decades of friendship and shared stories.

More than 25 years of friendship and over 20 years of working together—Ann and Nancy in Prague.

When San Miguel Pulls You In

And then there was Julie. She first came to San Miguel as a guest—renting homes from Premier San Miguel House Rentals through Katharine. What began as a simple stay quickly unfolded into a long-term love affair with the city: its rhythm, its beauty, and the sense of belonging it quietly offers to those who are open to it. Over time, Julie began sharing Premier San Miguel rentals with friends and regularly utilized Katharine’s services for her women’s travel business, extending the relationship beyond personal travel into trusted partnership.

An unforgettable night supporting Casita Linda at their annual gala

Women Who Lift as They Rise

Closing day at the CDR office—Stuart (Julie’s husband) and Nancy with Diana, who was first a renter through Katharine’s company. A perfect example of how small and beautifully connected the San Miguel circle truly is.

With Nancy’s thoughtful guidance, Julie and her husband purchased a second home, marking an important shift from visitor to someone with deeper roots in the community. As the years passed, the relationships around her continued to deepen. Julie grew especially close with Katharine, forming a bond built on trust, shared values, and genuine connection. Through that relationship, she was later introduced to Ann, and the connection was immediate—easy, natural, and unforced.

Eventually, with Nancy’s continued support, Julie purchased a lot and—together with her husband—has just completed the construction of their dream home. What began as a short stay evolved into lasting friendships, professional collaboration, and a life meaningfully intertwined with San Miguel

When you look at the four of us together, it becomes clear:

This is not just business.

This is not a network or a string of client relationships.

It is a circle.

A bond

A story of women who quietly and consistently lift one another up.

To us, this is what San Miguel Life is all about.

We are strong businesswomen—leaders in real estate, hospitality, marketing, global business, and community-building. We are family women—women who have built homes, nurtured relationships, and created meaningful lives across countries and seasons. And we are women who have poured into this community for decades, each in our own meaningful way.

Stuart (Julie’s husband), José Antonio (Katharine’s husband), Katharine, and Julie—celebrating at Katharine and José Antonio’s wedding parade.

Your Story Is Welcome Here

Our hope is simple: that by sharing our stories, our lessons, and our love for this city, other women will feel encouraged to imagine their own version of a life in San Miguel—one filled with connection, beauty, purpose, and possibility.

Because when women come together like this, we don’t just build careers or communities…

We build a beautiful life—truly, our best life.

And if you are a woman living in San Miguel, or dreaming about moving here, please write to us.

We want to know you. To hear your story. To welcome you into this circle—because here, every woman has a place.