Anyone who operates a commercial real estate business or owns a portfolio knows there are a lot of moving parts. You have to think strategically at every turn while unexpected hurdles get thrown on your path.

Here in the commercial real estate finance business the one thing you can do – a grounded, practical step for folks with one commercial property ranging to a portfolio of commercial real estate – is to evaluate your current loans for potential refinancing.

Gary Keller’s seminal work, The One Thing, is a groundswell of inspiration. The founder of Keller Williams shows us through stories of his own successes and failures how to break down the personal and professional into its essential parts. He asks us to start small, hone our focus, and watch life emerge as a magnificent symphony.

Expansion calls for more than intention – it requires a coordinated effort between the vision in the mind’s eye with strategic actions in the physical world. Just as a plant must grow in proportion with its pot, I expanded the business in lockstep with my vision.

Rubin’s The Creative Act is such a gift from a wildly talented music producer. His insight is honest and powerful: we can’t just do creative work, we have to be creative work. His words mirror the soul journey – a way of being that transcends our identities and daily actions. The book is a revelation for anyone feeling their insides yearning to be set free into the world.

I love tapping into my excitement for commercial real estate by evaluating a retail strip mall in my home city of Los Angeles. These collections of shops, boutiques and storefronts are the community watering holes that make neighborhoods thrive in big cities like LA. They bring neighborhood folks together for mingling and chatting, shopping and connecting.

“Life in Five Senses” is about feeling our way through life. So often we get caught up in our thoughts and thinking our way forward. But this book is a treasure trove of wisdom for rooting into our senses and letting them be our guide. When we do that, the book promises, we come alive and experiences come into sharp focus. 

The future is bright for Olga and Brand Capital, Inc.

“I look forward to helping as many people as possible. Whether it is an upcoming loan maturity, a potential refinance of a loan or you’re looking for an acquisition loan for a new property, I want to be that helpful advisor who offers financial solutions. Even with volatile rates and industry challenges, capital is still available and deals are still put into place. It just takes time invested to find the right source and loan terms.”

Anita Phillips’ The Garden Within is a travelogue through the soul. Her profound truth – that our emotions are guideposts to a fulfilling life – challenges us to cultivate and care for our inner being like we would plants and flowers in our home. When we tend to our internal world, we create an external experience that is peaceful and harmonious with the nature of things.

Backed by inspired and orchestrated action, I call on women investors to leverage their actions toward commercial real estate investment through concise daily efforts, consideration of your environment and a cultivated understanding of your mission.

If you want a vigorous injection of the truth, pick up a copy of David Goggins’ Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind & Defy the Odds, a manifesto of mind over matter. Goggins, a veteran of the Armed Forces, draws from his illustrious career in the combat zone to metaphorically deliver truth after truth about the nature of suffering and how facing it unlocks success for us in every aspect of life.

In my storied career, I’ve experienced first-hand how this business demands grit, tenacity, and grace in every stage of the process.

Elizabeth Gilbert, famed author of the most beloved Eat, Pray, Love, writes a book about the audacity to live a creative life. The title, Big Magic, is just that: a bold step to connect with your inner creativity alive in us all and share it with the world. No matter your background, Liz’s advice is simple yet profound – get started and let creativity flow from you.

Have you ever had a dream that won’t seem to go away? Years may pass and yet you come back to it in your mind through little reminders along your path. Your dream – whether to start a company, travel extensively or invest in commercial real estate – is the key to a creative life.

Why is self-agency the optimal word for commercial real estate finance in 2024? “Retail property owners holding loans that are set to mature in this higher interest rate environment are bracing for impact,” according to ICSC, an industry-leading publication.

Wherever You Go, There You Are is about meditation practice itself. It deconstructs the true nature of meditation and its powerful precepts for transforming your daily life. Read it once for the knowledge you will gain about meditation and a second time for the wisdom it portends for a happier, healthier lived experience.

My industry, commercial real estate finance, is grappling with 21-year high rates, rising costs and lending restrictions. How do we face these challenges in the midst of our new reality? Perhaps the key here, like the caterpillar, is acceptance. How often do we ignore and deny, obfuscate and distract from what is right in front of us? The solution all along is to accept and push forward, strengthen business relationships and collaborate on new deals.

Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha is about making peace with yourself. This powerful book asks us to use the teachings of Buddhism to pause, look within, and find the truth of our lives. When we do that, author Tara Brach promises, we reach our greatest potential — in the boardroom, at home and everywhere in between.

As I continue to grow my business, I’m astonished to see how my connections – colleagues, friends, co-workers, firms, lenders – are the lifeblood of commercial real estate finance. I’m reminded of a quote from Desmond Tutu, celebrated activist from South Africa and author of…

I picked this book up and couldn’t put it down. I was so moved by the stories of these two great men – who faced insurmountable odds in their lifetimes – and still found ways to reach for happiness. The Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu are spirit guides for having the courage to choose joy.