AAPI Agent Spotlight: Gigi Huang

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In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we invited several Douglas Elliman agents to share their experiences as members of the AAPI community and talk about the role their heritage has played in their real estate career.

Gigi Huang, Texas Real Estate Agent

How do you prefer to identify yourself within the Asian American Pacific Islander umbrella?

I identify as a Texas Chinese American. People say that I speak the limited amount of Mandarin Chinese I know with a Texas accent. LOL! I am a proud Houstonian of more than 55 years! ?

What aspects of your identity are most meaningful for you? Are there cultural traditions or historic moments or other elements that are a particular source of pride? 

My parents raised me with a strong work ethic, which is one of my core values and very much an aspect I identify with. The other is humility. I am grateful for all the opportunities and successes in my life. Many people were kind and considerate to give my family and me the opportunity to work and make a good life. I was raised that family is the No. 1 most important thing; to work is the other most important thing in life.

Chinese New Year is a tradition I enjoy celebrating and sharing with those who are outside the AAPI community. It’s a great way to let others learn about our culture and heritage. We celebrated at the restaurants I owned. Now, I share the celebration with my goddaughter, who is not a member of the AAPI community. I sponsor the Lion Dancers who perform on her front yard, and she invites her neighbors and classmates. We have lucky red envelopes. The past year, our second year, the Lion Dancer master spoke for 15 minutes, educating the crowd of 50+ guests about the history of the Lion Dance and how it became a tradition of the Chinese New Year celebration. It was fun!!! 

How did you find your path to success in this field?

In my past career, working in the service industry for 40 years, owning and operating multiple upscale Asian restaurants in Houston, I enjoyed providing a high standard of service to all my clients. When I see the look of happiness and satisfaction on my clients’ faces after providing an enjoyable experience, it fills my heart to know I helped make them happy for that moment or occasion. I enjoy raising my standards with each new client and deal. This approach is how I built my success. 

What values or elements of your heritage do you draw strength from in your work as an agent?  

Hard work and humility are the two values I try to exemplify daily in my work and personal life. 

How would you characterize your experience as a member of the AAPI community in the real estate industry? Are there specific moments or episodes from over the years that illustrate what you’ve experienced? 

As a member of the AAPI community, I am an example of the diversity in my city, Houston, one of the most diversified cities in the U.S. We have a very diversified food scene also. Everyone loves to talk about food and restaurants. Using restaurants as an example of diversity helps to break the ice when meeting new clients or clients who just moved to Houston. 

What would you like your industry colleagues to understand about your experience and what can they do to be better allies of the AAPI community? 

In my experience, everyone has been very welcoming to the AAPI community. 

How do you think brokerages like Elliman can help foster greater diversity in the industry?  

Brokerages like Elliman could maybe participate in celebrating certain important traditions, such as the Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year), in our market areas. Just like my small celebration on my goddaughter’s front yard in River Oaks, it brings together many different communities to learn about my culture and tradition as a member of the AAPI community. 

Its Time For Elliman

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