In making a difficult choice, a weight was lifted off my shoulders, allowing me the freedom to pursue my passion. From an early age, the values taught to me by my grandmother became my guiding light, illuminating the entrepreneurial path ahead of me.

 

Since I was 18, I have cared for my grandmother while balancing my personal pursuits. Work was close enough that I could check on her between shifts, but I always feared not being able to be there for her in an emergency. The longer this went on, the more anxiety I felt. My life centered around her and ensuring she was taken care of. After much discussion with family, it came to a point where we had to find a better option for her. This marked a turning point in my life.

 

My grandmother immigrated from communist Cuba where she faced restrictions, rationing and the challenge of making ends meet on a daily basis. Growing up, she told me many stories about the struggles she faced, but also her ingenuity in doing things like renting out her home during the day, sewing handmade items and bartering in the countryside. She taught me the value of perseverance, creativity and hard work. My mother, too, carried many of those same values and skills. They instilled in me a dedication to family, grit in the face of adversity and a world-class work ethic.

 

From a young age, I witnessed Miami transform from a sleepy beach town into a prominent metropolitan destination. Being a native of Miami, I was fascinated by all these changes and inspired to contribute to the continued development of my city. At 22, I took action on my inspiration and I got my real estate license while also working full-time in the hospitality industry to support myself. I juggled both jobs, working late nights at the restaurant and early mornings at the real estate office. The entrepreneurial spirit my grandmother instilled in me became the foundation for my early success in real estate.

 

However, when the market crashed in the late 2000s, my real estate career faced a setback. Because I was caring for my grandmother, I made the difficult choice to return to the hospitality industry, where I was able to provide financial stability for both myself and my grandmother. 

 

By 2010, I had re-established financial stability, and I was excited to return to my passion while allowing for better opportunities for my family. Meanwhile, my grandmother’s health declined significantly, and we realized she needed 24-hour care. 

 

This became a turning point in my life. I realized I could boldly pursue my dreams in real estate while also honoring my grandmother’s legacy. I wanted to make her proud and ensure that with this newfound time and freedom, I had done something impactful.

 

 More motivated than ever, I became a full-time real estate agent, and my career took off! Leveraging my experience and deep understanding of Miami's evolving market, I became known for my knowledge, work ethic and ability to navigate complex transactions. This period of focused effort and expansion not only solidified my reputation in the industry but also allowed me to create a stable career to provide for my future family.

 

In 2015, my daughter, Lorelei, was born. Wanting more support to ensure I could continue growing my business while also being involved in her life, I started The Manes Group. It has become another passion of mine to mentor new agents, offering them the guidance and support I lacked when I started.

 

Throughout my real estate career, I have learned that change and setbacks are hard, but also an opportunity to grow into a better version of yourself. Through my work, I’ve honored my grandmother and mother by building a business founded on integrity, creativity and genuine care for my clients. Now, I strive to be a role model for my daughter, inspiring her to chase her dreams just as they inspired me.

 

Being a native of Miami, and having lived in Miami my entire life, I've experienced just about every corner of this vibrant city. Each experience has broadened my knowledge and made me a true expert in the Miami area. From waterfront properties and luxury listings to distressed sales and complex transactions, I have vast experience in handling all types of transactions. Having worked for nearly 20 years in the real estate industry, I have developed a strong network of resources and connections to ensure my clients' success with their real estate transactions. 

 

What truly sets me apart is my genuine care for my clients. It is my goal to make my clients feel important and heard. This is a significant decision, and you deserve someone in your corner who truly cares. I enjoy finding the perfect solution for each client’s unique needs. This level of service has resulted in a significant amount of my business coming from repeat and referral clients. It is my ultimate honor to not only be trusted through a transaction but to also be recommended to friends and family. This continued support and trust is what makes this profession so fulfilling!