Today we’d like to introduce you to Saira Marin.
Hi Saira, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve never truly shared my story in full, but it begins here.
I was born in Colombia, a country I feel blessed to be from, rich in culture, beauty, and resilience. My story, however, began with a challenge. I was born with hip dysplasia, a developmental condition where the hip joint does not form properly and the bones sit misaligned. In simple terms, the ball and socket of the hip do not fit together as they should, often leading to instability, discomfort, and for most children, repeated surgeries through adolescence.
My father came to the United States alone with my brother, determined to find work so he could afford the medical care I needed back home. Two years later, by the grace of God and with access to red light therapy and physical therapy, I was cured without a single surgery. It is something incredibly rare for this condition and it was the first miracle of my life.
When I arrived in the United States, South Florida quickly became home. My parents spent most of their lives working in cleaning and construction jobs, and eventually my father became a welder, a trade he dedicated more than twenty five years to. I grew up watching his four a.m. mornings, his calloused hands, and his unwavering commitment to creating opportunities for our family. His work ethic became the foundation of who I am.
I attended A.D. Henderson in Boca Raton through a magnet program, then Boca High, and later Florida Atlantic University where I earned my degree in Communications and Marketing. After graduation, I worked in market research. Around that time, my father had finally saved enough to purchase his first home. As an immigrant navigating an unfamiliar industry, he was understandably nervous. He asked me to get my real estate license so I could help guide our family through the process.
So I did. While working full time, I enrolled at Gold Coast and earned my license in 2018. That decision changed the trajectory of my life.
I began in residential real estate and earned the Rising Star Award in my first year, closing more than one million dollars in sales by my second. Then the pandemic arrived. Like many professionals, I faced uncertainty overnight. I made the decision to join SVN Commercial Partners in an administrative role while continuing residential real estate on the side. What I imagined would be a temporary pivot became one of the most transformative chapters of my career.
Over the next five years, I worked my way from part time admin to the firm’s Director of Operations. I helped build, train, and scale a team of more than fifty advisors across six offices including Boca Raton, Miami, West Palm Beach, Port Charlotte, Fort Myers, and Sarasota. I learned operations, leadership, training, hiring, and how to create systems that allow others to succeed. Somewhere along the way, commercial real estate opened my eyes. I realized I was not just in the right place, I had found the industry I was meant for.
In my third year at SVN, I transferred my license to commercial and partnered with my best friend and now business partner, Fuje Ara. Together, we launched The Lotus Group within SVN Commercial Partners, focusing on investment sales and leasing with a specialization in retail, office, and gas station assets. That decision did not only grow my career, it sparked something deeper.
It gave me the courage to invest in myself.
At twenty six, I purchased my first multifamily property in downtown Fort Lauderdale, renovated it, and launched a successful short term rental brand. That experience taught me what ownership truly feels like. The pride, the responsibility, and the legacy. It set the tone for the next five years of my entrepreneurial and investment journey. I plan to acquire my next property in 2026 and continue scaling from there.
Everything I have accomplished is rooted in the ambition I inherited from my parents. From my father who woke up at three a.m. to wait outside gas stations hoping to be chosen for a day’s work. From the man who returned home with bloodied hands because he could not afford gloves. His resilience shaped my own.
And I would be remiss not to acknowledge the people who helped shape my path. My mentors, Scott Maesel and Ashley Bloom, who took a chance on me and taught me the business from the ground up. My partner, Fuje, who fuels me when I am running on empty and who is one of the most driven and fearless brokers I know.
Outside of brokerage and investment, giving back is a core part of my purpose. I am deeply involved in the local Chamber of Commerce, supporting small business owners and leading business groups. I also proudly serve as cochair for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention where Fuje and I have helped lead the 2024 and 2025 Palm Beach County Walks. The impact of AFSP is profound. It brings healing, connection, and hope to thousands of families. Through that work, I have met remarkable individuals and found a deeper purpose in serving the community that raised me.
My story is still being written, but I am profoundly grateful for where I am. We went from selling condos to signing million dollar deals. From uncertainty to opportunity. And none of it would be possible without the clients who trust us with their investments and ambitions.
This journey is proof that with faith, grit, and community, you can build the life you once prayed for.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The journey has been far from easy. My family and I have pushed through the long and often uncertain path to citizenship, weathered a pandemic that demanded an immediate reinvention of my career, and navigated personal and professional pressures that required me to stay disciplined, focused, and consistent, even in moments when it felt impossible. Yet those challenges shaped my resilience and became some of the most defining chapters of my growth.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work in commercial real estate, specializing in investment sales and leasing with a strong focus on retail, office, and gas station assets. My partner and I are expanding our team and strengthening the leasing division of our business to better serve landlords, investors, and high-growth companies throughout Florida.
I’m often recognized for my consistency, professionalism, and ambition. I’m someone who is always building, creating, and imagining what’s possible beyond the horizon. But what I’m most proud of is my character. Despite the challenges I’ve faced, I remain optimistic and grounded. I lead with honesty and directness, and while I never sugarcoat reality, I always find the good in it.
Perspective is my superpower. Even in the moments when everything feels like it’s falling apart, I trust that God is the last one standing with me. That faith, paired with an unrelenting work ethic, sets me apart. I’m not afraid of hard work or of starting from scratch. I show up with excellence, intention, and a commitment to doing things the right way even when no one is watching.
I am innovative, creative, and I hope at times inspirational, but at the core of it all, it’s my perspective that defines me. It shapes how I show up for my clients, my team, and my community, and it continues to push me toward the next level of my career.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Putting yourself out there is never easy, even for the most ambitious among us. I didn’t naturally gravitate toward networking, but one of my mentors once told me that the fastest way to grow is to master the thing that makes you the most uncomfortable. That advice changed everything for me.
When it comes to finding a mentor, my greatest recommendation is to observe before you approach. Study the people in your industry. Notice how they work, how they communicate, how they lead, and how they show up when no one is watching. Not everyone is meant to guide you, so be intentional. Choose someone whose ethics, professionalism, and values align with the person you are becoming. Their influence will inform your decisions, your habits, and ultimately your trajectory.
Once you identify someone who resonates with you, focus on building a real relationship. Invite them to lunch or for a coffee. Let them see your character, your ambition, and your commitment to growth. Mentorship is built on trust long before it is formalized. When the foundation is there, allow yourself the vulnerability to ask for guidance as you navigate your career.
It may work out, or it may not, but the selection process is just as powerful as the mentorship itself. You learn what qualities you want to emulate and which ones you don’t. And as you consistently step outside your comfort zone, you naturally attract higher caliber mentors and expand your network in meaningful ways.
Finally, consider their track record. A strong mentor not only holds experience but embodies the integrity, leadership, and level of success you aspire to. The right mentor doesn’t just guide you. They elevate the standard for who you are becoming.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.svncp.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creladies/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573643880298&sk=about
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myadvisorsaira/
Image Credits
Ayinde Leconte
ayindealeconte@gmail.com
+1 (954) 383-6326
