Today we’d like to introduce you to Emma Pardo.
Hi Emma, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Like how many entrepreneurs start, I first learned what I DIDN’T want to do. Through my 20s I was working in a corporate news job; difficult hours, high stress, for little pay. I knew I was a hard worker and efficient at my job, but I had so many ideas that I tried to pitch but no one listened and at the end of the day I was working for someone else’s benefit. I knew I was driven to work hard but I wanted to be rewarded for it.
Real estate was not the obvious choice for me at first, it took some time to decide. So how did I come to this career? I am extremely goal-driven, and every transaction I do has an end goal, such as finding the dream home or selling for top dollar. I’m also passionate about helping people solve a problem and move forward, and buying or selling real estate is a big step forward for most people. I love meeting new people and making connections, and real estate is all about match-making. So, when all of these passions came together, real estate was the clear path for me.
It took about 2 years for my career to really get moving. The first couple years are spent building your brand and your message, learning how to differentiate yourself, and soaking up all the experience you can get. No one should be expected to be an expert in the first few years of ANY business they’re building. It takes time, lots of trial and error, with many ups and downs. Now I have been in business for almost six years. I have a team of four people, called the Pardo Calistri Group, working with Compass. We are on track to do $20 million in sales this year.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not. In the beginning, the personal struggle is not having a routine paycheck; every extra dollar you make goes back into the business, and lots of fees come with being a REALTOR, so you start asking yourself ‘Why am I working this hard to barely make ends meet?’
The professional struggle was feeling limited and gaining respect from clients and peers despite a lack of experience. There were many times I felt doubted or inferior. And a terror that many entrepreneurs can relate to learning how to deal with rejection! Rejection is plentiful in this business.
Even now dealing with struggles, I try to stay proud of myself and how far I’ve come, always celebrating small successes. I remind myself that there’s no substitute for hard work, so if I am consistent and keep my eyes on the prize, growth in my business will continue. If you are true to yourself, trust the process, stay focused on the goal, and accept guidance along the way, nothing will slow you down.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
My time is shared equally with buyers and sellers. I am proud of the process I have put in place for both. It was not something I copy/pasted from a book, the process was something I developed over time learning from my mistakes and experiences. I feel like I am in a good place now and confidently go through the process with both buyers and sellers.
What sets me apart is that I see myself as a resource and a consultant, focused on transactions of collaboration and respect. There are many misconceptions about real estate, my goal is to change this. I am not trying to sell anything by misconceptions, rather by helping people make good decisions. I want my clients to succeed because their success is my success. The industry is changing rapidly, but I don’t think the role of a REALTOR will ever go away because to me, this is a relationship-based business. It’s a privilege for me to work alongside people trusting in me to represent them with one of their greatest assets.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The number of people I knew in Tampa before moving here in 2014 was ZERO. Needless to say, I stepped out of my comfort zone a lot to meet new people. Now, I have started a family, made lifelong friends, and have developed an incredible network of peers and colleagues through getting involved in the community.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.BuyTampaBayFL.com
- Instagram: @TampaRealtorEmma
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/EmmaYepsenPardoRealEstate
