What did you study?I received my bachelor's degree from Florida International University. I took upper division classes in just about every department and accumulated enough credits to eventually earn a very well rounded degree from the School of Liberal Studies. After years of education, deliberation and discernment a decision was made and I became a licensed Real Estate agent and began a career here in my hometown of Miami.

Why did you choose real estate?Real Estate catered to certain aspects of my personality. I recognized it was these qualities that attracted me in ways other fields had yet to offer. For one, the work of a Real Estate agent is concentrated in a specific area, so the idea of being centralized rather than scattered gives the associate the opportunity to really craft an understanding of the market and community at hand. And being already from the area, I felt a content advantage.

How did you get to tsg?Well, my initial mind set was to put my license with the biggest firm out there with the idea that this would most likely generate the most success possible for me. So I put my license with a very well respected, very large realty company. They kept 30% of my commission and a mandatory $100 dollars a month for their online services. I very quickly realized I was merely a pawn in a sea of nameless agents pumping time and hard earned dollars into a company that didn't care for my goals or how I was developing. For these reasons I didn't stick around long and I figured the trick was to go with a smarter yet still successful real estate firm, and that it was with this kind of company I could have the opportunity to learn a thing or two. This didn't exactly happen either. What I did learn was that your ambition is interpreted as competition. In short, most of what I learned my first 6 months out in the field was by trial and error…no one holds your hand in this profession. I didn't find any financial success during those days, however I did the best I could to consistently read about my market and where it was moving, what people were buying (how and why) and inevitably l discovered in order to stay relevant and be involved I needed to move into investment real estate. I landed an opportunity to interview with TSG, who in turn took a chance on me. Working for TSG has since been the best decision of my young professional career, one that you can imagine I'm grateful for.

How many hours a day do you work?I make my own hours, however in this field time is absolutely of the essence. For this reason there are moments when things cannot wait and require immediate attention. Overall though I'd say not having to clock in and out works to my advantage. There are some nights when I have the energy and opportunity to stay up very late and work on contracts where as there are other days I wake up extremely early for an itinerary filled with meetings. It all comes down to time management which depends on what task is at hand.

How do you manage your time between leisure and work?I have a virtual office set up at home which allows me to go back and forth with my team. It frees up time every now and then to go out and enjoy some of the fruits of my labor.

What are the benefits of working in investment real estate?I enjoy the product our company delivers. It's very rewarding to know that I'm a vital component in the manufacturing of the product we deliver to investors. My aim is to continuously produce at my highest level of performance, so that as a company we can continue to deliver an incredible product for both tenants and landlords.

What is the secret to the TSG model?It's a combination of things. For one, the team functions on a level of communication I have never seen in any other corporate environment I have worked for. The direction and pace our goals head towards is consistently being improved on by the partners of the company. The company's success and my own personal achievements as a producer could never have been made possible if not for the focus and commitment they bring and draw from all the members.

How do you see the real estate market?This is an investment market. It is without question the time to buy as an investor. More importantly as an investor, is knowing where to buy and how to create a product that will gain favorable returns.

What are your goals for this year?As a producer for TSG I expect to sell a little more than 2 million dollars worth of investment property by the time 2012 rolls around. On a personal note, I hope to open my portfolio by purchasing 2 multi-family properties within the next 6-8 months.

TSG Questionaire

What recommendations would you give to other young people like you?Opportunity calls for timing and action. I try my best to continuously seek out both, and though more often than not I fail, this does not matter. Inevitably I meet the two and seize what I can. And then I do it all over again. In short, this isn't a career for anyone allergic to hard work or to receiving rejection. It's the capitalist's career of choice, for those who have everything to gain and nothing to lose.

Gabriel Flores, 24 years old, has become one of the youngest real estate agents to produce one million dollars his first year. From realtor to REAL STAR…