We had the good fortune of connecting with Victoria Albino and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Victoria, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Maximizing my personal freedom and work flexibility along with my desire to creatively flourish at my own pace is what led me to start my own Real Estate business. As I reflected on both my personal and professional goals, I realized that Real Estate was a perfect avenue to achieve everything I had in mind from a healthy work life balance, to creating relationships and carving a pathway for all around growth and success.
The opportunity to build a concept I could be proud of and call my own is another key factor as to why I chose real estate. I’ve always envisioned something bigger than a 9-5 type of job for myself but I never knew what that would look like, let alone, gain the confidence in taking the ultimate leap of faith as a solo business owner. Was I scared? Oh of course, and I’d be lying to you if I said I’m completely fearless. However, entering the Real Estate industry 4 years ago has completely changed my life.
What should our readers know about your business?
I believe my business approach to Real Estate is quite different than most. I want to embrace a desireable lifestyle tailored to what’s best for my clients and what brings them true joy and excitement. I don’t believe future homeowners should buy a property just for the sake of owning and I also don’t believe in assisting future homeowners in finding a property just so that I can receive a commission. I encourage my clients to look past just buying or selling properties and to also consider what they truly enjoy and how their property would compliment just that. I believe when this element is taken into consideration, the likelihood of enjoying the property on a personal level over a long period of time skyrockets.
Another factor that I believe sets Homestyle with Victoria apart, is the fact that I bring a neutral perspective to the Valley as I’m originally from Orlando, FL. As I’ve fallen in love with Phoenix and Arizona itself, I seek to embrace that love within my business and share it with all of my clients. Given that I was so new to this city, I really wanted to explore everything Phoenix has to offer from it’s outdoor beauty to its unique homegrown experiences and collaborative concepts within the local community. Within the past few years, I took the initiative to become the go-to person for all things Phoenix-related. Besides educating clients on Real Estate needs, I also want to share every brightside that this amazing city has to offer.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh my goodness, where do I start? Phoenix has so much to offer when it comes to showing a visitor a good time! Luckily, I’ve had the chance to show a few of my friends and family around and they all end up having a blast.
To start an awesome morning you might find us at Lux Central (a coffee and breakfast favorite of mine) before taking on an early hike at Lost Dutchman State Park. Given that the weather is warm enough for us to want to cool off, you might catch us kayaking along the Lower Salt River or hanging out on a boat on Canyon Lake (these days trips always get a few ooh’s and ahh’s). Should time permit, taking a day trip to Sedona is also a must!
For a quick bite to eat after a busy day, I love bringing my folks to Tacos Chiwas for some of the best traditional, street style tacos in town! Their al pastor quesadilla is killer! A great option for my day-drinking, happy hour enthusiasts is Fellow Osteria which has $7 craft cocktails everyday from open until 6pm (their food is great too).
Once we’re ready to get the night started, a walk along Roosevelt Row is a must, especially on a First Friday, as the entire downtown community comes to life. A few of my favorites along Roosevelt Row are Greenwood Brewing Co., Rough Rider, The Theodore and The Churchill. Tucked away right beyond Roosevelt Row is one of my newest favorites, The Pemberton, which is a super cool outdoor concept hosting vendors, food trucks, beer/cocktail trucks and more!
To cap off a night with some great food, I always recommend places like Buck & Rider, Valentine, Richardson’s, Welcome Diner and Clever Koi. If you’re still not ready to go home after that, show some love to our amazing local cocktail scene at places such as Highball, Killer Whale Sex Club and Glai Ban (an awesome Thai restaurant with a fabulous drink program)!
Hint- a lot of these local concepts are also open for an amazing brunch or have a secret area such as a speakeasy!
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I feel very blessed to have so many people in my life that love me unconditionally for who I truly am and that support me in everything I do. I like to think that you are never alone in your success…it takes a village.
The one person who introduced me to Real Estate and gave me my initial opportunity as a Marketing Assistant was my previous boss, Becky Garcia from the Garcia Group at eXp. I spent over 3 years working as part of the Marketing Team supporting one of the best Real Estate teams in the West Valley. Becky was a great mentor and taught me that hard work, consistency and discipline are crucial to be successful. I will forever thank her for her mentorship and guidance.
I also would love to acknowledge my parents. They are the most hardworking people I know and I’d tried my best to embody their strong work ethic throughout my career. They’ve guided me, supported me, and loved me through all the stages in life that have led me to where I am today. My goal in whatever I do is to make them proud…Love you Mami y Papi!
Last but not least, I want to thank my fiancé Charlie. He has been the strength, support, and foundation that I knew I needed all along throughout this journey we call “life”. I look up to him in numerous ways. He’s a fearless person who goes for whatever he puts his mind to. His influence played a huge role in my decision to start my business.
Fun fact: Charlie is actually the reason I ended up in Phoenix…along with his orders from the U.S. Air Force to be stationed at Luke Air Force Base. Thank you for your service Babe!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoria__albino/
Image Credits
Brittany Isabel Garcia