Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Marie Simpliciano.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Anna Marie. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I grew up in Foster City, CA (Northern California), born to a mentally handicapped mother who was a product of rape, which produced me. The family didn’t realize my biological mother was pregnant with me until she was in the middle of her second trimester. At that point, aborting me would have been too much of a risk. I was adopted and raised by my biological mom’s oldest sister, so I stayed within the family. I believe that having been brought into the world under those circumstances, I clearly had to get here and instead of being ashamed or down about those circumstances, I reflect on it knowing that it was because I have a purpose. I’m here for a reason… I hope I don’t disappoint.
I moved to Los Angeles from the Bay Area (Northern California) almost 18 years ago this September 2019. I left the at the time, a failing tech industry and unfulfilling career/job as a Contracts Manager for a web hosting company. When I first moved to LA I took about a year off, explored some hobbies and living off a healthy severance package and savings. After about a year and a half, I realized, it’s time I start focusing on a new career path. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, so I started paying attention to things that peaked my interest and went from there. I began applying for admin jobs in Real Estate, Fashion and Entertainment and decided I would further explore whichever of those Companies responded. I just knew I loved watching Open House shows on Sunday (before HGTV) and enjoyed Fashion and Music.
I ended up getting a job in Real Estate as a 2nd assistant to one of the top agents in Beverly Hill. Her team had been responsible for selling the majority of the development that you may know as Mulholland Estates. In this role, I was responsible for bank deposits, grabbing lunch and basic administrative duties. A far cry from what I was used to and quite the adjustment. But I was committed to learning and quite honestly, needed the job. During this period I became more fascinated with real estate; enamored of the beautiful homes and the interesting and accomplished people I’d meet. I found it interesting the way my boss’ navigated various high maintenance personalities and challenges to keep deals together. Not to mention the commission checks weren’t looking bad!
After having worked there a little over a year, I realized there was no upward mobility, I was no longer challenged and I needed to make more money. So, I ended up leaving Residential Real Estate to go for better paying admin jobs in Commercial Real Estate.
I became an Office Manager/Executive Assistant running the offices of extremely reputable names in the commercial real estate industry (Richard Ziman, Victor Coleman, Robert Champion and the Mahboubi-Fardi’s, to name a few). I remained in this capacity for 6 years until I began to find it boring, not challenging and unfulfilling. I missed Residential Real Estate and realized that’s where my interest and passion really lie. There was a period during that 6 years that I went back to working in the luxury residential real estate industry on the weekends, essentially having zero days off for almost 2 years, just so I could keep my foot in the door.
After having gotten laid off when the commercial real estate market crashed, I got back into residential real estate, whose market then crashed. (I know, what timing) I went back to an assistant role by working for a top agent in Brentwood. After a year or so, I again, wanted more money and still missed the excitement of the luxury market. With it not being the ideal time to work for myself as an Agent, I had to come up with another plan.
Beyond ready for a change and struggling to pay my bills, I decided to write a letter and send my resume to the top 10 ranked luxury agents by sales and volume in Beverly Hills, Malibu and Newport Beach. Basically, telling them how great I am, my passion for the industry and why THEY needed ME. Within 24 hours, the person ranked #1 on that list called me directly from his cellphone. He told me he was not hiring, but decided to make room on his team after having read my letter and receiving my resume. When we hung up, I literally cried tears of joy and couldn’t have been more proud for having the confidence to just put myself out there. I credit my faith in God for that.
Not long after that call, I was off to work in Malibu. One of the greatest luxury markets in the World for the #1 Agent, where my final chapter as an Assistant ends. It was working in that office where most of my confidence in the luxury market came. I met some of the most influential people in the world, who told me how intuitive, knowledgable and capable I was, and that I really should be working for myself – some who I’ve been blessed to still be in touch with. Some of these influential people began requesting me to do showings of their homes if my Boss couldn’t – out of everyone in the office (they had 3 others who had been working there longer, to choose from). After close to 2 years of working in Malibu, it was time for me to “jump and grow my wings on the way down.”
I truly believe that my path of having worked for the best in this industry for over 11 years, sets me apart from the masses. The level at which I learned and relationships I’ve built, isn’t experienced by many Agents. I believe that if those at the very top in both Commercial and Residential Real Estate chose and believed in me as their “right hand”, that I would be able to give Clients that same level of confidence to represent them. I’d like to think that I have.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It most definitely hasn’t been a smooth road! But I’ve learned so much during the journey, I wouldn’t have it any other way.
As most know, a lot has to be sacrificed at times, when working toward your goals. Some may have seen the meme, “it may cost you friends, you may be broke at times, but it’ll all be worth it” or something to that effect. I had to endure challenges both in my professional and personal life. But it truly is important to surround yourself with likeminded, goal oriented, motivated believers that truly understand what you may be going through. And at the same time, it’s also important to take a moment to keep in touch w/those relationships where they may not have the same drive and motivation as you, but still love you. I’m a work in progress regarding the latter.
My first three years out on my own were fantastic. But then came the tests – the “how bad do you want this career” test. Deals began to fall apart due to circumstances completely out of my control, back to back. For example, messy divorces, issues w/a Buyer’s loan process, appraisals, cold feet you name it. It was extremely discouraging.
However, during that time, although disappointed, anxious, sometimes even angry, I never lost faith or hope that things would turn around. I was able to reflect on the success of the first 3 years realizing that God and the Universe allowed that so I could see that I could succeed at my chosen career path. But I had to mentally regroup, continue to put in the work to improve myself and my business so I could come up with a plan to turn things around. I didn’t have the finances to do as I pleased and I had to budget like crazy because I didn’t know when the next commission check was coming. That gave me a lot of time for self reflection. I brought myself to understand that whatever I was experiencing, I needed. That I would find a lesson in all of it…. and I did. Not to mention, I quickly learned, it’s the nature of the business and to not take things personally. If I were to be that sensitive at this level, I have no business selling Real Estate.
Another challenge, which I can also be viewed as an advantage was, having only worked for the best in the industry, I hadn’t learned how to go out and get business, or to “sell myself”. I only learned how to manage and prioritize the heavy demand and workload coming in. I didn’t realize I was lacking in this skillset. I still find it challenging to procure new clients, but I’m learning to step outside of my comfort zones and try conventional and unconventional ways of getting my brand out there. A majority of my business comes from Referrals and past relationships. And I’m beyond grateful to all those that have believed in me and supported my career, either by using or referring my services.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
Currently, I’m proud to say that I’m an Estates Director at Hilton & Hyland, the leading luxury real estate brokerage in LA and the World. My brokerage enjoyed a massive 43% of the $20M residential market in 2018, 25% market share of $10M and above and 21% of the $6M+ local residential market respectively – and we are only ONE office. Most recently, the firm represented the Buyer of the most expensive sale in the history of Los Angeles, the iconic Spelling Mansion, for $120M. Discretion continued to be my Firm’s specialty as 39% of our top transactions were off market listings, with 22 of our 56 sales prices above $10M being sold confidentially.
A quick fun fact, Hilton & Hyland turned me down almost 9 years ago due to lack of experience and a minimal Roladex. I wanted to be a part of this firm SO bad because of it’s reputation and the success of all of their Agents. I can now appreciate that they just don’t hire anyone and that “dues” must be paid for entry. What I did know , was that I wasn’t going to be denied by them twice.
In my recent personal career, I’ve had the privilege of representing some of the biggest names in music. My Clients range from A List celebrity entertainers, business managers, top ranked entertainment attorney’s to first time home buyers, in all price ranges. And again, beyond grateful to my network, colleagues, friends and associates for their trust and support.
I also sit on the Board for a Non Profit Shelter for Homeless Women and Children, The Alexandria House. I am constantly looking for ways to support this organization and provide hope and guidance for those feeling like their odds are insurmountable. I cook a meal once a month for upwards of 40 people and provide support to the residences wherever I can. I encourage you to look up the Alexandria House Los Angeles and see if there are ways you can contribute to this amazing community. Not everything is monetary.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I live my life with no regrets as whatever happened was what I needed at the time. But if I could do anything differently, it would be to have found my confidence and got rid of my ego a lot sooner and I wouldn’t have sacrificed as many relationships to achieve my goals because successful relationships are just as important as monetary and career success.
However, knowing that everything is in perfect Divine Order, I’m just truly grateful for the journey.
Contact Info:
- Address: Hilton & Hyland
257 N Canon Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90210 - Website: annamariesimplicianorealestate.com
- Phone: 310-936-3690
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annamarie0110/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annamariesimplicianorealestate/
Image Credit:
Lifestyle Photos courtesy of BJ The Photographer
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