Her Story
About Rachel
I entered the real estate field at the end of 2022, specializing in data centers and large-scale multifamily portfolio properties. I'm currently co-general partner of 142 doors in Corpus Christi, Texas, and I'm about to close on another property with 284 units in Houston where I'll be the key principal. My work extends internationally as well. I'm raising money from investors to build dabias, which are cruise boats on the Nile River in Egypt, and I've already secured one investor to build about 10 boats. I'm also about to import extra virgin olive oil and Turkish coffee to create a health food store across the nation. I wrote a book that will be published next week. My journey hasn't been easy. In 2006, I was paralyzed and had only a 10% chance of survival and 10% chance of walking. Today I'm walking and talking with 7 layers of titanium in my back. I had another major back surgery in February of last year where 7 levels of titanium were put in, and I've been literally learning to walk and just coming back into my industry. My brother and I started a group where we invite people who want to become future GPs or KPs to our meetings. We decided we don't want to charge people like others do, because I don't like that I had to pay for different courses just to get in the door and access the network. We bring in people who have special abilities and can add value to the group, and we teach them how to become key principals. As we grow, they grow. I come from a family of educators, both my parents are teachers, and my grandfather was the vice provost at Nova Southeastern University. His time with Einstein opened my mind to what was possible. I believe education is the best way to get knowledge, and I don't want to charge people for it.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Rachel
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the grit that comes from my mother and the mindset my grandfather instilled in me. My grandfather was the vice provost at Nova Southeastern University, and his time with Einstein made me open up my mind to what was possible. That foundation of understanding that anything is possible has driven everything I do.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is that it's not what you say, it's what you do. And it's not what's in your own knowledge, it's what's in the knowledge of the people closest to you. Success isn't about what you know alone, it's about surrounding yourself with the right people and taking action.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I hate to use a cliche, but your network is your net worth. The more people you know, and the more knowledge you gain, the easier it's gonna be to get into bigger opportunities. I guess the best way to explain it is to find someone that's already done what you want to do, and just follow them. Whatever it is that you're doing, find that person and learn from them.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is that there's only about 5% of women in the industry of real estate, especially in multifamily. Most women that are involved are realtors or maybe a few brokers, but nobody that's a key principal or a GP. It's only 5% of the population. As for opportunities, the best opportunity for me right now is to, within the next 5 years, be able to retire happy, healthy, and enjoy my family. Make sure that they're secure.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
There's always a balance, first of all. Family is always first and foremost, and when I say family, I mean the family that is your core family, not necessarily by blood, but by design. My family right now is definitely my team, as well as my children, always my children. I'm learning that life is very short. Tomorrow is not promised, you know what I mean? My mom has dementia in late stage, and my dad has acute leukemia, so I'm really understanding how precious time is.
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