Today we’d like to introduce you to Rocio Olea.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
It all began with my first job. A job that I was not looking for, but that shaped me into the woman I am today. I came home from school one afternoon, I was a Junior at Banning High School in Wilmington, Ca. and my mother greeted me with, “Hola Mija lla tienes trabajo”(translation: “Hello Dear, you have a job.”). I looked at her dumbfounded. I was not looking for a job. “Why? Where? With Who?” I asked in confusion. She explained it would be at a local non-profit, at an immigration consulting company working as a translator. I ended up working with the company for six years as an immigration consultant helping our immigrant community by providing them with non-legal assistance from renewing their green card, becoming U.S. Citizens to helping their relatives legally immigrate to the United States. Coming from an immigrant family knowing the struggles they face first hand, I feel that it is my job to help others in the same situation my parents once were. Now, I own Olea & Associates, an Immigration and Consulting company located in Chula Vista, Ca. I’m happy to say that with over 15 years of experience with immigration procedures, I have helped over 300 families live the American Dream without the fear of deportation.
Which this leads me to the other facet of my life, Real Estate. What would the American Dream without the opportunity to own your own home. I have been a licensed realtor since 2006. I believe that life has its set re-directions, and one of them led me to CalHomeCo, a unique company that is a real estate company, investment company, and construction company all bundled in one. If you want to buy, sell, design, renovate or add an ADU, CalHomeCo can handle it.
And lastly, I am the co-founder of Revel Yoga, a community yoga studio in Chula Vista, Latina owned and one hundred percent self-funded. Revel Yoga’s mission is to bring quality yoga to the South Bay at prices the community can afford. We are helping to bring yoga and wellness into a community that does not often get that opportunity. Whether due to cost or even availability. We know first hand the benefits yoga brings not only to the body but to the mind, and with Revel, we have a chance to make an impact and change people’s lives in a significant way.
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?
It has not been easy; it’s a lot of trial and error, but all the bumps along the way are worth it, and I am continuously learning and evolving. Every business endeavor that I am involved in has a unique set of challenges, each giving me a new perspective, experience, tougher skin, and the desire to keep pushing my limits. The advice I would give young women pursuing their goals and dreams is to be okay with saying “no.” Saying no was hard for me to do, I felt compelled to say yes to everything, to show I was willing to go above and beyond even outside my scope of work which made people value my time less. There comes a point where you have to put your foot down, and you have to say no. People will appreciate your services a lot more. If it does not add value to your clients, your business, or if it morally does not align with you, you have no business doing business with them.
The truth is, not everyone or every situation will be the right fit for you. Just keep in mind, when you say no, be polite and honest with the other person as to your reasons why it is not a good fit. Give them an alternative person or solution that might be able to help them. Or it may just be that the timing is just not right, and that is okay, tell them to follow up with you on a later date.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I specialize in Immigration Consulting at Olea & Associates and Real Estate. My work is unique and has become a full circle service; I believe that all aspects of my business intertwine with one another. It starts by helping someone with their legal status to finding them their first home, making it a real American Dream come true. But I am not a one-woman show; I have a team that, without their continuous help, I would not be able to be where I am today. There is nothing more satisfying than someone hugging you because you made an impact in their life, whether it be by helping them obtain their legal status in the United States or by assisting them in buying, selling, or keeping their home.
In 2020 I will be volunteering with two non-profits organizations. People’s Legal Services (PLS) a non-profit law firm whose goal is to provide cost-effective and accessible representation to underserved families and individuals; I will help specifically in their immigration department. And NAHREP, the Voice for Hispanic Real Estate and proud champions of homeownership for the Hispanic community. Our role as trusted advisors and passionate advocates is to help more Hispanic families achieve the American Dream in a sustainable way that empowers them for generations to come.
So much of the media coverage is focused on the challenges facing women today, but what about the opportunities? Do you feel there are any opportunities that women are particularly well-positioned for?
No, none in particular. I think women are well-positioned for ANY opportunity they are presented with and want to pursue, they just have willing to work hard and take a leap of faith. What’s the worse that can happen? You fail? That is okay, take that as a learning experience, dust yourself off and continue with your journey. That is what develops grit, and trust me, a woman with grit is a woman to be feared.
Contact Info:
- Address: CalHomeCo, 4250 Morena Blvd. Ste E, San Diego, Ca 92117
Olea & Associates, 249 E Street, Chula Vista, Ca 91910 - Phone: (310) 971-0306
- Email: olearocio83@gmail.com
- Instagram: @miss_olea
- Facebook: https://www.facebok.com/olea.rocio
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