Today we’d like to introduce you to Ana Ruelas.
Hi Ana, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am the Founder and Managing Partner of The Agency Austin. The Agency is a world-class brand synonymous with luxury and fine living and the most followed Real Estate brand around the globe.
Real Estate is a passion of mine. For a long time, I’ve enjoyed seeing and exploring the architectural and design elements of buildings and unique homes. In fact, my husband and I have held commercial and residential real estate investments for over a decade. These account for a significant percentage of our investment portfolio.
I decided to bring The Agency to Austin for two reasons: First, because there’s an enormous opportunity for a brand like this in a market that is rapidly growing, mainly with a professional and entrepreneurial class of discerning housing consumers. And second, because for some time I’ve had an interest in leveraging my business experience into building a new and exciting enterprise that adds to the quality of people’s lives.
My corporate experience includes working for renowned global companies such as PepsiCo, Lenovo, Towers-Perrin, and Ace Limited, where I served in complex, detail-oriented roles, including business operations, logistics and human resources. I also spent several years in senior roles at smaller start-up companies in areas such as financial services and technology.
At The Agency Austin, our business is a team sport. I’m fortunate that our founding group is made up of collaborative, experienced professionals with the work ethic and the desire to make our company great success in Austin.
I am a believer in being involved in my community, supporting causes that benefit women, children, education, and the arts. I’ve served multiple non-profit organizations in leadership positions, and my volunteer and philanthropic interests include support for literacy initiatives, female empowerment, education, medicine, and the arts.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I came to the U.S. (Florida) from Puerto Rico with my mom and two brothers at 10 years of age. Because of our economic condition, life was hard but inspired by my mom’s relentless desire to give us a better life, I managed to attend college and graduate from Florida Atlantic University.
There were many challenges and struggles along the way, but in terms of my professional development, getting my business degree was a key life-changing challenge I had to conquer since it required me to work full time and study at the same time. Working during college was also my first break since I was able to land a job at PepsiCo International, where I began working in their mailroom. Upon graduation, my career at PepsiCo accelerated and I met the man who would become my first mentor and who in a full circle kind of way, many years later, as global head of HR at Lenovo, would recruit me to join him as his Chief of Staff.
Being a woman in corporate America is a challenge in and of itself. While access to opportunities is better today, I worked during times when it was a daily struggle. Succeeding in a male-dominated environment required double the effort expected of male counterparts, well-planned strategic moves, the support of peers and mentors who appreciated the value we brought to the table, and a solid dose of luck. The old adage “the harder I work, the luckier I get” doesn’t always pay off for women as advertised. I met many deserving women who didn’t get the recognition they deserved in the form of career advancement and opportunities.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about The Agency Austin?
The Agency is a fast-growing, world-class brand synonymous with luxury and fine living and the most followed Real Estate brokerage brand around the globe. I launched the business in June of 2022.
My decision to bring the brand to Austin was inspired by the evolution I’ve seen in our city and the surrounding areas. The growth and dynamic changes we have been experiencing call for a brand that can help existing and new residents of central Texas to sell and/or find the right home through an unmatched client experience. I believe that in our area there are real estate professionals who align well with the values of our brand and whose restlessness to improve their offering makes them ideal agents to join our team.
I feel that what sets me apart is my corporate and start-up company background, which informs my ability to bring in a new perspective to the field of residential real estate. The established norms under which the industry has been operating for decades are ripe for disruption and a fresh approach. I intend to leverage my brand to help lead this change.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Whether you are in the midst of the career development process; interested in entering a particular field; climbing the corporate ladder or pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors, consistently working to develop a strong network and nurturing it is key.
Understanding the role we want a mentor to play in our lives can help us zero in on those individuals best positioned to help guide us and share the benefit of their experiences in the areas of most interest to us.
Finding a mentor can often be a natural occurrence within a work environment. Being open to the opportunity is the most important thing. People whose work we admire and respect, and who show a willingness to help or teach us, will embrace the role of mentor—if we ask. So, we need to be aware and ready to act.
As someone who has developed and maintained close relationships with many people I’ve worked with over the years, I am living proof of the value of mentorship. Much of the success I’ve been able to achieve has been in large part thanks to the support and guidance of key people in my life. Staying closely connected to the right people has yielded benefits for my career that will continue to pay off for a long time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.TheAgencyRE.com
- Instagram: @TheAgency.Austin
