Women Who Lead

Today's episode of Women Who Lead features none other than powerhouse Latina Patty Arvielo. As an award-winning entrepreneur (and president and co-founder of New American Funding), Patty uses her forty years of experience in mortgage lending to create a blossoming business serving underserved communities.

When she started her career, Patty was surrounded by men.

• Now that she's in a leadership position, she makes sure other women, Latinas, and any minority know that they can climb the ladder of success.
• The love she has for her culture is deep. Patty grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, and she liked that her family was different.
• The mortgage industry is still primarily led by white males, but Patty believes it is now time for young women to emulate what allowed her to find success.

In the mortgage industry, you learn by trial and error.

• The more we foster representation around the table, the more we'll see the rise of other minorities in the industry.
• Patty's passion for minority advancement resulted in a university and mentorship program to help minorities create their own opportunities.
• Her team trains roughly 100 students a month from different ethnic backgrounds, which doubles as a great recruiting tactic for her company to ensure she has a diverse group.
• She launched a mentorship program called 'Thrive and Lead' to help Latinas identify what it took to lead to her success.
• Over time, this program has blossomed into a multi-ethnic program that gives many minorities mentorship opportunities.

Instead of being afraid of something, Patty tackles a situation head-on.

• To young people, Patty urges you to find ways to continue to evolve as a human being.
• While she feels very confident in herself now, she is always trying to be a better leader.
• Realize that change is difficult and it takes work. But, as a leader, it is necessary.

Patty's podcast and book recommendations:

• There's a podcast for everyone. If you haven't found the one you like, just keep looking.
• For Patty, she loves anything with Oprah, like her podcast Oprah's Super Soul.
• While she doesn't read whole books, Patty flips through them. For example, she's currently reading "OMG WTF Does the Constitution Actually Say."

Patty's favorite quote? "Nobody's going to tap you on the shoulder to be successful." For more content from Patty, connect with her on LinkedIn. 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.

This episode is brought to you in part by Venus et Fleur.

Are you looking for a great way to show appreciation to family, friends, or even customers? Give them a floral arrangement they won't forget anytime soon. These beautiful arrangements make the perfect closing gift for any realtor to stay top-of-mind. Visit venusetfleur.com and use code "hsoa20" when ordering.

It takes a powerful strategist to successfully run a real estate organization in a city as robust as New York City. Today's guest is Diane Ramirez, the Chief Strategy Officer for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices New England, New York & Westchester Properties. Tasked with growing the brand across the world's most iconic city, Diane is a master strategist, and in this episode, she shares her career story that explains how she got to this point.

Diane's start in real estate:

• When her husband opened an investment firm branch in Florida, Diane joined him. Having already bought and sold a few houses, she quickly became a Florida real estate agent.
• Diane loved the idea of working her own hours. But once her children went off to school, she decided to be an entrepreneur.

Overcoming challenges in the New York real estate market:

• While the real estate market for the area has had to overcome several challenges, but it's back and poised to do great things.
• There are still obstacles ( both political and government), but it's moving in the right direction.
• Branding is essential, especially in New York City. Berkshire Hathaway needs instant recognition to accomplish its goals.

It takes leadership from the top down to implement strategic growth.

• How do you create lifelong clients, especially for new agents? It's all about building the relationship.
• Successful agents aren't just a realtor but an advisor. Someone who is there for the customer all the time, not just the transaction. If you're there to help and guide, the relationship will strengthen.
• In many areas, realtors might not need to perform an advisory role. However, in New York, it is a necessity (because everything requires approval.)
• The realtor should lead the client through these nuances, whether the transaction was one week or five years ago.

Diane's approach to leadership:

• Diane focuses on being true to herself and being better than she was the day before.
• For inspiration, she looks to many things, from her staff and past mentors to the people she meets each day. But, it's not just anyone person; it's simply the atmosphere of New York that is an inspiration to her.

Overcoming biases and assumptions:

• While Diane is Hispanic through marriage, she's carried her last name for quite a while. As a result, she's noticed an undertone of surprise when people see her because her appearance doesn't match their expectations.
• Diane has frequently been the only woman in a board room, but she's never felt held back by it because she knew she earned her place there. And when you project confidence, people will feel confident in you.

Balancing work and personal life:

• Diane had to make decisions early in her career, and she knew the only way to succeed in her endeavors was to be what was needed at that moment.
• If she was helping with homework or at a school function with her kids, that was the focus, but if she was at the office, she was in business mode. And that's what made it work.
• Diane's advice to listeners? Be present in your life as best you can, and you'll find you won't have to sacrifice as much.

One of Diane's favorite quotes is by the great Winston Churchill: "Success is not final, failures are not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts." To get in contact with Diane or to see other content from her, connect on LinkedIn. 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.

This episode is brought to you in part by Venus et Fleur.

Are you looking for a great way to show appreciation to family, friends, or even customers? Give them a floral arrangement they won't forget anytime soon. These beautiful arrangements make the perfect closing gift for any realtor to stay top-of-mind. Visit venusetfleur.com and use code hsoa20 when ordering.

Today's episode of Women Who Lead features a special guest: Christy Budnick, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services! In this episode, Christy and host Teresa Palacios Smith discuss what qualities make a good leader, how realtors today can start building those qualities, and Christy's plans for the future of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices. (Note: this episode is a prior recording with Christy; she's now been the Berkshire Hathaway Home Services CEO since May of 2021.)

Christy didn't intend to join real estate.

• When she was 11, her mother decided to join the real estate industry, with Christy and her sister acting as her marketing department.
• Christy knew one thing as she entered college - she never wanted to join the real estate industry.
• But in 2011, tired of the travel associated with her position running a sales and leadership training division, Christy joined her mother in real estate. And now, she loves everything about it.

What are the qualities of a great leader?

• For Christy's style, it depends on the situation. She's more than willing to lead a charge. But, if she delegates something, she wants to support from behind while someone else leads.
• A good leader can lead with their heart and mind, and is willing to take risks.
• Leaders challenge their people to make mistakes (because that means they're pushed to grow.)
• Above all, leaders follow their gut.

Anyone can be a leader:

• Some people are raised in an environment where becoming a leader is more natural.
• You don't need money to be a good leader. Instead, great leaders come from a place where they had the support that encouraged them to accomplish their goals.
• However, you don't have to have that to be a leader. So while it makes it easier, it's not impossible without it.

What are the greatest challenges brokers currently face?

• The greatest challenge is combating the noise in the marketplace because our job is to provide clarity.
• We need to believe we're here to stay. Our business model is built on relationships over transactions, and technology cannot replace that.
• Real estate is a personal business that can't be duplicated through the internet.

Christy's 30,60, and 90-day plans:

• She met with the HSF team, and their dedication and knowledge blew her away.
• In her first thirty days, she wants to ask a lot of questions and learn to lead in a way that best supports the company.
• The first sixty days are all about planning for the future, establishing the goals and outcomes she wants to achieve.
• Her ninety-day plan will focus on implementing specific tactics to reach those goals.

Overcoming biases and assumptions:

• Christy has been fortunate to work with people who, while primarily men, promoted the best person for the job.
• Christy didn't have biases against her (that she was aware of), but one assumption she fought was the belief that she came from money. In reality, everything she had as a child came from her mother's work ethic.

Christy's Book Recommendations:

• Educated
• Anything by John Gordon (like Row the Boat.)

Christy's final takeaway? Always find a way to help others in their journey. You'll make an impact bigger than yourself while fueling your personal growth. 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.

This episode is brought to you in part by Venus et Fleur.

Are you looking for a great way to show appreciation to family, friends, or even customers? Give them a floral arrangement they won't forget anytime soon. These beautiful arrangements make the perfect closing gift for any realtor to stay top-of-mind. Visit venusetfleur.com and use code hsoa20 when ordering.

Leslie was essentially born into real estate.

• Leslie's mother was pregnant when her father started his real estate company. As the former president of NAR, her dad exemplified the leadership qualities she knew she wanted.
• Leslie worked for her father's company throughout high school, filling in wherever needed.
• As of 2022, single women represented 19% of the first-time homebuyer population versus 11% of single men. That's crazy, considering women could not purchase a home without a male signature until 1974.

Leslie plans to differentiate herself as the NAR president.

• Of course, she wants to be inclusive and hear from her members. As the leader of the largest trade organization in the world and the largest unaffiliated PAC advocating on Captial Hill, everyone's voice is important.
• There is always something happening behind the scenes. She's currently dealing with a lawsuit from the Department of Justice, and the National Association of Realtors is doing everything they can. Things that happen in our favor don't just happen; theres' a whole team working to promote our interests.

What are some moments that were scary that she's glad she did?

• Her journey is not what she had planned. (But who's is?)
• Her father, being the '91 president, meant Leslie went to every NAR convention growing up. However, she wasn't allowed to serve on a NAR committee at all.
• So it wasn't until 13 years later she got the opportunity to be on a committee from a president of NAR from California.
• Later, she served as a liaison for the first African American president of NAR in 2009. She had no idea what that meant when she first accepted the job.
• In 2009 he offered her a new opportunity, which later led to her joining as a vice president.
• She learned you could learn to say no if there is too much on your plate.

Who is a mentor you looked up to in your career?

• Ebby Holiday was a mentor. She was the National President of the Women's council but wasn't allowed to be president of NAR because she was a woman.
• She was a wonderful lady who lifted women up and paved the way for women in the industry.

What other challenges do you face, particularly finding a work/life balance?

• Working first in the women's council helped Leslie because she received support from women of all ages who helped her overcome her fear of public speaking.
• It's all in your head. You have to have the confidence to overcome challenges.
• One of her three pillars is strength. Not just in numbers, but also mind and body.
• She wants to be healthy as she leads hoping her constituents do the same.

In the 115 year history of the National Association of Realtors, this is the first time the leadership team is majority female. Your circle should want to see you win and clap the loudest when you have good news. If they don't, find a new circle of friends. Follow Leslie on LinkedIn, and take some time to go to the National Association of Realtor's website to view your membership benefits.

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.

This episode is brought to you in part by Venus et Fleur.

Are you looking for a great way to show appreciation to family, friends, or even customers? Give them a floral arrangement they won't forget anytime soon. These beautiful arrangements make the perfect closing gift for any realtor to stay top-of-mind. Visit venusetfleur.com and use code hsoa20 when ordering.

Welcome to Women Who Lead, a podcast dedicated to women making a difference in the real estate industry. This show will feature host Teresa Palacios Smith as she interviews women across the industry making change and success a reality. Make sure to subscribe to be notified of upcoming episodes, and leave a rating and review as you hear the exciting and thought-provoking stories they share. (If you're a listener of Teresa's bi-weekly Facebook livestreams, you'll love the podcast.) Some quick background of Teresa:

• With a family from Colombia, Teresa interviews each top leader with a cup of coffee in hand. Because that cup of coffee is how her family breaks bread and shares time together.
• As the Chief Officer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Home Services of America, a Berkshire Hathaway affiliate Teresa represents 75,000 agents and 64 employees across the country.
• She loves her role and her opportunity to engage with female leaders. It's by seeing women in powerful positions that encourages other women to follow suit.

One of Teresa's greatest inspiration? Wonder Woman.

• As a young girl, Teresa's mother suffered from a heart condition that ultimately led to her death.
• While in the hospital with her, Teresa picked up a magazine with Linda Carter on the cover. Carter, who starred as Wonder Woman, was a Latina like her.
• Reading about her and the obstacles she overcame inspired her to help Teresa through tough times.

When women support each other, incredible things happen.

• Teresa wants to inspire women to pursue opportunities and leadership positions, whether inside or outside the real estate industry.
• Beginning Feb. 16th, episodes of Women Who Lead will air twice each month.

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.

This episode is brought to you in part by Venus et Fleur.

Are you looking for a great way to show appreciation to family, friends, or even customers? Give them a floral arrangement they won't forget anytime soon. These beautiful arrangements make the perfect closing gift for any realtor to stay top-of-mind. Visit venusetfleur.com and use code hsoa20 when ordering.

Women Who Lead is a podcast dedicated to women who make a difference in the real estate industry. Join us as host Teresa Palacios Smith, the Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at HomeServices of America, interviews various female executives and business leaders who have found success and forged their own path in the world of real estate. With a family from Columbia, Teresa conducts each interview with a cup of coffee in hand (because that's how she bonds and spends time with others.) From tactical strategies to overarching trends in the industry, each episode will take an in-depth look into an element of real estate for you to apply and grow in your own real estate business. At the end of the day, remember to always bring women up the ladder with you as you climb to the top. Episodes are published twice each month and are approximately 30 minutes. Make sure to subscribe now to never miss an episode!