We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Eduardo Duran. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Eduardo below.

Eduardo, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s kick things off with a hypothetical question – if it were up to you, what would you change about the school or education system to better prepare students for a more fulfilling life and career?

Personally, I believe that the current educational system falls short when it comes to developing true problem solvers. There’s too much emphasis on memorizing information and regurgitating it back, rather than teaching critical thinking and problem-solving skills. If it were up to me, I would place a greater emphasis on developing an entrepreneurial mindset.

We need to encourage students to think outside the box, take risks, and develop creative solutions to real-world problems. This requires a different approach to education, one that emphasizes innovation, creativity, and risk-taking. By teaching students to identify opportunities and create value for their customers, we can equip them with the skills they need to succeed in the modern economy.

In addition to this, I would also place a greater emphasis on teaching practical life skills. We need to prepare students for the challenges of adulthood by teaching them how to manage their finances, navigate bureaucracy, and communicate effectively. These are skills that everyone needs, yet they’re often overlooked in traditional education.

In conclusion, if I could change one thing about the educational system, it would be to shift the focus towards developing an entrepreneurial mindset and teaching practical life skills. By doing so, we can create a generation of problem solvers who are equipped to succeed in the real world.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I was born and raised in El Paso, Texas, surrounded by a predominantly Latino culture. My parents, both brave Mexican immigrants, had to work tirelessly to establish themselves in the United States. They taught me the value of a strong work ethic, honesty, and persistence by setting an example. I would wake up early every day to work and study with my family. My mom would take my brother and me to her flower shop business after school, where I saw my parents pour all their efforts into securing a better future for us. Their dedication inspired me to create Lease With Ease, and I am grateful for the values and virtues they instilled in me, such as work ethic, confidence, and relationship building.

In 2019, I moved to Austin to pursue a college education at UT Austin, never expecting to develop a business concurrently. However, during my freshman year, I got my real estate license and assisted a few of my close friends in their search for student housing. As my client base grew steadily, I founded Lease With Ease LLC during my junior year, which has since expanded to include six agents, a media manager, and a transaction coordinator. We eagerly look forward to the future, excited to see what opportunities lie ahead for our growing business.

Lease With Ease is a top student-led real estate company in Austin, with a team that values honesty, diligence, and providing the best possible leasing experience. We’re proud to be exclusively comprised of UT Austin students, which brings a youthful energy and vibrance to the client experience that’s unparalleled in the more traditional, established realm of real estate. Although we focus primarily on serving and empowering UT students in their search for housing, we’re also committed to offering real estate services to all Austinites. We understand that the college lifestyle can be chaotic, and that combined with a lack of experience in the field, searching for housing can be stressful and frustrating. Our core mission is to alleviate this pressure by helping students find their next lease with ease, at no cost to them.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I enrolled in the University of Texas at Austin with a clear plan in mind – to study mechanical engineering and build a successful career in that field. However, as I pursued this course of study, I realized that my passion lay elsewhere. While I enjoyed the coursework, I found myself yearning for something more – something that would allow me to interact with people and make a meaningful impact in their lives.

It was at this point that I discovered my affinity for real estate. Initially, I started by obtaining my real estate license and working with friends and acquaintances in their search for housing. I found that I had a talent for this work, and my client base began to grow steadily. Eventually, I took the plunge and formed my own leasing team, Lease With Ease LLC, during my junior year of college.

It was a bold move, to be sure. I had to pivot from my original plan and embrace a new path that was uncertain and filled with risk. However, it was a decision that ultimately paid off. Today, Lease With Ease is a thriving real estate agency with a team of thirteen agents, a media manager, and a transaction coordinator.

The journey was not without its challenges. The real estate industry is a complex and competitive field, and I had to work hard to establish my credibility and build my reputation. But my background in mechanical engineering proved to be a valuable asset – it gave me a strong foundation in problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail that has served me well in my real estate career.

Looking back, I am grateful for the pivot I made. It allowed me to explore new opportunities and pursue a career that aligns with my passion for helping others. I encourage anyone who feels stuck in a career path that no longer serves them to consider making a similar pivot – you never know where it might lead you!

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building an audience on social media has been a critical component of our success at Lease With Ease. In the early days, we recognized the importance of creating a strong social media presence to help us stand out in the competitive real estate market.

We realized that in order to build a loyal following, we needed to provide value beyond simply advertising properties. Instead of following the status quo of only posting property listings, we focused on creating content that was informative, entertaining, and community-oriented. This included everything from educational content on real estate trends and local events, to personal brand development and community-building posts.

We found that our audience responded positively to this approach, and we were able to cultivate a loyal following of UT Austin students and Austinites looking for top-tier real estate services.

For those just starting to build their social media presence, my advice would be to focus on creating content that provides value to your audience. Whether you’re in real estate or another industry, think about what kind of content your target audience would find interesting and engaging. It’s also important to be consistent and post regularly, as this will help you stay top-of-mind with your audience.

Another key tip is to engage with your audience on social media. Respond to comments and messages, and make an effort to connect with other influencers in your industry. This will help you expand your reach and build relationships with potential clients.

In short, building a strong social media presence takes time and effort, but it can be a game-changer for your business. By focusing on creating valuable content and engaging with your audience, you can build a loyal following and establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lweleasing.com
• Instagram: @lweleasing
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorge-eduardo-duran-b8aab1197/