We had the good fortune of connecting with Angelica Olea and Derrik Roberts and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Angelica and Derrik, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
For both of us, entrepreneurship was always a long-term goal, but it came from different paths that ultimately aligned.

Angelica spent nearly 13 years in senior living and franchising, helping scale a national brand from 20 to more than 175 locations. Through that experience, she developed a deep understanding of how to build, grow, and support a successful franchise system. That exposure made business ownership feel both attainable and strategic.

Derrik, on the other hand, came from Boeing, where he built a strong foundation in operational discipline, systems thinking, and leadership. While that experience was invaluable, he always had the desire to build something of his own—something where he could apply those skills in a more personal and entrepreneurial way.

What brought us together was a shared vision: to create something meaningful, scalable, and rooted in service.

Franchising felt like the ideal bridge. It allowed us to step into business ownership with a proven model, while still giving us the opportunity to build and grow something of our own. When we discovered Grasons, it immediately clicked. It brought together operations, marketing, and people-first service in a way that aligned perfectly with our strengths and values.

More importantly, it gave us the opportunity to support families during major life transitions—moments that require not just expertise, but empathy and trust.

For us, it was never just about starting a business. It was about building something we could grow, scale, and be proud of for the long term.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We own and operate Grasons of Gilbert and Phoenix, where we specialize in estate sales, business liquidations, and full-service home clear-outs.

What sets our business apart is our commitment to delivering a professional, organized, and elevated experience—far beyond what people typically expect from an estate sale. We combine strong marketing strategies across SEO, social media, and digital platforms with a clear focus on maximizing value for our clients, not just clearing items.

Our systems and processes are designed to create consistency, trust, and measurable results, which has allowed us to build a strong reputation in the community. We are especially proud to be recognized as one of the top estate sale companies in Arizona and, more importantly, to be a trusted partner for families navigating difficult transitions.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

Building the business from the ground up came with its challenges. We had to establish brand awareness, build systems, and grow a team while managing the unpredictability that can come with inventory and sales outcomes.

We approached those challenges by leaning into our strengths in operations and marketing, continuously refining our processes, and treating every sale as an opportunity to improve.

Some of the most important lessons we’ve learned are that consistency always outperforms perfection, customer experience is everything, and your reputation is your most valuable asset.

What We Want People to Understand

Estate sales are about much more than transactions. They represent stories, transitions, and opportunities.

We’re not simply selling items—we’re helping families move forward during meaningful and often emotional life changes. That perspective shapes everything we do.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When people ask us where to go in the Phoenix and East Valley area, we always recommend experiencing a mix of local flavor, outdoor beauty, and the unique energy of the community.

To start the day, we love grabbing coffee at Peixoto Coffee Roasters. It has a great local feel and is the perfect place to ease into the morning. From there, we always encourage a little treasure hunting—checking out local estate sales is not only fun, but a great way to discover one-of-a-kind finds and connect with the community.

For brunch or lunch, What’s Crackin Cafe is a favorite. It has an incredible atmosphere, supports local artists and musicians, and consistently delivers a great experience.

If you’re looking to explore, hiking Camelback Mountain is always a standout for those wanting something active, while Papago Park offers a more relaxed way to enjoy Arizona’s scenery. We also love spending time in Downtown Gilbert, which has a great mix of local shops, restaurants, and a vibrant community feel.

Depending on the season, a trip to the Salt River is a must—whether it’s floating, relaxing, or simply enjoying the natural beauty.

For a livelier experience, Old Town Scottsdale offers shopping, art, and nightlife all in one place. Dinner at Barrio Queen is always a great choice for both the food and the atmosphere. We also recommend attending First Fridays Art Walk for a true taste of the local creative scene.

To unwind, a brunch and spa day in Scottsdale is hard to beat, and we always suggest ending the day with a sunset dinner at Orange Sky or Top of the Rock Restaurant—both offer incredible views that really capture what makes Arizona special.

Overall, what we love most about this area is the balance—it offers a strong sense of community, great local businesses, and endless ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost, we would recognize Angela Olea, whose leadership, mentorship, and example of building a national franchise brand had a profound influence on this journey.

We are also incredibly grateful to our families for supporting us through the transition from stable careers into entrepreneurship and for being our foundation through every high and low.

The Grasons network has been instrumental as well—the collaboration, guidance, and shared success among franchise owners is something truly unique.

And of course, our clients and our team. Their trust, effort, and relationships are what power everything we do.

Website: https://www.grasons.com/gilbert/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grasonsgilbert/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/grasonsgilbert

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.