I foresee a big shift in the commercial and retail real estate markets due to the impacts brought on by COVID-19. Workspace and workforce elements have changed and will continue to change. There will be different ways that people will use space for their businesses, including how much space they will need to be successful and keep their employees productive and engaged.
One of the hardest decisions I made was straight out of high school. I took a temporary position with the Santa Ana Unified School District as a bilingual instructional aide. At the end of the school year, I was offered a position with benefits. However, I had to walk away from that opportunity so that I could follow my dream to earn my degree and become a CPA.
My favorite clients are those in real estate and those with a high net worth. I work with a third-generation person who is a high-net-worth client. He is very driven, dedicated and committed. I admire his work ethic, and to be able to partner with him to achieve his dreams is just one of the many reasons why I enjoy working with him.
I am really an entrepreneur at heart. I am constantly thinking about how I can deliver real value to our clients by thinking outside of the box. In fact, it is at night when some of my best ideas come to me.
I am proudest when I see members of my team develop, grow and be put in a position to succeed with their career aspirations.
I would have to say my father, Ariolfo. He immigrated to the United States from Ecuador, where he was a public accountant. He had to completely start over and worked very hard to earn his accounting degree in the U.S. while working three jobs and raising a young family.