We recently connected with Paulina Hurtado and have shared our conversation below.

Paulina, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?

I work hard every day and make the necessary sacrifices to help me propel towards my legacy. Everyone always talks about wanting to be successful, but few are willing to do what is needed to get there. Success is also very subjective and can vary amongst people. However, I think we all wish to live a comfortable life where we can be happy and take care of the ones we love. It is my hope that everything I do in my life enables my girls to live a life of abundance. That my businesses, investments, and relationships are meaningful and purposeful. I don’t want to only be remembered as the successful, Latina woman who fought against all odds and made something of herself. Instead, I hope to be remembered as the small business owner who multiplied her business and poured her heart into everyone and everything around her. That all of my life’s work and efforts not only help my girls, but that it helps my family, friends, community, and beyond. That is my legacy.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and raised in Quito, Ecuador. My family migrated to the US when I was 18 years old. For as long as I can remember, I’ve had a vision of starting my own business and becoming an entrepreneur. My career originally started in banking, but my dad had persisted and convinced me to explore the real estate side of the industry as well. Without him, I don’t know where I would be today.

In the midst of the economic collapse in 2010, I decided to open my real estate brokerage. Fortunately, I’ve managed to run a successful firm since then and now lead a group of exceptional agents in South Florida who follow my honest and crystal approach to real estate.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I opened my real estate company in 2010, during the midst of a market slowdown. Many people expressed their concerns of taking on this business at that challenging time, but I knew it was the perfect opportunity to build on. I worked tirelessly and found my niche in Short Sales. Being able to educate and help homeowners understand the benefits of selling to avoid a foreclosure was one of the most rewarding aspects of the job for me in those times. Most of those clients are financially secure today and are extremely grateful for my work with them. Many of them have become great friends and long term clients purchasing multiple properties with me throughout the years since the Great Recession of ’08.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The Covid-19 pandemic, I believe, was a very difficult time for many people globally. There was so much uncertainty and fear in the world. It definitely took a toll on peoples’ lives, and I think many businesses (mines included) had to pivot to withstand the changing market. I realized that my overhead at the time was beyond my means. I was essentially maintaining the cost of an entire 1500+ sq. ft. office for just myself and my assistant. The majority of my agents had shifted into a work-from-home position, scarcely making visits at the office. The year 2020 was also when my brokerage bought into the CENTURY 21 franchise. So, not only were we excited to explore this new and exciting opportunity as an internationally recognized real estate brand, but we had the very sudden reality wake up call of Covid-19 emerging soon after celebrating our transition to a C21 brokerage. Despite it all, I never lost faith. I made the decision to not renew my lease and move my office temporarily to my garage/home-office. As the covid restrictions eased, agents started making their way slowly back to the “office.” We were all operating out of my garage! I was able to recoup money and then the real estate market just took off. The business did real well, and I was able to purchase an office – my company, in the midst of it all, was able to became a “homeowner!” Change can be scary sometimes, but I do my best to pivot and embrace it because as the saying goes: “there’s always a rainbow after every storm.”

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