Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa Frank.
Vanessa, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Lima, Peru. I studied business administration and wanted so bad to come to the US as I saw my opportunities were very limited back in Peru. I managed to get a scholarship in Oregon where I finished my college, (not my choice just is what I got and I took it) I graduated Cum laude with a Business/ Marketing degree and a minor in Applied Multimedia, I worked in restaurants and developed an interest in culinary arts, I went back to Peru to get a degree in culinary arts. After I worked opening the restaurant “La Mar” of Gaston Acurio in San Francisco for 1 year. A couple of years later my first husband insisted we moved to Miami in 2010. I found a space in Coral Gables that was perfect for me to open my restaurant, as I started to prepare to do that I got pregnant with my daughter, I was feeling anxious and decided to postpone the restaurant to not pass any stress to my baby. While I was pregnant we had many people of our circle back in Peru calling us and asking about properties in Miami, because it was after the crisis, the properties were very cheap, so I met a realtor and started referring business, a couple of months later I decided to get my license. I remember going to the classes with my big belly, the first sale I had was right after my baby was born in 2011 to my friend’s father, I loved that I was independent and could focus on my baby. So the first two years I had a few sales, and after my daughter started going to Pre school is when I started growling my business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Of course not, nothing has been a smooth road for me. I have worked very hard throughout my life, but I have been very persistent, (still am)
I had no friends or connections in Miami, which is key to grow a business in real estate. I started doing anything and everything that came my way, rentals, condo sales, commercial real estate, etc.
I also had to deal the sudden death of my father and months later with a divorce when my daughter was 2 years old so that definitely was not easy but thank G’d I was able to continue my business while my daughter was at school and being a mom which to me Real Estate allowed me to have my own schedule and being very involved with her.
I had many times that I worked commercial deals (big deals) that took months from me, and at the end fell through. I am happy that I never allowed that to make me think I should do something else. I literally kept going until today.
We’ve been impressed with Vanessa Frank Miami, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I started at a small real estate company owned by peruvian- American Ian Ludmir called “the real estate club” after working there for 7 years approximately, then I moved to Douglas Elliman where I joined a top producing team where I focused on learning how to work on getting listings and representing sellers. After 3-4 years I was recruited by One Sothebys, wI was not sure about making the move but I am so glad I did because the quality of people in corporate was trully different,. I felt the support and my business started taking off then.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Definitely start working for a top producing team or agent since the beginning, It will show you so much in less amount of time, and will get you in the luxury market which is where you want to be
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vanessafrankmiami.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vanessafrankmiami/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vanessafrankmiami/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessa-frank-39076743/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMPBLfY7Z_qYLT1tK4GLkNg
Image Credits
Markos Leave Photographer
Lux Hunters
