Those ideas are woven into my DNA as the son of immigrants, the grandson of survivors, and now as someone building a career in San Francisco real estate.
From Vinnitsa to Boston: My Family's Journey
My story begins in Vinnitsa, Ukraine, where my grandfather was born. During World War II, Hitler established his eastern front bunker there, and survival meant enduring trauma and displacement. My family eventually relocated to St. Petersburg, Russia, but being Jewish in the Soviet Union carried its own set of hardships.
Life in Russia was marked by fear and limitation. My parents were born in 1952, just after Stalin's reign—a time when paranoia ran deep and opportunities were scarce, especially for Jews. My father was a trained engineer and my mother held a degree as well, but their prospects were capped. They longed for a future where their children could thrive.
In 1989, they seized a rare opportunity to leave. They spent six months passing through Austria and Italy before arriving in Boston with little more than hope. My father delivered pizzas at Papa Gino's to put food on the table while studying for a computer science certification. Within a year, he had gone from pizza driver to a computer engineer earning more than his former manager. It was the essence of the American Dream.
Growing Up Between Two Worlds
As a child, I saw both the struggle and the possibility of life in America. We lived on food stamps in those first months, but by the late '90s, my father's career allowed us to move to Newton, Massachusetts. We bought the most affordable home in one of the best school districts. That sacrifice gave me access to some of the best education available—and, more importantly, exposure to a community that shaped my vision.
In Newton, I saw two worlds: on one hand, the children of immigrants like me, building their lives from scratch; on the other, families who had already built wealth through real estate, business, and entrepreneurship. Many of my friends' parents were realtors, developers, or investors. I began to understand that real estate was not just shelter—it was leverage, it was freedom, and it was a way to create opportunity.
Books like Rich Dad, Poor Dad reinforced this lesson. I became fascinated with the idea that money could work for you, that ownership was power, and that real estate could unlock generational wealth.
Finding My Drive
Like many immigrant kids, I often felt like an outsider. Too "Russian" for some, too "American" for others. That tension gave me both scars and fuel. I sold candy at school to afford the things I wanted, worked jobs from retail to waiting tables, and developed a relentless drive to create my own opportunities.
By the time I entered UMass Amherst in 2008, I was set on studying finance. But the timing was uncanny—the housing and stock markets were collapsing. I interned in New York investment banking and saw firsthand that the system was hierarchical, often favoring families with generations in the business. As an immigrant without connections, I realized I'd need to carve my own path.
That's when real estate pulled me back in. I got my license in 2009 and began helping students in Boston find rentals and purchases. I transferred to Babson College, one of the top schools for entrepreneurship, and graduated with a degree in Entrepreneurship and Finance.
At Babson, I immersed myself in sales and global business. I even cold-called my way into Sandler Sales training, sitting alongside seasoned professionals twice a week to master the art of selling. I became president of the Babson Sales Club and competed in national sales competitions. These experiences built a skillset that has carried me through every stage of my career: the ability to connect, persuade, and deliver results.
A Global Perspective
One of the defining experiences of my education was the BRIC program, where I studied entrepreneurship on the ground in Russia, China, and India. These were emerging economies with immense potential, and seeing business operate in such different cultural contexts gave me a global perspective.
At the same time, I worked with affluent international students in Boston, helping them secure luxury housing. It was my first real taste of high-end real estate, and I loved helping people from all over the world navigate a new market and feel at home.
The Startup Years
After graduation, I moved to Silicon Valley. Inspired by entrepreneurs like Richard Branson and Larry Ellison, I dove into the world of startups. I worked at early-stage companies, hosted hackathons, and eventually co-founded a travel technology startup.
We were funded by Travelport, a publicly traded company, and went through their accelerator program. I managed engineering teams, raised capital, and pitched investors around the world. Ultimately, the business model didn't scale, and I walked away with personal debt—but also invaluable lessons in resilience, leadership, and execution.
I joined two more startups, becoming a top sales performer, and eventually landed at Salesforce in 2020. At Salesforce, I shifted from the scrappy "zero-to-one" startup grind to mastering enterprise-level sales. I learned how large companies use systems—Sales Ops, Revenue Ops, Business Ops—to drive growth. I saw firsthand how technology could scale solutions and solve complex business problems.
Returning to Real Estate
Through all these experiences, one theme remained constant: my passion for real estate. I bought property, experimented with Airbnb and medium-term rentals, and managed as a landlord. I kept returning to the realization that real estate wasn't just a side hustle—it was the foundation of long-term wealth and impact.
In 2024, I decided to fully commit. I got my California license and joined The Nolan Group at Vanguard Properties, San Francisco's top-producing team. I'm deeply grateful to Frank Nolan and the entire group for believing in me and investing in my growth. Training alongside some of the best agents in the city is humbling, inspiring, and motivating.
Why This Matters to You
I share this story because it explains not just where I come from, but how I work.
- Immigrant roots gave me resilience and hunger.
- Jewish heritage instilled a love of education, questioning, and community.
- Early jobs and side hustles taught me the value of hard work.
- Babson and Sandler Sales trained me in entrepreneurship and high-performance selling.
- Startups and Salesforce gave me the ability to innovate, adapt, and scale.
- Real estate investing showed me how property can be leveraged for wealth, tax benefits, and financial freedom.
As your realtor, I bring all of that with me. I don't just help you buy or sell a home—I help you strategize, think like an investor, and create opportunities for yourself and your family.
Gratitude and Giving Back
I'm humbled by the communities that lifted me up—the Russian-Jewish community in Boston, the mentors who guided me, the colleagues who pushed me, and the clients who trust me. I'm grateful to my family for their sacrifices, to Babson for its education, and to The Nolan Group for giving me a platform to grow.
I also recognize my privilege as a white male in America, and I believe deeply in giving back. I'm passionate about causes like sustainability, education, and supporting survivors of abuse. My long-term vision is to not just sell homes but to develop properties that are eco-friendly, community-oriented, and beautiful.
An Open Invitation
At the end of the day, my story is still unfolding. I'm proud of where I come from, grateful for where I am, and excited for where I'm going. And I'd love to bring you along.
Whether you're buying your first home, expanding your portfolio, or just curious about how real estate can help you build wealth, I'm an open book. Reach out—I'm always happy to share what I've learned and hear about your own journey.
Because to me, real estate isn't just about transactions. It's about resilience, opportunity, and writing the next chapter of your American Dream.