Pushing Dirt

“We don't choose the house. The house chooses us,” explains Sergio Yang, a Feng Shui Practitioner, and Consultant. Feng Shui was a big part of Sergio’s childhood, although he never thought it would be his career. After spending twenty years in project management and incorporating Feng Shui principles into his work, Sergio realized that pursuing Feng Shui full-time was not only a passion but professionally meant to be.

When Sergio works with a new client, he tailors the space to work for the entire household. By evaluating the house and his clients’ needs, Sergio strives to create a functional environment for everyone, no matter their life stage. With tremendous knowledge of the practice and respect for the people he works with, Sergio ensures that every home brings nourishment and opportunity to the people who live there.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for an illuminating conversation on the art of Feng Shui. Learn more about the different Feng Shui schools, Sergio’s sensitive approach to working with clients, and how the state of our spaces influences our day-to-day lives.

Quotes

• “I help a lot of clients look for new houses. When they buy a new house and feel something's off, they will invite me to their home, and I will help them gain clarity on why they feel certain ways.” (6:20 - 6:36) 

• “We don't choose the house. The house chooses us.” (6:43 - 6:47) 

• “We need to feel nourished and protected within our environment. It doesn't matter if it's an office, retail business, or home. When we feel protected, we can cultivate positive energy from it.” (10:57 - 11:12) 

• “We want to have possibility and opportunity come into our lives, and we want to make sure that is worked from within. The office is the first place we work with.” (47:35 - 47:47) 

Connect with Sergio Yang

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sergiolyang22 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luminousfengshui/ 

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I'm always very hardcore with my business,” says host Camilla Ransten. When Camilla fell in love with a house she intended to use as a workspace, she planned to buy the house in her company’s name. After a miscommunication led to the escrow paperwork being placed in her name instead, Camilla sought to correct the issue, which was more complicated than expected.

When Camilla first realized that the paperwork was in her name, she immediately contacted the escrow company to address the problem. Although adjusting the paperwork seemed like a simple task, her escrow contact insisted that Camilla close under her name that day. Camilla relented against her better judgment, but later struggled to transfer the house’s title. Eventually, she decided to take matters into her own hands and go straight to the source: the Department of Housing. Through this story, Camilla reminds her audience to always advocate for themselves during their real estate journeys.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for an eye-opening real estate story. Learn more about Camilla’s search for answers, dealing with different personalities, and never underestimating the emotional side of real estate. 

Quotes

• “There's something exciting about really loving a place and also knowing you're doing something smart.” (05:29-05:38)

• “I'm better at taking care of my business than I am at taking care of myself. So I'm always very hardcore with my business.” (08:50-08:56)

• “I'm an investor. I'm not an escrow. I'm not a real estate agent. But when you're in all of this, I can't reiterate enough that you have to know everything.” (17:03-17:17)

• “Go to the source. Because when you're in real estate, and you have a company on your own, and you don't necessarily have people to talk to, you're going to make mistakes.” (36:02-36:14)

• “Trust yourself and insist, when somebody hasn't done the paperwork correctly, insist that they don't go home from the office until it has been fixed.” (37:40-37:52) 

• “It's always personal, whether you're a developer or an investor, or you're an interior designer, or you’re an estate or real estate agent, or you're a buyer. It gets emotional. Because it's a big thing. And it houses you, or it houses your business. And that's something that I never underestimate.” (40:10-40:42) 

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“If it's meant to be, it will be. When you're in panic mode and don't know what's going to happen and how you're going to survive, you figure it out,” says Kelly Bishop, Owner of the Vegas Strong Real Estate Group. Raised in Montana, Kelly moved to Vegas when she got hired as Keller Williams’ Corporate Broker. After being laid off during the pandemic, Kelly used her twenty years of real estate experience and lifetime of business experience to pick herself up and start a successful brokerage of her own. 

Kelly has been an entrepreneur since she was 18 years old. First starting her own insurance business while still in high school, Kelly eventually ran a coffee shop and swiftly moved into real estate. From working on an Indian Reservation in Montana to navigating the booming Nevada housing landscape, Kelly brings a wide array of experience to the table. Although a lot has changed in her life over the years, one thing has remained constant: she always finds success.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for an inspirational conversation on building a business during a pandemic. Learn more about Kelly’s impressive career as a serial entrepreneur, COVID’s unexpected effects on Nevada real estate trends, and the many transferable lessons you can learn from every location, culture, and industry.

Quotes

• “If it's meant to be, it will be. When you're in panic mode and don't know what's going to happen and how you're going to survive, you figure it out.” (01:47-01:54)

• “There's a lot of hard work that goes into starting a business and building a business, whether it's real estate or anything else. There are so many things you have to jump through and papers and permitting and people and, of course, everything was literally shut down when I started the brokerage.” (02:02-02:17) 

• “You know, the market is crazy clear across the nation. I mean, I don't know any place where it's not crazy.” (12:56-13:02)

• “It gives you some diversification. That experience and background of things. I'm going to say I didn't really enjoy my coffee business, but, man, did I learn a lot from it, on so many levels. I mean, just the hiring, the firing, the training, your inventory, just how you handle things.” (19:26-19:43) 

• “There's always a huge need here. I don't think that they can build houses fast enough. There are waiting lists. Some home builders have gotten to the point where there are waiting lists; lotteries are drawn. I mean, it's crazy some of the things going on.” (24:18-24:37)

• “I think it's giving people a lot of hope that you can turn around and there's something you can turn to this way, and the fact that there are people who want to work with you, it's such a wonderful thing.” (30:52-31:02)

Connect with Kelly Bishop

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-bishop-3a4434144/

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I started moving over more into the concept development part of it and started developing hotels based on private owners having a narrative about something,” says Nicolai Tamakloe, the General Manager at Zoku Copenhagen. With love for hospitality in all forms, Nicolai has worked everywhere from big corporate hotels to small boutique ones. Now, Nicolai works more on the development side of the industry by opening hotels that fit their owners' visions with their own remarkable stories to tell.

Nicolai has always loved traveling, good food and bars, and everything related to the hospitality world; however, he entered the industry somewhat coincidentally. After starting work as a barista after high school, Nicolai quickly became the cafe’s manager and found his passion. From studying in London to opening a restaurant in Copenhagen to opening a hotel with a chocolate factory, Nicolai quickly came to understand the importance of orchestrating beautiful, efficient, and magical spaces for everyone who enters.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for a stimulating conversation about hotel concept development. Learn about Nicolai’s incredible hospitality journey, how he develops unique and sustainable businesses, and why being a great host is essential to everything that he does.

Quotes

• “I started moving over more into the concept development part of it and started developing hotels based on private owners having a narrative about something. It could be a childhood dream, it could be their previous work, or whatever they had, and I had to kind of change that into a successful hospitality business that told that story.” (03:06-03:37) 

• “For me, the hotel room is sometimes just as important as the city and sometimes more important because it often says something about the city.” (12:22-12:34)

• “You have the full walls, and you have the beautiful design, but it's the people that create it, you know. It's the staff that makes it living, so definitely that's a huge part of it.” (14:43-14:48) 

• “I really started to learn how to be a great host. Because I think at the end of the day, being a great host is essential to everything that you do.” (22:20-22:36)

• “I always pick atmosphere over food. It's great if the two coincide, but you want to get that feeling like this is just a good place to be. You want to be there.” (25:02-25:14)

• “I definitely think we want to be entertained, and we just don't want the average, right? You know, we want something that is inspiring.” (49:27-49:44)

Connect with Nicolai Tamakloe

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolaj-tamakloe-1aab80/?originalSubdomain=dk

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“I created a home where I got to trust my instincts in a bunch of ways,” says host Camilla Ransten. In today’s episode of Pushing Dirt, Camilla details her background in real estate investing and the rental properties she is now ready to sell. Through detailing the restoration process for one of her houses, Camilla passionately demonstrates what makes a house a home.

When Camilla first bought her Silverlake rental property in 2015, it was basically a ruin. Built in the 1930s, the house would have been simpler to rebuild and modernize. Instead, Camilla decided to maintain the property’s history and restore the home rather than turning it into something else. After pouring her soul into fixing and decorating the house and experiencing many personal changes throughout the process, including divorce and COVID, one thing remains true to Camilla. This house may not belong to her permanently, but it will always reflect an impactful chapter of her life.

Tune into today’s episode of Pushing Dirt for a conversation about the house-building journey. Learn how Camilla bought her Silverlake property, the work she put into restoring it, and the purpose our houses serve in our everyday lives.

Quotes

• “What is a home? And what's the purpose of the home?” (03:01-03:07)

• “There was something about it that I was like, I can't just tear this down and build a hipster cube of some kind. I want to restore this, like a crazy person.” (06:44-06:56) 

• “There had been such full lives in this area, in these houses. And I felt like I couldn't just decide that it was going to be something else.” (08:51-09:05) 

• “It has to be a mix of a lot of styles which I am a big proponent of. I don't like trends within something like a home, it has to feel like a home to you.” (13:15-13:28)

• “It doesn't matter whether you live in a small apartment or a giant house; if your place does not reflect you, you won't like it; you just will have bought something for someone else. Because it was cool. And now you're stuck with this cool thing that you hate.” (20:55-21:14) 

• “I knew this is an area where I can trust my instincts, and that's what I did. I created a home where I got to trust my instincts in a bunch of ways.” (25:29-25:41)

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“The house reveals so much about our lives that people don't even realize. It's like a mirror,” says Laura Carillo, a Feng Shui master. After moving to Los Angeles for her career, Laura noticed that something was off about her apartment. Only a Feng Shui enthusiast at the time, Laura saw that her career Gua or “area” was missing, seemingly leading to her losing her job. After understanding the importance of balancing energy and letting go of that fateful apartment, Laura immediately secured a new position and embarked on a new journey as Los Angeles’ Feng Shui Lady.

As a Feng Shui consultant, Laura works with people to help balance their home’s energies. Although it is impossible to have perfect Feng Shui, it is possible to navigate the effects that a home’s imperfections can have on us. Even if we do find that our houses cause us grief, the most important thing to remember is that “bad Feng Shui” is not the end of the world. There’s always a reason you lived somewhere that can motivate your next chapter.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for a conversation with Camilla and Laura about Feng Shui and the home. Learn more about Laura’s transition into the Feng Shui world, the different areas your home should have, and how to create a narrative space that works for you.

Quotes

• “There's career, there are skills and knowledge, travel and helpful people, health, family, children and creativity, fame, prosperity, and love. In order to have a really good balanced home, you want to have all of those areas.” (04:19-04:37)

• “Houses reveal so much about our lives that people don't even realize. It's like a mirror.” (05:57-06:04)

• “I help people balance the energies, understand the energies, and navigate because really good Fung Shui is navigating the energies. You're never going to have perfect Fung Shui.” (09:32-09:45) 

• “I like to work with the floor plan as it exists, not as we would like it to exist. So I treat every environment as its own universe, as soon as you walk in the door.” (26:33-26:43) 

• “I always say that to women. You're not going to be alone if you want somebody. That whole story that we hear as women get older, it is 100% not true. You are going to be fine.” (34:25-34:45)

• “I love pets. They activate the Qi in your home. So, it's really important that your pets be healthy and happy because they are literally activating the energy around your home.” (41:28-41:39)

Connect with Laura Carillo

IG: @narrativespacefengshui

Facebook: Laura Beatriz Carillo (The Feng Shui Lady) 

Linkedin: Laura Carillo She/Her

Website: https://narrativespacefengshui.com/

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“My favorite thing to do is open houses because I'm not afraid to talk to someone I don’t know,” says Dag Elias, a global real estate advisor. Originally a touring musician from Sweden, Dag moved to Los Angeles in his early twenties, where he started his real estate career. Now, Dag uses his intuitive nature to guide his clients through the intimidating real estate process to find the right homes for them.

As someone who started selling cars at fifteen, Dag already had the confidence and skillset to make the shift to real estate. Unafraid of talking to new people, Dag can quickly establish what his clients are looking for and put them on the path towards homeownership. While many realtors burn themselves out by taking on too many clients or trying to accommodate everyone, Dag understands that the best way to succeed in this industry is by being yourself.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for an enlightening discussion on Dag’s real estate wisdom. Learn more about Dag’s real estate style, housing trends and the economy, and the importance of buying real estate today. 

Quotes

• “My favorite thing to do is open houses because I'm not afraid to talk to someone I don’t know. And I'm also not afraid to talk to someone who doesn't like me or care for me or my style.” (07:16-07:31) 

• “If something is purely an investment, you got to put a different hat on. If something is, I will live here and have a good time; I don't care. Yes, it might, you know, go up next year, and then down and up, then it doesn't matter.” (21:57-22:06)

• “Everybody's going to feel pushed in this market because it's very frustrating being a buyer. I always tell them in the beginning, everything happens in five minutes, and they go, okay. But then, when they realize that everything has to happen in five minutes, that's when they feel pushed. So that's where it's important for them to trust a realtor to feel like they're in a strong team.” (26:06-26:27) 

• “I think what's happening in real estate right now is that the bottom part of real estate is moving up to the medium part. For example, you could buy a house for 600,000. Now, that house is 800,000, but the middle part is staying the same.” (47:17-47:33)

• “There's really no need to outsmart yourself. As far as buying real estate, you have to do it. And the reason you have to do it is because in 10 years, real estate is going to double in value.” (50:04-50:17) 

• “I think as far as business, to become successful in business, to understand how money works and moves, but it's also about having the right attitude and understanding your shortcomings.” (59:47-1:00:00)

Connect with Dag Elias

IG: @dageliasrealtor 

Facebook: @DagElias 

LinkedIn: @DagElias 

Website: https://corcoran.com/

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“My house is full of moments to honor the best, quirkiest, most magical things that I felt in my house growing up,” says Diva Zappa, a healer and artist. Growing up, Diva’s mother was always building up and adding to their home, a truly whimsical albeit cluttered space. Now, Diva has built her own house, which captures the magic of her childhood while creating a fairy world of her very own.

To Diva, the intention behind what you do creates healing properties. So when building her home, she made sure to put intuitive touches in each room. By adding crystals, knobs that look like ice cubes and making everything a little too big, Diva has curated little moments throughout her house that make her smile and bring cheer to everyone who enters.

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for a conversation with Camilla and Diva on creating joyful spaces. Learn more about Diva’s childhood home, her home-building journey, and the magical touches she added to curate her life.

Quotes

• “My house is full of moments to honor the best, quirkiest, most magical things that I felt in my house growing up.” (06:19-06:31)

• “Whether you are making art or building a house or eating food, the intention behind what you're doing is what infuses it with the healing properties.” (11:08-11:18) 

• “I like to make these little moments in my house to appreciate that I will always look at and no matter what's going on, smile and feel fullness in my heart. And that's needed, especially nowadays because things are hard and you can find that joy and that little moment of relief. And if you can see it from something that you actually made then you feel really empowered and connected. (18:15-18:32)  

• “I feel everybody who has been to the house feels they have a connection to it, and like ownership of a story in there. And it's the same as yours now. And you know, it's the magic of California, but it's also the magic of certain people that you get houses built like this.” (38:28-38:49)

• “There's this freedom of not being a master of the situation because you get to learn new things. It's basically this expansive space of every possibility. And it starts with you wanting to take out stuff.” (1:07:30-1:07:46)

Connect with Diva Zappa

Website: https://www.divazappa.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/divazappa/

FB: https://www.facebook.com/divazappa

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diva-zappa-0979511b5/

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Whether they’re in Los Angeles, whether they're in Atlanta, whether they're in New York, it doesn't matter. With high-end buyers, the mindset is all the same,” says Gina Tang, an author and realtor. After graduating from college, Gina’s Chinese immigrant parents sat her down and taught her how to invest in real estate. Since then, Gina has sold over 189 homes and wrote a five-part book series about a wealthy Chinese family based on several clients.

Gina always wanted to be an entrepreneur. Luckily, her parents taught her the importance of buying real estate, as they purchased small businesses throughout their careers like many immigrants before them. After finding success in the Los Angeles real estate market, Gina packed a bag and moved to Atlanta, seeking high-end properties to fix and flip. With her rich real estate background and fascinating experiences with Chinese clientele, Gina's perspective on the world and real estate has significantly expanded since that first conversation with her parents. 

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt for a conversation with Camilla and Gina about real estate and the Chinese perspective. Learn more about how Gina started her real estate career, branched out from Los Angeles to Atlanta, and became inspired to write her book series.

Quotes

• “I'm actively looking for high-end properties to fix and flip because I know the market. I have found that high-end buyers, your expectations are the same, whether they’re in Los Angeles, whether they're in Atlanta, whether they're in New York, it doesn't matter. High-end buyers, the mindset is all the same.” (13:09-13:25) 

• “You're having sort of a nomadic experience, which is very trendy. And after the whole quarantine, I think a lot of people have just been wanting to try new things, see new things. Maybe from seeing the inside of their house too much or also like their values changed.” (18:37-18:57)

• “I'm a big fan of mixing cultures and seeing how other people live and also how much it all compliments each other.” (25:53-26:02)

• “I noticed that since growing up in the United States, my perspective was very American. Not that there's anything wrong with it; it's just that's how it was. Then all of a sudden, the Chinese showed up, and they taught me how to see things from a much different perspective. They taught me a lot about humility.” (26:52-27:07) 

• “Right now in China, there's a huge generation gap going on, more so than any other country I've ever seen. Because China went from nothing to everything.” (30:59-31:09)

Connect with Gina Tang

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginatang/

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Whether the market is headed up or headed down, people have to move for all kinds of reasons,” says Rob Jensen, Vegas Real Estate Agent. Rob began his real estate career back in 2003 when the US was experiencing its first boom. While he was introduced to a strong market, Rob had to learn how to navigate through the 2008-2009 housing crash just a few years into his career. Coming out of the recession, Rob realized there is always an opportunity to advance your career. It is this mindset that has allowed Rob to grow in his career and go on to become one of Vegas’ top-producing real estate agents. 

Low inventory in today’s market often puts a lot of pressure on buyers to make a decision on the spot. While the thought of purchasing a home you’ve just seen can be quite overwhelming, Rob would encourage any buyer to get out in the market and see homes to help them better understand what they like and don’t like. The more educated you are about the market, the more comfortable you will be throwing in competitive offers. 

Tune into this week’s episode of Pushing Dirt to learn more from industry expert Rob Jensen about short sales, real estate trends in the Las Vegas area, and tips on how to navigate a hot and competitive market as a buyer, seller, or even as a renter. 

Quotes

• “Whether the market is headed up or headed down, people have to move for all kinds of reasons. Whether they're a growing family, empty nesters, marriage, divorce, job relocation, making more money, making less money, life goals and housing needs change.” (13:11-13:30)

• “2013 is when things picked back up again. Since then things just continue to charge upwards.” (16:19-16:25)

• “People are renting to either get settled in and then figure out where they want to be, or they’re building but their new home won't be ready for a while.” (32:25-32:35)

• “Given how competitive the market has been, sometimes it's easier for people to just get here, and then deal with finding a home.” (34:57-35:04)

• “I'm never going to pressure anyone to buy, but I am going to pressure them to get out, get looking, and get educated because that's how you get comfortable when the right property or the right rental comes on the market.” (37:53-38:07) 

• “If you’re interested, put in an offer, but put in an offer you're comfortable with. Just because there's another offer on the table doesn't mean it's a good offer.” (47:29-47:37) 

Connect with Rob Jensen

IG: @robjensencompany

Website: https://robjensen.com/

Connect with Host Camilla Rantsen

IG: @camillarantsen

LinkedIn: Camilla Outzen Rantsen

Facebook: Camilla Outzen Rantsen 

TikTok: @camillarantsen

Twitter @camillarantsen

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm