Life and Work with Serena Ortiz

Today we’d like to introduce you to Serena Ortiz.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Serena. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Originally from NYC, I relocated to Atlanta to give my sons less of a fast-paced life. I started as a bank teller, quickly was promoted to Operations Supervisor and then Assistant Branch Manager. I was in this position for several years before changing fields to gain more of a work/life balance. I moved to an international law firm where I was briefly in the Accounts Payable department before being promoted to a Conflicts Analyst. After several years in this position, which I currently hold, I began my own business in real estate, SOhomes Realty.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Having three sons which I was raising on my own after my divorce, I have had to stop, restart, stop, and restart many times based on what life was throwing at me at the time. My sons have always been my priority so I have revolved around what they needed from me as a mother and altered my plans around them. Sometimes, that meant putting things on hold and picking up where I left off when I could. The key is to pick it back up again and not let your plan be forgotten. We have to roll with the punches. Don’t take each obstacle as a sign that you should not be doing what you dream. Obstacles are just another way of teaching you a different way to get something done. You can go around it, under it, over it, or through it… and sometimes, you just have to wait and it moves out of your way.

Please tell us about SOhomes Realty.
I have always prided myself on my ability to connect with people of all different backgrounds as well as deliver customer service on an exceptional level. Between that, my attention to detail, and my deep aversion to letting anyone down, I innately make sure every aspect is handled from beginning to end so the client doesn’t have to worry about a thing. Being dependable and trustworthy are very important attributes. It’s important to me that others can see for themselves that I embody these traits so my work ethic always reflects that.

As a real estate agent with my own business, this gives me the opportunity to build my brand based on my own work ethic and traits that I already possess, allowing me to invest in myself which is truly empowering. I represent residential buyers, sellers, and investors, guiding them through every stage of their homeowner experience with the same exceptional service they’ve come to know and love.

There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
My advice on finding a mentor would be to research who is doing it the best in your field and reach out to them for guidance. Even if they can’t mentor you directly, they can point you in the right direction of someone who can. Also, look at the tools and tactics they are using and mirror that. I joined the Career Development Program within the brokerage that I work through, PalmerHouse Properties, and that gave me a wealth of information, resources, as well as networking opportunities with other agents. Investing in yourself is always going to be worth it. Just do the research, make sure you’re going to receive the tools you need to succeed, and then go for it! It took me a lot of digging to find the right solution to help my business grow so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get the answer immediately. Keep seeking and you will find it.

Contact Info:

• Website: SoHomesRealty.com
• Phone: 470-699-5954
• Email: SerenaOrtiz@SoHomesRealty.com
• Instagram: SerenaOrtiz_Realtor
• Facebook: @SerenaOrtizTheRealtor
• Twitter: @SOrtizRealty

Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.