Today we’d like to introduce you to Merlinda Tapia.
Hi Merlinda, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas-raised by a single mom, I have always been a busy body, I don’t think there has ever been a moment where I wasn’t juggling more than one task. It always hits me when someone asks me, What is it that I do? They see me as a Realtor, a Dance Director, and an Investor but I always make sure first and foremost they know I’m a mom and an amazing wife and best friend of 16 years if I do say so myself.
People have always been what I am successful in and it’s funny because as a child I was a little timid super awkward and shy. I remember selling candy bars and chips out of my backpack, I had made a deal with a store owner that ran the convenience store across the street from my home. I think that is when I was like oh this is fun making money, It was not easy to make friends I could never figure out what kind of group I belonged in since that was the thing then.
I tried to be one of the cool girls but definitely, that was not where I fit. I mainly rolled with everyone I was just not one kind of individual, I guess it’s what they call Aquarius energy these days. When I became my own adult, I did not just have 1 job, of course, I started in clothes so I could have access to style because I so did not understand the style I just had jeans and a T-shirt. Which has now transformed into leggings and a T-shirt, then got a second job at a new trendy drive-thru place that was up in energy.
I also had school and had just joined a dance team called the San Antonio Roses. I moved into the wedding industry and became obsessed with making the impossible possible. How to keep things running smoothly even though there was always a chaotic moment. Making a special moment for someone and seeing the end result behind the scene. After about 10 years in the industry, I found my way into Real Estate thanks to an amazing individual who thought I would be great.
Again the process of working with people and being a part of helping them find a home. Just like the wedding industry, there were some wild moments, a few where I probably took a few swings at my computer but guiding my clients to that final step and handing over their keys is why I continue to push in this industry further. When it comes to my dance life gosh! I had been involved with dance since I was younger then I auditioned to be on the San Antonio Roses and San Antonio Warriors I did try to get into NFL but I could never get that look they were looking for. I danced with the Roses for 3 full seasons.
I had left at one point after being in an accident and did return back but my last season was not the easiest for sure. Some time had passed and I was asked to return as an assistant director and soon after I gratefully took on the role as the new Dance Director of the San Antonio Warriors with a great relationship with the original Director who’s booted was not the easiest to fill and I will never be able to fill but I’m grateful to be able to make it my own.
During my break in my dance life, my wonderful husband and I became parents and our dynamic duo became a trio we call home team. They have been my partners in crime and my best open house guest, not to mention my husband has been my number 1 fan and I definitely could not have been as goal-getter as they say without his ongoing and amazing support.
I definitely don’t understand the fraise to slow down or being told that I cant do something, I will definitely go to the extreme to prove that I can do it all with an occasional breakdown. When I was younger, I told myself I would be the one to break the chain and make a name.
So I guess that is what keeps pushing me I don’t complain when I get tired although there are many times I just need to sit in the car before heading in I’ll never allow myself to give in because in the back of my mind I know my future self is saying to get up.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
A smooth road no. I think the biggest struggle of it all was allowing people to think that because I had my son I couldn’t be of any use or that I was not good enough to take on a challenge.
What a lot of people doubt are moms and I don’t know why I mean they can literally run a household, dinner, kids’ meals, errands, games, school, and now some run their own business like I run the real estate.
But it’s just fuel at the end of the day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
What I’m most know for is hard to say.
I think when people think of me they think loud for sure but probably being a great energy source and easy to talk to. I know once I come into the room I’m already laughing and getting things going I hate silence it drives me crazy.
Also probably the way I say a few words or my 90s pun jokes. Since becoming a mom, I had to figure out new ways to cuss so Chaka Khan being a great song I liked became a fraise I used a bit well more than a bit.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I love San Antonio because it’s where I can understand my heritage.
The culture that makes me… me. The vibrancy, the food, and the representation. You can drive into the west side and see history displayed everywhere and that’s what I love to see when I would visit family.
As far as something I like lease I mean I’m kind of over construction but who isn’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sawarriors.com/
- Instagram: @realtydiva1
- Tiktok: @RealtyDiva1
