What was your most interesting job before going into real estate? My first job was when I was 14 working for my dad’s small business in Boston. He ran an advertising business in Back Bay, and I would make cold calls for classified ads. It turned out to be a great foundation for my career in real estate, as it was centered around relationship building and taught me a lot about how to deal with people and overcome rejection.

Where did you grow up? I grew up in Boston’s South End.

Growing up, what did you want to be? When I was a kid, I wanted to grow up to be a vet since I always loved animals. Later in life, I got really into music as a creative outlet and wanted to go to Berklee College of Music. Music is still a major part of my life, but when I got into sales, I found that my new passion really lied in that field.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Spirituality and mediation are a big part of my life and have been an incredible tool for coping with daily stressors. Every morning, I also like to journal my intentions for the day and meditate before checking my phone. This helps to put me in the right state of mind and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? I would love to meet either Stevie Ray Vaughan or B.B. King – they are both great musical inspirations for me. It would be fascinating to be able to sit down and pick their brains on what’s important in their life and get to know the people they are behind the fame.

What is Boston’s best-kept secret? While there are countless restaurants and spots in Boston that could be considered “best-kept secrets,” I think at a high level, not many people outside of the city realize what a community it truly is. Despite its international presence, Boston really feels like a small town and its residents are quick to come together and support each other for causes they believe in.

What do you love most about the industry? I love the ability to create my own path and individualize myself within the community. Being in real estate really gives you the option to create your own brand and lead your business in a way that is authentic to yourself. I’ve had the chance to build my business from the ground up in a way that reflects my values, and I’ve found that my clients really resonate with that.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? Other than being authentic, our team represents a new way of integrating storytelling, marketing and connecting with the community into the business. As a very young team, we really use our youth to our advantage in the way that we go outside of the box and bring a fresh perspective to the real estate business. As an example, our team has been getting noticed for a segment we do called “Small Business Sundays,” where we feature a new local business every week – whether it be through our social media channels or incorporating them into our open houses.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? In my opinion, the most difficult aspect of being in real estate is learning to break free from all the noise of what everyone else is doing in the industry. Especially when starting out, it’s easy to compare what your business is doing to everyone else. While it can be challenging, I’ve learned to focus less on the competition and their approach to real estate, and more on how I can best serve my clients in my own authentic way.

What’s your best advice for generating new leads? I find the best way to generate leads is to find what you are passionate about and become a part of that community. So much of real estate lies in word of mouth and referrals, so simply following your values and engaging with the community can ultimately create countless leads.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment is being able to see that my teammates and community have been positively impacted by the work we do. Whether it’s the small businesses we interact with or watching my team members grow and evolve in their career – it has been incredibly rewarding to be a part of their success.

What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately? I’m a big reader – I’m reading about five books on a range of different topics right now. From spirituality and leadership to prospecting and managing money, I enjoy all kinds of informational books that I can put to use in my everyday life.

What’s your favorite meal in Boston? Grill 23 & Bar – I used to go there for special occasions with my family growing up and it really feels like an extension of home.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? I would have to say D4 Boston in the South End, a converted police station turned apartment complex. My team was lucky enough to sell one of its penthouses years back. It’s a fantastic, unique building with a boutique-like feel.

What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job? Back when I was doing rentals, I once walked into a house for a showing that had a giant lizard that lived in this man’s bathtub. It was about half the size of me, and of course, it was a building that did not allow any pets.

What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you? I am a very forthcoming person. I like to be authentic; I am a very open book and say what’s on mind. If you ask me how my day is going – you may just hear how its really going!

What is your favorite vacation spot and why? Israel – my dad took me there when I was 13 and it was a trip of a lifetime.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? My phonebook! It’s all about staying in touch with everyone you meet.

Who are your favorite people to follow on social media? Coldwell Banker’s Ricardo Rodriguez is one of my favorites! He has a great eye for marketing and is an undisputed industry leader in the luxury sector.