We had the good fortune of connecting with Nate Balderas Sr. and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Nate, as a parent, what have you done for you children that you feel has had the most significant impact?
I decided early in my career as an entrepreneur that I refused to sacrifice my family for my career. Despite facing criticism and judgment for my choices, I started my own company and integrated my family into it. I spared no expense when it came to luxury SUVs and involved them in listings, showings, builds, and remodels. Each child began working weekends and holidays at age 12, transitioning to full-time roles after graduation. To this day, they continue to work alongside me, possessing a deep understanding of our industry. Our lifestyle may not be conventional, but each family member has developed essential strengths crucial to our business. With exceptional people skills and a strong work ethic, their future paths remain uncertain at ages 18, 20, and 22. However, the joy of working alongside them as business partners surpasses any dream I could have imagined.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am the CEO and Acting Broker for Lions Gate Realty and a few other private firms. I am most proud of what my nephew, Victor Cortez, brought to the company when he took all of my years of sales and business experience and literally wrote a book that is now part of our business’s Marketing and Sales Plan. He incorporated his millennial views and created a culture that new young realtors wanted to be a part of. I believe that self-sacrifice and putting others ahead of myself have led me to where I am today. I leaned on my partners and became a pillar for them to lean right back on. I had to overcome the challenges posed by haughty franchise brokerages and the pyramid I-brokers engaging in snake charming and poaching of my realtors. I have learned that I can’t protect realtors from these out of state brokers, some of my own friends and family members have fallen victims to fluff. I realized that while you can lead a horse to water, you can’t make it drink. We are a boutique brokerage solely focused on all aspects of local Texas and the Houston area real estate. We do not burden our agents with excessive fees; instead, we invest time, money, and effort into them. Our goal is for every realtor in the Houston area to be from the Houston area, with a broker also from the Houston area, ensuring that the reinvestment of our time, money, and effort will benefit the local communities & ourselves.
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?
When my clients, friends, and family visit town, I always treat them to an exciting day at The Woodlands Market Square for some shopping. Then, it’s off to indulge in delicious steaks at B&B Butcher, followed by drinks at Permission Whiskey. We cap off the evening with a visit to the sophisticated speakeasy, Bandoleer, at the Four Seasons. For those craving music and dancing, Heights Social is the perfect spot. And if they happen to be here on a Wednesday, I ensure they experience the thrill of being a live guest on the HBR Podcast in the vibrant theatre district. Our world headquarters is also in the same building where I’ll treat them to very rare aged imported tequilas.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize, thank, give all the credit and dedicate this interview to my wife, Brizzy. I heavily emphasize to my all my agents the importance of having a strong and supportive spouse to achieve success in any endeavor. Through all the challenges, setbacks, and victories, she never wavered in her belief that I would fulfill my promises and achieve our goals. Her unwavering support has been my rock and inspiration.
Website: https://www.BetterCallNate.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bettercallnate/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-balderas-459b61113/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natebalderasrealestate
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@lionsgaterealty
Image Credits
All my Image Credits go to my Beautiful Daughter Jewels Balderas and her team at Orchid Grove Media
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