In this episode of Women Influencers, I sit down with Dolly Elizondo, a single mom, former educator, and now a highly successful real estate developer in her hometown of Mission, Texas. Dolly’s journey into commercial real estate began after a life-changing divorce, when she transitioned from a stable career in education to a part-time job in real estate. That bold move would eventually lead her to become a top-producing agent, a CCIM designee, and a self-made developer with over 17 projects under her belt.

Dolly shares how she went from selling land to leading development projects, all while raising two daughters on her own. With no formal background in development, she taught herself the business—spending hours at the university library studying microfiche before the days of Google. One pivotal moment came when she saw the profit margins on a client's project and asked herself, “How do I do that?” That question led her to initiate a partnership that’s now spanned over two decades.

A proud hometown girl, Dolly’s heart for teaching never left her. She has mentored others in the field and was the first Latina south of San Antonio to receive the CCIM designation. Her story is rooted in faith, resilience, and a deep commitment to time management—crediting systems like Franklin Covey’s True North to help her navigate the demands of single motherhood and entrepreneurship.

Dolly’s influence extends far beyond her business. She’s inspired others, including fellow single mothers, to pursue their dreams through education and grit. Her advice is clear: surround yourself with people who know more than you, ask questions, and never be afraid to go for it.

As Dolly says, “Iron sharpens iron.”

Connect with Veronica:

https://www.capstackcommercial.com/veronica-malolos-ccim

https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-malolos-ccim-401649218/

Connect with Dolly:

https://www.dollyelizondo.com/

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