Chris –
All right. Welcome to the Breakthrough podcast with Chris Medellin. And I am here with a very, very special guest now. Before I introduce our guest, for those of you that are listening, this is one of those guests that I break rules for because once we got out of the pandemic, I no longer wanted to do the Zoom-type podcast. But she is just so inspired by saying Solar Jet. I am so lucky to be here with the number one Latina on social media. She is the most followed realtor in Rhode Island. She is just crushing it as an influencer, as a content creator. She’s a realtor with the agency. She’s a team lead for the novelty team. I mean, I can go on and on.

Chris –
But what’s most remarkable about my next guest is that she is Latina. She has seen adversity and she is inspiring Latinas with her story. And I am just so proud to be here with Katherin Cabrera. Please welcome her. She is also known as Katherin Real Estate on Instagram. So please immediately follow her. Thank you, Katherine, for being here today.

Katherin –
Thank you. Chris, what an introduction. I’m, like, blushing over here.

Chris –
Oh, you are beautiful. You are so cool. And for those you don’t know. So I’ll tell you, guys, a story about how we met. So. And Katherin, I’m going to. I got to be completely honest, and we’re just going to chop it up, right? So we go. I let you know, I had to finagle the North Crab group to get me on a panel. And I want every time I get on a panel, I just meet some amazing people. And there was a national news conference in D.C. I finagled my way. And when I looked at the lineup, I saw you and I saw I immediately Instagrammed you and I was like, This chick’s like amazing.

Chris –
Like she has so many followers. And I was a little nervous to go on stage with you because I’m like, you know like she’s just crushing it in a way that I’m not. And, you know, so I didn’t know what to expect. Right? I didn’t you know, you’re very well-polished. You’re very well put together and I’m, like, immediately intimidated by you. And so we get on stage or we get to the room, and you are just as nice as can be. But then you started telling little bits about your story. And we met on the side later and I was like, I really want to get you on my podcast because there’s a story that needs to be told. There are Latinas all over the country that need to that are going through what you’ve been through and need that inspiration to know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and that’s you.

Chris –
And so I just want to thank you for being open to doing the podcast. You know, we’re on a Friday right before a three-day weekend, and it’s 5:00 where you’re at. So I appreciate you taking the time with us to do this. And it means a lot. And I can’t wait to jump into your story.

Katherin –
I know I appreciate you. Honestly, I’m super excited. I think that it was the same for me when I reached out for the conference. You know, go into a different state and meet new people. And let’s be honest, people in the industry are not always the nicest, okay?

Chris –
You know, Yeah.

Katherin –
It’s very cutthroat, to say the least. So, you know, I love that I was part of that specific, you know, conference with you guys, especially you, Chris. I think that we clicked right away. We really had like a moment afterward where we even, like, had like, our own inside joke.

Chris –
Yes.

Katherin –
Where are you on be? And I was like, I love that about that.

Chris –
That is so funny.

Katherin –
It’s one thing to be good at what you do, but I think it’s also very important to be somewhat humble. Yes. You know, I think we’re all trying to make it and we all have our own little things that we’re good at. Right. And I think that’s the one thing that I would say about me. It’s like what you see on social media is what you get. It’s I’m very personable, you know?

Chris –
Well, that’s what it that’s what I love about your content because in the real estate market and in the mortgage market, what I notice is that everybody’s doing the same type of content is very talking head. You know, I catch myself doing it as well. It’s very much, you know, a regurgitation of what somebody else has done. It may, you know, in some variation, but your content is not just entertaining.

Chris –
It’s funny you put your personality into it, but I’m going to jump into this in a second. But something I was so right before we were going to do this a couple of hours ago, and I think you and I got two lines crossed. And so I was sitting in here and I knew a little bit about your story.

Chris –
I knew like, maybe, you know, a tiny bit. So I was looking at your Instagram, seeing what I could learn about you. And I saw this video that had like 3 million hits and I clicked on it and I was floored. , it almost brought me to tears to watch this video because there is no one that I know within my circles that is putting out their life in the way that you are. And I feel like it’s just something that, you know, I hope we can get to today. But you are an inspiration to see how far you come. So a lot of people could judge you, but until you’ve walked in and those designer expensive heels that you are wearing today, there was a long road to get there and I’m proud of you. And so, you know, I built this podcast, Catherine, because I wanted to inspire people. And the reason it’s called Breakthrough is because right before a breakthrough happens, there is a moment and that moment is where you are fed up and something happens mentally where you decide enough is enough and you have to break out in a way. And in order to break out, there has to be a breakdown.

Chris –
And so I want to jump in immediately into this because you have a heavy story. But tell us about your breakthrough moment. The moment just before you were ready to just change your life because I think there are people out there that need to hear this.

Katherin –
Thank you, Chris. Yeah. So I think that post you’re speaking of, the one that has 3 million views, I had to be super vulnerable, right? I had to shed not a nice light on me, you know, it wasn’t my most glamorous lot. And as you said, I am well-polished. I do like to take care of myself, look nice.

Katherin –
So that was kind of hard because, you know, it’s like the ugly truth. But it was important for me because in 2020, while we were all locked away during COVID, I guess you would say, I had that breakthrough moment where I was just like, Oh, all right, if I don’t do it now, I’m never going to do it, you know?

Katherin –
So my story is about domestic violence. And you know, my soon-to-be ex-husband, it was dangerous. It was scary. It was crippling, especially in my industry. And so in 2020, I did a lot of soul-searching and I did a lot of self-development. I was stuck at home just like everyone else, looking for that financial freedom. But it was like that fear that if I leave, I’m not going to be able to make it, you know, So my safety. But I had to just take that leap of faith. And I think that when the world closed down on everyone, it really, I don’t know, it gave me some sort of superpower, and before that, I was you know, I was on social media, but I wasn’t putting myself out there like that much.

Katherin –
And so in 2020, it was all about like just feeding me like feeding my mind, my body, my soul. And like I said, just taking that leap of faith and walking away, and once I did that in 2021, I decided to speak about my truth because people meet me, and a lot of the time people meet me. They just think that because of social media, everything’s so perfect. So I was getting so tired of that, you know.

Chris –
I thought that.

Katherin –
Like, yeah, it’s so easy for you, you know, things just come at you, these opportunities just come to you. And I’m like, No, I’ve actually worked really hard. Come in here at ten years old from Honduras, actually illegally. That was another, you know, I don’t want to say struggle, but another barrier that I have to break through.

Chris –
Absolutely.

Katherin –
Yeah. So, you know, 2021, I decided, you know, why I don’t care. I’ve never really cared what people, you know, say or thought I’m big into, like breaking the rules. And I feel like you just got to be yourself. So I had a crazy epiphany and I told my friend, I say, you know what? I have been wanting to do this, but I’m scared of what people are going to think. And I actually had mentioned it to one of my friends who owns a restaurant. And I said, Listen, I’m thinking about putting together a networking event for domestic violence. And at this point, no one really knew what I was going through. I hadn’t really spoken about it.

Katherin –
And he said, No, not in your industry is full of men. No one’s going to go, no one’s going to support it. It’s a very taboo subject. Don’t do it. And I was just like, No, I’m going to do it just because you said that now I want to do it, you know, I think is a Latina.

Chris –
Oh, I love that. Yes.

Katherin –
I feel against that. So I talk to my friend Mike, who does inspections, and I said, let’s partner up. This is my idea. Let’s do it together. But just so you know, the cause behind it has to be domestic violence. And he didn’t ask me why. He didn’t really say. He was just like, okay, let’s do a little domestic violence.

Katherin –
You know, no one’s done that before. And I think right before the event, our event was the November Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October. And I was I think I was in bed and I was just I’m a Scorpio, so I was super emotional. I was sitting in bed, I was going through it and I said, fuck it, I’m just going to post it and I’m sorry.

Chris –
I’m like, Oh, it’s good. Go do your, your, your good. Yeah.

Katherin –
And I posted the story and I posted the pictures and I couldn’t tell you the amount of support I received from everyone was so overwhelming. And not only that but the stories from our colleagues, other realtors or lenders, and even men. I think the one that really touched my heart was our event. It was a young man. He just got into real estate. I think he was like 24, and he grabbed me and he said, Cat, I just want to tell you your story. It really touched me. And he said, You know, my mom really, she was a single mom. She went through that. I have seen it, you know, and I wish people would speak about it, he said and that really helped me and that touched my heart because I have an eight-year-old son. And that was the main reason why I wanted to break out of that situation.

Chris –
My goodness. So I don’t think people understand what we’re talking about because unless you’ve seen the video, you really don’t have a context to what you’re talking about. But let me kind of, you know, try to frame it up here as best as I can. So right before the podcast, I was looking at my Instagram and I hit this one and immediately you put something on there like trigger warning and so I was like, All right, I’m in, you know because the first picture is a really beautiful picture of you and your son. And then and then it goes into these pictures of almost like a different person. It’s not who I know. And now it infuriated me because I see this amazingly strong woman who is at the most vulnerable point in her life in picture after picture after picture and you’re black and blue. And I don’t think people understand how much courage it probably took to put your life out there. You know, in an industry that is very much an image-based industry. And so, you know, it all came together because I knew there was a reason we were going to do this. And I did not know that this is the turn it was going to take hours ago.

Chris –
I just knew you had this thing. You know, you have that thing. And so to know that you in the last two years, you went to then this entire transfer mission to put your life and everything that you knew at stake to make a statement and to see the outpouring of support that you’ve gotten, it’s been remarkable. So let me go back a little bit. Do you mind if I ask questions about this? Because I think that this is like I want the audience to have, you know, even more context to this. And I’m very curious about it. So if you so you said you posted that in 2020.

Katherin –
So that was so the video that you’re speaking about, that was last year. But I did start talking about my story in 2021.

Chris –
When did those pictures happen? When did the event happen? That was it within those pictures.

Katherin –
So those pictures are 20, 2018, 2017, 2019.

Chris –
Wow. So, okay, So that’s like yesterday, in my opinion, right? That that like, I feel like I could touch those years. And so you went through all that and your son’s at an age where he’s in remember things and he had to see his mother like this. And then and then at what point did you say to yourself, one, I’m getting out of this, and then two, I’m telling the world about this? Like, what was the timing between those two moments?

Katherin –
So 2020 was when I had the realization that I couldn’t stay in this relationship anymore and that marriage and I left with nothing. Chris, I took clothes myself. Clothes. I think that’s it. It was you both last night.

Chris –
You both laughed. Okay, good. Yeah.

Katherin –
Yeah. My son, nobody knew. It was just like a decision that I just. I just had to make it. I just like I said, it was like an epiphany that breakthrough that just put. I don’t know. I just felt like if I didn’t do it, then while the world was shut down, I was never going to do it and I left everything behind. I left my house, I left everything. And I had to start from zero.

Chris –
So did you go get like, a hotel, an apartment? Did you have a friend or a family? Like, where did you go?

Katherin –
To my mom’s house. To my mom’s house. And that was very humbling, you know, extremely humbling. But I knew that I had to do it, especially because I really wanted to take my real estate career to the next level. And being in that relationship, I was either going to lose my life trying to pursue this dream of real estate or I was just never going to do it, you know, because it was so toxic.

Katherin –
There was almost jealousy and it was almost like being captive, you know? And, you know, in our industry, you have to be able to have, you know, communications with other people doing stuff like that. Yeah. All day. So I just said, you know, if I don’t do it, I’m either going to die in this situation, I’m never going to be able And I knew I had a bigger purpose. I know. And I’m not saying that is okay, but I knew that I had a story to tell. So 2021, when I decided to start Let’s Get Social, which is the event where we spread awareness about domestic violence. That’s when I decided to come out because, for the longest time, I felt like I was meeting these people. But no one knew who care, was you.

Chris –
You. There’s no way to allow anybody to know who you are because.

Katherin –
It was like, I’m in a mess.

Chris –
Yes, You’re like, you’re almost like living a double life. It’s like living a double life. Yeah.

Katherin –
A double life. So it’s like nobody knows who I am. Nobody knows what I’m going through. So it was actually very therapeutic when I did that. It was almost like like a release. It was almost like I could really, really be myself, be born noble, and just be open and transparent.

Chris –
What if you can go back to Katherine, you know when you were 18 years old, if you went back to that person who was 18 years old, do you does that little girl and I say a little girl because I still think at 18 where we’re children. Do you think that she believed in the success you would be in today and that you would be leaving, leading the lifestyle that you’re leading today?

Katherin –
I think good. I’ve always been very optimistic and I’ve always been a dreamer. And sometimes you might even call it delusional, But I think that’s my way of manifesting things.

Chris –
That’s it. I totally agree. Yes. So what would you tell her? What would you tell her? What would you tell yourself at 18 today, knowing all the insecurities that we have at that age and you know or not, I don’t know. Maybe you were just always.

Katherin –
Yeah, actually, that really is a big one because, you know, sometimes when we’re stuck in those types of situations, it’s almost like we’re lacking that self-love, right? Because it’s like we know that love. We know that’s how you love someone, right? But it’s a lot of those insecure those that it’s like, no one’s going to love me, no one’s going to want me and it comes from that also that emotional abuse from that partner, because they know, it’s over time. So it’s not just that physical abuse, but it’s like emotional abuse and it almost has a ripple you almost have to question yourself. So I would say to myself, like, listen, you didn’t let that demi light. I’m proud of you and, you know, we have so much more to accomplish, but we’re going to do it.

Chris –
Well, I’m so proud of you for finding the courage and the strength to get through what you had to get through to get here. You know, and this is really what it’s about. I mean, this is about a breakthrough. So, you know, there’s somebody who’s listening who is probably going through this today. And, you know, to think that you not only made had the courage to get out of the relationship that was abusive, both physically and emotionally, you posted it and I feel like in a weird way and let me ask you this, do you feel like you posted it in in a weird way to make sure that you never went back to it like that was solidifying like the world now? No. Yes.

Katherin –
So for that reason and also because sometimes, like, you’re a trauma, right? We tend to like stories deep down inside, sometimes not to relieve those moments, but just kind of to show you how far you’ve come and to show me like keep going and also let other women know like keep going, because I’m also like, I could have lost my life.

Katherin –
One of those punches. I could have never been able to get up, continue my life, and continue the things that I’ve been doing. I think it was also a way to show other women that it’s not okay to stay in those situations, you know because there’s a lot of women because just this year alone, there has been over. I think, 20 domestic violence murders.

Chris –
My you know, those.

Katherin –
Women have been killed, not only for them but for their children.

Chris –
This is absolutely insane. I mean, that this is happening and it’s happening to people we know. You know what I mean? Like, I don’t think anybody knew how many people within your social circle saw that video and were absolutely surprised by it.

Katherin –
Everyone, everyone, everyone. You know, it was very little. People who, like, knew what I was going through. It was like a handful. Yeah, especially in the industry. Nobody knew no one but what really shocked me is me being in that situation and not being able to tell how other people were also going through that same situation or still in that situation, but they just trying to figure out how to leave because you know what happened because there’s a lot of guilt that you go through.

Katherin –
There’s a lot of shame that you go through the first. Yeah. The first question to ask you and, you know, for the people that are listening, this is just to educate you. When you hear stories like this, you know, it’s very hurtful when you ask, well, why did you stay? Well, Why didn’t you leave? It’s hurtful because a lot of times it’s very hard right? There’s this is like damage that has been done over time. And it almost cripples you. It almost like you shut down, you know, like I’m still dealing with a lot of like PTSD, you know, anxiety where like my body, I don’t do well when there’s like, you know when people are like screaming or yelling or like, stuff like that.

Katherin –
My body is just tense. So it’s really hard for women or men to just up and leave. You have to create a plan, one for your safety, because that person is going to find you. You know, that’s how extreme it is. So when you access those questions, you’re bringing that shame back into the victim, you know? So maybe just, you know, maybe just ask how you can help or maybe, you know, just I’m sorry that that happened to you. But those questions, they’re very hurtful.

Chris –
It’s an interesting thing You say that because I do think that that’s a common place where your brain goes. But I think people, you know, people have to realize that, you know, there is a thing, as you know, that’s called victim shaming. And that’s a form of it when you’re when you’re because what you’re basically saying when you ask the question, why did you stay?

Chris –
It’s almost as if you’re saying, you know, this is your fault and, you know, you could have prevented it. And I think that’s a very you know, unreal expectation to have on an individual that’s been through domestic violence. And so, my goodness, I will tell you that I am just so proud of you. And I feel like there’s a lot of people who need to hear this, You know, how have you turned?

Chris –
You know, it sounds like you’re now doing advocacy work around this, where you’re doing workshops and that sort of thing. How do you feel about, you know, how are you helping people today around domestic violence?

Katherin –
So every year we do we do our event where we raise money for domestic violence victims. So like last year, we raised about, I believe it was like $25,000. Yeah. And we also do a bracing march. So in the nineties, there was this bride who was actually murdered at her wedding in the Bronx. And the Bronx is actually the number one place for domestic violence in New York with the highest rates of domestic violence where they’re deadly.

Chris –
Why do you think that is?

Katherin –
Would make it? I think it’s a cycle. I think it’s a cycle. I think that there’s not enough advocacy. I think that there are not enough reason choices, especially when you’re a mom, you know, where am I going to go? Am I going to go to a shelter? Some people might not have a family. I was lucky enough that I could go to my mom’s house.

Katherin –
Right. But some people might not have that. So they have to stay within those relationships with our Hispanic community. I was actually lucky enough to have met this attorney who actually helped me get my residency because of what I went through.

Chris –
Wow.

Katherin –
And a lot of women who are undocumented have to stay in those relationships because of their financial situation. You know, so like I said, there’s just not enough advocacy, there’s not enough resources. And I feel like if I continue to speak about it, people will understand that there is help, you know, it’s not going to be easy because it’s not easy.

Katherin –
And I also get a lot of DMS, how do I leave? Can you help me? You know, my, my, my goal too is always to have a plan. Don’t just you know, obviously if it gets too bad, call the police. Call somebody, tell someone, but have a plan in place because you’re dealing with a narcissist, and at the end of the day, there is a very dangerous person that you’re dealing with.

Katherin –
So so every year, like I said, it’s so with the price march, Gladys was her name. Her abuser actually ended up murdering her on her wedding day, on her wedding dress. So everybody dresses in their wedding dress and we march for like 100 blocks in the Bronx, from the Bronx to my head. And it’s beautiful because so many women down the street that see all these women in their wedding gowns and everybody’s like, Yeah, do it. Like, I’m so proud of you guys. And it’s so emotional, so we do that. I also work with Angels of Long Island, which is a nonprofit here in Long Island, and they do a lot of housing, clothing, and whatever it is that they need, they’ll provide for.

Chris –
Wow. I’m just like, this is so good. I mean, this is you know, and then you have this layer of, you know, having to figure out how to remain a citizen and how to remain, you know, in the States while this is all going on, which is a layer that not everybody has to deal with. So let’s talk about that for a little bit. Like so you came here, you said at what age?

Katherin –
I was ten.

Chris –
So you’re two years within two years’ distance of your son at that point. Right and can you imagine your son? They didn’t do that because I mean, when you look at your kids, what’s that?

Katherin –
I actually have my I asked myself that all the time. My mom was brave. I couldn’t.

Chris –
So how did you tell me the story? How do you remember it vividly, like getting here and how that all went down? So how did it happen?

Katherin –
So my mom came to the States when I was five. She just up and left because my dad was also abusive to her and she knew in order for her to survive, she had to take that leap of faith.

Chris –
Oh, hold on real quick. I’m going to jump in. You’re about 8 to 10 years old at this time when she lives. Oh, you’re five, actually. So you’re living in a domestic violence situation as a kid. Well.

Katherin –
See, but I don’t remember it. I’m only speaking because my mom was to share these stories later on, like, I love my dad. So it’s very difficult for me to, like, pick sides and say that, you know, But I was so little, you know, and I think that a lot of times when we’re that young, we tend to kind of like, forget our trauma.

Chris –
Exactly. Well said. Yes.

Katherin –
Yeah. So, you know, but I know that that’s her story. And I have to validate her emotions and her story.

Chris –
Understood. Okay. And I don’t want to touch on something that, you know, is not fair to anybody else, especially as you have a relationship there. But so you get through that piece of it. Your mom comes and then how do you end up getting back together with your mom?

Katherin –
Yes. So my mom was like, you know, I was ten. My brother was seven at the time. And my brother my mom was just like, I need my kids here. They’re getting older and nobody wants to take care of them. You know, we were just going from house to house.

Chris –
You went five years without your mom?

Katherin –
Yeah, five years. Wow.

Chris –
I mean, those are critical years. I can’t imagine, like, my kids being without Mom during that period.

Katherin –
I can’t imagine my son without his mom. Like, he would be, like, a hot mess. So I’d think that it also builds character. Resilience. Yes. So my mom decided I’m going to pay for a coyote and I’m going to get my kids here. And no one told us anything. I think that one day my aunt came and she said, Get your things.

Katherin –
You’re going to see your mom. I’m ten. I’m like, I’m going to go see my mom. She’s coming by, you know, because I used to speak to her and she’s in the United States, you know, And all we could picture was like the Twin Towers is the Statue of Liberty, all these great places. So we’re like, excited, but we’re just excited to see our mom.

Katherin –
But we didn’t know that journey ahead of us. So we ended up meeting with a coyote. And my almost like, alright, this is the person who’s going to bring you to the United States to see your mom. It took us about two months, two months. So we had to go to Guatemala, El Salvador, and Mexico.

Chris –
Are you walking this entire time? You’re just you’re walking.

Katherin –
We’re taking buses, but we have four buses. Then we get to Mexico. And in Mexico is when you have to start doing a lot of walking through the desert.

Chris –
Yes. So do you remember what month? What month it was?

Katherin –
It was April.

Chris –
April. So it’s still hot.

Katherin –
It’s still hot. Yes. So and I think that one of the memories that strike the most to me is most when we literally had to cross the Rio Grande, that a lot of people don’t know this, but, you know, we had just learned how to swim, my brother and I, you know, so we’re it’s just like the middle of the night, you know, they’re like, all right, are you going to hop in this black? What are those caused a little?

Chris –
Like an inner tube, but like an inner tube for a tire.

Katherin –
Yeah. Yeah. And then they’re like, they’re going to. And then they’re going to pull you, and we’re just like, I’m like, I don’t want to leave my brother. My God, because that’s.

Chris –
How old is your brother? Older, younger.

Katherin –
Younger. Okay, Say.

Chris –
Yes. Okay.

Katherin –
He was seven. I was ten. Some like, Oh, my God. Like, no, my brother. Like, I was like, All right, let my brother go first, and then I’ll go. You know, this way. I know that he’s there safe, and then I’ll go, you know. So then he went, then I went. And that had to be like, the scariest thing.

Chris –
Is your aunt with you? Or is it just you two with a coyote and a group of other people?

Katherin –
My aunt and her two kids.

Chris –
Okay, good. So you got family or not? You’re not literally. Okay, good. I mean, as bad as this is, that’s like the one shining light on us. Because we have that. Now you’re in Texas right now. You get to Texas.

Katherin –
Now we’re in Texas. We’re in Texas. And I can talk about this now because I have my green card. Yes. But I coyote. He goes, Listen, when you get to Texas, you have to, like, just cry. It’s just like as soon as you see a gringo, you just cry. And that was my first interaction with a gringo. So I think I where they’re we’re in Texas.

Katherin –
We had we were in Matamoros first. We get to Texas and we cry. And I can tell you to this day, I do not like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Chris –
Because you ate them all the way there.

Katherin –
Because that was the first meal they gave us. Are like, I’m just like scared because, you know, they take you to a detention center. It’s like you’re in jail. So that was like the first sandwich they gave us. And for some reason, I guess maybe because I was nervous, I didn’t know what was going on. I was I could not eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich I was like, No.

Chris –
Wait, you confuse me on this a little bit, and this is just because of my education around this. But, um, so the areas you’re talking about, I know very well because I’m from Texas and I used to cross over Matamoros back and forth from Brownsville all the time, right in the McAllen area. But so you get over and y why do you need a cry to see when you see a gringo?

Chris –
Is that because?

Katherin –
Because you’re a child? Because they’re saying because you’re a kid. They just you know, a lot of times they could turn you away. Yes.

Chris –
There’s a protection order that happens the moment you hit the soil. Right. Okay.

Katherin –
So this is I guess he was just saying, I guess like spark something in this, like you just never know.

Chris –
Well, that’s good. That’s good advice. Actually, it’s really good advice. And it’s a weird compassion that your coyote had because a lot of coyotes just take the money and don’t there is a weird compassion that was there with that guy the coyote.

Katherin –
Listen, you’re definitely blessed because you know, we definitely have stories where it could have turned so much worse.

Chris –
Worse. Yeah. Some of the ways.

Katherin –
Right, So we’re blessed to be here but is definitely a story to tell that it just adds so much to our journey here in the States.

Chris –
So when you get to Texas and you get to the detention center, how do you get reunited with your mother?

Katherin –
So is the process. It actually took about, I want to say, a month.

Chris –
You were living in that in this tension center.

Katherin –
Yeah. So even my mom had to prove that she was really our mom, especially because we were coming without her.

Chris –
Yes.

Katherin –
You know, so, like, they let my aunt leave with her kids because those are her kids. But someone has to prove that they’re our parents. They’re like.

Chris –
What a process.

Katherin –
Couldn’t do me they couldn’t do my aunt because she could just stay. Anyone can say, you know, and again, this is a big thing also when it comes to sex trafficking, Right? I don’t want to get that thing. But that’s why they have to make sure that who you say is your parent is your real parent.

Chris –
This is a huge problem. This is like a crazy problem that’s happening as we speak. Yeah.

Katherin –
Yeah.

Chris –
Who is the president at the time? Well, what year is this?

Katherin –
This was in 2001. It was actually right before the Twin Towers came out.

Chris –
Okay.

Katherin –
From president at that time was Bush.

Chris –
It was Bush. Bush. Yeah. So. Okay, so you get to you then your mom is your mom already in the New York area at this time?

Katherin –
So I’m I was in New York City, taking a bus because, you know, she was also undocumented. She can’t fly. She had to take a bus from Texas, I mean, from New York to Texas. So in the meantime, my brother and I were just like at a detention center and we’re just there. We don’t know any English. We don’t know anyone. And at one point we get separated. So he goes with like the guys, I’m with the girls. And like, that was like, super scary because we’ve always been together.

Chris –
Yes.

Katherin –
And then my mom comes and we get reunited and it was like, is it was crazy.

Chris –
I mean, this was this is a remarkable story. I mean, you have been through so much, Catherine. I mean, and to think, you know, as you get to your mom, you’re now reunited. Do you remember that moment when you saw your mom in a detention center coming in danger? Was that what was it What did it feel like?

Katherin –
I just had, like butterflies in my stomach. Just felt like I was like, at home. Yes. I just like, oh, like my mom, you know, after, like, two months of, like, trying to get there, not knowing what was going to happen, not knowing if I was ever going to see anyone in my family. Seeing my mom is just like it was such a huge relief. Do you know? But it was also like a culture shock for sure, you know? Yeah, 100%.

Chris –
Oh, absolutely.

Katherin –
It’s time to get used to it.

Chris –
So what was your mom doing? Like when once you got situated, what kind of work was she doing?

Katherin –
So my mom was working at McDonald’s. My mom is such a hard worker. I think that that’s why I work so hard because, like, I take it from her. So she was working at like a McDonald’s. She was working at Wendy’s. She also cleaned houses at one point she had like three jobs. I don’t know how.

Katherin –
She did it because she would like still could make sure the house was clean and still had three jobs she managed to save because it was like $10,000 per kid. Yeah. So she managed to save that money and then send it to us. And then after that, we came to Queens.

Chris –
And you’ve been there ever since, are you? Why, when you started Queens, then you ended up in Long Island.

Katherin –
I wrote. And then we had that island.

Chris –
Yeah. Crazy. What a crazy story. And to see your success is just. Is just you know, amazing to me. So you. You. When did you realize that you had, you know, did you? You obviously started working early, right? Did you start working when you were 15, 16, or even younger?

Katherin –
Yeah. So I started working at so actually a Colombian bakery was my first job. I love Colombians. Yes, I am. I think in my past life I was Colombian. Okay. So when I got it, I know you were Colombian right now.

Chris –
I’m not Colombian. I’m like, Yeah, my family is Mexican as Mexican. It’s just that I have the media name. So it makes sense that because of what you did, yeah, it’s a city in Colombia. So there’s the media and then there’s the Medellin cartel, which I have nothing to do with. But yes. So now you have nothing to do?

Chris –
Sure. Yeah, I wish. I wish I wouldn’t be doing podcasting right now. And you wanted me to. Maybe we do a podcast right now, so. But no, this is just so cool. So. So you start working early and you’re working in a Colombian bakery. And then, you know, because I have this theory that people who are successful started working really early in life and it was like things you learn, like I learned process flow, you know, doing pizzas as a kid, right?

Chris –
Like there was always a process flow when, when, you know when I worked, but I started when I was like 15, 16. And so, so now, like, you have this amazing brand, you are known, you’re the number one Latina on social media. You’re the most followed realtor in the market you’re in. How does that feel? I mean, when you think back to where you came from in those moments in the detention center where it was probably the loneliest place in the world to hear where you’re at now, you know, Do you know I show you what you think it was that got you to this? Like what does that resilience come from?

Katherin –
I think it’s from like knowing that, you know, I come from nothing. You know, it was never my family. It’s never been like the most financially, like, you know, stable, or we weren’t really taught financial literacy, but we were always hard workers, you know, dedicated, honest. You know, my mom, she’s just she’s always been such a hard worker. But I think since I was little, there’s something I think that’s what I say when people say you either have it or you don’t, that you have to have that like hunger inside of you, that nothing is going to stop you. You know, they like me no matter what and that’s with me even when and not to sound too overly positive, but when bad things happen I always feel like sometimes it’s for a reason.

Katherin –
Like I’m not around, like I’ve never been one to dwell on something wrong, something going wrong, you know, it’s just like, what is this trying to tell me? That’s how I look at life.

Chris –
Yeah, I think somebody said it was a really good quote I saw and it was like, when something bad’s happening, I’m not asking God why, you know, why it’s happening to me. I’m. I’m looking for what I can learn from this situation. And I think that that’s a really good way because, you know, and then somebody else is telling, I have seen this somewhere, but somebody saying, you know, when you’re in the fight when you’re you know when you’re down, you got to document that time in your life because it’s those feelings that you forget and, you know, like like you had very specific feelings as you were coming out of the bad relationship. And when you were sitting in that detention center, there were probably feelings that you can’t relate to today. But if they ever came back, you can recognize them really fast and realize, you know, how to exit and how to, you know, change, turn it around. And so for you, you’ve been in these just remarkable situations in life and to see you do so well is really telling of the individual that you are. Tell me about your brand so do you when you look at your brand I think that all these things and who you are have really created an individual that I look at today who is successful, and who people want to emulate.

Chris –
You know, I was looking at you from afar at the event that we were at, and I noticed that you kind of had an entourage with you. You had a group of people, and I noticed there was something that happened with you in a female that was there She was she’s a good friend of yours, and I’ve seen her on some of your social. But you were on stage and she did this thing to you like she did a mall. It was almost like you two were talking but not talking. And it was like you knew what she said and she said it, but it was just this, like, telepathic thing. But you had these people around you that are this amazing support system for you as well. So I think that a big piece of who you’ve become is making sure that you choose wisely who you keep in your circle.

Katherin –
Oh, 100%. I think that’s one of my biggest things. I don’t like to be around negative people and my friendships, they’re very small, but they’re very meaningful. And everyone around me wants the best for me and the same for them. You know, I’ll do anything for my friends and it’s like a family. So that’s my best friend. Stephanie. We’ve actually gone to high school together and got her into real estate.

Chris –
Oh, she has your back. She will walk through the fire for you. And I’ve never met her other than there. And I’m a big We met, but she has your back.

Katherin –
Yeah. And we both like, you know, the same thing with her. But you’re right. She looked at me and she was just like, Turn up your fire. Yes, you are.

Chris –
Yes, It was like that. One more. It was right before we started. She was like. And she was serious. She was like, You’re going to do this. This. I don’t know what she said, but. But I was like, So I was like, you know, where why? Where’s my Stephanie in life? You know, I’m not rolling around with Stephanie, so this is so good. So okay. Brand tell me about that. Like, you know, you have a definitive brand. How has that been for you and how has it changed, you know, your business building that brand and who you are as an influencer?

Katherin –
I mean, it’s elevated my business. I’m honestly so blessed. I’m very grateful, you know, it blessed me not only in real estate but just like you said, like as a brand and overall. All right, So, Katherine, real estate is not just real estate. It’s really a multi-service type of brand. I’m hero inspired. I’m here to serve I’m here to help you in any way that I can. But I think that when I was getting into social media, everybody was just pushing like this niche. Just get a niche, just get a niche. And it kind of I was kind of like, Well, who am I? Like, Who’s Kat? What is it that I like? I don’t have hobbies because I don’t have time, you know, I’m like raising a son and I’m trying to like, build a business.

Katherin –
So I’m not really I’m not going to lie. I’m not going to say I’m going on hikes and I’m reading books because I’m not I listen to books, but one thing that I like to do is I like to help and I like to be inspired. So that’s why, like on my social media, you’re never really going to see a lot of like what we do in our industry, which is a little toxic if I’m being honest.

Katherin –
Like, you know, the bragging, the I sold this or I’m doing this like.

Chris –
You don’t do that. I noticed. Do you see that? Yeah.

Katherin –
It’s very rare because I want to connect with people on a different level. I want to connect and on a personal level, I want to connect. Whether it is that we’re moms, whether it is because we’re both hustlers, or whether it is because we have the same interests in some way. You know, I don’t want to feel like people like I’m competing with anyone or someone’s competing with me Like I want to elevate I want to inspire you to know.

Chris –
That’s true because here’s the rest of the realtors in your market and they’re doing all the same shit. And then you got Catherine over here. Yeah, she was doing her thing, right? And, like, it’s almost better. It’s better that way. Like, what are your DMS look like? I mean, I’m sure you got to. You got to. You got to get through a bunch of B.S. in your DMS. But how are you getting deals through your DMS at this point?

Katherin –
Yeah. So I’ve never paid for lead generation like ever. I’ve actually died in some pretty big brand deals too, that you don’t even see on, my Instagram. But recently I actually got paid, you know, which is super humbling. And like I said, I’m super grateful to God, but I just because I want to show people the power of social media and why you look at people when it shouldn’t be about, you know, I think it also depends on what you want to do.

Katherin –
Like if you want to be a transactional real estate agent, then you know, there are different ways to go about it. But like I knew that I wanted to be more than a realtor, right? But I actually got a deal for $12,000 just for five stories on my Instagram.

Chris –
There you go. And don’t be ashamed of that. You were a little uncomfortable talking about that. But don’t be ashamed of that because you built up to this and you deserve every bit of the success that you’re getting.

Katherin –
Yeah. So, you know, that’s legit. These grants, they see that, right? They want some wonder because it’s like you could have the following right? You could have the largest following. But if you don’t have a community, you really don’t have anything. And I can say one thing about my followers they do not play about me. I think I did one because, listen, I also have a feisty side.

Katherin –
I think I posted one video when someone was being disrespectful when it came down to domestic violence and like, why I was doing it, I posted something and they were just like not having it. They were like, don’t. Because I’m very problematic like, You’re never going to see drama. My thing, like, is very always uplifting and positive, but I’m very proud of that I’m proud that I built a community with Instagram. You know.

Chris –
So so you have this you’ve created a following that’s almost protective of you in a way because they understand what you’ve been through. And it’s you know, that’s just really cool. So, you know, in terms of business and getting, you know, deals and that sort of thing, do you feel like most of your deals now are coming directly from your stories and from Instagram or, you know, is that a 50/50.

Katherin –
Now, all of my deals come through Instagram.

Chris –
All of your deals are coming from IG at this point.

Katherin –
All of them.

Chris –
So so when somebody says social media is not for me, you’re a testament to say that this has changed your life. You’re getting dealing with it.

Katherin –
Yeah, 100% is amazing. You know, it’s completely changed my life. It’s crazy and that’s why you know, don’t I feel like people shouldn’t feel guilty? What? You don’t and you don’t have to disclose everything in your life. I think that if you let people in certain areas of your life, they don’t have to know everything. But definitely put yourself out there like, you know, you don’t see Coca-Cola being a shame of the commercials that they’re feeding you when you’re watching TV, right?

Katherin –
You don’t see my Darnell’s caring about how many are retired in New York City and whether it is on Instagram or on TV. They’re going to advertise their brand. So why should you feel shame or put your brand? You are your brand out there.

Chris –
100%. You know, I totally agree. And you know, what I love about what you’re doing is that you’re proud to rock, that you’re Latina like you. You hold that very close to your heart. And I think that a lot of people, you know, as you’re growing up because we’re brought up at times where we’re not predominantly in situations of color that that people don’t own it and I think that you own it so well. And I think that you’re just doing a service to other younger Latinas who are coming up to say, I want to own who I am and be proud of it.

Katherin –
Yeah. No, not only that, but I want to show our Latinas are young Latinas coming, you know, and this is just like on sale as a Latina mom. Right. That is very easy to take the easy route and do all these other things. But I think that because I’m also very traditional. Yeah. I think it also is important to show our young girls and our women that there are other ways, right and it could be very easy, very simple with social media to do things and get that financial freedom without disrespecting yourself.

Chris –
Without, you know, without a doubt that’s the number one thing. And, you know, as we come to an end on this, I am curious, you know, because we did meet in our app so I want to give a shout-out to our app because this would not have happened had we not been engaged. And so are you going to Miami?

Chris –
So I think we’re going to I think it’s good. I’m telling you, it’s happening in Miami. I don’t know what’s going on in the background, but where it’s happening in Miami, where you’re going and, you know, I hope we get to hang out and I hope I get to see you there. But, you know, before we end, I want to ask you a question real quick.

Chris –
What are the three jams that you’re listening to right now? Like, what are the three songs that you cannot stop listening to at this moment?

Katherin –
Well, I’m a big fan of Tina Turner. And she just passed away.

Chris –
Yes. Yes.

Katherin –
Right now I’m listening to I Love Get to Do Love.

Chris –
I love that jam. I love that.

Katherin –
No one right now.

Chris –
Yes.

Katherin –
And then me listening to oh, this is going to sound so silly.

Chris –
I want to hear it.

Katherin –
I’m not a teenager, but I’m listening to area code just because it’s all over TikTok.

Chris –
Okay. Okay. I’m going to check it out. I’m going to I haven’t heard that one yet.

Katherin –
But I was like, I got a white boy on my roster.

Chris –
Yes, I know, I know. Yeah. See, I wouldn’t have known that. I just know it’s a Tik Tok song.

Katherin –
I’m listening to that and I’m listening to some bunny, of course.

Chris –
Oh, of course, of course, buddy. I am like, This is like you brought so much, you know, inspiration today to me and to people who are listening. And, you know, we’re doing this right before three day weekend. So I hope that you get to go and be an amazing mom because I watch your stories and you’re such a good mom and you know, he’s so lucky to have you. And I hope that he always remembers, you know, the courage that you’ve been through as a woman, as a Latina, and as his mother, to find inspiration to continue to move forward. And I hope everybody else gets to see the same. So I can’t wait to see you in Miami and thank you for doing this with us today.

Katherin –
Oh, I cannot wait. I think we’re going to have such a good time in Miami. Yes. We’re going to create a lot of fun content. I look forward.

Chris –
To. We’re going to do it. We’re going to do it. I’m going to I’m taking Fabio with me. And we’re going to have some fun out there. So I can’t wait to see you girls. You’re going to. Yeah. Yeah. And tell Stephanie I’ll see her and her. And I need to be friends, too.

Katherin –
Yeah, it’s going to be exciting. That’s the gluten-free mommy.

Chris –
There you go. There you go. I love it. All right, well, we’ll talk soon. Katherine, thank you so much for joining the Breakthrough podcast. And thank you I can’t wait to post posts and to hear the feedback we get on it.

Katherin –
Yay! Thank you, Chris.

Chris –
Yes, thank you.