One on One with Ivan Estrada, Author of Brand With Purpose

 

Many agents have been raising money for charity during the pandemic. Can you please share with us more about your book, Brand With Purpose, and the giveaway/donations you have started? 

“Brand With Purpose” was written to inspire the next generation leaders and diverse entrepreneurs who are looking to establish an authentic personal brand. I didn’t see enough leaders who looked like me when I was young, so I hope my book helps change that for the next generation. I have included a diversity of people from the LGBTQ community and various leaders from the Latinx and communities of color in my book. I hope every reader can find a piece of themselves represented in the book. My book, “Brand with Purpose,” was written with every underdog, under-represented student, and goal-seeker out there in mind. That’s why we recruited community partners and sponsors to support this community outreach program on GoFundMe, to support any student who cannot afford a book but is looking for inspiration, motivation, and guidance. Our partners include Youth Business Alliance, Brotherhood Crusade, Riverside City College, and more.  

 

How can readers get involved in your donations to the children? (Company matching, etc.?)

Readers can get involved by checking out our GoFundMe campaign page and referring any potential sponsors or partners by directly contacting us through my website. We need education to speak to a diversity of students by having more diverse representation. We need to develop spokespeople from all walks of life. We need to have the media be more inclusive so people can feel represented. All generous donations received to support this cause are tax-deductible through Pledges inc, our fiscal sponsor. 

 

Without giving away the whole book, how does “Brand With Purpose” provide a roadmap to people seeking to create a stronger brand for themselves or their company? 

“Brand With Purpose” provides a roadmap with specific exercises at the end of each chapter. They must be completed to step into your power and figure out who you are as a personal brand. Instead of just reading and moving on, it lets you engage and look deeper into yourself. Chapter by chapter, you become more aware of certain blind spots in your branding and marketing efforts, and it helps the reader get to the truth of who you are as a person and find your purpose.

 

What is the one thing you hope to accomplish with the launch of “Brand With Purpose?”

I hope to empower the next generation of young leaders and entrepreneurs in college, high school, or still undecided. I’d like them to know that everything and anything is possible as long as they continue to work hard, take bold risks, and believe in themselves no matter the circumstance. Furthermore, I want to do what I can to make this world a better place so that people can live as authentically as possible. This way, my nephew, who was one of the biggest motivators for me to write this book, could live in a world where he could be himself and not have to deal with a lot of the peer pressure and bullying that I had to go through. 

 

 

You have done several features on hit television series, including Bravo, HGTV, and NBC. Do you consider yourself a “Celebrity Realtor?”

I consider myself a realtor for everyone, not just a “celebrity” realtor. I’ve had the great honor of working with a couple of people in front of and behind the cameras, but I enjoy the diversity and perspective of working with all types of people from all over the world, with different stories to tell. Many of my long-time clients have started as business alliances but later became close friends of mine – we support each other not only business-wise but also in personal life.

 

How do you see the real estate market changing in the next six months? 

I don’t have a crystal ball, and nothing is for sure. However, based on what is happening in the real estate market with low-interest rates and the low supply of homes, we’re hoping to see more of an increase in inventory and a decrease in demand moving forward in 2022.

 

What are you doing as a team leader to ensure those that work with you thrive during and after the pandemic? 

It’s all about creating a winning mindset to be agile, to be able to pivot, and trust in yourself as well as your skills. Trust in your ability to be an incredible leader in the community and continue to support each other as a team. You are there for the wins and losses, keeping a positive mindset no matter what happens outside in the world, and controlling our emotions and feelings by being there for one another as colleagues but as a family – is very important.

 

Due to the rise in the housing market caused by the pandemic for many entrepreneurs in real estate, there has been an opportunity to develop more substantial and more meaningful client relationships. What hidden options do you see that agents have right now that they may not be aware of? 

Most importantly, agents should be able to provide as much information as possible to our clients. There is so much information out there due to the media; clients are confused because they hear everything from different channels and mediums. As brokers, we need to help our clients as a resource during a relocation or just a soundboard to listen to any concerns.  

 

What has been the single most inspiring moment of your career to date? 

The most inspiring moment was just recently speaking to more than 650 young students in South Central through the Youth Business Alliance for my book. It was an incredible experience to inspire them with my story and empower them to go after their dreams, get through college, and start their brand. 

 

What prompted you to start your podcast? 

I started the podcast to provide as much valuable information as possible for FREE – so that anyone can listen to it from all over the world. Since we have the book “Brand With Purpose” and online video course “Brand With Video,” it kicked off by highlighting certain people from the book and other entrepreneurs and professionals who have values and add to the community. All of their valuable wisdom and advice help inspire and change the listener’s business life and take their career to the next level. 

 

What is the best advice you have ever NOT taken in your career? Was it specific to real estate, or can it be applied to other industries? 

One piece of advice I have not taken in my career is that if you find one thing you are good at, stick to that. For me, I feel like that’s not the case. I’m good at multiple items, and putting myself in a box is not favorable, nor did it help me find my purpose. It can be applied to any industry and life. If you want to be a financial advisor by day and rockstar at night, you can do that. If you are a lawyer during the day and run a cookie business at night, you can do that also. If you have multiple talents, don’t just stick to one thing. It would be best if you took advantage of the skills and talent given to you to help the world. Not using your talents leads you to not being fulfilled, which then causes depression and loss of purpose.