As a third-generation Mexican immigrant, I'm proud to have spent my whole life in Ventura. My grandparents grew up here, as did my parents. Community has always been an important part of who we are, and I learned a lot about that connection from my father, Refugio, Jr.

Following a career in the Air Force, my dad started working for the Ventura County Sheriff's Department. He called himself a "peace officer", and insisted on working to prevent crime, rather than punishing it. He always treated everyone with dignity, and the community was grateful for it. It's pretty amazing when you can arrest someone and they still say "Thank you!"

My father was always active in the community, and it was he who inspired me to do the same thing. Whether it's serving on the board for the Rebozo Festival or teaching religious education at Sacred Heart Church, volunteering for those around me has given me immense satisfaction and helped me grow as a person.

It was easy to see why my dad loved being so involved. It's not about what you're getting, it's about what you're giving. That flows over into every other part of your life, including your career—but it took me some time to find a profession that allowed me to really mesh with my community.

Years ago, I was employed at General Telephone as an operator. It was a decent job, but I wanted more; so I decided to look for the highest-paying position I could find within the company. I had to enroll in training for that field, but I figured I would go for it.

It was the equivalent of two years of college condensed into a single three-month course. We were in class all day and had to spend our evenings and weekends studying. It was a major challenge, since it didn't come naturally to me, but I was determined not to fail. I learned a lot in those three months, but the greatest lesson was the realization that if you are diligent and apply yourself, you can do anything!

My success there allowed me to obtain an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator License, which enabled me to work on fiber optics as well as microwave and telephone equipment across Southern California. But as time passed, the higher pay started to lose its luster, and I figured that wasn't truly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

What I was really looking for was a satisfying career where my success was directly related to my dedication, and where I could have a positive impact on the people with whom I worked. I had some sales experience in the past, and had already made several investments in property, so I looked to real estate as a possibility.

One thing I knew is that I could provide a higher level of service than many people were receiving. Back when I bought my first home, the Realtor only spoke to my husband. In fact, many professionals we worked with throughout the process did the same thing. They would call him first, and he would have to relay the information to me. I felt so ignored! I was bringing just as much to the table as he was, financially and otherwise, and I wasn't being recognized.

I believe that everyone deserved the chance to be involved and talk about the decision together, and for an agent to have automatically excluded me was shocking. I was drawn to real estate partly because I wanted to change that. I started part-time at first just to see if I would like it—and I loved it.

You really have to love it to be in the business for as long as I have. I'm a true die-hard. Finding success in real estate was just a product of being consistent. I was already used to getting up early, so I was the first one in the office every day. I performed my work quietly, learned to apply myself, and did the best job I could.

It's been over thirty years since I earned my license. I've worked with a lot of lovely people in that time, and even founded my own brokerage, Select Properties. Above all, I've found great fulfillment in helping people find their place in their community. Your home is where everything comes together, and buying or selling that home is a momentous event in people's lives.

Buying or selling real estate is often an enormously important transaction, and the representation you receive from your agent can have significant impact on your results.

It is important for you to choose the person who will do the best job for you, and who is the right fit for your particular needs. I've worked hard as a professional to be able to provide the highest level of service, so I might be a good choice for you. I want you to know that if you do not choose me, I will never be upset. But if you do, I promise to work diligently to exceed your expectations.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. When you or someone you know is in need of a real estate agent, I hope you give me the opportunity to demonstrate my services and interview for the job.