Meet Cristina Bolanos | Mom, Property Manager and Travel enthusiast

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

Hi Cristina, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I know that I don’t do things on my own, I have a great team around me. So I’m certain that an important factor is choosing wisely who you work with, then getting to know your coworkers, and nurturing your team because they are your support system.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my carrier in the United States in 2006 with an internship in hotel management, which I have a BA in, soon I realized that my strengths are in the way I connect with people from different backgrounds, leading teams, and problem-solving. After 5 years in the hotel industry, I made the change to the Real Estate industry in the property management branch. The more I knew the industry, the more I learned, the more I felt motivated to stay and grow in it. Managing projects, people and overcoming challenges is what motivates me the most. Nothing compares to the satisfaction of looking back at the storm and saying, “wow WE made it thru”. My current work as Property Manager for Plaza Fiesta, a Hispanic theme mall is also rewarding at a cultural level since it allows me to show how rich our culture is and at a personal level since “El rinconcito de nuestro pueblo” (the little corner of our town) is the heart of the Hispanic community in Atlanta, we are proud to serve our community and be the home away from home for so many families.
Was it easy? Sometimes no, being a woman with no family or friends in a different country, speaking a different language, and merging on a different culture without losing the values and traditions I carry in me, no, sometimes it’s not easy still. But the main lesson I’ve learned is that if you persevere, if you are proactive and if you are diligent, you’ll thrive, that’s the biggest truth about this country of opportunities. Then you will find stability, your ability to adapt will surprise you, you will find new friends and make them your family, and you will create your new home.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My new home, Atlanta, has so much to offer all year long. For me, just tackle the basics first, everyone should visit all the downtown attractions around Centennial Olympic Park. I lost count of my visits to the GA Aquarium, World of Coca Cola, Civil rights museum, the Children’s Museum, and adult drinks at the Sundial Restaurant offering amazing sunsets and 360 views of the city.
My favorite thing to do in the summer is strolling along the beltline, making stops at the shops, the breweries, restaurants, and ice cream shops.
As a Latina, of course, I have a passion for soccer, if our beloved Atlanta United is playing, I take my visitors to a game, I love to see them gasp when the stadium roof opens. Also, If you have the chance visit this year’s MBL champions at Truist park, the home of the Braves, enjoy all the activities, dining options and night life The Battery offers, including some salsa dancing at El Super Pan, that’s where my Latin soul gets reenergized.
The food seen in Metro Atlanta has something for everyone, you can enjoy upscale dinners or messy barbecue ribs with a Korean touch in Heirloom Market BBQ, casual dining with the best comfort food or explore more adventurous options along the Buford Highway international corridor, make sure to stop at Plaza Fiesta where you can find traditional Latin food, handcrafts and more, it’s the vacation to Latin America you wanted but without a passport.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Ruben, I can always count on him. Thank you for supporting all my crazy ideas.

The Plaza Fiesta management team, they are beyond awesome. Thank you for raising the bar.

Website: www.plazafiesta.net

Instagram: plazafiestatlanta

Image Credits
Murals artist Roberto Hernandez