Meet Fontine Da Luz

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Fontine Da Luz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Fontine, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from my parents and the example they set for me. Watching them build a business from the ground up with no prior knowledge of how to run a business instilled in me a deep understanding of hard work and perseverance. Growing up, I remember them working tirelessly, almost around the clock. Whenever they were out, I would help run the store, which gave me an early glimpse into the value of hard work and the importance of money.

I learned early on that money isn’t just a means of survival—it’s a tool to create a life of comfort and reduce stress. From my childhood to now, I’ve always been working. I wasn’t handed anything easily. As a troubled child, I was kicked out of my home at 14 and lived with a friend’s family for two years. During that time, I worked nonstop and learned the true cost of living—how much money is needed for essentials like clothing, food, and other necessities. That experience forced me to confront reality and sparked a thought: there had to be a way for wealthy people to build their wealth without constantly working themselves to exhaustion.

This curiosity led me to study wealth creation. I started watching YouTube videos and reading about how the wealthy accumulate their fortune. One pattern stood out: they all owned real estate, businesses, and stocks. I took action by opening an e-commerce store, which did decently well but wasn’t something I was passionate about. However, it became the stepping stone that introduced me to real estate.

I became fascinated by the concept of owning properties, generating passive income, and building wealth. Real estate became the perfect blend of everything I was looking for—a path to financial freedom and a way to create a life of stability and abundance

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m passionate about helping people create wealth through real estate. What excites me most is the ability to make every transaction a win-win: finding great deals for my buyers, helping sellers out of financial challenges, and creating opportunities for everyone involved. At just 20 (turning 21 on January 5, 2025), I’ve been fortunate to achieve success in real estate that I couldn’t have found in any other career path.

I chose real estate because I didn’t want to burden my parents—or myself—with the financial strain of college. Instead, I invested my time and energy into building a career that aligns with my interests and long-term goals. This year alone, I’ve helped with 14 real estate transactions, with 2 more pending and 2 exciting new listings coming up.

Recently, I onboarded a virtual assistant (VA), which has been a rewarding experience. It’s teaching me the value of leadership, creating efficient schedules, and building resources to train effectively. I’ve learned firsthand that a team is only as strong as its leader. Additionally, I partnered with a marketing team that’s helped amplify my clients’ exposure and connect with more buyers and sellers. This collaboration has been instrumental in reaching new milestones in my career.

What I truly love about real estate is the hustle. From negotiations to uncovering off-market opportunities, I thrive on the creativity and strategy required to get the job done. For example, in one deal, I helped a seller who owed $900K on a property. By connecting her with a buyer for a joint venture, we doubled the amount she would’ve received if she’d sold the property as-is (likely $1.1M at most). Another memorable deal involved a lot of land with entitlements for a mansion. Land sales typically take time, but by cold-calling contractors in the area and persistently sharing information, we secured an offer within a week.

One deal I’m particularly proud of involved negotiating the furniture for my buyer. It’s a perfect example of my philosophy that *everything is negotiable*. Whether it’s price, terms, or even furnishings, I always strive to deliver maximum value for my clients.

I’m not just a real estate agent—I’m a problem solver and strategist who is committed to delivering results. Whether it’s finding creative ways to market a property, negotiating aggressively for my clients, or connecting the dots to make deals happen, I love what I do. And I’m excited to keep growing, learning, and making an impact in this field.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, four qualities have been the most impactful on my journey: hunger, self-awareness, a growth mindset, and resilience.

1. Hunger
Hunger is the relentless drive to keep pushing forward, even when things are tough. It’s what motivates you to work harder, learn more, and achieve your goals. Without hunger, you won’t have the energy to go after the life you want. My advice to anyone early in their journey is to fuel that hunger by setting clear goals and reminding yourself why you started. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you to be better.

2. Self-Awareness
Self-awareness is about understanding yourself—your strengths, weaknesses, triggers, and motivations. It’s the foundation for personal growth. When you’re self-aware, you can unlearn bad habits, adjust your mindset, and constantly improve. Start by reflecting on your experiences, journaling, or asking for feedback from people you trust. Be receptive to growth and feedback from others. Learn to manage your emotions and recognize that everything others do is a reflection of themselves, not you—so don’t take things too personally.

3. Growth Mindset
Having a growth mindset means believing that you can always improve. Embrace failure as part of the process and use it to learn and grow. Be open to trying new things, and never stop seeking knowledge. Read, listen to podcasts, and surround yourself with people who are ahead of you in areas you want to excel in. Never let fear of failure hold you back—every mistake is a step forward.

4. Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and keep moving forward. Life will throw challenges your way, but resilience helps you adapt, overcome, and thrive. Building resilience starts with accepting that failure and adversity are part of the journey. Focus on solutions instead of problems, and use every obstacle as an opportunity to grow stronger. Cultivate a support system of people who uplift you and keep your mindset positive.

Understanding Delayed Gratification

Success doesn’t happen overnight. Delayed gratification is key to achieving your long-term goals. You’re not going to see results right away, and that’s okay—nothing worthwhile comes easy. It’s tempting to give up when progress feels slow, but if you truly believe you will be successful, you’ll stay the course.

When you give up, you’re telling yourself that you’re someone who gives up. Don’t let that be your identity. Instead, decide who you want to be, take actions that align with that vision, and refuse to settle for less. Just as you wouldn’t accept the wrong dish at a restaurant if you ordered a steak and were brought a pork chop, don’t accept outcomes that don’t match your standards.

Raise your standards, and don’t compromise. The universe will test how badly you want something, so don’t let convenience, ease, or impatience lower your values, morals, or desires. Stick to what you truly want, even if it takes longer or requires more effort. Your persistence will set you apart from those who settle for less.

Advice for Those Starting Out

1. Get a Sales Job
Sales teaches invaluable life skills: handling rejection, building people skills, understanding different personality types, and learning how to create win-win situations. It also helps you develop thick skin, which is crucial in any field.

2. Master Time Management
An organized life starts with an organized environment. Keep your room, car, and calendar tidy. Plan your day and prioritize tasks that align with your goals. Time is your most valuable asset—don’t waste it.

3. Stay Humble and Listen
Humbleness is key to growth. Put your ego aside, listen more, and talk less. Everyone has something to teach you, whether from their successes or their mistakes. Be open to learning from every interaction.

4. Focus on Your Strengths
Get better at what you already do well and outsource the rest. Being a jack of all trades may seem appealing, but mastery in a few key areas will take you further.

5. Be Your Biggest Supporter
Don’t let others’ doubts affect you. Understand that their skepticism often reflects their own insecurities. Believe in yourself and stay focused on your goals.

6. Choose Your Circle Wisely
You become the average of the people you spend the most time with. Surround yourself with individuals who inspire you, challenge you, and support your growth. Don’t be intimidated by being the “smallest” in the room—everyone starts somewhere.

7. Prioritize Yourself
Take care of your mental, physical, and emotional health. You can’t pour into others if your cup is empty. Practice self-love, find peace in solitude, and remember that the right people will come into your life when the time is right.

8. Say No to Distractions
For younger readers, it’s easy to get caught up in partying and wasting time. Learn to say no. It might feel lonely at first, but that space will allow you to focus on your goals and find deeper self-awareness.

9. Feed Your Brain Wisely
Be mindful of what you consume. Balance entertainment with education—listen to motivational podcasts, read books, and watch content that uplifts you. What you feed your mind shapes your future.

10. Don’t Fear Failure
Failure is inevitable, but it’s also your greatest teacher. Every setback brings you closer to success. The people who fear failure often stay stuck, while those who embrace it grow and move forward.

Bonus Tip:

Don’t ask for or take advice from someone you wouldn’t trade places with in that situation. If someone hasn’t achieved what you’re striving for or hasn’t walked the path you’re on, their advice may not be relevant or helpful. Be selective about whose opinions you value, and seek guidance from people who have the experience and results you aspire to achieve.

Lastly, remember: Your past doesn’t define you—it shapes you. Be self-aware, resilient, and always hungry to grow. Learn from every experience, embrace failure, and never stop striving for the life you want.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Yes, I’m always looking for opportunities to partner and collaborate! My goal is to help educate and empower buyers, sellers, investors, and anyone looking to start their journey in real estate. I strongly believe in abundance, not scarcity—there’s more than enough success and wealth to go around. I’m passionate about helping others build wealth through real estate, whether it’s:

– Helping buyers find their first home with great equity potential, a competitive price, or favorable terms.
– Helping sellers secure top dollar for their property while ensuring the most favorable terms.
– Working with investors to find their next investment property or guiding them through the many ways to invest in real estate.
– Supporting newer agents in securing their first deal and understanding how to build a thriving real estate business.

Real estate is a powerful tool for building wealth, and I want to share the knowledge and opportunities I’ve gained to help others succeed. I’d love to collaborate

– Phone: 415-272-1535
– Email: fontinedaluz@gmail.com
– Instagram: [@fontinetherealtor](https://www.instagram.com/fontinetherealtor)
– Facebook: Fontine Da Luz

Let’s work together to create more opportunities, build wealth, and make an impact!

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Hi Fontine, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

Image Credits