Meet Cornelia Siem | Realtor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cornelia Siem and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cornelia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

After a number of years in corporate America, I knew that if I kept climbing the corporate ladder I would ultimately look back at my professional life with regret. I wanted to create something of my own, and I felt that having control over my own destiny (and responsibility for my livelihood) would motivate me to work hard and succeed. So I struck out on my own as a real estate professional. I took a risk, and I’m glad I did, because now, as a real estate professional, I engage in meaningful client relationships every day, and I get to forge my own path and decide how far I want to go down that path. 

Tell us more about your business, what sets you apart? What do you want the world to know about you and your brand/story?
As a real estate advisor, it’s my responsibility to build trusting relationships with my clients, understand their goals, and help them achieve those goals, all while delivering exceptional customer service. One of the ways that I establish trust and rapport with my clients is through active listening. Active listening means focusing on what someone is saying, rather than thinking about how to respond as soon as they stop talking.  It means actually hearing someone, understanding their meaning, and retaining that information. I practice active listening because it makes my clients feel heard and secure, and it allows me to understand their wants and help them identify and reach their goals more effectively. 

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Diego has so many great restaurants, attractions, and sunsets to offer, but I have a few under-the-radar spots I like to share with friends visiting from out of town.

As a Little Italy local, I love to visit Pappalecco for some strong Italian coffee and authentic eats, followed by the Little Italy farmer’s market on Wednesdays and Saturdays, where I get the freshest fruits, vegetables, and flowers, along with beautiful gifts for friends and family. Vino Carta is my favorite wine shop/bar in Little Italy because it focuses on family-run producers and natural wines, plus the staff is so passionate about what they do!

For a night out in Downtown San Diego, I love the new Rady Shell at Jacobs Park: the concerts, atmosphere, and views are world-class. I usually pair a show at The Shell with an authentic Greek meal at Athens Market Taverna, a San Diego institution that has watched Downtown grow around it for over 30 years! If I’m looking for something a little more exotic and nuanced, then I’ll head to University Heights for some Eritrean/Ethiopian comfort food at my favorite restaurant in all of San Diego, Muzita Abyssinian Bistro.

As an avid golfer, I love hitting the links with friends at Torrey Pines, Balboa Park, and Coronado! If golf isn’t your thing, then you still don’t want to miss Torrey Pines — take a walk along Torrey Pines State Beach and enjoy a magical sunset over the Pacific.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My mentor, Christine Baker, deserves huge recognition in my story and early success. Starting a career in any entrepreneurial field is like stepping into the unknown, so having a trusted mentor to guide you through the early stages is invaluable. Mentors like Christine can share what has worked for them versus what was a waste of time — insights that can only come from years of experience. Christine has been a source of knowledge and encouragement for me, and it’s a two-way street: we lift each other up and help each other’s businesses grow, and it is a pleasure working alongside her. As I move forward in my career, I hope to “pay it forward” and fill the mentor role for the next generation of young entrepreneurs. I would also like to credit my past clients in my success. I would not be where I am today if they hadn’t put their trust in me to guide them through one of the largest financial decisions of their lives.

Website: https://corneliasiem.willisallen.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cornelialsiem/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/corneliasiem

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CorneliaLSiem