Today we’d like to introduce you to Tracy Briseno
Hi Tracy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi, my name is Tracy Briseno, a Luxury Agent at The Agency! My hustle and heart started when I became a teenage mom at the age of 18.
Why would I say that? Well, I grew up in a middle class LATINO family. My parents were born in Mexico & El Salvador and came to this country as teenagers, they worked hard to get careers in the medical field and to provide us a better life. The reason why I say my hustle and heart started at 18 is because the moment I found out I was pregnant I had 2 options: 1) get married or 2) move out and figure it out. I went with option #2… a kid raising a kid and on my own!
My first job was at subway, where I learned customer service and efficiency. I quickly also realized that I needed to find a job that paid well and that provided benefits (since I needed insurance for my son & I). I applied for bank jobs and was hired at a big bank as a teller. Being in this position, I learned how to use my previous experience in customer service in a professional setting and learning new sales skills. With my tenacity and hard work, I was able to move my way up the corporate ladder quickly and by the age of 23 (2011) I was already managing my own branch. As a branch manager I was also able to move my way up to successfully running one of the largest branches in my area. Everything was going perfect..
Until I got pregnant with my daughter in 2016. I went on maternity leave in 2017, had my daughter and was diagnosed with Postpartum anxiety and depression. I couldn’t believe it, how can someone so strong get anxiety and depression? It was so bad that I couldn’t work. My fiance (husband now) had just opened up our first business, La Cocinita (a restaurant in Baldwin Park) Imagine opening up a business that took so much income to get it started so financially we weren’t in a good place and now I also couldn’t work. Looking back at that time, those were some of the darkest times in my life. We ended up selling our home and moving into my moms house just to get by.
In 2018, as Jerry and I were learning how to run our new business, financing was something that’s always needed, and with our background in banking, we started looking at investing, real estate and mortgages. We got our licenses and thats when our Real Estate career started. Balancing our kids, sports, restaurant and real estate we quickly started helping clients sell, fix & purchase homes. Then a year later in 2019 I get a call from an old colleague who asked me if I would consider working at the bank again, there was a branch that had an opening and they needed an experienced manager. We were picking up our Real Estate business, managing the restaurant and a stable 6 figure salary with benefits sounded like a sign. I said ok and went back to banking. Things were going great with our businesses and with my career.
Then in 2019 I find out, I’M PREGNANT. Quickly the fear set in, my last pregnancy was bad, the postpartum, the losses we took, I instantly was afraid of it happening again. A few months later- COVID happens and as an essential worker I was going to work everyday running the branch and pregnant while the world was shut down. In 2020 my son was born and I went on maternity leave. To my surprise that ended up being the biggest blessing in disguise. Our Real Estate and Mortgage business was extremely busy that I was helping Jerry with clients in between caring for a newborn. Once my maternity leave was coming to an end, I made the decision to quit my career in banking and go all in on our family real estate business and never looked back.
Today, I use all the skills we learned to help our clients with buying, selling, financing and fixing their properties. We have a full service real estate company depending on what our clients needs are- we help them through it. The one skill that sets me apart from other real estate professionals is my tenacity, I never give up! Multiple clients have reached out to me in desperation and no matter how bad the situation, I get the job done and exceed my clients expectations.
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?
No way, my road has not been smooth at all! From everything I shared in my journey: a teenage mom, postpartum anxiety/depression, having to sell everything to survive. In addition, building a real estate business from zero. No database, Not a generational business, I started by leveraging my reputation as a Branch Manager and the relationships I built along the way. Leveraging credit to self fund our business and the grit of “we will always figure it out” kept me going.. & somehow the consistency and energy always led me to a new opportunity.
As you know, we’re big fans of BRISENO GROUP. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I along with my husband run a full service real estate business. I help our clients buy, sell and invest in Real Estate. He helps them get the financing to purchase or refinance depending on their needs. Together we offer our clients options to fix/upgrade their property to sell for top dollar if needed.
I am known for helping luxury clients sell their home, as well as clients who are desperate, in a notice of default or have a property that’s in distress and don’t know what to do. I put them at ease, together we come up with a plan to help them and I don’t stop until we accomplish the goal we set.
What I am most proud is that my husband and I are working together to help our clients while also building a family legacy for our kids and future generations. My son who is currently in high school (senior year this upcoming year) just told us he wants to learn a few construction traits and wants to be involved in our family business. Which makes me so happy to hear.
Our Brands: Briseno Group, Briseno Mortgage, Briseno & Co and Casa de Briseno (our flipping company) are family owned and family run. We take pride in a hustle & heart mentality, meaning we will work hard everyday for our clients best interest while also caring for them as if they are our family.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned along the way is to cherish every relationship, no matter if someone is there for a moment, for years, or for a lifetime. Both Jerry and I give it our all in every thing we do and we care so much. Real Estate is a small industry, relationships and collaboration are the most important thing. I have learned to not let things get to me and to walk away knowing that we did everything we could to help those around us.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.briseno.group/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracyabriseno/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@casabriseno
