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Quality Reviews That Matter
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The Houstonian
REVIEW
COPYRIGHT
© thehoustonianreview.com
With Houston being ranked as the 4th largest city in
America, we are also ranked as being the most diverse
city in The U.S. Our city is exploding with growth,
wealth, and opportunities like never before. We are on
track to becoming the 3rd largest city in America over
the next decade.
Here at The Houstonian Review, we feature only the
best of the best in the business industry, with quality
reviews from quality business professionals in the
greater Houston area. Read about the top rated doctors,
lawyers, and successful business professionals in your
city! Make sure to pick up our latest issue dropping this
Winter season.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thehoustonianreview.com
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CONTENTS
12
PUBLIC SPEAKING
Professional Speaker
22
LAW
Houston Attorney Office
38
SECURITY
Local Business
Visit us online:
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.thehoustonianreview.com
@TheHoustonianReview
4
EDITOR’S NOTE
"
“A book that is made up of only great
sentences is not necessarily a great
book.”
-Mokokoma Mokhonoana
Welcome to the Winter edition of The Houstonian all the upcoming local events, interviews from
Review, our quarterly publication is designed business owners, hottest trends, fashion,
especially for people who might never normally corporate connections, and much more.
consider picking up a review magazine. This is
for readers who want to be in the know about
the highest reviewed businesses, services, and We hope you enjoy our Winter issue, and do let
companies in the greater Houston area. us know if there are any topics you’d like to see
We aim to cut through the confusion and give covered in the future.
you clear, sensible and reliable information
from writers and experts that you can trust.
We want it to be entertaining and informative,
at times contrary, but above all useful. Inside
you’ll find a mixture of news, reviews, features
and regular columns on a wide range of
business-related topics. We reccomend where
to get the most common cosmetic procedure
done, by trusted doctors and surgeons in your
area. We also take the time out to highlight
our featured Top producing realtor of the
month. Houston is growing so fast, we like
to keep our readers in the know about all the
useful real estate news and open houses in
the Houston area. You will also learn about
RUBEN ROMERO
Editorial Director
@RubenStunner
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HOUSTON'S BEST
Meet Houston’s most highly respected and influential business
professional’s of 2022. Read about thier journey to success in the
rapidly changing corporate industry of today.
Sarah Yazdanpanah
Sarah launched Marca Única in October of 2020, an independent
music label and agency dedicated to developing and
representing talent as well as producing events and activations
for artists and affiliated music labels.
Ernesto Verdugo
Ernesto is the 247th most traveled person in the universe. He
worked for Reinassance Cruises and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines before
becoming a full-time speaker and trainer. He’s worked with people
from over 120 nationalities in 57 countries.
Orlando Zambrano
The Law Office of Orlando Zambrano is located in Texas, providing
representation for Car Crashes, 18-Wheeler Crashes, Slip and Falls, On
The Job Injuries, Medical Malpractice and Dog Bites.
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Christopher Hollins
Chris Hollins, an attorney and fourth-generation Houstonian, is the
former County Clerk of Harris County, Texas. In private practice, he is the
Principal Attorney at Hollins Law Group PLLC.
Frank Mulcahy
Frank has been speaking and training since 1984 and has worked
with tens of thousands of individuals in over 750 cities in 29 different
countries.
Sarah Tello
Sarah moved to Houston in 2017 where she began a position as a
Clinical Lab Scientist (CLS) in the city’s brandnew Houston Methodist
the Woodlands hospital.
Emily Mejia
Emily is known as Houston’s youngest professional realtor. Emily is
very focused on real estate and becoming a top producer. She is known as
“The Fit Agent” due to her love and passion for fitness.
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Ernesto Verdugo is the 247th most traveled Ernesto has been speaking and training since
person in the universe. He worked for 1994 and has worked with tens of thousands
Reinassance Cruises and KLM Royal Dutch of individuals from over 120 countries in 57
Airlines before becoming a full-time speaker different countries. Simply, Google his name
and trainer. He’s worked with people from and you’ll find among the over 460,000 results,
over 120 nationalities in 57 countries. he is listed as the 247th most traveled human
He is a Little League baseball coach a private being in the universe.
pilot and a master juggler. He lives with his wife
and two kids in the Woodlands, Texas. Ernesto He works with a wide range of global
is best defined as a Change Catalyst because organizations and provides them with a
his interventions create results in record times. competitive edge based on his unique
understanding of the world.
His speaking style quickly engages audiences
and individuals to change and think differently. His intervention success is based in his belief
His presentations are thought provoking, that behavior is an outcome not an input. He
entertaining, insightful and straight to the understand that to bring an individuals into
point. Participants on his events are always action you need to change their belief system.
left with a strong urge to take action. He is a And that requires a very different approach.
master in the art of anticipation. Ernesto’s methodology can quickly nudge
An avid trend hunter ready to identify new old habits into new behaviors providing the
opportunities in the horizon for individuals spark needed to reset the mindset of your
and organizations. organization.
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MEET
ERNESTO
VERDUGO
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Ige Johnson is a Houston real estate agent who Creating employment and offering opportunities
takes pride in being a 2017 Top 30 Influential for others to excel and become best in class
Women of Houston Alumni, a Houston Top 100 industry professionals.
Realtor, a RE/MAX of Texas Top 500 agent, and the
broker and owner for the RE/MAX of Texas 2016 As a former educator Ige’s outgoing personality,
Rookie office of the Year, RE/MAX Generation.
along with her zest for life and love of children led
As a native Houstonian with 14+ years experience her to pursue a career in Elementary Education.
in the real estate industry, Ige delivers unmatched
local knowledge, top-rated skills, and enduring Ige taught first grade and pre-k for six years.
dedication to home buyers and sellers in the Before she continued her education in marketing
greater Houston area. and mortgage consulting.
Ige is a 2017 TRLP (Texas Realtors Leadership Family and quality time are a top priority for Ige.
Program) graduate, and she uses this knowledge
to become a pioneer and influencer in the Houston As a wife and mother, she uses extraordinary
real estate market. As a natural-born leader, Ige methods to require balance in her life. Taking time
strives to serve as a role model for her team in for family, friends and fun to “Have a Life Worth
providing an honest, transparent, and client- Living.” Ige encourages others to do the same.
oriented service.
Ige advocates for governance and fidelity within A proud Houstonian, when not working, Ige enjoys
the real estate industry, and she shows this by entertaining and spending time with family and
fully committing to each and every transaction friends, traveling, connecting with new people and
and handling every deal with accountability and experiencing diverse cultures.
integrity.
The Ige Johnson Group at RE/MAX Generation Industry Designations: ABR (Accredited Buyer’s
cultivates strong industry relationships and is Representative), ALHS (Accredited Luxury Home
always abreast of new advancements in the field. Specialist), CNE
The team strongly believes that constant learning
and improvement coupled with passion and (Certified Negotiation Expert), SRES (Seniors
dedication allows them to offer the best possible Real Estate Specialist), and TRLP (Texas Realtors
service to clients. Leadership Program)
Ige has dedicated her career to serving clients for
life. As a result, most of her clients come to her by Recent Awards
referral from friends, family, and past clients who 2018 RE/MAX of Texas Top 500 Agent/Team
are extremely happy with her service. They refer
to her without reservation because they know they 2018 RE/MAX of Texas Platinum Club
can trust her to give her honest opinion, even if it 2017 Top 30 Influential Women of Houston
means “no sale.”
They know they can trust Ige to protect her clients 2017 HAR 20 Under 40 REALTOR
with a “win-win” or “no deal” way of negotiating, 2016 RE/MAX Rookie Franchise Office of the Year in
and to work tirelessly to solve any problems.
the State of Texas
Guided by her relentless focus as an entrepreneur
Ige’s pursuits include other interests and holdings. 2016 “Woman of Power”
Ige is empowered by the ability to achieve business 2016 Top 100 Realtors
success while influencing the economy.
2015 Top 50 Professionals and Entrepreneur
2010- 2016 Top Producer
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ABOUT
TEXAS INJURY DOCTORS
While hospitals should always be your first stop after suffering a serious injury, their
primary goal will be treating the issue at hand and making sure you can return home
without risk of suffering more damage. This is a vital medical service, but it often
neglects to treat some of the more painful symptoms an injury can cause. Texas Injury
Doctors is a network of Houston accident chiropractors who focus on helping patients
alleviate pain and make a more robust recovery after an accident.
Since 1997, we have been building a vast network The Houston chiropractors in the Texas Injury Doctors
of dedicated medical professionals who utilize cut- network focus their practice on treating victims of in-
ting-edge chiropractic techniques. As our service is jury, with an emphasis on people who have been in-
catered primarily to victims of car wrecks and other jured in car accidents. With longstanding experience
accident-related injuries, we have simplified our ad- in the pains and conditions that typically affect acci-
ministrative procedures so you can receive care as dent victims, our team has developed high-quality
quickly as possible and focus all of your energy on treatments for the three “hot spot” injury areas: the
healing. head, neck, and spine.
We are a unique chiropractor network that is sim- Injuries from an accident often limit the victim’s
plifying the healthcare process in numerous ways: range of motion. Our treatments focus on allevi-
We work directly with the insurance companies so ating pain symptoms and helping patients regain
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bills. life.
We have numerous offices throughout the Hous- Not All Injuries are Visible. Injuries do not always mean
ton area so patients do not have to travel far. the victim is dealing with a scar or broken bone. In fact,
oftentimes people involved in car accidents suffer in-
We work with numerous skilled and compassion- juries that leave no visible marks and go untreated for
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meets their specific needs. hurt. Some of the more painful symptoms of an injury
We focus on helping patients recover from their might not manifest for hours or even days after the
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es throughout the Houston area so patients do not tor after an accident. Do not assume you made it out
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your condition.
We work with numerous skilled and compassion-
ate doctors so patients can find a physician that Call us today at:
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(713) 777-7171 to learn more about what we have to
offer.
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SARAH
YAZDANPANAH
Photography: @SebastianOquendoPH
sebastianoquendoph.com
Stylist: @DemiCruzStudio
demicruzstudio.com
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INTRODUCING
SARAH "YAYA IN THE CITY"
YAZDANPANAH
BEHIND THE SUCCESS
Meet Sarah “YaYa” Yazdanpanah, CEO of Houstons
newest Latin music label and agency. Raised in the
United States as a first-generation daughter to a
Mexican mother and an Iranian father, YaYa grew
up listening to popular Regional Mexican Music.
Her passion, however, lied in hip-hop where she
can remember listening to SPM, Eazy-E, ScarFace,
Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Big Hawk, Fat Pat and UGK
as early as the age of 7. When the Reggaeton
wave hit in the early 2000’s, and artists like Plan B,
Don Omar and Tego Calderón grew in popularity
in the United States, YaYa began to understand
the crossing of musical genres that was about to
explode internationally. With such a vast array in
music preferences (including Texas Country where
she interned for a country music magazine from the
ages of 14-17) she began developing an ear for new
music and broadening her search for undiscovered
artists that she could share with her friends. In
2004, as a Senior in high school, YaYa worked show
production at the BET Music Awards and it was
then that she knew her passion lied in music and
entertainment.
As a huge fan of rap music, particularly the screwed
up click movement of the late 90’s and early 2000’s,
she moved from Austin to Houston where she
began meeting some of and working with her
favorite artists. By 2007, YaYa was interning at Music
World Entertainment, management to Destiny’s
Child. It was there that she began networking with
various music industry professionals and started
working under Mel Smith (previously of Bad Boy
and Cash Money Records) as an assistant on Chris
Brown’s Fame Tour. Later, she began working on
music industry panels, where she landed a job
organizing promotional teams for Def Jam during
SXSW and began expanding into a full-fledged
booking agency, proudly being the first in Texas
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and Oklahoma to land a booking contract with
now mega-superstar Cardi B.
By 2018 she would launch her online music site
yayainthecity.com where she would be the first
online English-language publication to cover
Bad Bunny and Karol G, later being recognized
and invited by McDonald’s to attend the Latin
Grammy’s as a highlighted blogger for new and
upcoming artists.
By 2020, YaYa launched Marca Única an
independent music label and agency dedicated
to developing and representing talent as well as
producing events and activations for artists and
affiliated music labels. Notably, Marca Única was
the first to introduce and produce the very first
official Regional Mexican Music showcase in
SXSW’s 34-year history. The show was streamed
online to over 30,000 registered attendees
globally. Her artist Diamanté Perez was the first
to headline the showcase and is currently on
the cover of Spotify’s Regional Mexican Rising
playlist where the imprint’s very first single
release has surpassed over 1 million streams in
its first two months. Next month, the showcase
will be produced and presented live for the first
time in SXSW’s history and will feature both
artists signed to Marca Única, along with top
Regional Mexican acts from around the country.
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yayainthecity.com
Was the very first ever online English
publication to highlight Bad Bunny, El
Fantasma, and Karol G.
@yaya.in.the.city
Photos by:
@RubenStunner
Hair:
@SleekSocietySalon
MUA:
@cerlin_mua
Stylist:
@cashmcintosh
Vehicle:
@FastLaneExoticsHouston
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ORLANDO
ZAMBRANO
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Born and raised in the Houston area, Orlando diversity to the legal profession. Orlando also
Zambrano wanted to be an attorney from an won Best Respondent’s Brief in the Dawson
early age. His family could see his interest in and Sodd Moot Court Competition; he was
the law at an early age as he would watch also named to the Order of Barristers.
legal, and lawyer shows over anything else on In 2013 a life-long dream was achieved in
TV including cartoons. After graduating high Orlando Zambrano was finally an attorney.
school, he earned an Associate’s degree from Since 2013 his sole professional focus has
San Jacinto College. been to help those injured clients who were
He would later transfer to the University of in pain and needed help. They needed an
Houston-Downtown where he was awarded aggressive attorney to fight for them, they
Student of the Year in Political Science. His needed personalized representation they
family was very supportive but not wealthy, didn’t want to be a number, but a true client
so Mr. Zambrano had a full time job at a bank and they needed someone who specialized
during all those years of undergraduate study. personal injury. Orlando Zambrano is that
Mr. Zambrano took a leap of faith and attended attorney. When he is not working, he spends
law school at Baylor University School of Law time with his family.
where he was President of Diversity in Law orlandozambrano.com (832) 422-9399 3272 Broadway
an organization dedicated to adding more St. Suite 122 Pearland, TX 77581
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SPEAK IN AMERIC A
FULL HIGH-END SPEAKER BRANDING EVENT
any of our speakers have built six and seven figure annual
incomes after participating in our branding tours and training
Mprograms. Our thriving member base consists of hundreds of
experts just like you, who are committed to excellence, success and brand
improvement and expansion.
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Phase 1
Why Preliminary Design
One of the advantages with retaining
Beacon Builders is having a one stop
Beacon shop. We will be there with you to acquire
the property (if you haven’t already), and
then tap into your creative side during
this step of the process. Together we
Builders will flesh out a preliminary design for
your future home. This preliminary
design is essentially a rough floor plan
which reflects your family’s needs,
lifestyle, desired aesthetic, home size,
and space layout. Should you desire
The Beauty about Beacon Builders is our all- to hire your own architect, we will also
around expertise. We provide the architectural design be there every step of the way to make
consultation and in-house design. With this major sure the home fits within your budget.
advantage, we will already be able to advise you
whether the house you are designing is within your Phase 2
financial budget. The last thing we want for you is Preliminary Estimate
heartbreak.
Using the preliminary design, our team
will produce a rough cost estimate
for your home. We use our detailed
database of historical project costs
26
as well as current material and labor pricing and in our budgets. We all know no one likes surprises
availability. This preliminary estimate gives us (when it comes to spending!).
a good idea of how closely your home design
aligns with your budget and can allow us to made Phase 5
adjustments moving forward to stay within your
desired budget. Pre-Construction Phase
Phase 3 This is when things really start moving! We will
submit your plans through the HOA approvals and city
Final Plans & Engineering permit processes. We also create a comprehensive
construction schedule for your home, guide you
We will continue to work on the architectural through the material selections process, and continue
plans to provide valuable construction expertise to refine the budget with each new selection made.
and insight. We ensure that any constructability or
budgetary issues are addressed during this step,
in order to avoid a costly plan revision process
later. At this stage we will also put you in touch
with our designers to make preliminary selections
for budgetary consideration.
Phase 4
Detailed Budget
As soon as all plans are finalized (architectural,
structural, civil), we work diligently to compile
a comprehensive and accurate budget for your
home. We try to make sure there are no surprises beaconbuildershouston.com
in our budgets. We all know no one likes surprises
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CHRISTOPHER G.
HOLLINS
Hollins Law Group PLLC
Chris Hollins, an attorney and fourth-generation Chris also completed a joint program with Yale Law
Houstonian, is the former County Clerk of Harris School and Harvard Business School, earning both his
County, Texas. In private practice, he is the Principal Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration
Attorney at Hollins Law Group PLLC. degrees. Today, Chris is admitted to the State Bar of
Texas and Federal Courts for the Southern District of
Chris developed a commitment to public service
through the selfless example of his parents and their Texas. He is an alum of New Leaders Council. Chris has
devotion for improving the lives of others. His father, served on numerous nonprofit boards and has been a
George, served for 34 years in the Houston Police Big Brother for over a decade.
Department, and his mother, Christie, managed a Since the conclusion of his term as County Clerk, Chris
career as an administrative assistant while raising has continued to serve as an advocate for voting
Chris, his two sisters, and more than 20 young foster rights, democracy, and good government. He believes
children. that our state and our nation must—in addition to
addressing countless issues to improve the human
Before transitioning into private practice, Chris
developed a strong strategic skillset by working at some condition—protect the basic elements of democracy
of the world’s most distinguished professional service for all citizens so that “government of the people, by
firms. As a management consultant with McKinsey the people, for the people, shall not perish from the
& Company, he flourished in applying analytics and earth.”
organizational best practices to transform public Chris resides in Houston’s Third Ward with his wife
safety, defense, and security agencies. He also served Morgan, their daughter Vivian, and their son George.
in the White House Office of Presidential Personnel. The Hollins family attends Wheeler Avenue Baptist
Church.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with
Phi Beta Kappa honors from Morehouse College.
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THOUGHT LEADER,
TREND HUNTER,
BEHAVIORAL EXPERT,
& INTERNATIONAL
CYBER SECURITY
ADVOCATE
FRANK MULCAHY
rank is best defined as a ‘Change Catalyst’
because his interventions create results in
Frecord times.
is speaking style quickly engages audiences
and individuals to change and think
Hdifferently. His presentations are thought-
provoking, entertaining, insightful, and straight to
the point. Participants in his events are always left
with a strong urge to take action. He is a master
in the art of anticipation and an avid trend hunter
ready to identify new opportunities on the horizon
for individuals and organizations.
rank has been speaking and training since
1984 and has worked with tens of thousands
Fof individuals in over 750 cities in 29 different
countries. Simply Google his name and you can see
the value of bringing him into your next event. He
works with a wide range of global organizations
and provides them with a competitive edge based
on his unique understanding of the world.
is intervention success is based on his belief
that behavior is an outcome, not an input.
HHe understands that to bring individuals
into action you need to change their belief system.
And that requires a very different approach. Frank’s
knowledge & methodology can quickly nudge old
habits into new behaviors providing the spark
needed to reset the mindset of your organization.
31
SARAH
TELLO
CLINICAL LAB SALES SPECIALIST
If 32-year-old Sarah Tello of Houston, Texas, has was to turn around and start her journey in a new
learned anything about life, it’s that sometimes you direction.“I made my way down to Corpus Christi
must go backwards to move forward. That’s just at Del Mar College where I obtained an associate’s
what the Account Service Representative for Clinical degree in Medical Lab Technology,” she said. “A lot
Pathology Laboratories (CPL) did as she navigated of people asked me why if I already had a bachelor’s
her professional journey to find the place in which degree would I go back to school to earn a two-year
she felt she truly belonged. degree. I did it to acquire the technical skills I needed
Her story began right out of high school. The to actually be doing something in science.
daughter of a high school principal and a middle I knew taking the step back would put me further
school teacher, Tello had always held education ahead for my future.”After earning that degree,
with the utmost importance. She graduated in the she worked for four years as a certified Medical
top 10 percent of her class and was ready to pursue Lab Technician (MLT) and eventually earned an
a career in nursing, even though it would take her additional certification in Clinical Lab Science.
away from the small-town life to which she had She moved to Houston in 2017 where she began
grown accustomed.“
a position as a Clinical Lab Scientist (CLS) in the
For the first time at 18 years of age, I was leaving city’s brandnew Houston Methodist the Woodlands
Harlingen to attend the University of Mary Hardin- hospital.“Then, in August of 2018, I did the scariest
Baylor,” she said, noting her town is in the deep south thing I’ve ever done in my life,” she said. “I just
of Texas along the border of Mexico and the United decided to completely switch up the game and
States. “People tend to never leave the Rio Grande become a medical lab salesperson.
Valley, or if they do leave, many always come back.
”She has now been working in sales for CPL for
But when I left for college, I knew I didn’t want to nearly four years and says she is finally feeling settled
come back to the valley. I was ready for bigger and in her professional career. She would eventually
better things.”It was in her first year at the university like to branch out to teach others who may have
when Tello realized she no longer wanted to pursue uncertainty about their career path or those who
a nursing career. She had learned about herself are struggling to make the transition from a lab
that she wanted something that was more science technician to a medical sales role.
focused rather than patient care focused.
Her advice for others, she says, stems for her
So, in 2010, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree persistence in finding a career that truly makes her
in cellular biology.She began her work experience happy.“Event if it feels like you are going backwards,
as a research associate at the Texas A&M Institute take the risk. I knew for me it would eventually pay
for Regenerative Medicine in Temple,TX for two off, and it did,” she said. ‘As long as you have a vision,
years. She would soon feel unsettled in the role, as keep that at heart and don’t give up. As hard and as
her job was more administrative unlike the hands- straining as it is, it’s going to be worth it.”
on environment she had hoped for. That’s when
Tello realized the best move for her at this point
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n Valentine’s Day of 2022, 11 organizations gathered to purchase
and gift over 2000 roses in appreciation to janitors across Houston
OTx. Organized by Houston Millennials.
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"
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MEET HOUSTON'S
YOUNGEST REALTOR
19 YR. OLD Emily Mejia
How did you get started in the Real Estate Industry? Tell us more about what you do.
So there is a story to this. I got into Real Estate because As a realtor my job is to stay on top of the market while
as I was growing up my dad would take me with him to providing the best service I can to my clients. Whether
his business meetings and in between those meetings it is helping with buying a home or selling a home, I am
we would go scout the surrounding area in hopes to find there to righteously guide and educate them throughout
an open house. I loved touring these homes because I the entire process.
got to witness so many different styles of kitchens, grand
closets, and my favorite part, talking with the realtors. I What kind of tips or advice can you give to
knew then that this industry was where I belonged. someone looking to purchase a home in 2022?
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My advice to both first time home buyers and experienced a great support system and I am ready for the challenges
buyers is to come prepared. By this I mean to make sure ahead that come with entrepreneurship. Someone who
your credit and finances are on point. As a buyer it is motivates me is my father. My dad has shown me what
important to know what you want and helpful to know true hard work means. He has a very inspirational story
the location and qualities of your desired home. Also, on how he made something of nothing when having
with the current market you have to understand that you every reason to quit along the process. Because of him I
are going to be up against other strong buyers. Lastly, be can proudly say I am the young woman I am today.
patient and trust the process.
What future goals or projects do you have coming
What is your biggest inspiration, and why? ( what,
up in the near future?
or who motivates you?)
For now I am very focused on real estate and becoming
Being born into a family of very goal orientated and a top producer. Eventually I’d like to expand on another
business savvy people you can’t help but to want more one of my passions which is fitness by opening up my
out of life. What I mean by that is I want the ability to
accomplish anything and I know that is done through own gym and launching my own fitness apparel line. I
hard work, preparation, and being smart with my finances. try my best to intertwine Real Estate and fitness which is
I have always wanted to do big things with my life and why I am called “The Fit Agent.”
I feel like the best way for me to accomplish that is to Where can we find you online?
become my own boss. I didn’t chose to go to college like
most would expect for a person my age. Trust that I did You can find me on Instagram @TheEmilymejia and on
get some negative feedback about that choice, But I have Facebook @Emily Mejia
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JULIA WANG
Top Realtor
Julia Wang holds a Broker license, the highest real and social media influencer.
estate license in the state of Texas, and is the Broker
and owner of NextGen Real Estate.
She was also recently chosen as the #1 realtor
on social media for both Houston and Texas and She strives to always meet and network with
named ‘Top 5 Real Estate Agents to Follow’ by Yahoo
Finance.
She is a seasoned business woman, with a strong professionals in Houston and surrounding areas.
background in marketing, who understands the
value of taking care of her clients. She strongly
believes that her networking skills contributed
greatly to her success as both a real estate broker
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Throughout his college career, Barba
has completed many accomplishments
which need to be acknowledged. First
inspiration and foremost, he is active within not
only the Sam Houston community but
the surrounding Huntsville and Houston
public as well. Through being involved in
of organizations such as Project Sunshine and
the Sam Houston Powerlifting Team, he has
gotten to learn and understand the sense
of what it means to be not only attached
The Month to your community but to be an actively
involved member of the people.
Through being a member of Project
Alejandro Barba Sunshine, an organization that puts on
different events for children that have
medical challenges, Barba reflects that it is
a “fun and friendly environment to be able
Houston native, Alejandro Barba is a proud Bearkat, to interact with people that have different
and is soon to be Alumni of Sam Houston State abilities and lifestyles. Throughout my 4
University. years of being a Project Sunshine member,
myoverall take from the organization is
that it’s granted me the opportunity to be
able to create a deeper understanding of
what it means to a human, despite any
challenges that anyone can have”.Pursuing
a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, and
a minor in Special Education, Barba has
gotten to learn alongside his peers, as well
as individuals that maintain leadership in
the community.
46
Outside of the classroom setting, he’s been able to now, Barba states that “I had a lot of confidence and
gain knowledge and skills within his participation in the excitement going in. Then I quickly learned just how much
university’s organizations. Barba’s active involvement goes into running a business, as well as the responsibilities
with the Sam Houston State’s Powerlifting team has that go along with it. I feel more educated after completing
granted him the ranking of qualifying and participating a year of managing my own business, and I now have a
in the national competition, as well as showing his sense that I am more prepared to create my own restraints.
perseverance for the sport through overcoming an Starting something up like this during a pandemic, I was
injury and representing the university in the USA able to witness numerous companies going under, and this
Powerlifting competition. motivated me to create my own.
Through this particular experience, Barba reflects the Through forming this business, it has further cemented
“nervousness and defeat” that he felt while recovering to me that I am truly in control of my future, and I need
from his injury. Further explaining that “going back to be taking the necessary steps to gain all that I want
and competing for the first time again was a large to accomplish.”.Speaking in regard to his overall college
confidence booster for me, both physically and career, Barba believes that “college can easily turn into a
mentally. And showing that I am the only true obstacle setting where you are eating away at your time and money.
in my life, and I will not get in the way of my own As a student, you should create an outline of what you’d
success, and I must maintain a sense of motivation for like to learn and be able to accomplish in the long run. And
myself by striving for new and higher levels of that said most importantly, take the initiative to insert yourself in your
success every time”. field to gain the necessary world and work experiences.
Without this important part created, you will only be limiting
(One persistent aspect that Barba has not only yourself to hearing about someone else’s professional
maintained but continues to excel at is his work experiences in that same field, instead of understanding
ethic. Through being involved in both the city and the those experiences firsthand. Go out, get out of your comfort
university’s community, he has gained insight on how zone. Grow your school and social relationships because
to insert oneself in a positive and effective manner into education and networking go hand in hand. Without having
whatever he is doing. Likewise, Barba excels at having a general idea of what your field is like, as well as what the
the want to branch out his knowledge into new skills skill sets are, you could be blind sighted while entering life
and interests. For instance, this said factor has allowed outside of a school setting.”Following graduation in the fall,
Barba to maintain a successful Car Detailing business, Barba anticipates expanding his Texan roots to Florida,
Barba Mobile Detailing, for the past year. From the where there is no doubt that he’ll be successful in all his
business’s creation during the ongoing pandemic to endeavors.
now, Barba states that “I had a lot of confidence and
47
In 2021, due to lockdowns and mandates, you then need to create a blog. This is simple
more people than ever before began to look to do using all the blogging software available.
for ways to earn money working from home. You can even set up a blog for free through
In particular, many looked at blogging as an platforms such as Google’s own Blogger
online business. The problem though, was that service. Blogger has been around for years and
many of them didn’t really know how to make is used by many successful bloggers, including
money from a blog. me.
So just how can it be done? Once you’ve set up your blog, fill it with
useful content, products to sell, and onsite
Keep reading and I’ll go through 3 steps that
you need to take to become an online blogger. advertising for extra income. Some bloggers
earn thousands this way, selling products
First, you need to find the right niche to work online as affiliates, and earning money through
in. You need to find a “hungry market,” people PPC advertising.
who are looking for information to read and
looking for products to buy. Once you get enough pages set up, it’s time
to market your blog to get as many visitors as
It also needs to be a niche that you’re interested possible. And if you have an email subscription
in because you’ll be writing a lot of blog posts box on your blog, you can stay in touch with all
about it. those who sign up.
Once you know what you’ll be blogging about,
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By Ruth Barringham
Marketing can be paid for, or can be done for
free through social media and article directories.
When you’re first starting out, it’s better to use
free marketing, although you can go ahead and
pay for it if you want to and if you already have
the funds. Personally, I’ve never paid for online How to Start a
advertising for any of my website and blogs.
Perhaps I’m leaving money on the proverbial Blog or Niche
table by marketing this way, but my online
success over the years has been good without it.
And that’s the 3 steps you need to take. Choose Website and
your niche, set up a blog, join an affiliate network
to find products to promote, and market your blog Make Money
in as many places as you can to get thousands
visitors. Just make sure you’re marketing in the
right places to get the right kind of visitors.
So what are you waiting for?
Get your own money-making blog set up and
running today.
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NORTH 281-890-2300 17200 Hwy 249 Suite 240, Houston, TX 77064
CENTRAL 281-890-2300 4001 N Shepherd Dr. Suite 213, Houston, TX 77018
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