We were lucky to catch up with Kali Lamarine recently and have shared our conversation below.
Kali, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?
Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. Being an entrepreneur means taking the initiative to create, manage, and grow a business. It involves identifying opportunities, taking calculated risks, and being resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges. As entrepreneurs, we’re innovative, passionate, and motivated to solve problems, aiming to create value and make a positive impact through our products or services. Ultimately, entrepreneurship is about turning ideas into reality and navigating both successes and setbacks along the way. It’s exciting and exhausting. On those days where everything seems to go wrong and the pressure is stacked, I find myself dreaming of the days when I was working for someone else. Clocking in at 9 and out at 5, leaving my work day behind me. Being told what to do and not having the pressure of every team member and business decision on my shoulders. The reality is, I was never challenged enough and got bored. I’d hit a ceiling and get frustrated. Owning and operating my company drives me in a way that’s hard to put into words. It fulfills me, gives me purpose and demands excellence from me every day.
Kali, 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?
I founded LA Lux Property Management because I saw a significant gap in quality property management services in Southern California, particularly within the luxury market. My background in real estate development exposed me to countless situations where tenants were frustrated with poor management, property owners were in the dark about their properties, and property managers couldn’t even recall basic details about the properties they were responsible for. Effective property management starts with truly knowing the properties. To be effective, you have to be aware of the details, like how Unit 2 at Property A has had recurring plumbing issues over the last 6 months, which require a different approach to prevent recurring or costlier problems. Or that the water heater at Property B, though replaced just a year ago, has gone out, but is still under warranty. My team and I make it a point to know each of our more than 500 tenants. We can quickly recite which property they reside and greet their dog by name. Building strong relationships with tenants is key. Addressing their concerns quickly and effectively is just as important as understanding and working towards the property owner’s goals. I know which of my clients are in it for the long haul and building generational wealth, who is going to sell in the next 5 years to supplement their retirement, and who inherited a property they keep as a side-hustle. Most property management companies treat the business as a numbers game, taking on more units while struggling to properly manage the ones they already have. That model doesn’t work. Margins are tight, staff turnover is high, tenants are frustrated and too many things fall through the cracks which can lead to costly legal issues. In Los Angeles, where tenant/landlord laws are complex and ever-changing, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve and get things right the first time. At LA Lux, we’re committed to protecting our property owners’ assets, keeping tenants satisfied, maximizing rental income, and keeping costs low.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
For most of my life, the odds were stacked against me. I grew up in a tough environment and faced a lot of struggles and set backs throughout my journey. Resilience became a lesson I learned early on, and it’s what’s brought me to where I am today. What I want people to know is there is always a way forward. You have to create opportunity where it doesn’t exist, in any way you can. I wasn’t above anything that could give me a shot at a better life, including joining the military at 17. The journey isn’t easy. It will break you at times, but you have to keep going. Even if progress feels slow, you keep moving forward because every step counts. I was never the smartest person in the room, I was just willing to work the hardest. The resilience I’ve had in my personal life has deeply influenced the way I am able to persevere in business. Resilience is key—if you can learn to persevere, regardless of what you’re facing, there’s no limit to what you can accomplish.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
Our most reliable source of new clients has always been referrals. Because of this, we don’t heavily invest in advertising. In fact, the majority of our clients come to us through the recommendations of others we’ve worked with. We’ve established ourselves as a trusted firm for real estate agents and their clients, as well as business managers representing sports and entertainment clients—a result of our unwavering commitment to discretion. Our approach is simple: we concentrate on delivering exceptional service to our existing clients, ensuring that every interaction reflects our commitment to excellence. By focusing on providing the best possible experience, we naturally build strong relationships that lead to new opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.laluxpm.com
- Instagram: @laluxpm
Image Credits
Jarrel Cudjoe