"Once you become a real estate advisor, you see the impact you have on families and businesses, to such an extent that it becomes a lasting friendship. Add to that the financial benefit, and I think it's hard to quit.".
SANTO DOMINGO - He entered the world of entrepreneurship at just seven years old, selling water at his school. He also made ends meet by standing in line for classmates to buy breakfast, for which he charged a commission. He sold ice cream during his summer vacations and water jugs in the 12 de Haina neighborhood; all "businesses" started before he even had a minor's ID card.
From ages 16 to 19, he worked providing technical support to individuals and small businesses. But Leonel de la Cruz clarifies that he didn't work because he lacked resources—his mother gave him everything she could—but rather out of a desire to improve his life.
This precocious entrepreneur and real estate advisor defines himself as “a young man who owes everything he has and is to God, unafraid of hard work and challenges.” He wants to tell his story as a young man, making it clear that “nothing is handed to you on a silver platter.”
Upon reaching adulthood and obtaining his professional license to work for any company, he had to overcome another obstacle. He was rejected from more than 10 jobs. But God and life reserved a front-row seat for him, landing him a job at the country's most important commercial bank at the time, starting as a teller and ending five years later as a Business Management Officer (Assistant Manager).
“Then I joined Blue Home, a company owned by Isaac Echavarría, who, along with my brother Alex, who was also part of the company, supported me in the first steps,” he says.
Thus took off the ship that led him months later to create, together with his brother and cousin, Hogarium Real Estate, a real estate agency focused on the resale market in the Republic of Colombia and Jacobo Majluta Avenue, and which today extends its wings to Greater Santo Domingo, where they also offer their services.
“Growing slowly but surely and with solid foundations,” says Leonel, who plans to venture into selling construction projects, gradually consolidating his company, which was formally established in January 2020.
Hogarium's CEO holds a degree in Business Administration, with training in business and finance. This coming July will mark four years in the real estate sector, which he says will be difficult to leave.
“Once you become a real estate advisor, you see the impact you have on families and businesses, to such an extent that it becomes a lasting friendship. Add to that the financial benefit, and I think it's hard to quit,” he confesses.
The theory that el inmobiliario is the business of millionaires finds the following answer in Leonel: "This business, like any other, is generous to those who dedicate themselves 100% to it.".
And when we asked him how well he's doing, he said, "For the time I have, what I can give is a premature answer, but I understand that this business is generous to those who dedicate themselves to it, but to be the one that makes the most millionaires, I don't think so.".
Formality and professionalism towards clients and other colleagues is what the young real estate advisor understands is lacking in real estate agents in the Dominican market.
Leonel de la Cruz observes the current real estate sector as growing and undergoing significant changes due to technological advancements. He aims to capitalize on the industry's current momentum, and his future plans are ambitious: to scale and establish himself within the luxury market, both in new projects and resales.
