Influential Woman · Commercial real estate
Erika Labanda
Commercial real estate, --
FL
Her Story
About Erika
Erica Alabanda is a commercial real estate professional based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, specializing in accounting and operations. With 15 years of experience, she began her career in residential real estate in Connecticut, handling bank-owned properties, before moving into accounting roles that spanned both residential and commercial sectors. She now oversees accounting departments, financial reporting, tenant ledgers, CAM reconciliations, property management, and asset management, including market analysis and revenue optimization. Erica earned her master's degree in real estate from FIU in December 2024 and holds an undergraduate degree in accounting from the College of Westchester in New York. She is currently pursuing her CPA certification. Erica attributes her success to her mother, who inspired her to pursue the career opportunities she herself could not. She values staying true to oneself, integrity, and strong work ethic, and advises young women entering the industry to shoot for the stars, go for it without fear of challenges, and never diminish themselves for others.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Erika
01What do you attribute your success to?
My mother has been my inspiration. She was an at-home mom who sacrificed her own career dreams but always pushed me and told me I was capable of anything. I wanted to achieve what she couldn't, and she fueled me with positive motivation.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Just go for it. As simple as it sounds, it really is the best advice. Sometimes we think because of outside noise that we can't do something, but just go for it. What's the worst that can happen? If it doesn't happen, then you rearrange, you reroute, and you re-plan.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Shoot for the stars. Just go for it. Don't be afraid of the challenges. Never diminish yourself for someone else. If someone else doesn't believe in your dream, pursue it anyway. Listen to yourself and know that you can pursue those dreams. If it doesn't go exactly the way you want, that's okay because you can reroute at any time.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The market is one challenge in real estate. Real estate is very entrepreneurial, so you need motivation. It takes hard work to build yourself, build a brand, build a name and reputation for yourself. Technology has made some things easier but dedication is still required.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Staying true to yourself is one. Staying true to those values and beliefs that you have. Doing the right thing, having integrity, having that work ethic. Things will change, people will change, but staying true to yourself, staying authentic and making sure that you're doing things the way you want them to be done.
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