We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariana. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariana below.
Mariana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?
Gosh, I’ve come to realize that being a business owner is less about just owning a business and more about being ready for constant change and deep spiritual growth. There are seasons—especially when I’m going through growing pains in business or my personal life—where I catch myself reflecting on the days when I had a regular job. Oddly enough, those moments always ground me. Because back then, I used to *pray* and *visualize* for the life I live now. A life filled with abundance, growth, flexibility, and surrounded by a community and friends who share those values.
Recently, someone very dear to me—someone who was a huge support system for my kids—moved back to her hometown. It hit hard. She wasn’t just helping us with childcare; she was part of our village. And with both my partner and I being business owners, raising kids without a ‘normal’ routine can be challenging. In that bittersweet moment, I had a choice: I could spiral or I could shift. And I chose to see it as an opportunity to reset. To be even more intentional about our routine, to delegate wisely, and to build a life that works *for* us—not one that overwhelms us.
So, do I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have a regular job? Sure. But I’ve realized I’m happiest where I am—being able to choose, create, and evolve. That’s the kind of freedom I used to dream about.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I work in real estate. and it has been 6 years now. stared in 2019
Since high school (Go North High!), I always knew I wanted to be part of something bigger. I craved purpose, growth, and the freedom to create something of my own. At the time, I didn’t fully understand what it meant to be an entrepreneur, so I set my sights on climbing the corporate ladder. And I did just that—I spent nearly five years working at a Fortune 500 company.
But everything shifted when I applied for a promotion and didn’t get it. At first, I blamed favoritism. But now I see that moment as divine redirection. It was a sign from God, a nudge from the universe, that something else was meant for me.
Real estate entered the picture after I bought my first home. I genuinely loved the process and found myself fascinated by the impact realtors could make. I started following agents on social media, got curious, and took the leap.
At first, I joined a team. But after having my first son, I felt out of place—not because anything was wrong, but because I had evolved. I was in a new season of life, and I needed something that aligned with my growth.
In 2022, two of my colleagues—who are now two of my closest friends—and I realized we were all ready to move on from the team we were with. At first, we planned to just collaborate and share resources. But something unexpected happened: other agents began asking to join us. We weren’t even an official team yet, but the energy, the connection, the *vision*—it was magnetic.
That’s when the idea for our own team was born. And not just any team-Team ELLLA (She/Her, with an extra ‘L’ for the three Latina co-founders). We became the first Latina-owned real estate team in Iowa.
We grew quickly—within a year, we had a team of 15, including admins and agents, all while still managing our own books of business. We coached, trained, and built systems daily. We onboarded agents with a 90-day program and saw them producing results within 45 days. We separated leadership roles and I became the team coach, mentoring and empowering our agents from day one.
What set us apart? Our culture. Our values. The experience we created for both clients and agents. We built something rooted in heart, integrity, and community.
Of course, like any business, we faced hard seasons—tough decisions, pivots, and a natural evolution. Our team eventually downsized, but we poured into our agents with love and intention. People grow, and that’s okay. That’s expected.
Today, we’re still standing—stronger, wiser, and more aligned. We’re focused on growing a small but mighty team, and more importantly, a community. We’re shifting our energy toward impact, collaboration, and quality of life with other agents no matter where they live or years in the business. after all there is always abundance for everyone.
We’ve learned that better boundaries, self-work, and intentional leadership create room for more joy, more creativity, and more authentic connection.
And that’s what I want people to know: this isn’t just about real estate. It’s about people. It’s about creating spaces where others can grow, thrive, and belong. We’re here to make a difference, together—and we truly believe in collaboration over competition.”
ELLLA- Over 400 families helped combined, NAHREP top 100 team in the Nation in 2023, over 20 years combined experience, Latina owned and founded in 2022
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Our most effective strategy for growing our clientele has been staying true to relationships.
We’re proud to say that our team is 100% referral-based—we don’t buy leads or chase cold connections. Instead, we focus on pouring into the families and people who already support us, because why wouldn’t we? They’ve trusted us with one of the most important decisions of their lives, and that means everything.
Throughout the year, we host four major client appreciation events that are always full of fun, connection, and gratitude. We also do eight “pop-bys” to visit our favorite people—past clients and loyal supporters who continue to introduce us to friends, family, and colleagues looking to buy or sell.
We love collaborating with vendor partners, too. These are trusted professionals who align with our values and help us serve our community even better. Many of them sponsor our events and share our heart for community over competition.
What truly makes the difference, though, is the ongoing connection. I take pride in checking in with clients even after closing—whether it’s to answer a question, give a recommendation, or simply say hi. I want to be their forever resource, not just their realtor.
At the end of the day, people remember how you made them feel. And our goal is to always leave them feeling cared for, connected, and confident in the journey they’re on. That’s what keeps our circle growing.”
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
My resilience comes from my roots my parents, my family, and my community. I migrated to the U.S. when I was just two years old. It wasn’t until I was heading into my last years in middle school that I fully understood what it meant to not have legal status. I still remember that day so clearly. As a young girl who had always been taught that education is everything, learning that the path would be harder for me because of circumstances out of my control was crushing.
I’ve always been a big dreamer but for a while, that’s all those dreams were: just dreams. Then came the DACA Act under the Obama administrational almost 13 years ago now. That act lit a fire in me. It gave me a chance to show up fully and keep a promise I made to myself: to go *all in*. People often refer to us as “Dreamers but the truth is, *my parents* were the real dreamers. They left behind their own dreams, family, and culture to give us a better future. That’s not something I take lightly.
When I decided to transition into real estate—without a college degree and with no guarantee of success—I remember having a conversation with my father, may he rest in peace. I told him I was thinking of leaving my safe, stable job with benefits to pursue something uncertain.
He looked at me and said, “Daughter, I’ll support you in whatever you choose. But really think about this—you’re walking away from security into a competitive business.”
I looked at him for what felt like a couple minutes, and said, Dad, I will not settle. Not after everything you sacrificed. I’m not doing this just for me ,I’m doing this to break generational cycles, to give my future kids a different life, and to be the example for others in my community who know what it feels like to crave something more.
Resilience, for me, has never just been about pushing through it’s about honoring the past, showing up in the present, and building a better future. One step at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariana.teamellla.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamellla?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teamellla
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/elllarealestateteam/
- Other: My personal handles-
https://www.facebook.com/marianahdz10/https://www.instagram.com/marianas_hernandez/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariana-hernandez-a146b01a5?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
Image Credits
Ruben Rodriguez Photography