Meet Selina Ponniah | Real Estate Broker, Mortgage Broker & Home Decor

Hi Selina, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
 I did not enter the workforce after graduating from the University of Memphis, TN with a M.B.A,  as we started our family. But my husband always said that a MBA is a stepping stone to starting your own business. The confidence that comes from having a solid education and developing good oral and written communication skills, cannot be overemphasized. That allowed me to be content with what I needed to do at any moment in time. People are always clamoring for one thing or another.It is a human tendency to be discontent (though it may be couched in different terms, and I am very guilty of that,) and  wanting the ” grass that appears greener on the other side”! My balance has changed over the years ; as I had to juggle being a mother, and meeting the demands of growing a retail furniture and home decor business. Over the years, I have started 3 businesses and now it is forming a synergy. Being a Real Estate broker, Mortgage Broker and an architectural/antiques dealer, in Houston ( 1995 – now) is now catering to a cohesive one stop shopping niche. I am glad to be part of it and enjoy it.

What should our readers know about your business?
First Business: Bungalow Antiques, the story of how we came to establish was featured in the Lifestyle section of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Oct 29, 2003. I am also a Texas Realtor, and a member of the Houston Association of Realtors, and the Dallas and Fort Worth Real Estate Association and a federally licensed Mortgage Broker.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Show them the sights of Houston.. NASA, and a visit to Antique Center of Texas, located at 9950 Hempstead Road, Houston, TX for a fun Texas size shopping experience.  This mall has collectibles and furniture, reminiscent of yesteryears. You will be glad you came!

Friday evening dinner at The Rainbow Lodge at 2011 Ella Blvd, at East TC Jester, Houston, TX 77008-2701. You can go here after a visit to our Bungalow Antiques storefront! A couple of decades ago, I visited this same location, for our wedding anniversary…it was an acclaimed French restaurant, Le Chez Francais, I think!.  On saturday, drive to Galveston beach and take the complimentary 20 minute ferry ride across the inlet, at about 4 pm to Crystal Beach for a luxurious dinner.  En route, you will enjoy the skyline view of Houston,  while watching the sea gulls and pelicans swoop and dive.

At Crystal Beach, enjoy the most scrumptious Blueberry Margarita and the Shrimp Tikka Masala with homemade grits! The appetizers with mango salso is a great way to wash down the margaritas. The place worthy of Michelin star status, is the well kept secret… Steve’s Landing. 1290 Bay Vue Rd, Crystal Beach, TX 77650. A ferry ride back in the evening will give one the nightlights and neon lit skyline of Houston!

On Sunday, a visit to St. Martins’ Episcopal Church at San Felipe for a church service and admire the beautiful rectory and wood carvings. Church tours of the old rectory and church and stain glass windows are scheduled and can be confirmed by a call to St. Martins.  A visit to the Aquarium, is a must, and a visit to the Houston Zoo would be a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4 KJV.  This was a prophetic verse that has guided me all through my career; who would have thought precious and pleasant riches are antiques! I am an antique dealer and our shop Bungalow Antiques has been in Houston for 24 years, and we are privileged to be a 1st DIBS dealer. All thanksgiving and glory be to our Lord GOD Jesus Christ.