I was born in Havana. My father’s career took the family to Bucharest; I attended my first two years of college at the University of Bucharest from 1986 until 1988, and then returned to Havana where I completed my college education at the University of Havana.
At twenty-two, I moved to Mexico City to pursue a career so I would be better able to support my family back in Havana. 3M in Mexico City hired me and provided just such an opportunity for three and a half years. Then a close friend arranged an interview with one of Mexico’s premier lighting design and marketing companies. I landed the job and found myself in a “high end” design showroom selling interior, exterior, and landscape lighting.
I saw an opportunity and realized where there is a “want” there is a “need” and the next thing I knew, I was on my own designing lighting fixtures and accessories. I began marketing them to design, lighting and specialties stores all over Mexico, two of my principal clients included the leading Spanish television network Televisa, and Medica Sur one of the largest hospitals in Mexico City with Bertalicia Munoz Architects with whom I had developed an alliance.
The business was beyond my expectations, which made it possible to bring my brother Abel from Cuba to help. Three years later with money saved from my business, and a container full of electrical fixtures I set off for America, leaving the business to my Brother.
I realized if I was ever to speak a word of English I would have to spend some time in a place predominantly English speaking, Philadelphia was my choice. I quickly found a job that I thought would be temporary at the “very chic” Millennium Coffee Shop in downtown Philly, it turned out to be a treasure trove of opportunities, and a lifetime of friendships. I found window-shopping in December to be very cold! So I stepped into Ralph Lauren to warm up. A man with a Cuban accent asked if he could be of assistance when I replied, there certainly was no mistaking my accent for Philadelphia “Main Line.” One thing led to another, he introduced me to the store managers and the next thing I knew I was a Ralph Lauren “Associate” in the Home Furnishings Department. Nearly four years in Philadelphia, summers in New Hope, with all the beautiful surroundings and my many new friends, I still decided to return to South Florida closer to family ties, my culture, and a landscape more familiar to me, where ultimately I am most comfortable and at home.
Safe in Miami, I went to Real Estate School, passed the School exam, passed the State exam, and the rest is a work in progress. By the way, in case you were wondering, I am fluent in both Spanish and English now.
I am living and working in America and able to pursue my dreams, I am forever changed, and I will be forever thankful. The freedoms I now enjoy allow me to choose the home I live in, where I live, and how I live.
