Carving a Path

By Roger Porter

Olga Brandeis, a sophisticated broker from Los Angeles, paves a way for mindfulness and positivity in 2024.

Few industries have witnessed seismic disruptions like commercial real estate.

The pandemic found new ways to put stress on the market and the Fed’s rate hikes in 2023 have created a challenging business environment for all involved. But for Olga Brandeis, a smart and sophisticated broker from Los Angeles, the challenges in the marketplace signal a time “to dig in with a hands-on approach and see it through.”

I sat down with Olga in a cozy Hollywood coffee shop tucked away from the buzz of La Brea Blvd. to talk about her firm, Brand Capital, Inc., and where she sees the market is headed. “Change is certain but I choose positivity,” she says with the confidence and bravado of a seasoned professional. Olga has been in the game since her mother, an El Salvadoran immigrant, started out as a realtor in the San Fernando Valley and taught her the finer points of brokering a deal. “My mom taught me real estate is a business of relationships,” Brandeis ruminates as we nosh on vegan muffins and sip matcha, “so I lean on a trusted circle of industry partnerships.”

Just head over to Olga’s professional site – an exquisitely designed and aesthetically pleasing color palette website – where you’ll find that she has made strong relationships the cornerstone of her business. “I debuted Brand Capital, Inc. because I believe a woman like myself can be a leader in this industry.” In fact, female representation in commercial real estate finance is growing.

In the oft male-dominated commercial real estate business, it was a woman who gave Olga her first opportunity and opened a door for her in the industry.

That opportunity, combined with the knowledge she gained from her mother, laid the foundation for a thriving career. “It has become a full circle moment,” Olga says about the day that interview changed her life. “I didn’t have any experience in commercial real estate finance and lending, but she hired me and now with Brand Capital I want to pay it forward. It started with that first professional relationship who was a mentor to me in a way.”

But it’s not just a woman-owned firm Olga envisions for Brand Capital. She’s blazing a trail for a mindfulness movement in the industry. You may be wondering: what does mindfulness have to do with commercial real estate finance?

“Mindfulness is a part of me that is vital to how I do business and work with people. This business can be hectic. But to be a calm sounding board is something that I value in myself and strive for every day.”

 “One of the main reasons I practice mindfulness is because I see it in the results – better decisions, better insights lead to better outcomes in the deal.”

And to demonstrate how Olga employs mindfulness in her business, she started a blog in which she writes about various topics related to mindfulness and how they apply to commercial real estate finance. Though in its early stages, you’d be wise not to sleep on the blog. Brandeis doles out nuggets of truth that can apply to anyone’s career across a multitude of industries.

The future is bright for Olga and Brand Capital, Inc.

“I look forward to helping as many people as possible. Whether it is an upcoming loan maturity, a potential refinance of a loan or you’re looking for an acquisition loan for a new property, I want to be that helpful advisor who offers financial solutions. Even with volatile rates and industry challenges, capital is still available and deals are still put into place. It just takes time invested to find the right source and loan terms.”

As for Brand Capital, Inc., Olga shares that she hopes her business opens doors for younger folks entering the industry. “I love being that role model for the next generation.”

“I’m excited for what lies ahead,” Olga tells me as we wrap up our meeting and make our way through the coffee shop’s mini-mart. A smile lingers on her face as we part ways and return to the chaotic buzz of La Brea Blvd. And with that, she ends our rendezvous on a positive note, accentuating her point from the start that even in a hectic world, we always have a choice to be positive.

Olga’s Biography 

With over twenty years of experience in the commercial real estate finance industry, Olga has brokered hundreds of deals and loan closings ranging from $1M to over $50M. She has worked for some of the largest mortgage brokerages in Los Angeles before becoming the principal of her own firm, Brand Capital, Inc. Olga focuses on cultivated relationships, market expertise and tailored service for every client – she gets you the loan you need!