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

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

Owning a business and being my own boss was something that I always knew I wanted, even before I had the words to describe it. Growing up, I was always an independent thinker and never afraid to try new things or take risks. It wasn’t until high school economics that I realized that this idea I had in my mind was called entrepreneurship.

My journey to get where I am now has been a wild ride, filled with twists and turns. When I first entered the workforce, I spent some time figuring out which industry I truly wanted to grow in. One of my first jobs was working part-time for a real estate broker in Los Angeles. I started as his personal assistant, but soon found myself coordinating staging projects for our staging company we frequently used. The company enjoyed working with me so much that they ended up hiring me part-time to assist on their larger projects, such as luxury homes in the hills and ground-up construction. This put me out in the field not only working on these sites but talking to cut and sew factories about custom pillowcases, bedding, and more, and taught me a lot about that process.

About six years later, I pivoted into garment manufacturing and started my very first business, The Sewhaus, a boutique cut-and-sew factory that helped brands create their custom garments sustainably. Fast forward to 2020, and the pandemic forced me to pivot my hands-on, contractor-based business to “The Sewhaus Agency” – a fully immersive online fashion design course that teaches designers how to create their brands and work with contractors, all while being sustainable.

With that fully automated and generating supplemental income for me since early 2021, I decided to go back to my first love – real estate. Gathering my network of high-net-worth clients from working in fashion, I founded Oasis Realty LA, a luxury boutique brokerage specializing in a range of properties, from income-producing residential to luxury homes. Our goal is to provide our clients with luxury made effortless.

Being my own boss and thinking outside the box has always been a dream of mine, and I am extremely fortunate that I found success in two businesses that were built based on my background and experience. If I could give anyone advice, it would be to trust your gut, take risks, and never stop learning.

What should our readers know about your business?
Oasis Realty LA is made up of not only Los Angeles Natives with an in-depth understanding of the Los Angeles market, but licensed contractors, interior designers, and real estate investment experts. Luxury to us is more than just the price tag on the home, but the experience we provide our clients time and time again. Getting to where we are today was by no means easy. Like with anything truly great, it took time, it took meeting new networks of people, it took learning and gaining experience deal by deal, learning to navigate the industry pressures, different personalities and so on. Getting to a place of confidence takes time and effort, but I strongly believe anyone can do this in the industry they’re passionate about as long as they stick to it, especially on the hardest days. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that there is no “one right answer”. In school and even in business sometimes, we are taught that there is only one right answer to every problem, and this is just not true. Thinking creatively to push the ball forward is where I have seen the most success.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Oh, I love this question! Los Angeles has so much to offer so it’s tough to narrow it down but in a nutshell, I would probably start down by the coast.
Spend a day at the Getty Villa Museum, catch lunch at The Reel Inn or Malibu Seafood, Nobu Malibu or Mastros Ocean Club for dinner.
Visit the beaches, the marina, and the Venice Canals, then hit the rooftop bar at Hotel Erwin.
It’s fun to drive through LA and check out the amazing homes and architecture, tour spec and model homes and learn about their history. Stop in for shopping (or browsing-haha) along Rodeo. A must in century city is to dine and grab a drink at Eatly and stop off at art walk in Beverly Hills if it’s that time of year.

 

Sushi Fumi is fantastic for fresh delicious sushi. There’s always a bit of a wait so we’d pop over to The Roger Room across the street for a drink!

Flea market shopping at the Melrose trading post is another must.

Finally, My favorite neighborhood in LA is the Silverlake, Echo Park, Los Feliz area. You’re right in between Griffith Park and Elysian park which are both perfect for picnics and hiking. Echo Park Lake is another relaxing place where we’d spend a day in the sun. This area has arguably some of the best food too! I would absolutely hit Alcove for breakfast, Pine and Crane for lunch, and Night + Market Song for Dinner. Then we’d of course go dancing at the speakeasy La Descarga in East LA.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost, my parents. They always supported my crazy, out of the box ideas, letting me express myself and nurturing the creativity I had. My husband, who for the past 11 years has been nothing but supportive, encouraging, and has helped me grow as a person and as a professional in the real estate industry.

Website: Oasisrealtyla.com

Instagram: janinemandell.re

Other: Personal Website: JanineMandell.com Oasis Instagram: OasisRealtyLA

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