Marcelo Marcelo Bermudez

WHO AM I?

I am a commercial real estate and business finance expert, a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) & Certified Mediator.

I help business owners and real estate investors maximize their business, personal and financial goals while accessing the capital they need to make it happen.

My life has been a history of firsts, like being the first in my family to go to college but also suffering defeats like filing bankruptcy after a partner embezzled money from our business and left me holding the bag of debt. I have been able to reinvent myself and help many others along the way.

TOPICS I HAVE SPOKEN ON BEFORE:

· Using Rejection or Failure to Find Your Purpose

· Succeed Anywhere

· Pursuing Authentic Change

· Why Success is Uncomfortable

· Why Words Matter

· Three Ways to Increase the Market Value of your Small or Medium Business

· Customized Discussions on Capital and Strategy for:

• Business
• Commercial Real Estate
• Tax-Advantaged Scenarios for Business Owners

A HISTORY OF FIRSTS!

I was the “social cue translator” and “application completer” for my immigrant parents, who sometimes were embarrassed by their accents or lacked the confidence to ask for more. I grew up faster than most kids because of the increased sense of responsibility I felt I had to take care of my dysfunctional family, especially my father, who was a recovering alcoholic and suffered from severe depression and bipolar disorder, which could turn into physical and verbal abuse.

I had to make things happen. If I wanted to play the piano, join Little League, or go to camp, I coordinated those things (including paying for it) because there were many times I couldn’t always count on my parents because of cultural norms or mental health issues. Rather than point fingers, I am thankful for those skills that play an important role in who I am as a husband, parent, son, and businessperson.

I NEVER GAVE UP

I worked several jobs in college and started my career after the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake leveled the region. I rebuilt commercial properties and grew to a 35-employee firm and several million dollars in revenue. After discovering my business partner was embezzling funds, I sold my portion of the company to cover the debts owed, and I moved to Spain to disconnect from working 80-90 work weeks and reinvent himself. A year later, I returned to the US to study real estate development while working for a fancy restaurant near Beverly Hills for minimum wage to see if I had the chops to become a chef. I did not, but I am glad I found out because I had an outstanding time learning.

I decided to work with a family office and became their internal capital markets person helping them with their family and investor portfolio of over 23 million square feet. I started my second company, Shokunin, to provide access to capital for business and real estate owners.

I LOVE TO LEARN

I will never stop learning. I studied permaculture design to learn about sustainable systems and apply them in real life. I read like there is no tomorrow and am a Ventura County Leadership Academy alumni dedicated to studying awareness of critical issues in business, education, government, infrastructure, agriculture, housing & transportation. I am collaborating with the County of Ventura to increase business and real estate investments in the region.

I am a two-time graduate of the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business, and Lusk Center Program in Real Estate. Because I love making things happen, I was President and national board member of the USC Marshall School of Business Alumni Association. I remain active in the community, teaching financial literacy, parent empowerment, and marriage preparation skills. My wife, Lizbett, and I help single mothers needing housing and mentoring. We’ve got some funny and inspiring stories to tell.

I LOVE TO GIVE

I am proud that I am a recipient of the Fulfillment Fund Tom Sherak Inspiration Award & USC’s Widney Alumni House Award for excellence & community. Both of these awards have some fantastic stories behind them that I love to share with my audience. I have spoken numerous times at fundraising events and workshops over the last 30 years for the Fulfillment Fund, a college access program, the University of Southern California, and several business and non-profit organizations.

I LOVE MY FAMILY

I married my high school sweetheart. We have three children. Our oldest is serving our country as a field medic. The middle child is a person with autism studying hospitality management. Our youngest is studying to become a veterinarian. All three kids give me many ways to learn about myself and conflict management.

I had the privilege of caring for both of parents with dementia who passed in 2022 and 2023. Caring for those with this affliction shows you how to elevator your generosity.

I WANT TO DO MORE!

I am an amateur photographer, which teaches me to always look for opportunities and look at things from different angles.

I have written two book challenging others to step into their purpose, “You’re Our Only Hope: Why You Need to Look in the Mirror to Save the World,” and "Sisu: Your Strength Beyond Known Limits."

MEDIA TOOLS

Feel free to check out my most recent speaking assignment at RISE:Ventura 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIK1W1BnwIQ&list=PLVAHdkQ_gJb-6ZWt35YZkWaja-86zDYl0&index=2 

 

Here is my YouTube Channel where I use the art of storytelling to provide small nuggets of personal and business growth ideas: https://www.youtube.com/@ShokuninAmerica