In today’s episode of Women Who Lead, our host, Teresa Palacios Smith, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by featuring three powerful and successful Latinas in the real estate industry. These inspiring women share their thoughts, experience, and insights working in a professional environment and how their culture, values, and upbringing paved the way for their success.
Meet the Empowering Latinas:
- Rosamaria Acuna, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties
- Monica La Crue, Affordable Lending Manager at Freddie Mac
- Angelica Silveyra, Director, Customer Service at NV Energy
How they get started in their businesses:
- Monica began by accident, becoming an assistant in the real estate industry and progressing to her current career at Freddie Mac helping agents and mortgage professionals make relationships with their clients.
- Rosamaria left to earn her degree, and she’s thankful her family’s strong bond allowed her to pursue an education and own a home by her early twenties.
- Angelica became a summer intern at NV Energy and eventually applied for a job in customer service at the same company. The program paid for her education, and she’s remained at the company ever since.
Growing up in immigrant families:
- Angelica’s family was extremely close-knit, and her parents taught her the value and importance of hard work to get where she wanted to be.
- Rosamaria is the second-youngest in her generation of kids in her family. Hard work and caring for others are integral to her and her family’s morals. Today, Rosamaria instills those values in her two daughters.
- Growing up with two languages and cultures made navigating school challenging. However, the love and support of her friends and family helped her overcome. She couldn’t advocate for herself then, which is why she is so passionate about advocating for others now.
- Monica grew up in a single-parent household, with her dad raising all four children. However, because he was in the Marines, she was raised by her family in a collaborative and loving atmosphere.
Advocating for mentorship:
- Monica used to see her age and experience as limiting factors. Having mentors who encourage you to push past boundaries to meet new expectations is helpful and promotes professional growth.
- Real estate can be a second career for many people looking to put in as much as they’re willing to. After realizing there’s a gap in knowledge of real estate agents, Monica loves that Freddie Mac educates and informs agents to help them do their best work.
Advice to younger self?
- If there’s anything you want to accomplish, the worst that can happen is that you’re told no. Always find the positives.
- Apply for jobs and careers and opportunities you’re interested in. Even if you check half the requirements, apply. Don’t apply just because you aren’t the “perfect” candidate.
- Surround yourself with role models because we rise and grow by lifting those around us.
Book recommendation:
Remember, always bring women up the ladder with you as you climb to the top. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found.
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