Riezl Baker, co-founder and principal owner of Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group, spoke early this month in Las Vegas at the 14th National Empowerment Conference of the National Federation of Filipino American Association, the largest non-partisan, non-profit organization of Filipino American institutions, businesses and individuals. The conference theme was “Navigating the Present, Shaping the Future.”
Baker was invited to speak about successful entrepreneurship in America and making a difference as an immigrant. She shared a positive turning-point story that helped lead to where she is today as a top real estate professional in the Lake Oconee region.
“I was a night manager for a hotel company for two years working from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m. most days, making $11 an hour (and) I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” she said. “Because it taught me the essential trait necessary to run a business, and that is hard work.”
She also joined a panel of distinguished business owners and executives for a general session on how to build a successful business and navigate through downturns and challenges.
“To be a successful entrepreneur, you must have the ability to adapt to change and adjust to different conditions brought about by the economy or the market. You have to be agile,” Baker stated, recalling the 2020 launch of Luxury Lake Oconee Real Estate Group alongside her husband Ted, in the midst of the COVID pandemic.
The company has enjoyed record sales volume the past three years, and Baker was recognized as Top Luxury Real Estate Industry Leader in 2021, during an event in Atlanta. She and her husband also were recognized for Best Community Impact, regarding their contributions to the Lake Oconee community.
They moved to Lake Country in 1997 and share a combined experience of more than 40 years in real estate. They also have been involved in several organizations that positively impact the community.
When asked about her role model, Baker spoke of her grandfather “Lolo,” the late Ramon Bagatsing, the longest-serving mayor of Manila, Philippines. A World War II veteran with the U.S. Armed Forces of the Far East and a survivor of the Bataan Death March, he was awarded the American Defense Ribbon and posthumously honored with a Congressional Gold Medal.
“Lolo lived his life serving others. He was an amputee and I would watch him swim with one leg while we talked about life lessons and how he overcame adversities,” she recalled.
“I learned about empathy and compassion at a very young age. My family always believed that you should share your talents to enrich the quality of lives of others wherever you live and work.”
During her speech, Baker talked about the journey that many immigrants go through to get to this country, which strengthens their resilience and patience and helps prepare them for the challenges of starting a business.
“Entrepreneurship is one of America’s most-celebrated emblems,” Baker said. “I am proud of my Filipino heritage. I am also proud to be a citizen of this great country and call America my home, where you have the opportunity to pursue your passions, start something out of nothing, and thrive in the midst of uncertainties.”
- Contributed