We had the good fortune of connecting with Waldina Galeano and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Waldina, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My Real Estate Journey: A Mission to Educate and Empower
My real estate career began in 2006, right after high school. The seeds were planted years earlier when I witnessed my parents struggle through the process of buying their first home. The agent they worked with didn’t educate them, leaving them to simply sign paperwork without understanding the gravity of what they were doing. It felt like they were taken advantage of, and that experience left a lasting mark on me.
I knew then that I wanted to do things differently. I didn’t see real estate just as a way to make money; for me, it became a mission. My goal was to help others achieve the American Dream of homeownership, while also educating them about the process. I wanted to empower people to build wealth through real estate and show them that with the right guidance, they could even buy homes with as little as zero money down.
Throughout my career, I faced my own challenges—one of the most significant being a lack of support and guidance from the brokers I worked under. This fueled my decision to become a broker myself. I knew I wanted to create an environment where agents could grow and develop into top-tier real estate advisors. My goal is to help them become the best versions of themselves, so they can, in turn, help as many families as possible become homeowners.
For me, real estate isn’t just a business; it’s about education, empowerment, and helping families achieve stability and success. It’s about doing what I wish had been done for my parents.
my journey wasn’t easy. The biggest struggle I faced was being so hungry for success but not knowing what to do. I was lost. I burned through my savings, trying everything I could think of, but still wasn’t making any money. It was a tough time.
Giving up, though, was never an option for me. Instead, I decided to invest in myself. I turned to self-training, online courses, and what I jokingly call “YouTube Free University.” I devoured every piece of information I could find to learn the ins and outs of the business. Slowly but surely, I built the skills, mindset, and habits necessary to succeed.
Today, I’m not just a real estate agent; I’m a broker building a real estate brokerage brand in Houston, Texas, #69 latino Nationwide with the goal of creating the best agents in the city. I’m guiding agents, some with over 20 years of experience, to reach their full potential and become top-tier real estate advisors. My passion for helping others is unmatchable, and it drives everything I do. I’ve been where they are, and I understand the challenges they face—so I’m committed to giving them the tools, support, and mentorship to excel.
For me, real estate is about more than transactions—it’s about transformation. I want to empower both my clients and my agents, helping them grow, succeed, and thrive. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it every step of the way.
Yes; One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of mentorship. The best thing you can do in life is find a mentor—someone who has truly achieved the goals you have for yourself. But before you commit to a mentor, study them. Follow them on social media, research their track record, and make sure their values and success align with yours. And most importantly, make sure you are coachable. Mentorship is powerful, but only if you’re open to learning and growing.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My Real Estate Journey: A Mission to Educate and Empower
My real estate career began in 2006, right after high school. The seeds were planted years earlier when I witnessed my parents struggle through the process of buying their first home. The agent they worked with didn’t educate them, leaving them to simply sign paperwork without understanding the gravity of what they were doing. It felt like they were taken advantage of, and that experience left a lasting mark on me.
I knew then that I wanted to do things differently. I didn’t see real estate just as a way to make money; for me, it became a mission. My goal was to help others achieve the American Dream of homeownership, while also educating them about the process. I wanted to empower people to build wealth through real estate and show them that with the right guidance, they could even buy homes with as little as zero money down.
Throughout my career, I faced my own challenges—one of the most significant being a lack of support and guidance from the brokers I worked under. This fueled my decision to become a broker myself. I knew I wanted to create an environment where agents could grow and develop into top-tier real estate advisors. My goal is to help them become the best versions of themselves, so they can, in turn, help as many families as possible become homeowners.
For me, real estate isn’t just a business; it’s about education, empowerment, and helping families achieve stability and success. It’s about doing what I wish had been done for my parents.
my journey wasn’t easy. The biggest struggle I faced was being so hungry for success but not knowing what to do. I was lost. I burned through my savings, trying everything I could think of, but still wasn’t making any money. It was a tough time.
Giving up, though, was never an option for me. Instead, I decided to invest in myself. I turned to self-training, online courses, and what I jokingly call “YouTube Free University.” I devoured every piece of information I could find to learn the ins and outs of the business. Slowly but surely, I built the skills, mindset, and habits necessary to succeed.
Today, I’m not just a real estate agent; I’m a broker building a real estate brokerage brand in Houston, Texas, #69 Latino Nationwide with the goal of creating the best agents in the city. I’m guiding agents, some with over 20 years of experience, to reach their full potential and become top-tier real estate advisors. My passion for helping others is unmatchable, and it drives everything I do. I’ve been where they are, and I understand the challenges they face—so I’m committed to giving them the tools, support, and mentorship to excel.
For me, real estate is about more than transactions—it’s about transformation. I want to empower both my clients and my agents, helping them grow, succeed, and thrive. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it every step of the way.
Yes; One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the value of mentorship. The best thing you can do in life is find a mentor—someone who has truly achieved the goals you have for yourself. But before you commit to a mentor, study them. Follow them on social media, research their track record, and make sure their values and success align with yours. And most importantly, make sure you are coachable. Mentorship is powerful, but only if you’re open to learning and growing.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’ll start at my absolute favorite spot in the city – The Houstonian.
First, we’ll get pampered with a rejuvenating facial and relaxing massage at their luxurious spa. After that, we can unwind in the jacuzzi with some champagne in hand—perfect for fully relaxing. And to top it all off, we’ll enjoy a lovely lunch with more champagne, either by the pool at the restaurant enjoying nature.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Yes, Mike Ferry mentorship.
Website: https://iamwaldina.com
Instagram: iamwaldina
Linkedin: waldinagaleano
Twitter: waldinagaleano
Facebook: waldinagaleano
Yelp: Waldina Galeano The Agency Houston