5 minute read
THE WOLF OF REAL ESTATE
Juan Rubio refers to himself as the Wolf of Real Estate. “Every day I’m hunting for deals. If you’re part of my pack, I’m taking care of you no matter what,” he says with enthusiasm. The real estate agent has gained a reputation of being relentless in negotiating, double or triple closing deals on house flips, and managing high-volume investor hedge funds.
“Half of my business is geared towards the investor side. For big corporations and LLCs, it took me years and years to build that trust,” Rubio mentions. Rubio has a self-imposed responsibility to the big-name companies that look to him for their commercial real estate needs. “The fact that they trust somebody my age, 27 years old, is really important to me,” he says. Currently working on his biggest potential closing ever, Rubio is focused on a 70 million dollar commercial deal that he anticipates closing this year.
With so many moving parts and people involved, real estate transactions may seem easy from the outside looking in, but they are far more complicated than some might assume. “Most people don’t see the work that’s been going on for years and years,” Rubio explains. Building a network of trustworthy professionals and a healthy clientele list is critical to Rubio’s success. He also stresses how his “passion and work ethic,” got him to where he is today.
Rubio attributes his ample connections within the home and commercial property industries to his avid networking techniques. At the beginning of his real estate career, he had just moved to Vegas and did not know many people. He shares, “I did open houses to get me started….I’d put up signs in my suit and wait in vacant homes until buyers came in, sometimes 10 days in a row, until I closed the deals. Those same clients I’ve used over the years to exponentially increase my business now.”
Rubio explains, “I have great connections with builders. I get first picks on [several] lots before they are even released… I have certain contacts within the industry that gives my clients an advantage.” With exclusive inside opportunities like the first lot picks and such dedication to his real estate lifestyle, Rubio confesses, “A lot of times I work 16 hour days week after week and I love it! Honestly, it doesn’t feel like work to me anymore.” When asked what he found most important in business, he responded,
“To use my skill set to make other people money. I know if I make my client’s money everything else will fall into place. I go to every extent to get a deal done and make sure my client is in the best position possible.”
— By Danica Serena Stockton
HOLLYWOOD WANTS MORE NiKi Koss
Niki Koss has never been one to sit back and wait for opportunities. The 27-year-old actress and filmmaker, perhaps best known for her role as Alexis Glenn in the drama series Famous In Love, has quickly become a force in the directing world.
An Angeleno by birth, Niki grew up in an artistic environment. Her fascination with film began at an early age.
This self-assuredness would eventually lead her to sign with a youth talent agency, an experience that would introduce her to the world of entertainment. It would also show her the immense amount of time and dedication such a commitment required. “Rather than pursue the childactor life, I just wanted to focus on being a kid.” It wasn’t until age sixteen that she would join Ford Models and begin attending theater classes.
After cutting her teeth with several supporting roles, Niki decided to delve into directing. “Within a year or two of acting, I quickly realized that other than waiting around for auditions, there’s not much you can do to progress your career.” She would go on to co-create and direct a web series called Royals with her writing partner at the time and fall in love with the filmmaking process. “Ever since that, I’ve been obsessed with wearing as many filmmaking-related hats as I can fit on my head.” Niki would land her first major role in 2015’s Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse, a comedy/horror directed by Christopher Landon. Her time on set would prove to be inspirational, exposing her to the ins and outs of large-scale studio productions. “I had only ever really worked on indie films at the time, so it was quite different. I remember being really intimidated by how expensive of a production it was. I’m actually glad I had a few years to get my feet wet in the indie film world before diving right into studio projects.”
Speaking of studio projects, Niki’s feature directorial debut, entitled Night Night, is set to be released later this year. Starring Brenna D’Amico (Disney’s Descendants), she describes the film as “a femaledriven psychological thriller that explores the concept of gaslighting and psychological entrapment in a really unique way.” Night Night is one of several projects to be released in the near future by K-Factor Films, Niki’s multi-platform production company, which she founded in 2020.
When asked about her induction into Forbes’ prestigious “30 Under 30” Class of 2021, Niki stifles a laugh. “I’m still shook. It didn’t really sink in until I talked to my mom about it. I definitely had a good cry.” Her long list of accolades also includes: winner of the Female Filmmaker of the Year at the 2019 Burbank International Film Festival, member of the Women In Film Producing Mentorship Program, and alumni of the Sundance Directing Fellowship.
Lately, Niki has been enjoying some family time with her mother in Philadelphia. When she’s not reading, writing, or binge-watching one of her favorite series, she can be found on the tennis court, or on the street taking mom’s chihuahua for a walk.
With the future of Hollywood production looking bright, Niki Koss is ready to resume her role as one of film’s most influential female figures. Her fresh approach to cinema is sure to capture the hearts and minds of moviegoers for generations to come. So, when you get the chance to tune in to one of her projects, be like Niki, and seize the opportunity.
