Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabriela Islas Torres.
Hi Gabriela, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I actually started my professional journey in the healthcare field. I earned my bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences with a focus in Pre-Clinical studies because my original goal was to become a registered nurse and dedicate my career to helping others. But when COVID hit, I had to take a step back and really reflect on what I wanted my life to look like long term. After stepping away from that path, I went through a period of feeling lost, not knowing what was next for me.
During that time, I started bartending and unexpectedly fell in love with it—not just the job itself, but the opportunity to connect with people, hear their stories, and build relationships with everyone who walked through the door. One day, a real estate agent came in and made a comment about my personality and the way I interacted with guests. He asked me if I had ever considered becoming a real estate agent. Honestly, I hadn’t thought about it before, but that conversation stuck with me. Just two days later, I signed up for real estate classes.
Fast forward three years, and I’m proud to say I am now the top producing agent at my brokerage. What I love most about this career is that, in a way, I still get to fulfill that original goal of helping people—it just looks a little different than I imagined. Instead of helping patients, I now help families and individuals with one of the biggest decisions of their lives: finding a place to call home.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can’t say that it’s been a smooth road because transitioning into real estate meant learning an entirely new career from the ground up. It wasn’t just about understanding the home buying and selling process—it was also about navigating legal contracts, negotiations, and all of the responsibilities that come with representing clients in such an important decision.
What made the transition easier, though, was my background in the restaurant industry. In hospitality, just like in real estate, people gravitate toward those who make them feel comfortable, listened to, and cared for. That customer service mindset has always been second nature to me, and I believe it gave me a strong foundation as I learned the ropes.
One of the biggest struggles I faced early on was not having the right strategies or structures in place to help as many people as I wanted to. Being new meant a lot of trial and error. But one strength I’ve always leaned on is my ability to build relationships and stay connected with people. Even when I was still finding my way, clients came back to me because they felt heard and trusted that I had their best interests at heart. That has been key to growing my business into what it is today.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m proud to be part of Xsellence Realty, a small but mighty brokerage based out of Helotes, Texas. Even though we’re boutique in size, we serve a wide range of clients across San Antonio and the surrounding areas—from first-time homebuyers and sellers to seasoned investors. Our brokerage also partners with the City of San Antonio’s Opportunity Homes program, which allows us to represent affordable housing and create more pathways to homeownership.
What really sets me apart in my business is my ability to serve the Spanish-speaking community. There aren’t many agents in San Antonio who can guide clients through the entire home buying or selling process in Spanish, and that’s something I take great pride in. For me, it’s not just about closing transactions—it’s about helping my community achieve homeownership, build generational wealth, and feel confident in one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
I’ve also had the privilege of helping clients from outside the U.S.—buyers, sellers, and investors who trust me to represent their best interests even from afar. No matter who I’m working with, my goal is always the same: to make sure my clients feel heard, supported, and empowered to take the next step in their real estate journey. That’s what my brand is all about.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice for anyone just starting out is to remember that everything takes time. Taking the leap from a steady, full-time job into building a referral-based business isn’t easy, and success doesn’t happen overnight. You have to be willing to show up for yourself every single day—believe in yourself, believe in your business, and most importantly, believe in the people you’re helping.
One thing I wish I had truly understood when I first started is that instant gratification doesn’t exist in this career. When you’re working for yourself, there’s no guaranteed paycheck every two weeks—you have to have an incredible amount of faith in yourself and in the process. It can feel uncertain at times, but if you stay consistent, put in the work, and keep showing up, things will begin to fall into place. The reward is worth it, because not only do you grow as a professional, but you also get to make an impact in people’s lives in a way that’s deeply meaningful.
Pricing:
- FREE CONSULTATIONS
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.xsellencerealtysa.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_mylifeasgabby?igsh=ZnU3Nm9vZmc4bmxz&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069254436744
