Name: Yaima Lamela
Title: Broker
Company: Prestige Empire Realty
What was your first job in the realty industry? Sales Associate
Where did you grow up? La Habana, Cuba
Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to be a doctor or an attorney
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Work out, lift weights, dance salsa
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Definitely a powerful and influential woman such as Oprah Winfrey.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? I like network events, restaurants with a waterview or silent places where I can plan ahead.
What do you love most about the industry? Every deal is different. You learn a lot along the way. You deal with different people everyday. Also, learn about how they negotiate, what’s negotiable and what’s not.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I been in the industry for thirteen years and I’m a millennial. It’s a fusion of experience and good technology skills. I don’t stop learning. I’m always attending seminars and looking on ways on how to improve myself and bring nothing but the best to my client in each transaction.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? It can be very stressing and challenging to get parties to agree and close the deal.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I have joined several associations in our community and wherever they have events, I try to attend.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Finishing my MBA and opening my own real estate company.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? Se7en with Brad Pitt.
What is your favorite restaurant? Stripsteak by Michael Mina
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Miami? Espiritu Santo Plaza
What kind of car do you drive? Cadillac CTS
Smartphone or paper? Both, but Smartphone is faster.
What is your favorite city after Miami? Dubai
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Keep going. It’s hard at first, but you got to keep walking.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Scanner Pro. It turns photos into scanned documents. It looks like a legitimate copy.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Don’t use Twitter, but I follow Success Magazine, Robert Kiyozaki and other leaders in the financial industry.