Selina June Tozzi
I started my career in student housing in Huntsville, working my way up from leasing agent to assistant property manager, where I developed a strong suit for financial reports and accounts receivable. I really got into contracts and learned the lease inside and out, which gave me a really strong backbone right off the bat, especially dealing with frustrated parents and threats of lawyers. During COVID, I moved to Seattle to pursue multifamily residential property management, navigating the complications of people losing jobs or being laid off. I then took a temporary position with Heinz in commercial real estate, which I initially didn't want because I was trying to get away from property management, but it was very good pay. That temporary role became long-term, and I really got into knowing what commercial was all about. I loved it because with residential you're dealing with people and where they live, but with commercial real estate you're dealing with people and where they work. It's a really special place to be in my eyes, watching people's businesses grow and dreams come true, really seeing that flourish from the ground up. When I moved back to Texas, I joined Collier's, and my VP at the time, now CEO, could see from the very beginning that I was property manager level, not just an assistant. She motivated me to get my Texas real estate license in less than 3 or 4 months from when I started, even while being a new mom and the sole provider for my household. I love going into work, I love the office, I love what I do. It gets hectic and you're always on call, but I just kept taking opportunities that presented themselves and wanted to always be the best at what I do.
• Texas Real Estate License
• Notary Public
• Certification in Property Management Financials
• Bachelor's Degree in Psychology with Minor in Sociology (HR focus)
• Aspen Connection Award
• Houston BOMA (Building Owners and Managers Association)
• ICSC Real Estate
• American Association of Notaries
• Hispanics in Commercial Real Estate (HCRE) - Houston Chapter
• BEAR (BA Resource) Christmas Initiatives
• Iron Fashion Show for Houston Youth
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I'd say learn to read a lease and be able to understand it, or just contracts in general, because the more you understand, the better you're going to be able to relay that information in the way that it needs to be conveyed. Whether you need to be caring and compassionate with a tenant, stand your ground with an ownership, or explain to a vendor what they can and cannot do and why, it really helps you because so many people will come to attack you, and the more sure you are with everything that you do, the better you'll be able to help and help yourself. In this career, you're gonna get threats with the lawyer all the time. I would also say don't take anything personally. It's personal for them, not for you. This is their home, this is their business, whatever it is, it's personal for them, and that's just the truth. When you don't take 'I'm gonna call my lawyer, I'm gonna ruin you, I'm gonna get you fired' personally, it really changes your perspective and your attitude. What you end up hearing is 'I need help, and I don't know what to do, I'm scared,' and it helps you do what you can to flourish in your career and just anywhere. It's never personal, it's always personal for them, not for you.
Locations
Colliers
Houston, TX