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Top Women in Real Estate

After two weeks, Lucy knew she had to graduated, she moved to Cairo, Egypt to Lucy and family also owned the Chur-
get back to work thinking of her children’s work at a refugee legal aid center, where chill Hotel in downtown until she made a
future she had to take care of business, but she assisted refugees in filing resettlement deal with the housing commission and they
for the first time, fearless Lucy was scared applications. She was there for two years closed it for a few years for remodeling and
to death. She walked into her office at the and is now back in San Diego working then made it into a low-income housing
Churchill Hotel they owned in downtown at The International Rescue Committee and medical treatment center for Veterans.
San Diego and sat down at her desk and (IRC) which is a global humanitarian aid, Lucy is so happy that they did something
cried. Then she looked up to the heavens relief, and development nongovernmental beautiful with that building.
and silently asked Dean to please show her Lucy currently owns real estate in Ha-
the way. Lucy had been actively involved waii, Oregon and in San Diego, primarily
in the running of the business, but since on Fourth and Fifth Avenues. Most of the
they worked together, each one had their properties she owns now are commercial,
responsibilities, now all elements of the and most of her tenants are restaurants
business would be on her shoulders. "I and bars, although she has developed some
asked for Dean to guide me, to this day I beautiful loft-style apartments, with open
talk to him daily, and then the realization concepts, which are above the businesses
came to me. Lucy, you've got this, you’re in downtown. Lucy has blossomed into a
not alone!” She continued to work with her seasoned commercial real estate and hospi-
father-in-law, who was 81 years old at the tality professional. Over the past 20 years,
time of his son’s passing and was still active she has gained experience ranging from
in the family business. Lucy had great re- property management, leasing, financ-
spect for her father-in-law, and she learned ing, and acquisition to development and
a great deal from him. renovation.
Lucy’s determination, confidence, and As much as Lucy has worked hard at
discipline have been crucial to maintain- developing the family business and creating
ing the Burni legacy. She knew it was a a name for herself, she also finds it just
big responsibility to take on, but she never as important to give back to underserved
doubted herself and knew there was a lot organization. She works in the immigration communities in San Diego and young
to learn along the way. She had to deal with department as a caseworker. My middle aspiring entrepreneurs. She assists organi-
property managers, contractors, and engi- daughter, Jasmin, 23, also attended La Jolla zations that align with her values of service
neers to move all the projects forward. In Country Day and is now a student at the and justice.
addition, there were tenants, permits and University of San Diego. She is a business I asked Lucy how you go about getting
legal issues, and the day to day operation of and real estate major. She has been working into the Real Estate investing business. “It's
all the real estate, and the two hotels they with me part-time for the past two years. always about your first investment, whether
owned, the Hotel Churchill in San Diego Next year when she graduates from college, it is a home or a commercial property.
and a Ramada Inn in Scottdale, Arizona. she will be coming to work with me full- When you invest in real estate, it appreci-
Also, three months after her husband’s time, and I am thrilled to have her in the ates plus you start to build equity. You can
passing, she and her father-in-law closed family business and also to be able to take also assemble a team of investors to make
escrow on the Four Points by Sheraton Ho- some time off once she is on board. My son your first investment.”
tel in Kearny Mesa, adding to her respon- Abed, 15, is currently at Country Day and Before I left Lucy, I had to ask her a
sibilities. After her long days at work, her will begin his sophomore year in August. very important question. What advice
priority was being there for her children, He has not decided what career path he will would she give to our readers, “I would say
but the reality was that she also needed to take yet. He has been a straight A student that in any profession we need to educate
keep the business afloat. since second grade so I’m sure whatever he ourselves and have confidence, determi-
Today Lucy measures her success, chooses, he will do great!” nation, and discipline to achieve our goals.
not by how many properties she owns or Raising her children as a single mom To women, I say we are all strong women
the wealth attained, but by the success of all these years has not been easy, but she if we believe in ourselves and stay true and
her children. “I am so proud of my three has done a great job. She loves to see her authentic to who we are. Sometimes when
children. My oldest, Janan, is 25 and is kids happy and healthy and doing what we allow fear to get in front of us, we start
fluent in English, Spanish, and Arabic. they love with their lives. questioning ourselves. That's why fear does
She went to La Jolla Country Day and Lucy currently works out of her office at not exist in my vocabulary. Be fearless.”
graduated with honors and then went on the Four Points Sheraton in Kearney Mesa,
to Occidental College and received a B.A. "A beautiful 225 room hotel with 23,000 To learn more about Lucy or to book
in Diplomacy and World Affairs. While at square feet of meeting space. We often host an event or stay at her hotel, contact her at:
school, she had internships and attended events from 20-900 guests.” The Four Points • Lucy@burnienterprises.com
language programs in the Middle East in Sheraton is a brand of Marriott Corporation, • Burni Entreprises (619) 696-3797
her junior and senior years, and when she of which Lucy is very honored to be a part. • LinkedIn: Lucy Burni

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