Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholle Tena.
Nicholle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am currently the Administrator for a multi-million dollar asset management firm in Mission Valley. My journey to this position began in 2004. I had two children and was desperate for a job. I came across an ad on Craig’s List for a receptionist position at a law firm in Old Town. I had no email address, and no internet access at home so I scraped up an old, dirty blank envelope, borrowed a stamp from a neighbor and mailed a copy of my resume. It was a shot in the dark but as I said, I was desperate. About a week later, I received a call from the administrator of that firm and was offered the job. I worked my way up and around different positions in that firm within the next 6 years including HR assistant, accounting assistant, IT assistant and legal secretary, which prepared me for the next few chapters of my life. In 2010, I was terminated from my job and found myself a broke, single mother of two. I was struggling to find work for a couple of years and decided I needed to go back to school. I had no idea what I wanted to do but I knew I had to use the experience I had to move forward and succeed. In December 2013, I received my Paralegal Certification from USD and began work at a large firm in Downtown. After four years working for this firm, a good friend called and said, “The owner of my building is looking for someone to run their office, do you want me to send him your resume?” and so here I am! How does this relate to asset management? Well, it just so happens that my boss is also an attorney who runs his law firm out of this same office and is co-owner of several business ventures including self-storage facilities, strip malls and office buildings in San Diego.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Overall, there were a lot of obstacles I had to overcome from an early beginning. I was a teenage mom and told by my own mother that I was destined to be nothing more than “a welfare mom and baby making machine.” I am a domestic violence survivor and a young widow. I think the biggest challenge I had to overcome was myself. I had to overcome my fears, my ego, I had to retrain myself to believe to believe in myself, and most of all I had to accept the fact that I no matter what happens I am the only person responsible for my life.
My advice to every woman out there: There are people out there who expect you to fail; you’re either going to prove them right or prove them wrong. You never have to be a victim of your past, you can be anything you want. Believe in yourself, keep evolving, keep trying, treat each other well, and never give up!
Please tell us about what you do.
Every day is the same but different. I handle a wide range of duties from reconciling A/P and A/R accounts, preparing budgets and P & L statements, coordinating vendors, project management, tenant relations, preparing and executing real estate documents and leases, provided personal executive support, managing employees and putting out small “fires” throughout the day.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
Personally, I believe women can do anything. We are well positioned to do anything our male counterparts can do, but we’ll probably do it more efficiently and with more compassion. I urge every woman to do some research and take advantage of every opportunity that you find. There are a ton of resources out there for us; from scholarships, grants, and loans to free mental health services. Network with other women who have similar goals, similar mindsets or similar dreams. You’d be surprised at what we can do when we work together.
Contact Info:
- Email: nicholletena@gmail.com
Image Credit:
venusocean
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