Jun 18, 2019
When she moved to San Diego from her tiny Mexican town at the age of 18, Yesenia Nogales didn’t know anyone, and she didn’t speak any English. The fifth of ten children, Yesenia was used to doing things on her own, so she got a waitressing job and memorized the questions she would need to ask customers. Within five years, Yesenia had started her first restaurant, and she was well on her way to achieving the American dream.
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Now, Yesenia is a real estate agent and consultant with the SoCal Lifestyle Team at Big Block Realty and the cofounder of WeLease Property Management USA. With 15 years of experience as an agent, Yesenia serves as the president of the San Diego NAHREP, and she is an advocate for building wealth through real estate investing. Today, Yesenia joins Oliver to share the story of her journey to the US, discussing how she eventually learned the language through ESL classes and a roommate who spoke only English.
Yesenia describes how she went from waitressing to owning her own restaurants and explains how a desire to be present for her daughter inspired the transition to real estate. She also offers insight around the lessons she learned as a top-producing agent and her aspiration to leave a legacy through real estate investing. Listen in for Yesenia’s insight on how books served as her mentors and get inspired by her fearless story of achieving the American dream!
[0:45] Yesenia’s journey to the United States
[8:06] Yesenia’s enduring entrepreneurial spirit
[9:31] Yesenia’s experience in the restaurant business
[15:06] Why Yesenia transitioned to real estate
[17:39] Yesenia’s first real estate deal
[22:00] How Yesenia put her siblings through college
[28:18] Yesenia’s top lessons learned as a top producer
[31:26] How Yesenia has overcome her challenge with English
[32:37] What’s next for Yesenia
[34:26] Yesenia’s advice for her younger self
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