Trailblazing Spirits | Dr. Marina Rizzotto Yakovleva, Michelle Wilhelm, Carmen Chong - 053
How can you not love real estate when you’re surrounded by the beauty of Italy and Mexico? But leading and building a successful real estate career in another country is not always as easy or glamorous as it might look. That is exactly why I invited three incredible women to join me in this episode. They open up about the realities of working abroad, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
Meet the Leaders
Dr. Marina Rizzotto Yakovleva: Founder and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Palazzo Estate in Italy
Email: marina.rizzotto@bhhspalazzoestate.com
Michelle Wilhelm: Owner and COO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Baja Real Estate in Mexico
Email: michelle@bhhsbaja.com
Carmen Chong: CEO of the Global Real Estate Alliance at AREAA Global
Email: carmen@cclegacyfn.com
Personal Journeys Into Real Estate (00:02:25 to 00:11:13)
Dr. Yakovleva talks about falling in love with Italian culture and architecture and how that passion helped her build a luxury brand in Italy.
Michelle shares how she moved from Canada to Baja, Mexico, started a brokerage after COVID, and made transparency the heart of her business.
Carmen tells her powerful story of resilience, leaving Nicaragua, adapting to a new life, and eventually stepping into her role as the leader of AREAA Global.
Navigating Cross-Border Leadership (00:20:36 to 00:24:43)
Michelle highlights the importance of thinking globally and staying aware of emerging trends. Dr. Marina talks about leading with curiosity, respect, and genuine relationship-building when working across different cultures.
Courage, Pivots, and Professional Growth (00:25:35 to 00:37:38)
Dr. Marina and Michelle share the challenges of moving to new countries and launching fresh ventures.
Carmen opens up about stepping confidently into leadership, including her decision to establish AREAA Global as a separate business entity.
Setbacks, Resilience, and Secrets to Success (00:40:00 to 00:54:27)
The panel gets honest about the setbacks they faced along the way. They talk about how they pushed through difficult seasons and the habits that keep them grounded, like going for walks, enjoying simple coffee chats, counting their blessings, and staying close to family.
Inspirational Thoughts (00:55:00 – 00:58:30)
Dr. Marina Rizzotto Yakovleva
Books/Podcasts: How I Built This by Guy Raz – Marina calls this “absolutely classic” with fascinating conversations featuring founders behind brands like Airbnb, Spanx, and Patagonia.
Diary of a CEO – Another favorite podcast she enjoys listening to.
Uplifting Message: To women who dream big but feel intimidated, Marina says: “Don't wait until you feel ready, just start. Don’t be afraid to fail a little along your way because every mistake teaches you something new.”
Carmen Chong
Uplifting Quote: “Pay it forward. There must be something you know that can help someone else. Be bigger than yourself and share what you’ve learned.”
Michelle Wilhelm
Uplifting Quote: Michelle shares a fun and motivating reminder: “Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.”
When you help another woman rise, we all shine. And that’s how we make an impact. So, let’s build each other up and shine brighter than the sun. For more great content from Teresa, connect with her on LinkedIn, join her Women Who Lead Series on Facebook, and subscribe to her YouTube channel. You can find more episodes of Women Who Lead on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and anywhere else podcasts can be found.
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