Karla’s Story

That was Tijuana in the nineties. Back then, crossing was easy. You showed a card and walked. An afternoon in San Diego was a normal Saturday, not a trip.

I walked to school on hillsides where people had buried old tires in the dirt to make steps. The buses went by and kicked up dust that landed all over my school shoes, and I spent the whole walk trying to keep my uniform clean. Even as a kid I wanted things clean, in order, and structured. That is still how I handle every file that crosses my desk.

That was the moment. I left the PhD program and never looked back. And that is why I work with Travell and The Concierge Agency — I wanted to be somewhere that cares how it turns out for the person, not somewhere chasing a sale. That was more than ten years ago, and I am still here.

Once I understood what we were really doing, everything clicked. I was not pushing paper. I was standing next to people during one of the biggest moments of their lives.

There are two things I will not compromise. Honesty and accountability. Honesty and expectations are everything. If you are honest from day one and you make the expectations clear, then it is on you to deliver — and you can put all your energy into doing exactly that.

On the hard days, a message comes in from an agent or a client telling me the purchase finally came together and a dream became real. Knowing I had a hand in that makes all of it worth it.