Check Out Lorien Olsen’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lorien Olsen

Hi Lorien, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I come from generations of family born and raised in New York City, and I grew up surrounded by music and art. From a young age, I was fascinated by music and deeply passionate about interior design and architecture.

My journey is a testament to fate, universal guidance, and surrendering to one’s destiny.

As a child, I was always affected by lighting, layout, color, and design. I frequently rearranged my bedroom, although I never imagined a career related to my interests, as these were the days before HGTV. Like many pre-internet kids, I had no clear idea of what I wanted to be when I grew up.

My parents insisted on traditional careers like doctor, accountant, or lawyer. I initially chose Medical Laboratory Technology from a college brochure, hoping it would suffice. However, after two years and a mundane hospital internship dominated by machines, I realized this path wasn’t for me. I pivoted to an English degree, considering law school as a future option. After graduating, I became a receptionist and quickly advanced to an administrative assistant role.

While working at a printing house within a financial institution, a senior colleague promoted me to Office Manager. This pivotal change allowed me to merge my love for space, interior design, and management. Over my career, I climbed the corporate ladder, eventually leading Workplace Services at companies like Vox Media, OnDeck, Spotify, and Snap. I excelled in improving space efficiency, office operations, and large-scale projects, even leading a few major office build-outs nationwide.

In 2019, I lost a dream job and was devastated. A chance encounter with a hairstylist in Brooklyn, who was from Long Beach, California, led to the suggestion that I move to Los Angeles. I balked at this suggestion and stated I would never leave NYC. When I went home with my fabulous new hair I told my husband/best friend what she had said and he agreed with her that we would love it in LA. He had been traveling to Southern California for work. He encouraged me to explore job opportunities there. Five months later, I was being relocated for a job in Santa Monica, only for the pandemic to shut everything down two days after my arrival.
As many during the pandemic work from home changed everything. The future of my job running large office spaces was no longer clearly outlined and once layoffs set in across the tech world and I lost my job for a second time. This second shake up, especially so far from home, was devastating to me.

I had kept in touch with the girl from the salon who had just moved back to California. She said her family owned a real estate company and I should consider becoming a realtor since I loved architecture and interior design so much. Again I balked at the idea, until a few months later when I had my spiritual awakening. Meditation and a deeper connection with my higher self made it clear that my previous career chapter was closed, and I needed to be open to new opportunities.

I decided to get my Realtor license and am now doing something I absolutely love, in a city I absolutely love. Helping people accomplish their real estate goals and getting them into a beautiful new home brings me so much joy! In addition, managing my own business and being my own boss aligns with my birth chart, something I never even knew about until the pandemic hit.

All of this was not on my bingo card one bit but sometimes life takes you where it needs to and the starting point doesn’t necessarily have to be glamorous.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Navigating corporate America was challenging for me. The lack of loyalty companies show to their employees, the barriers to earning more without climbing the management ladder, and the expectation to do extra work without additional compensation or paid time off are issues that resonate deeply, especially with the younger generation. While Boomers had the security of pensions, today’s workforce faces an uncertain future so there is no upside to doing extra.

Becoming my own boss has allowed me to take control of my time and success. This autonomy is what drives me as a Realtor. I am highly motivated to not only help my clients achieve their goals but to achieve my own as well.

The lead generation portion is challenging though now. Finding new clients is not easy but I am hopeful the universe will keep me busy.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
A few things set me apart from everyone else:

Responsiveness: I am committed to maintaining open and prompt communication. At no point will I ghost you. I have witnessed firsthand how some realtors fail to answer their phones or emails, rely on automated systems, and neglect to follow up on offers. Your journey is significant and the last thing you need is someone who doesn’t communicate effectively with all parties involved in the transaction. The realtor-to-realtor relationship is crucial; when two professionals can work together well, deals get done efficiently!

Design Sensibility: My design expertise is another key differentiator. I possess an innate ability to visualize any property in a newly reimagined way. As previously mentioned, this talent propelled me up the corporate ladder in my previous career as a Workplace Services leader at companies like Snapchat, Spotify, and Vox Media, where I designed, built, and reimagined creative office spaces. Now, I use this skill to help my clients. Whether it’s reimagining a space to get it ready for sale or seeing the potential in a place they want to buy, I can provide creative interior design and architectural suggestions. I can tell you whether a home has the potential to meet your goals.

My ability to analyze data: One thing that truly sets me apart from other realtors is my reliance on data to provide you with clear and actionable information. While the real estate market can be unpredictable, the best indicator of future trends is often what has recently occurred in nearby, similar transactions. My expertise lies in gathering data from various sources, analyzing it thoroughly, and presenting it to you in a straightforward, easy-to-understand format. This approach ensures you have all the insights you need to make confident and informed decisions on your home-buying journey.

This is what sets me apart. For buyers, it eliminates the need to view properties in person that aren’t capable of meeting their needs. For sellers, showcasing your property in the best possible way opens up a whole new set of buyers who could be your next homeowner!

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
In the early 2000’s I was in a Japanese magazine once for my East Village rental being decorated so cool. Now a days my husband and I design furniture together for fun and he builds it.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lorienolsen.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lorienlosangelesrealtor
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@LorienLosAngelesRealtor
• Yelp: https://maps.app.goo.gl/knQXRdmxqTw2AaZK8
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@listitwithlorien?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc