CORPUS CHRISTI
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
CATHY CRUZ HELPING HANDS AND A SERVANT’S HEART
PREFERRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHT: RYAN REYNA EQUITABLE ADVISORS Your Future Is Coming. Be Ready! LEGENDARY LEADER: MARK UHR From Builder To Broker RISING STAR: NAMI STONE Helping Others Achieve Their Dreams
Photography By TresPiña Photography
SEPTEMBER 2021
2 • September 2021
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 3
TAB LE OF
CONTENTS 10
14
20
Publisher’s Note: Finding Respect in the Chaos
Real Producer: Cathy Cruz
Mark Uhr: Rockport Properties
24
26
32
Battlin’ BBQ: Local Charity Helping Local Families
Ryan Reyna: Equitable Advisors
Rising Star: Nami Stone
If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at amanda.carmichael@realproducersmag.com. DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The paid advertisements contained within the Corpus Christi Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.
4 • September 2021
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 9
publisher’s note
respect
Written by Amanda Carmichael
finding
in the chaos
Adversity is inevitable, but how we respond to it shapes our life. Whether we like it or not, adversity is part of life. We can overcome our difficulties, but the most significant factor which will determine our recovery process is the demonstration of resilience. We each possess an innate drive to overcome and get through challenging times and experiences. This enables us to bounce back and recover from the worst of situations. Anyone who has ever achieved something worthwhile has had challenges and setbacks – because anything that is worth doing is going to be difficult. Overcoming adversity is a necessary step on the road to greatness.
There are so many inspiring stories in our publications of people who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds. They triumphed over their adversities to live successful, productive lives instead of surrendering to pain or disappointment. There’s a powerful expression, “Hurt people hurt people.” Truer words have never been spoken. When we’re hurt, wounded, distraught, overly-reactive, or emotionally dysfunctional in any way, we’re not in a position to make the positive impact we long to, or to inspire people at the highest level. Why? Because our open wounds get in the way. Our wounds change how we see ourselves and others, and how we relate to, experience, and interact with the world. The wounds we experience color everything. Knocking someone else down most certainly does not lift us up either. It instead knocks us down further. People who inspire us to be better are not weak, scared, or stuck. They’re bold and have the fortitude and courage to push through their fears, and take a stand on what they believe. They’ve accomplished what I call “brave up.” These inspirational people
10 • September 2021
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have faced great odds and challenges, and they’ve “turned their mess into a message” to help others overcome their challenges too. They’re warriors and courageous fighters for what they believe in and how they see themselves and the world. My greatest dream is to help others improve their lives. I believe that all my hard work and efforts pay off and that when I do my small part, I make a significant difference. I love nothing more than receiving a message from someone who shares that I’ve helped change their life. I’m not driven by either fame or money. I simply appreciate the acknowledgment and recognition for my work and expertise. We can each change the world simply by helping those around us who need our help. From the deepest fiber of my being, that is what inspires me and drives me on. I want my life to count! I want to make a difference impacting lives for the better. My efforts will create the legacy I want to leave, ensuring that I do not leave this world with my message still inside of me. This inner longing to have significance is inside of everyone. It may be buried under fears, but it is there. We should all be inspired and driven to create a lasting, wonderful legacy where we reach our full potential and help others reach theirs! When we face obstacles and problems, we need to be determined and resilient. Looking at success stories can help us learn how to overcome adversity – but we must also look at those around us. The quality of a person’s life is most often a direct reflection of the expectations of their peer group. You are who you hang out with. And if you want to bounce back from challenges, live optimistically, and stay focused, you need to surround yourself with people who support you – not people who pull you down or hold you back. Never give up. Stay kind. Show grace. Use what you have learned to help others, and surround yourself with people that like to celebrate victories. Sincerely,
Amanda Carmichael
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real producer
CATHY Photography By TresPiña Photography Written by Ruth Gnirk Hair and Make-up by LuLu
CR UZ 14 • September 2021
@realproducers
Z
Cathy Cruz may have gotten into real estate while helping someone else follow their dream, but her “accidental” career has become an unimaginable vessel through which to help others. When young Cathy was in fourth grade, her parents bought their first house. The family’s new home quickly became a place of safety and joy. “Sometimes we would clear everything out of the large living room and turn it into a ballroom,” recalled Cathy. Extended family and friends would come to Cathy’s house for shelter during bad weather, or when life was getting tough. Their home was a safety net for the whole family. Cathy’s parents didn’t have a lot, but what they had was always shared generously with others. Cathy helped out as a hostess many times and loved serving others and bringing them joy. Wanting to set a good example for her three daughters, Cathy’s mother earned her GED and then a degree from Del Mar College. “I remember that we studied together at the table,” said Cathy. “It meant so much to see her achieving her dreams.” Unfortunately, both of Cathy’s parents experienced traumatic setbacks. Cathy’s mother suffered a life-altering assault while she was working. Cathy’s father had severe heart and kidney troubles. Financial difficulties soon followed, and when Cathy was in high school, the family lost their house. Cathy looked for ways to help ease the stress and care for her younger sisters, ages eight and ten. Remembering how much their home had meant to so many people, Cathy started exploring rental houses that her family could move into. She collected and compared data like a junior real estate expert.
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Not long after the family had relocated, another relative was looking for a new home. Cathy’s dad encouraged Cathy to help with their search because he recognized her talent. Soon, any time someone was looking for a house, Cathy was invited into the process. She loved helping! Cathy was the first high school graduate in her family. Though her family was excited, no one knew to encourage her to participate in career counseling or to consider college. None of her extended family had careers that they truly enjoyed, or positions that utilized their skills and talents. They simply had jobs that paid bills. Cathy’s daughter Gabby was born shortly after graduation. Cathy worked at a retail job for a few years but knew she wanted something more. After helping a family member navigate through a legal issue, Cathy became fascinated
Corpus Christi Real Producers • 15
16 • September 2021
@realproducers
by the story of Erin Brockovich. Cruz decided she wanted to pursue a degree in paralegal specialties. Following her mother’s example, Cathy enrolled in Del Mar College. She attended classes in the morning, worked as a runner at a prestigious defense litigation firm in the afternoon, and worked her retail job in the evenings and weekends. Her parents and sisters encouraged Cathy to keep working toward her dreams. They brought Gabby to practices and cheered her on at games when Cathy couldn’t be there. In 2002, Cathy obtained her associate’s degree in paralegal studies. The law firm hired her on fulltime to work for two junior associates. Soon she was promoted to work for one of the main Partners of the firm. Cathy enjoyed the work and was motivated by her desire to help her family.
It was in this seemingly impossible time in life that someone invited her to church. Cathy felt hopeful again! Cathy felt that she needed to move on from her position at the radio station. She didn’t know what she would do next, but Cathy knew she needed to close this life chapter and help people another way. The day that she respectfully turned in her resignation, the transplant hospital called her. They found a kidney donor for her father, who had a rare blood type and had been on the list for years. In turn, the donor’s family member needed a kidney, for which Cathy was a perfect match. “At first my dad said ‘no’; he didn’t want anything to happen to me,” Cathy recalled. “But then I reminded him that if we did our part, another father and daughter would have a chance to make more lifetime memories.”
Cathy’s brother-in-law planned to attend Corpus Christi Real Estate Institute, but he didn’t want to start by himself. Remembering how much joy it brought to her family and others to find the right home, Cathy enrolled in the program, as well. She became a licensed REALTOR® by early 2005. A woman at church who was part of a small brokerage warmly invited the new REALTOR® onto her team. Cathy kept her full-time job at the litigation firm for a stable paycheck and health insurance. Cruz showed houses in the evenings and on weekends. Many REALTORS® struggled in 2008, and Cathy was no exception. For her, the cost was too high, and the return too low. So she set aside her real estate dreams and spent the next three years helping others connect by managing marketing and advertisement for a local radio station. Her life, and relationship, started to get complicated. Her father’s health was declining, and the pediatrician detected that Gabby had a heart condition and needed surgery. In the midst of this, the choices of others caused Cathy and Gabby to be evicted from their home.
realproducersmag.com
I knew
GOD
was working, and that He was bringing a
SEASON OF RESTORATION to my life.
Corpus Christi Real Producers • 17
God provided for the needs that Cathy and Gabby had during the vulnerable time, two months before the surgery, and after, as Cathy recovered and wasn’t working. The procedures went well. “Somehow, in the end, there were six people in surgery that day,” Cathy said through tears of joy. “My dad and I helped two other families!”
After stepping down from her job at the hospital, Cathy was able to spend time with her parents for a year before her dad passed away. She shared memories and made new ones, and is so thankful that she was able to invest time in family. Three months after her father passed away, her mother died suddenly. It seemed her broken heart never healed.
While recovering from the surgery, Cathy volunteered at her church, Grace Point Church in Portland. One day, she struck up a conversation with a volunteer, and Cathy explained that she was currently recovering from a kidney donation but hoped to find a new job soon. The woman asked what kind of experience Cathy had.
A few hours after her father had taken his last breath, Cathy got a phone call from her pastor and his wife, asking if Cathy had time to show them some homes that day. When they found out Cruz’s dad had just passed away, the pastor apologized for the distraction. Cathy said, “I had such peace as I was helping them look at houses. I was doing what I was created to do, and it was exactly what I needed that day!”
Cruz humbly shared about her promotions as a paralegal, her real estate experience, and her recent marketing stint. The woman disclosed that she was on the hospital administration team and that upon hearing Cathy’s story about donating a kidney in honor of her father, she was very moved by Cathy’s character and drive. She recognized Cathy’s gift for helping others. She offered Cruz a full-time job at the hospital, serving as her administrative assistant in the Quality and Risk Management department. Soon after, Cathy met Billy, the man who would eventually become her husband. “I knew God was working, and that He was bringing a season of restoration to my life,” said Cruz. Cathy worked as an assistant for a couple of years, and then she was promoted to the role of Hospital Risk Management Coordinator. Working in the hospital allowed her love of legal things to bloom again, and it allowed her to visit her dad when he was hospitalized with increasing health issues.
Cathy has been helping others as a REALTOR® for the past four years. She wants to help people improve their lives, starting at home and working out into her community. “Success isn’t being at the top, it’s helping people, and making their lives better. Making money is just icing on the cake,” said Cathy Cruz.
I am not trying to be the best REALTOR® out there.
Her life was back on track, but as Cathy Cruz was helping others, she became increasingly burdened with the desire to help take care of her own father. As Gabby was graduating from high school and was planning to start college, Cathy’s wonderful husband Billy encouraged Cruz to step away from her job at the hospital and renew her real estate license so she could have a more flexible schedule and be more involved with her dad. Beaming with gratitude, Cathy reminisced, “He said, ‘Cathy, you taught me how to have faith, and how to walk in faith. Now it is time for you to take this step of faith.’” 18 • September 2021
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“I have God’s love, favor, and blessing. Now I’m in a position to help,” smiled Cathy. “I fill my time helping others by using my gifts and talents, and I have a great love for people.” Her husband is a daily blessing. “Billy takes care of me, encourages me, and supports me as I pursue what God created me to do.” Cathy Cruz’s priorities are God first, husband second, daughter and extended family third, community fourth. She is actively involved in her church. Cathy also serves on the board of the San Patricio County Association of REALTORS® and is chairperson of its Community Service Committee. Prior to covid restrictions, Cathy was preparing to help with the San Patricio County CASA organization, which is a voice in the court system for children who have been displaced from their homes. She uses her position on the community service committee to organize clothing and toy drives to benefit those children.
Cathy Cruz was voted the 2020 San Patricio County Associate of REALTORS® Agent Of The Year. It was an honor bestowed to her by her colleagues and community leaders, based on her character and community impact, not her volume. This year Cathy was nominated for Best of San Patricio County Real Estate Agent, and The Caller-Times Best of the Best Real Estate Agent. Humbly, Cathy says she’s just being the person God designed her to be, and that her parents raised her to be. “My dad told us no matter what we do, do it to the best of our ability, and with honor. He taught us that how we carry ourselves is a reflection on God, and on our family,” Cruz said. “I am not trying to be the best REALTOR® out there. I’m just trying to be The best ME! I want to have the impact I was created to have, in my little sphere of influence. I’m just here to love God and love people. That is true success.”
I’M JUST TRYING TO BE THE BEST ME!
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 19
Legendary Leader
UHR Rockport Properties Photography by TresPiña Photography Written by Ruth Gnirk
Mark Uhr has been a catalyst of community growth for three decades. He has transformed himself and the surrounding environment first as a commercial builder, and then as a residential developer. He and his wife are well-rooted in Rockport and continue to serve the Coastal Bend community through civic and social engagements. He is currently building custom homes and resort-style apartment complexes in the area and has won awards for his designs as well. Mark and his father had been in the turbomachinery business together for many years. After learning that the federal Resolution Trust Corporation would be auctioning off property in the Rockport Country Club, the two set out to improve their community through real estate. Mark Uhr started his real estate career as a commercial real estate broker focusing on brokering land, office buildings, and pad sites for 20 • September 2021
regional and national tenants including fast-food restaurants and auto parts stores. For 10 years, Mark worked for private companies as a build-tosuit developer, building auto part stores for Auto Zone, Chief Auto Parts, and Hi-Lo Auto Parts. He built 38 stores in three states. “I was dealing with corporations, not with people,” said Mark. Upon successfully obtaining the 200 lots and 70 acres in the Rockport Country Club with his father, Mark relocated to Rockport. Mark recognized that he had an opportunity to make a more personal impact on the community by shifting gears to residential home-building. He built and sold a spec house in the Rockport Country Club Estates, and that was the birth of Rockport Properties Inc.
“In the beginning, we were affectionately called ‘Midnight Realty’ because I would answer the phone any time I got a call,” said Mark. “I don’t have 9-5 hours because I know that people make their decisions after 5 pm when they have time. This is a 24-7 job.” “It was just my father and me for that first year,” Mark recalled. “24 years later, I have had as many as 18 REALTORS® working for me at a time.” Mark loves inviting newly licensed REALTORS® to his team. “They don’t have bad habits and they are teachable,” he said with a smile. In addition, Rockport Properties, Inc. had the first business website in town. Now they have a full-time IT professional on staff to handle all the needs of their agents and customers. “We’ve come a long way, from handwritten contracts to DocuSign®,” added Mark. Over the past 30-plus years, Mark has seen great change in the industry. “I have seen four cycles of real estate in this area. It has followed the fluctuation in the economy based on the oil and gas industry,” said Uhr. @realproducers
I have seen four cycles of real estate in this area. It has followed the fluctuation in the economy based on the oil and gas industry.
In the past few years, his community has been devastated by Hurricane Harvey, a freeze, and most recently a 27-inch rainfall flood event. Rockport is resilient in its ability to rebuild. The next time you see Mark, just ask him to share the story of how his office cat, Pumpkin, was featured by the storm chasers after he survived Hurricane Harvey! Uhr’s background in construction has been key. The minimal industry standard is to build homes that can withstand winds of 120 miles per hour. Mark Uhr builds custom houses and buildings to withstand winds up to 140 miles per hour or more. Holding himself to a higher standard may cost more up front, but he says it is worth the expense to have that peace of mind. Mark isn’t only focused on structure, he also has an eye for design. He has won a national award for his design of a kitchen space and was also awarded first place for a bathroom design. Both awards were related to his custom homebuilding. Mark Uhr has also excelled in multi-home developments. He built his first apartment complex, The Oaks At Bentwater, in 2008,
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 21
and sold it in 2014. He is currently working on phase two of his 34-acre master-planned community, Pearl Point, which is comprised of 216 units in phase one, and 264 units in phase two. Mark has also developed several shopping centers that currently house restaurants and retail businesses. Mark and his talented wife Annie celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this summer. They have a great partnership in life, and their life’s work is also complimentary. Mark builds and sells safe, elegant places for families to live, work, and shop. Annie captures and sells stunning photography that makes every building instantly seem even more beautiful and inviting. Her nature photography is absolutely stunning, especially her sunrise and sunset collection. featherflare.com/ sunrises-sunsets Mark Uhr doesn’t have much downtime, but he has enjoyed serving on
several boards in the community including the Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, sitting as a Wells Fargo Bank Community Board Member, and serving on the board of the Texas Maritime Museum, of which his father was a founding member. In addition, Mark also volunteered his time to be the head of the building committee to design and supervise the construction of both the
Aransas County Humane Society facility and the Curatorial Vault for the Texas Maritime Museum. “I have watched Rockport grow,” said Mark Uhr. One might also say that Mark has helped it grow. Mark loves the way the Rockport community senses their connection to one another. “The billionaire and the boat mechanic are on the same playing field here,” he added.
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Corpus Christi Real Producers • 23
BATTLIN’BBQ 24 • September 2021
LOCAL CHARITY HELPING LOCAL FAMILIES By Amanda Carmichael
almost immediately. While insurance often covers a least a portion of medical expenses, it is the other, day-to-day family needs that are often left unaddressed. Through their annual fundraisers, they are able to provide relief for these families. It all started when a high school friend, Shane Martin, received a devastating diagnosis for his son Aiden Martin. He reached out to a friend, Brian Yoder, to assist with a small fundraiser selling bbq plates for the family. Brian then reached out to other mutual previous Ingleside High School friends to help and that was the start
S
eptember is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the children and families affected by childhood cancers and to emphasize the importance of supporting families during these devastating conditions. Battlin’ BBQ was created to help provide financial support for families devastated by childhood cancer. Treatment outcomes for children with cancer have made tremendous improvements over the past 50 years, but the reality is one in five children with cancer will still die of their disease within five years. Cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children. That’s why gold is the official color for childhood cancer awareness – it symbolizes how precious children are and recognizes their courageous strength. Battlin’ BBQ is a nationally recognized 501(c)(3) non-profit organization providing relief for local families whose children suffer from cancer. There are aspects of life that we’ll never fully understand, and children getting cancer is highest among them. Cancer is a debilitating and devastating disease even for adults but when it attacks children, the impact is shattering. A cancer diagnosis can financially devastate a family @realproducers
How can you support their mission?
• Register to compete in their annual IBCA BBQ Competitions
• Purchase raffle tickets • Become a Sponsor for an event • Register for corn hole or horseshoe tournaments
• Donate money, items to gift or raffle
• Attend an event • Get involved and volunteer • Share with friends and family!
of an entire community rallying together. Towards the end of their inaugural event that took place in June 2018, the group gathered stating, “Now what?” In that moment, they realized they could do more and continue to support and enrich the lives of local families fighting childhood cancer. Every year their events
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are complete with a BBQ cookoff, horseshoe tournament, live music, raffles, food, and vendors. Due to their passion for truly helping families, 100% of proceeds are given to the families battling childhood cancer.
If you know a family in need, please send a message through their website at BattlinBBQ.org
Battlin’ BBQ has strengthened and inspired a community to be a light in the darkness.
Corpus Christi Real Producers • 25
EQUITABLE ADVISORS
Ryan
Photography by Brianna Cortez Photography Written by Roland Rodriguez
Reyna
26 • September 2021
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Ryan didn’t grow up having a knack for managing money. He grew up in a lower-middle-class family, and the only financial advice he remembers receiving included, ‘If you want to spend your money, you need to save to get it. You have to earn it.’ “The work ethic was always there,” smiled Ryan, “but the actual strategic planning was not, and that carried on with me to my early adult life.” Through college, Reyna worked at a series of jobs that brought him income. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Petroleum Engineering from Texas A&M University but was unable to find a job that utilized his new skills when the market crashed in 2016. Ryan found himself working in real estate and property management.
Ryan started doing some research on financial principles and came across author, speaker, and radio talk show host Dave Ramsey. Reyna listened to Ramsey’s podcasts and talk shows for hours. What Ryan learned about giving, saving, and spending revolutionized Reyna’s mindset and how he managed his money. Ryan wanted to share what he had learned with others so they could experience financial freedom and healthier relationships.
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yan Reyna, an associate wealth advisor at Equitable Advisors, understands there’s more to financial planning than helping clients decide how to invest for their present and future benefit. Decisions about investing aren’t just about what a person will do with their money. It’s about what that money can do for each person, their family, and their community.
Reyna had a burning desire to teach a nine-week Financial Peace University course at his church, but the schedule was already full for the room he would need to use, and there was no other space available. He didn’t set aside his passion because of this closed door.
He enjoyed helping people in this way for several years, but he wasn’t managing his money wisely. Family members were also having financial struggles, and it was negatively impacting their marriage. Ryan realized that if he didn’t manage his money more wisely now, he could be grappling with the same thing in his future.
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Reyna said that by the grace of God, there was a nine-week opening for the room he needed. He gave a short, informational speech to about 1,100 people, sharing what the course would be about. He hoped to get at least five families to sign up. The day of his first Saturday course, twenty-seven families had signed up! Nine weeks later, those twenty-seven families paid off $293,000 in non-mortgage debt! Ryan said the average family pays off about $8,000 of debt when they work the principles that they learn in the Financial Peace University program. The families who attended Ryan’s sessions paid off an average of almost $11,000. “I didn’t have any intention to be a financial advisor,” recalled Ryan with a smile. “I just wanted to help others with what I had learned.” Reyna was thrilled for the families! He was also surprised that he, a 23-year-old, was helping 40- and 50-year-old couples with their finances. “I realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” said Reyna. “I wanted to help as many people as I could.” He knew that he would have to be licensed to be able to give financial advice, so he earned his financial advisor and registered representative designation. Ryan prepared for a change in careers that allowed him to utilize his education, quantitative training, and interpersonal strengths in the field of finance. As a financial planner, Reyna also holds multiple security and insurance licenses as well.
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I realized that this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I wanted to help as many people as I could. Ryan Reyna believes there are two main purposes in life. First, find what your talent is. Second, give it away. “If you have the ability to provide value in somebody else’s life, and you feel those are the gifts and the interests that you have been given, I think it is very important to pass them on to somebody else,” he said passionately.
situation in life. Potential clients may have some fears about the cost or motivation of a financial advisor. Some may have had a negative experience in the past. Others may think it’s taboo to discuss money. Perhaps they don’t have financial conversations among their friends, and can’t imagine being open with a complete stranger.
“My mission is to be able to give people confidence in their financial plans,” shared Reyna. He knows how easy it is to get into a routine, lose track of time, and never put an emphasis on making a financial plan. He said that people, even doers and go-getters, like to delegate the stress of financial planning.
Reyna has refined the skill of putting others at ease, and establishing trust is of utmost importance to him. He strives to build trust with his clients simply by being trustworthy. That involves being honest and showing compassion. He will offer the best navigation he is capable of providing, based on the information and data the client has shared with him.
With a skilled advisor, such as Ryan, managing financial plans on behalf of people, they have financial freedom, more options, and great peace. “We take the stress out of their hands when they let us handle their financial planning,” said Reyna. “Then they are free to spend their time and energy doing what they want, when they want to, and with whom they want to. I think that is when they have won in life.” The 27-year-old Portland, TX native is living out his passion, helping people “make sense” of global markets and their own personal financial planning. Ryan says the clients he serves have learned from him, but he has learned volumes from them as well. He has yet to meet a client, regardless of their net worth, who is completely comfortable with their realproducersmag.com
What Ryan Reyna does is called “financial planning,” but in reality, he deals with so much more than finances. Ryan helps clients deal with life transitions and quality-of-life issues, regardless of what stage of life they are currently in. Good, trusted advisors, like Ryan, have a passion for helping people, and for giving them the confidence to act on a plan Why should people hire an advisor? For many of the same reasons they should hire a REALTOR®. In Real Producer terms, REALTORS® are qualified to help because they have the knowledge and training, they see the contracts every day, they know what is going on in the market, and they can market and negotiate better than anyone else. Financial advisors keep up with the
market, construct portfolios, and do holistic planning. Sellers who use a REALTOR®, and clients who use a financial advisor, leave the table with less stress and more money than those who try to do it on their own. Equitable Advisors focuses on two levels: the institutional side and the personal side. The institutional, or business side, includes helping facilitate employer-sponsored plans and helping business owners find ways to access their finances. The business side also relates to those who want to divest a portion of their business, strategically. Financial counsel for the personal side of things includes, but is not limited to asset management. Ryan can help make your money grow, but he can do much more than that. Ryan can facilitate advanced planning, which involves working with a team of financial experts such as CPAs and lawyers, to make sure that each client’s longterm plans are executed to their greatest advantage. Reyna is also skilled at insurance planning. “We can write down the greatest plan on paper, but, of course, life never happens perfectly,” said Reyna. “There are always things that arise, so we make sure we plan for any type of scenario.” REALTORS®, like other entrepreneurs and 1099 contractors he serves, can find it difficult to navigate the investment side of things Corpus Christi Real Producers • 29
I am here to help REALTORS® and others learn how to accumulate assets and be able to access them when they need them. That is why I love to work with REALTORS®. and maintain a basic feel for personal cash flow. Real estate can be feast or famine. This is one of the reasons Equitable Advisors teamed up with Corpus Christi Real Producers to help give REALTORS® power over their finances and their future. There are times REALTORS® hold on tight to the finances they have, and then when they have that huge influx of cash into their account, they want to spend loosely. Without financial guidance, it can become an ebb and flow of being very tight with finances and then overspending. Some REALTORS® may think it is most wise, and most safe, to have an investment portfolio consisting only of real estate. Real estate is a very
liquid asset and can cause a problem for some investors. The money made in real estate is actually not the ‘passive income’ made between what the tenant is paying in rent minus the mortgage. The true value of real estate is made on the appreciation of the home, and the deal the investor received on the initial end of that sale. Ryan and Equitable Advisors know how to diversify a REALTOR’S® portfolio. Ryan can also help REALTORS® access funds if they want to invest in real estate. Equitable Advisors is not trying to compete with their real estate clients. They are encouraging clients to invest through a financial advisor
and invest in real estate. “I am here,” said Ryan Reyna, “to help REALTORS® and others learn how to accumulate assets and be able to access them when they need them. That is why I love to work with REALTORS®.” Too many people make financial, and life, decisions with tunnel vision. They never look at it from a 20,000-foot view. Ryan Reyna and Equitable Advisors will show people how to plan for not just the next five to ten years, but how to plan for their whole life. “Ready or not, your future is coming,” said Ryan. Be ready!
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STONE
rising star Photography by Brianna Cortez Photography Written by Dr. Kasia Suarez
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AMI STONE grew up as a minority in a small town in Oklahoma. Being raised in a multi-generational family exposed her to lessons she is grateful for, especially how to be a truly helpful person. She has experience working in the fields of home improvement, early childhood development, and home administration. The skill sets that she acquired through the years allow her to be an even more helpful REALTOR®. “I always try to be helpful no matter what I do. A lot of it stems from my upbringing,” said Nami. Although she didn’t realize it at the time, her early career path also prepared her to be an effective REALTOR®. She took many skills from various fields and was able to translate into real estate. Her experience as a childcare facilitator and nanny has helped Nami become an even more caring, informative, compassionate communicator. Working at Home Depot also helped prepare her in very practical ways. “I was able to get to know a lot of the contractors,” reflected Stone. “This helped me learn all the materials they needed, and the jobs they perform on their home sites.” Nami Stone began her career in real estate in 2018. She had to learn how to become a successful REALTOR® as a quiet introvert. Being a great listener became a wonderful advantage for her. Nami has been able to listen to her clients share their needs, without being pushy. She shared, “I try to educate my clients so they are comfortable with buying or selling, and do not feel pressured.” Nami has a special gentleness with first-time home buyers. She knows how important it is to make the biggest financial decision of their lives. Stone makes herself available to her clients and wants them to feel reassured and confident. Real estate is not a one-size-fits-all model. Every sale and every client are different. Stone believes no matter how long a person has been in real estate, there is always something new to learn. Nami said, “There is no cookie-cutter transaction, and you need to be aware of each individual person you are helping.” Stone stays on top of her game and learns everything she can so that she can provide the best service to her clients. “Never be afraid to ask for help,” advises Nami. She encourages agents not to be afraid to ask for insights from others and to learn from their experiences. Stone is grateful to be a part of Keller Williams, and
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says, “there are people around that will guide you if you have questions, or if you are going through a complex situation. Others have already successfully navigated similar situations themselves, so no agent has to go through it alone.” Even though Stone works hard and gives 100 percent when she is working, she implements a work-life balance. She knows how to take a break when it’s time for her children. Scheduling is critical for Stone. “I try to have all my ducks in a row before I ‘switch off’ of work so that my time with my family is quality time,” she said. Nami Stone is a servant-leader at heart. It brings her joy to help the community, and to give back. She is involved with many nonprofits in the Coastal Bend. Stone dedicates time and support to everything from the homeless community, women and children’s causes, LGBTQIA+ issues, and environmental endeavors, just to name a few.
If we WORK TOGETHER to improve the lives of our NEIGHBORS and the ENVIRONMENT, we all benefit and become a STRONGER COMMUNITY.
Stone shared, “We have so many great nonprofits! Whether it is helping the homeless, serving at the food bank, or cleaning up the parks and beaches, we can help the wellbeing of our community. I appreciate the work done by all of these organizations and enjoy volunteering. If we work together to improve the lives of our neighbors and the environment, we all benefit and become a stronger community.” Nami learned many humanitarian skills from her grandmother and her family. Her grandmother was a child of the Depression and was raised by an entrepreneurial single mother, which was highly unusual for the time. Stone’s grandparents saw many social changes during their lifetime and taught her to be aware and inclusive. “Not everyone has the same circumstances,” said Nami. “I always try to treat people equally, no matter who they are and where they came from.” She has a unique ability to relate to others with empathy and encouragement. Nami Stone genuinely loves helping people, especially as a REALTOR®. It is important to Nami to ensure that her clients understand the process, and are as stress-free as possible. She goes above and beyond what is expected to tackle the difficult things so that her clients can stay at peace. “For me, it’s more about the relationship with my clients. I want
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to know that they are happy, and I want them to know that I am working hard for them,” said Stone. For Nami Stone, it is critical to create a long-lasting relationship with clients. She prioritizes having intentional, quality interactions with her clients. This is of more value to her than the volume of clients she takes on. Nami wants to help make the world a better place and to encourage others to make that a reality. We can all be positive and kind people. Like Nami Stone, we can live life being helpful and improving things around us.
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