It has been a while since we connected, or we may have recently just met, so I wanted to take this opportunity to follow up with you to share a little bit more about myself. Things are going very well for me right now, so I have been looking back at my life and considering what has led me to this point, wondering why I am who I am, personally and professionally.

I have accomplished a lot in life, but I have also have had my challenges. Most people view obstacles as something immoveable, but I carried mine 1,024 miles before I was able to conquer it. I was born in Loma Linda, California and, in fact, my parents still live in the very same house that I was raised in. Growing up school was difficult for me, especially the subject of math. As an elementary student I was even tested for learning difficulties, but none were discovered. Unfortunately, school remained hard to manage and math classes continued to be extremely arduous.

Despite my difficulties with school, my aptitude for business was first recognized at a young age. I was intent on owning an automobile when I turned sixteen, however, no one would hire me because I was too young. I really wanted a red 1966 Mustang and needed to find a source of income. In an enterprising fashion I created a curb painting business and charged seven dollars to paint one address. I went door to door throughout my hometown painting addresses on curbs and I earned seventy-five percent of the purchase price of the car. On Valentine’s day in 1997, I took ownership of a 1995 teal green Ford Escort.

During my senior year my friends and I took visits to several colleges and among them was Walla Walla University in College Place, Washington. It was a Seventh Day Adventist school that held significance for me. The fact that it was not located in California was an added benefit. As a “kid” from California I wanted to experience a different environment. Little did I know that during my time at Walla Walla University there would be a three-week period when I never viewed the sun.

Upon enrollment, I was required to take a math placement test. The results were both predictable and horrible. I failed the placement test. I don’t know which was more insulting, paying for credits that did not count towards my degree or being placed in a remedial math course. Eschewing the recommendations of the Math Department I enrolled in the regular Fundamentals of Math course.

Reflecting on this choice I realized that, the only viable solution to passing the math course was to put forth the effort … and gut it out.The task seemed daunting. Everywhere I looked I envisioned barriers to passing my math course, a course that was required to attain my Business degree. Images of the Great Wall of China entered my mind as I traversed the campus on my way to Peterson Memorial Library. Yes, seriously! A brick from the Great Wall of China, donated by John L. Christian who was a missionary to Burma, is located on the campus of Walla Walla University and was along my frequent route to the library. Many of my trips occurred in the cold freezing fog that created an ominous feeling. The nightly trips were especially disheartening.

Peterson Library is an old brick building consisting of several floors and each floor is filled with, what can best be described, as numerous nooks and crannies. Religiously every night and during lunch breaks I would make my way to the lower floor or basement to study for my math course. There was an eerie musty smell emanating from the cold bricks that filled these floors and the old windows provided a constant draft. My study furnishing were a scarified wooden table and a hard chair.

It was here in the basement where I toiled alone learning the principles of math, working twice as hard as my contemporaries. It was simply my perseverance and daily effort that drove me to succeed in math. It would have been an extra incentive, if I had known that my mother thought I should have enrolled in a trade school instead of attending college.

I, however, loved business and had been inspired by my father who was a trained electrician and eventually became the Director of Campus Engineering at Loma Linda University.

My dedication paid off and I earned an A in the math course. I continued my studious focus even though my short- term goal had been achieved. I earned another A in the more advanced math course and graduated magna cum laude from Walla Walla University.

Returning to California after graduation had always been my plan. I obtained my Property and Casualty license and then started working for the Auto Club, followed by a risk management company. In 2010, I started searching for a home to buy even though there was a possibility of a job transfer. It was a fun experience and I really enjoyed looking at houses, so I decided to become a Realtor rather than accept the job relocation.

Real estate was a difficult in the beginning, especially with no experience. For me to become successful I returned to the same game plan that had served me so well in overcoming my math deficiency. Instead of daily trips to, and long nights at the library, I reserved two hours per day to go out and prospect.

I went door to door and put in numerous hours a week and stuck to it. One of the early prospect clients took three years until he finally committed to buying a house.

Now when I think of Fundamentals of Math or especially that brick from the Great Wall of China, I no longer view things as barriers. I firmly believe that hard work pays off. In a way, that brick represents a cornerstone of my real estate company, one where effort and perseverance is an integral part of our business ethos.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about me. I would love nothing more than to lend my knowledge and experience toward helping you with your real estate endeavors, but we don’t expect your business simply because of our relationship—we only ask that you give us the opportunity to demonstrate our services and interview for the job.

Sincerely,

Brandon Rivinius
Broker - Owner