Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sasha Vella. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sasha, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
In my journey, optimism has been my compass since childhood. I was Born into adversity with a mother battling addiction, with many of the odds already against me. Growing up I shuffled through foster care and my mom’s care until I was adopted, that was my first lifeline from God. My adoptive parents created a home filled with unwavering love and wholeheartedness. They really taught me to embrace life with open arms with a positive mind. At just four years old, I began the journey of unlearning abandonment, guided by their consistent support and even better, example. I was raised in a household where I was told often how powerful, beautiful and unique I am. I went through a lot of racism being the only black kid, and what felt like at times person in my school and small city, but they kept reinforcing the belief that I was capable of achieving greatness, with no limit, no matter what, especially my skin tone. It wasn’t just words that shaped me; It was also the lessons learned through experience. My dad, in his wisdom, would allow me to stumble and fall, understanding the value of failure as a teacher. My mother, with her gentle strength, allowed me to feel the sting of disappointment, knowing that in those moments of pain, I would discover resilience and what I am capable of. I feel fortunate that from that I grasped the immense power of my thoughts and mindset combined with my actions and decisions, realizing the superpower behind my willpower and determination. I unlocked the key to transforming challenges into opportunities and setbacks into stepping stones and kept that faith and momentum through my adulthood, in everything that I do. I carry grace and optimism, because I know how it could be, and how it once was. Knowing that how you think is how you show up, I’m grateful for where God has brought me from and I am excited about where he’s taking me.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m a woman driven by passion, commitment, and ambition. Balancing motherhood while running two businesses—a full-time real estate venture and a financial agency—is a journey that fuels my purpose. I began real estate part-time in 2017, drawn by my love for sales and a passion for client care. Despite juggling my son’s health challenges, including two major surgeries (open heart and cochlear implants) at the age of two, and facing job loss due to the pandemic in 2019, transitioning to full-time real estate came as a blessing in disguise.
In moments of adversity, I never saw the sky as my limit, more as a pit stop. There were many times I was operating less than paycheck to paycheck. When my 9 year relationship ended that temporarily broke me. I went tunnel vision and my real estate career really took off in 2020, The way for my expansion into getting my licence in finance in 2021. Empowering my community with financial literacy, and walking them through my structured analysis was my mission. Talking about how money really works, how to make it work for you, credit recovery, debt rehabilitation, estate planning, registered saving plans, and more while creating a path to wealth, homeownership and/or more assets. While doing this for years, I recognized something pivotal: Mindset and goal setting are the true catalysts for personal transformation. Finances isn’t the first to blame for lack there of, it’s people’s thoughts that are holding them back.
Growing up, I was the one offering a helping hand to the bullied I still today will adjust someone’s crown. I thank the unconditional belief instilled in me by my parents and God for this. I view my success not as a spotlight on myself, but as an opportunity to light up the greatness in others. I know some may perceive my confidence and charisma as love for the limelight, but my real desire is to use my gifts to uplift and empower others.
For me, it’s not about going big or going home; it’s always, going bigger. As the world pivoted digital in 2020 I made several appearances on pod casts and interviews. I natural broke into public speaking as that is one of my biggest passions and way for me to spread awareness. With proven succeses and much life experience, I wrote “The CEO Mindset” in January 2024, a powerful book to realizing your potential through reorienting your mind and unlocking your wealth and super powers within.
What’s next? My goals are to spread more mindset belief through public speaking and opportunies to get into communities and connect with more people through my story, especially women, people from systemic warfare, fellow entrepreneurs and the youth. I want to empower on bigger platforms and wider audiences. I want to infill belief systems that can help individuals intergenerationally. Nothing too crazy, I just want to change the way the world thinks and therefore show up.
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?
When it comes to the three most important skills or areas of knowledge, number one is: to stay learning. Remaining a student of life is paramount, continuously evolving spiritually, mentally, and physically. It’s about being that “fly on the wall” in rooms of opportunity, absorbing knowledge, and intentionally striving to be better. In a world that’s constantly evolving, the ability to adapt, pivot, and absorb new information is crucial. Remember, if you’re the wealthiest, smartest, or most successful person at the table, you’re at the wrong table.
Secondly, understanding the scoreboard of your goals is key. It’s not just about setting goals; it’s about actively engaging with them daily. Writing them out, affirming them, and at times, even daring to be delusional about them because they should scare you. Ask yourself: Where are you now? Where do you want to be? What’s the game plan to get there? It’s about constantly assessing your progress, understanding the score and the time left in the game- how many more time outs are there, how many ‘points’ do I have? You can also make better adjustments this way to help yourself along the way. With belief, accountability and action, anything is achievable.
Lastly, I’m from an era of a pandemic, multiple economic collapses and a time when entrepreneurship is at it’s highest. I’ve witnessed the cost of living skyrocket, fast and inflation climb the peak. Diversifying income streams is essential. Financial literacy is not just a buzzword; it’s a survival skill. Time is money, and mistakes can be costly. Whether it’s through businesses, investments, or owning assets, the goal is ownership. It’s about building a portfolio that generates wealth and security for the future, recognizing that ownership is the ultimate path to financial freedom is key.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
One of my all-time favourite books that significantly influenced my personal development is “Winning” by Tim Grover. I had the privilege of hearing him speak live in California in 2023, and his coaching style resonated deeply with me. He is a coach of legendary athletes like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dwyane Wade, and his grit and determination are infection.
What sets “Winning” apart is Grover’s ability to make the seemingly unattainable concept of greatness tangible. He focuses on the distinction between motivation and elevation, highlighting that motivation is external, while elevation comes from within. Grover’s philosophy of chasing greatness resonated deeply with me—he stresses the importance of mastering each level of achievement, and breaks it down starting with from catching average to mastering greatness, with honesty and self-awareness as guiding principles.
One of my favourite and most impactful aspects of this book is Grover’s perspective on fear and doubt. He acknowledges fear as a natural instinct that can propel us forward, while doubt is a self-imposed barrier that we create. Grover’s insights challenged me to confront my own fears and doubts, pushing me to strive for excellence in every aspect of my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashavellarealty/
- Other: Get my book here; https://stan.store/sashavellarealty