Today we’d like to introduce you to Avalon Rossi.
Hi Avalon, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I never thought I would get into the design and build world; I grew up in Long Beach and started acting when I was really young. I then went to UCLA for English Literature & Film and thought I would go into film and television production. I was acting throughout the time I was at UCLA and had gathered a solid savings from my commercial bookings.
About a year after graduation, I started to look for a property I could purchase to move into and stumbled upon what would be my first project in Silverlake. I saw a lot of potential in this property and decided to do a full renovation. My mom, having had prior renovation experience, decided that I was going to run the renovation and design of the project. Under her and my carpenter uncle’s guidance, it became a really successful project, and instead of me living there, I sold it and used the profits to buy two other renovations, which started the company!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Every new project brings on a whole slew of new struggles and challenges. Opening up an old house is like opening up a can of worms in terms of the build and restoration aspect of the projects. Though this career sort of fell into my lap, it certainly has not been a smooth road. We have to get things done on very tight budgets while not sacrificing quality of work or design, so I’ve been forced to get very creative with materials. There is always the challenge of shifting markets, searching for the right property to begin with, and balancing costs with design integrity. Plus, of course, being a young woman leading construction teams is unexpected and not always received well. I’ve had to put a lot of work into getting hands on and really knowing what I’m doing on site because respect isn’t just immediately given to me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Avi Ross Group. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Avi Ross Group was started by my mom in the early 2000s as a commercial brokerage firm, but in 2016 with my involvement grew to become a full-service design and build company. We focus on historical and architecturally significant properties; basically, properties with a story, properties that really grasp us and inspire us. We spend a lot of time and get extremely detailed with each project, building one of a kind features and inventive materials in each property we renovate. I’m most proud of the outcome of our renovations, and I think that is what sets us apart from the “flippers” — we aren’t spurning out quick renovations to make money, we spend a great deal of time selecting each project, planning, studying, and restoring.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
I’ve learned to really find my voice as the “boss lady” – how to be clear, direct, and persistent in my communication and come into my strength.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.avirossgroup.com
- Instagram: avalonrossi
