By Carolina de la Cajiga
What do these names have in common: Carmen Salinas, Steve Jobs, Roberto González Barrera, Oprah Winfrey, Lionel Messi, and Cuauhtémoc Blanco? They are just a sample of people who, without a university degree or even having finished elementary school, achieved fame and wealth. What Alejandra Castro shares with these people is the desire to succeed and the determination to get to the top. She’s in the early stages of becoming an entrepreneur—still quite far from being a famous multi-millionaire. In truth, at this moment, she’s not the slightest bit rich, however, with her drive, she’ll likely triumph.
At the start of the pandemic a friend of hers, who worked in real estate asked Castro if she would like to be her assistant. She had no clue what that involved. The training had to be over the phone because of COVID-19, and because she did not have a computer. Trying to sell houses at a time when people were locked in, going out just for food and other essentials, was almost futile; nevertheless, she was eager to better herself. Shortly after, the friend quit but by then Alejandra was hooked and decided to self-instruct. “I learned de oídas (through the ears—in passing), accumulating knowledge day by day, bit by bit. “One has to strive to make things happen, not expect things to happen by themselves.” She asserted with a big smirk on her face.
Coincidentally, when she started training, Castro was about to lose her small house because she was in arrears with the mortgage payments. So, it became even more relevant and urgent for her to learn everything about the real estate business. With a lot of effort and a bit of serendipity, a few months after starting her new career as a real estate agent, she made her first sale. With the commission payment she paid off her debt and rescued her house. Looking up to the sky with great relief she exclaimed, «I could finally sleep with peace of mind. Luck follows effort, not the other way around. It’s hard to succeed in anything if you’re just rascándote la barriga (scratching the belly—wasting time).”
The process was arduous. Castro had to get quickly acquainted with legal issues, building codes, the different neighborhoods, and much more. In addition, she also had to become a bit of a psychologist to figure out what clients had in their minds. “The most important thing is to guide them with honesty. Everything else will fall in place,” she stated.
«Nobody is born with experience. After starting my self-training, I was fortunate to meet Notary Martín Martínez. He kindly took me by the hand, step-by-step, and has been guiding me ever since. He is the best instructor I could have, and I am deeply grateful for his patience and for sharing his knowledge with me,» Castro declared.
«I feel ready now, and I love it,» she states proudly. «In August of 2021, I opened my own realty agency. It’s tiny, but that’s not what matters. Meeting clients’ needs is the key. It gives me great joy when I’m able to fulfill their expectations and dreams.”
“Typically, buying a house is one of the most exciting and stressful events in a person’s life. Even more so if the clients are foreigners, as commonly they are not familiar with Mexican customs and laws. They are anxious and rightly so. With a mischievous smile, Castro said, «I have to chiquearlos (pamper) them through the lengthy process.»
«When I don’t have appointments, I go out in search of properties to add to my sales catalog. The more I have to sell or rent, the better chances I have to complete a deal,” she says. “It gives me great satisfaction to be the connector between sellers and buyers; to see both sides pleased with my services.»
«Happily, my family supports me a hundred percent. My day starts at 6:30 in the morning when I do my housework. Later, I schedule appointments and, depending on what needs to be done, I head to the office or go with clients to look at properties.» Her niece and assistant, Yomira, takes care of customers while she’s away. Castro states, “de la vista nace el amor (from sight comes love—you need to see to fall in love). Clients have to get a feel for the house, smell it, imagine living in it, cooking, and sleeping—think about where to place the sofa grandma gave them, where to accommodate all those books. Even how the move will affect Fifi and Snowball. Every family is unique and has distinct needs. One of the most beautiful things about being a real estate agent is making clients happy by finding their dream home. No sale is the same; each one is a new adventure!»
When Castro was in sixth grade, she had to quit and get a job. Her first post was at
San Miguel Shoes, where she glued soles on shoes. When the owners noticed her abilities and her sense of responsibility they gave her more demanding jobs. By the time she left the shoe factory, 19 years later, she was in charge of personnel and production. The shoe factory turned out to be great training as she learned about efficiency, organization, and accountability. She is now on her own—climbing the ladder to join the women and men who have succeeded thanks to their determination to continue improving themselves. To conclude and with intensity, Castro asserted, «I don’t compete with anyone, I learn from everybody, and I work with all. This thrills me!»
You can find her at Casas Castro, Ánimas 37 A, Centro. On Facebook as Casas Castro; on the web under CasasCastro.com; and finally on WhatsApp at 415 107 6252.
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