We recently had the chance to connect with Erica Stenz and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Erica, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
I wake up at 4:30 AM to savor a quiet morning with coffee, a lit candle, and time for reading, meditation, and prayer. After that, I write out my top goals for the day, get ready while baking my healthy gluten-free chocolate chip cookies, then pack an outfit and head out in my fitness clothes for a walk, run, or class before making my way to the Compass office in Brentwood.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve spent the past 15 years in the fitness, wellness, and health industry, and now I’m channeling that passion into helping other studio owners and local entrepreneurs open their dream spaces as a commercial real estate agent on Tim Byrne’s Compass team, Elevated LA. Currently, I’m working with an incredible female-founded Pilates company on their expansion across Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Brentwood.
On the residential side, my team and I host open house events every weekend for our luxury listings throughout Westside LA and Malibu. We specialize in “design to sell,” beginning with a complimentary consultation to help clients understand their property’s true value — because Zillow isn’t always the most reliable source. Through comprehensive market analysis and, when needed, thoughtful remodel or landscaping strategies, we ensure each property is positioned to sell at the best price.
Right now, I’m also helping my mom sell her home in Vacaville, a charming suburb just 30 minutes from Sacramento. From packing boxes for donation, to coordinating with contractors, to running market comps and broker open events, it’s been a lot of work — but I’ve enjoyed every moment. Most of all, I’m excited knowing that once her home is sold, she’ll have the freedom to explore new adventures and spend more time hiking the mountains here in Los Angeles with me.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
My team at Elevated LA, with over 55 years of combined experience, guides me every step of the way — whether it’s multifamily investments, industrial and retail spaces, restaurants, fitness studios, residential homes and leases, or wealth management strategies.
The two most influential women who continue to inspire me are:
1. My mom, Paula Stenz — my number one inspiration. For 35 years, she ran a daycare with 14 children, creating a loving and happy home. Long before kindergarten, she taught me what it means to run a business, share with others, and lead with hard work and drive.
2. Sarah Kowalczyk — my friend and former WeShred client from when I was leading 1:1 and group nutrition coaching. Sarah always gave me the confidence to believe anything is possible. Her confidence is contagious, her generosity deeply admired, and her success as a lead Compass agent in Marin (with her business partner Lotte) is what inspired me to join Compass. She continues to be my trusted advisor in Northern California.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I used to look back on my divorce in 2021 as a failure that broke me. Four years later, I see it differently — without blame, and with nothing but gratitude. Gratitude for the love I shared with my ex-husband in San Francisco, and for the blessings and opportunities that only became visible once that chapter ended.
I’ve always been goal-oriented: marriage by 30, kids by 32, boxes checked in order. Instead, I now find myself at 36, living in Los Angeles, building a career in real estate, with no children yet and a future that feels wide open. And surprisingly, life keeps getting better. I’m learning to grow, to keep my heart open, and to appreciate the incredible people I get to love, care for, train, teach, coach, and support as they trust me with their biggest assets.
Through 15 years of different businesses, failures, and a divorce, I can say with certainty: I’ve changed. They say God laughs when you make plans — and now I laugh too, looking back at my 20-something self with all those rigid timelines. The truth is, I’ve learned to relax a little more, to have faith in what I can’t yet see, and to trust that failures are simply blessings in disguise, shaping me into someone stronger and more resilient.
Today, I carry a deeper empathy for others and what they’re going through, while knowing I still have much to learn. I’ll keep setting big goals, but this time, I’ll surrender more softly — trusting what the universe has in store as we co-create the path forward.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Independence. Freedom. Peace.
My friends know I’ve always strived for independence. While I still believe in love and even in the idea of multiple soulmates — one thing is clear: I seek financial freedom on my own, not dependent on a man. Don’t get me wrong, I love and appreciate a strong provider, and it feels amazing to lean into my feminine energy. But my deepest drive comes from wanting to give back to my parents, who sacrificed so much for me.
I’m working hard to gain the tools, resources, and connections to build a future where, if I choose to have a child, I know I can fully support them on my own — no matter what happens in this world. And if that path isn’t in store for me, that’s okay too. What I’m learning is that true success isn’t just about money — it’s about peace, time, and freedom.
For me, freedom looks like being in the mountains, resetting in nature. As Tim Grover, Kobe Bryant’s former coach, says: “You don’t find balance, you CREATE balance.” And I believe he’s absolutely right.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want to be known as a woman who inspired many, who led with a big heart, and who made a lasting positive impact on people’s lives. My hope is to be an example for other women — to show them, through action and faith, that YES, WE CAN!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.elevated-la.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericastenz/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-stenz-8532a68/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ericakatherinestenz/
- Other: https://www.compass.com/agents/erica-stenz/
https://www.ericastenz.com/
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