Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Destiny Roxas. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Destiny, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?
I love this question. As a multi-racial woman that grew up in an area of limited diversity, I have always “stuck out”. My mom and I are tribal members – she was born in Ketchikan, Alaska and we are part of the traditionally matrilineal Tlingit tribe. Her father was from the Philippines, so on my mom’s side I’m a blend of both cultures. My dad was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and is African American with bloodlines that go back to Nigeria. It was strange growing up in La Mesa which was predominantly white during the 90’s, and I definitely became accustomed to being the only mixed person of color in any given room. I excelled in school, and worked my way through college in the hospitality industry. My work ethic has made me successful, but I cant deny it was challenging to be the “token” in many given situations. Working through situations where people are “surprised” by your level of articulation, intelligence, and public speaking abilities has always been a constant – but I guess you could say my haters are my motivators. The funny thing is, the comments and judgement often comes from both sides, with some folks having asked me in the past why I “talk like a white person” – which can be intensely alienating. Almost like not being accepted by either side, but tolerated. As the world continues to diversify, I hope that I can be a shining example of what it is to work through adversity and overcome these challenges with a sense of humor and a smile. Being unique can be your superpower.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I’m in the business of helping people, I joke a lot about being a therapist. I’m a huge advocate for therapy, and the intensity of emotions that comes with buying and selling your most precious asset can be a roller coaster. Education is a huge component of what I do, and teaching folks that real estate can change your life for the better is something I’m extremely passionate about. In a city like San Diego that has a proven track record of equity appreciation, it’s about educating folks like myself. I grew up on Section 8 housing and without any knowledge of the power behind homeownership – unfortunately I was not taught at home or in school what real estate could do for your income, advancement, and overall wealth management. I sort of fell into real estate from the hospitality world, as I used to work in downtown as a restaurant Office Manager, and was looking for a similar role with better pay in a different industry. Craigslist led me to a mortgage company in early 2015, and the rest is history. Within a month I moved from Office Manager to Junior Loan Processor. I took what I learned from working in hospitality (both during my day job as well as my nightlife work) regarding social media and implemented it at West Coast Funding, the mortgage brokerage I worked at. The social media presence grew, and they were so impressed with my efforts that eventually I became not only a Processor and Loan Officer, but the Director of Business Development and Marketing. I made the pivot from loans at the end of 2020, and focused on utilizing my other license I’d had – my real estate license. Having an extensive knowledge of the lending world greatly helped me sell real estate, as many agents sadly are not as savvy when it comes to lending. Helping folks buy and sell is a thrill, especially when they lay eyes on the perfect match for them. It’s a shine in their eyes, and my clients most often become good friends of mine through the process. Watching their wealth build over the years with the equity they earn is a delight, escaping the pattern of ever increasing rents. If there’s one thing about San Diego, it’s always in high demand. Because of my own social media presence, I’ve had some amazing opportunities offered – like doing housing updates for NBC, and doing national campaigns for huge real estate aligned companies. Recently I’ve also been offered features in reality shows, the sky seems to be the limit and I’m happy to be doing what I love.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Working in the serving and hospitality industries has been integral to my skillset development. Juggling the needs of others, learning how to carry conversations with people from every background has set me apart from my peers who are simply there for a paycheck. I’m customer service oriented, and it’s performing at a high level that has made me a strong business owner and entrepreneur. The AP and honors courses I took through high school prepped me for college, and made me research oriented and disciplined: I self manage and hold myself accountable. Lastly I would say spending so much time within the native community taught me to not be so individualistic, and to focus on community and philanthropy. My joy comes from giving, and my career can be a sacrifice of personal time (weekends, holidays, evenings) while putting others needs before my own.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I was not handed anything – which made me self sufficient. My first car I bought on my own, at the age of 20. It was after saving my financial aid money and part time pay I was getting through working while going to college that got me my little salvaged Honda. Before that, I took the trolley and bus everywhere. As I mentioned I received financial aid to go to college, and I had to learn the ins and outs of that to continue to receive funds. Their positive reinforcement was the biggest form of praise for me, and it fueled me in every way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.destinyroxas.com
- Instagram: @destinyroxas
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/destinyroxas/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/destinyroxas/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DestinyRoxas
Image Credits
Nick Martinez
