Today we’d like to introduce you to Fernando Hevia.
Hi Fernando, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My name is Fernando Hevia, and I’m originally from Maracaibo, Venezuela. My background is in the IT industry, where I used to work developing software. Additionally, I’m a musician and used to play piano in a Latino band in Venezuela for over 16 years.
My journey to get here was quite long, but let me summarize how I got to where I am now. I’m married with three beautiful kids, and my oldest son is now 23 years old. He is why we ended up in the United States, specifically in San Antonio. He has a very rare muscular disease, and our journey started in Venezuela when he was three years old. He began having some issues when walking, but unfortunately, we couldn’t find a diagnosis in Venezuela. Fast forward to 2014, and we went to Barcelona, Spain, where we finally found a diagnosis. At that time, only seven people worldwide had that disease. The only experimental treatment available was in the United States, specifically at Columbia University in New York. That’s why we moved to the US and found physical therapy here in San Antonio, where we decided to move in 2015.
To put it simply, it wasn’t easy. I didn’t know any English back then, so I started working in a restaurant in the kitchen area, doing everything I could to support my family. I was working as a dishwasher, but I tried to practice English every day to be ready when any opportunity arose.
Being a software developer and musician gives me a unique perspective, which was helpful when I decided to work in the photography business. A camera is now an electronic gadget, but photography also requires an artistic mind. I started offering my services to a few realtors, which was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Six years later, I had a successful business and met incredible people supporting our work. We focus not only on delivering beautiful images but also on being part of our customers’ teams. We provide a luxury experience to our customers so that they can improve their branding. Additionally, I have a staff of photographers working for Mr. Hevia Real Estate Photography, with my sister Karin Hevia as the lead photographer and incredible support to my business.
Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
I’m a perfectionist and always try to improve and go the extra mile. That being said, trying to provide superb service creates challenges. The main obstacle I faced was the language barrier. I remember when I was starting, I received phone calls, but I was uncomfortable enough to talk over the phone at that time. Sometimes, I would mimic bad signals to force the conversation to text messages instead of over the phone. Writing this reminds me of how difficult it was back then but also how fortunate I am now and how much I value what I have.
As you know, we’re big fans of MrHevia LLC. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
We are the go-to company for realtors looking to market their listings and are proud to offer a luxury experience. We specialize in magazine-like photos, cinematic video tours, 3D Matterport virtual tours, aerial drone photos and videos, floorplans, and more. We use lighting when taking photos of our customer’s properties, allowing us to deliver more accurate color photos that enhance the house’s features. Additionally, we work hard to take care of our customers. I usually get in touch with our customers so that they know we care for their needs. Trustworthiness is also essential; we usually open the doors ourselves using a Supra Key. Realtors and customers trust us from the beginning of the process until the photos are delivered. What we are most proud of is being real people working hard to deliver the best for our customers.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
Luck played an important role in people’s lives. If I say that I’ve been lucky in life, having my family supporting me here is the most important thing, and I feel fortunate. However, I recognize that the more you try, the more chances you have to achieve a dream or goal. Therefore, you increase the chances of being “lucky.”
Pricing:
- Our photography prices start at $189
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mrhevia.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mrhevia
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/mrhevia
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/mrhevia
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/mrhevia
