Inspiring Conversations with Christine Escobar of Elite Mortgage Group and Gracefully Fierce

Today we’d like to introduce you to Christine Escobar.

Hi Christine, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
As a 15-year-old Latina from Boyle Heights I made a decision to be brave while my family became broken. My father left home and was in and out of prison since I was ten years old but this time, it was for good. This changed me in not needing anyone and caring for myself. I had four other siblings, and I did not want my mother to worry anymore. I decided to get a job and continue at my catholic high school by working. By that summer of sophomore year, I worked at three different places to pay for my tuition and help my mom. School and track became my safe haven as I buried all my feelings and just went through life emotionless. I became a teenage mother at eighteen and had to be brave once more but now with a child. By age 21 I had my second child, and I left college to just get a job. I became a single mother by choice as I wanted to give my children and myself a different outcome since we were just another statistic. I always wanted and knew I deserved better than my circumstances, so I managed to go to college off and on until I got my bachelor’s degree. Life was unstable for about 15 years in the sense of obstacles, financial difficulties, shared custody issues, and a lot of emotional distress. These years really made me grow a thick skin as I was seen and treated in many different ways based on my situation.

In the midst of all of this, I ended up in an abusive relationship that really changed me in so many ways. I felt scared, alone, and lost. I didn’t have the courage to speak to anyone or ask for help. This experience not only made me feel unworthy, but I lost myself in the sense of my self-esteem and confidence. I walked around numb, just going through the motions and living on automatic. It took me two years to recover by going to therapy and doing inner work. Four years later, I met my husband, and we went through some trials as a blended family but managed to make it work. Together, we faced many adversities and financial struggles that separated us for a few months. We made our family a priority and worked harder than ever to never be in a similar situation. In 2017, I left my career as a therapist to join my husband in the mortgage business. It was not easy as I came from a different mindset and work experience. I learned to be a supportive wife and business partner, however in that I lost my power and felt I didn’t belong or that there was not any support for someone like me in such a power-driven industry.

In this season of my life, I decided to start my own women empowerment events to guide, inspire, and help other women that were experiencing something similar. I founded Gracefully Fierce in the midst of a pandemic, and it was a huge success. Not only was it relatable, but it was a safe space for women to truly be authentically themselves and step into their power, and own their worth. This has been my mission for the past three years in making a difference in the lives of women that need support in all aspects of life. Within this platform, I make it a priority to give back to the community by contributing to scholarships for young girls. Today, I co-own a successful mortgage company with my husband, I’m a counselor for victims of domestic violence, I’m a public figure and speaker, a personal life and business coach, and a proud mother. Each season of my life has been a steppingstone to a new version of myself, and I know now that I was meant to be exactly where I am and will continue to make an impact despite the adversities that came my way.

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?
Definitely not a smooth road. It has been a bumpy ride with plenty of struggles along the way. It was always a question of whether I was doing the right thing or making the right choice. I felt unstable for many years based on the struggles I came across. A huge one was the financial instability of one income and being looked at as a failure. So many people looked at me differently, and I had to defy the odds. There were times I broke down, and times I had to pretend I was happy and everything was fine. As a single mom, I made my kids my priority, but my mental and emotional state were second. This was difficult, and it took me years to rebuild my inner strength and worth.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Elite Mortgage Group/Gracefully Fierce?
On the business side, we have a residential & commercial lending company with 21 years of experience. My husband is the mortgage lender and runs the business sector; my role is to manage and market the company. We are a family-owned business with our daughter and other team members. We are known for having a great reputation in the industry and for helping thousands of families become homeowners. What sets us apart is that we focus on building a relationship and not being transactional. We strive to give our clients a golden standard of service so that we may continue a lifelong commitment to their future goals.

I am most proud of the brand of Gracefully Fierce as it implements what a women should be in any situation as graceful yet fierce. The brand represents all women from all walks of life in a safe and non-judgmental circle. Our mission is to make an impact and empower women to know their worth, become confident, and not give their power away. I want readers to know that your story is your power, and no one can ever take that away from you. It is imperative for a woman to make herself a priority and upgrade her standards to change the trajectory of her life. Through our journey, we have guided many women with our coaching program, which is catered to each individual situation and aspect. Our coaching and mentoring programs are one-on-one models as we feel that giving undivided attention to each client is vital to their personal and business success.

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I feel that I am an honest person and authentically engage others with my way of being. I am definitely a leader with a strong belief in helping others and making sure I continue to impact. I feel that true success is not when you get there alone but when you want others to come along on the journey with you. To me, real success is being happy with my life and that trickles down to my business success.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @christinevescobar, @gracefullyfiercewomen
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christine.villalpando.5