We were lucky to catch up with Jamal Helewa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jamal, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you scale up? What were the strategies, tactics, meaningful moments, twists/turns, obstacles, mistakes along the way? The world needs to hear more realistic, actionable stories about this critical part of the business building journey. Tell us your scaling up story – bring us along so we can understand what it was like making the decisions you had, implementing the strategies/tactics etc.

In the world of real estate, the journey of scaling up often begins with a single client and a single phone call. For me, it was exactly that: a friend introduced me to someone looking for a property in San Diego, and we found the perfect fit within a couple of months. That happy client then referred me to others, and the cycle continued.

Over the past eight years, my business has grown almost entirely through these personal referrals. It’s a testament to the importance of treating each client not as a transaction, but as a person making a life-changing decision. My approach has always been to demystify the process, to explain every document and every step so that my clients feel confident rather than overwhelmed.

This focus on clarity and trust has allowed me to expand beyond just residential real estate into commercial, industrial, and multifamily investments. Each year brings new opportunities and new relationships, all built on the foundation of those first personal connections. And that’s how you scale up: one referral at a time.

Jamal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Eight years ago, I pivoted from a mundane ship management desk job to the dynamic world of real estate. I decided to return to San Diego, get my real estate license, and dive into a field where personal connection and service are everything.

From the start, my guiding principle has been simple: treat every client like an extension of your family. I’m not just selling a house; I’m helping someone find a home or build their dream business. I’ve always believed that if you solve problems before they appear and make the process as stress-free as possible, clients will remember that. And they’ll tell their friends.

That’s how my business grew from residential sales into commercial and multifamily investments. Every day, I aim to provide not just a service, but a level of care that turns clients into lifelong advocates. It’s been a fulfilling ride, and it all comes back to that core philosophy: treat others the way you want to be treated, and the rest will follow.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

In the real estate industry, resilience isn’t just a nice-to-have trait it’s the very foundation of the job. Being your own boss in this field means being more disciplined than ever. It means working weekends when others rest, and it means facing setbacks with a mindset of constant adaptation.

I’ve learned that in this industry, things can and do go wrong. Deals have moving parts and not all of them are under your control. Resilience is about showing up every day, ready to pivot, ready to solve problems quickly, and ready to keep the process moving forward no matter what happens. It’s that ability to stay mentally strong and disciplined that truly defines success in real estate.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

When it comes to social media, my philosophy has always been to keep things non-salesy and genuine. I’m not a fan of just posting “Just Sold!” or “New Listing!” all the time. I get that staying top of mind is important, but I think people want to be entertained or learn something new when they scroll through their feeds.

That’s why I focus on creating fun, informative content about San Diego fun facts, local history, and neighborhood quirks. It takes time and effort to shoot these videos and put them together, but I genuinely enjoy it. And my audience friends, clients, and beyond enjoys it too. It sparks conversations and helps me connect on a more personal level, which is exactly how I like to build my social media presence. If I’m having fun and learning, I know my audience is too.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jamalhelewarealty.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamalhelewa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamalhelewa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamalhelewa

Image Credits

@garbanzoandbean