(The Apprentice’s Katrina Campins talks about her life and her new show on Bravo TV- Miami Social)

Tianna: Given the current downtrend within the real estate industry, how is your company doing and what have you had to change (if anything at all)

Katrina: I would say that every realtor is doing less volume now than during the boom years, but we are very active, especially over the last 3-4 months.  While I think the worst is behind us, I continue to be cautiously optimistic with regard to the health of the housing market.  While SALES volume is up, and even now prices seem to be inching up ever so slightly, the unemployment rate is rising and people are defaulting on their mortgages.  Not to mention that there has been no wage and income growth. By the same token, there are certainly compelling arguments as to why a potential purchaser should buy a home right now which include low interest rates, the first -time buyer tax credit, and the fact that prices have been cut in half over the last three years.  One has to remember that most Americans still have jobs and can buy a home they just may have to put more money down in order to secure financing.  If our economy continues to improve that will obviously help boost the housing market but there will still be skepticism and concern as to how the large amount of default will negatively affect our economy in the future.  It’s too early in the economic recovery to predict it will continue – we all know that consumer confidence is still at shaky levels now, and we just need to continue to see modest increases.  We certainly should not expect a bull market in real estate or any major price appreciation any time soon. However, I do think that sales will continue to rise at a modest clip.

My partner and I are actually starting a new venture focusing on the REO market, as we think this will continue to be a hot market for the next 2-3 years.  It is completely the opposite model to the luxury real estate platform, but REO properties are flying off the shelf these days.  Buyers are getting some great deals out there in this sphere. It also allows us to provide our Sports & Entertainment Division clients with some amazing deals!

Tianna: What time do you go to sleep?

Katrina: I work late hours – Some credit this habit to genetics and in my case I can certainly relate since my mother is a night owl – I feel most energetic when the sun sets. The night is a time of solace, silence, magic and possibilities.  I find that I accomplish much more after midnight than most people accomplish during the day, as my creative juices flow and expand when I am left alone with my thoughts.

Tianna: What pet/pets do you keep?

Katrina: I love animals and often find myself involved with charitable events in their support.  I have worked closely with the Humane Society and continue to do so.   I own two American Bulldogs and I treasure them.  Saki was rescued after enduring brutal abuse from a previous owner.  She is now healthy, loving and has brought much joy to my life.  Jax was acquired through a breeder friend of mine – he was the “RUNT” of the litter at the time and has evolved with Saki’s influence into a unique and joyful character.  I adore them both!

Tianna: Do you like chocolates?

Katrina: I love chocolate, I MEAN LOVE CHOCOLATE– it is the delicious ambrosia of the gods!  Don’t wreck a sublime chocolate experience by feeling guilty about the most sinful and delicious creation.   Enjoy!  I eat chocolate every single day.  I never skip a day!

Tianna: How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Katrina: Truly, I have lost count or rather I never kept count.  I definitely enjoy my shoe fetish so much so that I would love to have my own shoe line…  something I am seriously contemplating and looking into.  Nothing else is quite like the stiletto heel – a highly charged symbol of elegance, power, subversiveness and supreme femininity offering streamlined sophistication and glamour to women all over the world. Today heels designed by fashion icons such as Yves St. Laurent, Manolo Blahnik and Christian Louboutin are the insignia of status and fashion savvy.  I can do just about anything in heels!

Tianna: What did you learn from being on the Apprentice and working so closely with Donald Trump?

Katrina: The one lesson I took away from The Apprentice was that of branding oneself.  You have to stick out from the crowd.  Know who it is you aim to please and go after them.  Don’t worry about trying to please everyone.  In order to succeed at branding yourself, you have to be bold, believe in yourself and have positive energy.  My mother always made me believe I could do anything, and so once I realized the power behind branding, I took it and ran with it.  Donald Trump really is a genius of sorts, and a master at branding.

Tianna: How do you deal with the success and fame?

Katrina: Much hard work goes into my day to day.   I was brought up in a traditional Cuban-American environment where education, hard work, morals and standards were of the utmost importance.  I was also brought up to believe that absolutely everything was attainable.  It was that foundation that afforded me the mind-set I grew to believe and sustain today.  Contrary to common belief, opportunities were not handed to me on a silver platter – my career is my own and my achievements I share with those that entered the make-up of my character and my thoughts, as well as my success.  Nothing gratifies me more that to see others succeed as it is so very palpable to me – that is true success.   Fame is a different story – everyone wants to be famous yet fame is truly an opportunity and a responsibility to make the world a better place and to leave an impact on society.

Tianna: How did your life change after The Apprentice?

Katrina: My life changed since my participation on The Apprentice and Miami Social taught me a thing or two.  To elaborate a bit, I really went into The Apprentice for the life experience I knew it would provide.  I also wanted to challenge myself by inserting myself into a situation far outside of my comfort zone.  I knew that would help me evolve as a person and I believed it would be a great experience.  I was not strategic in terms of how I would compete against others on the show itself.  Some participants really thought out their strategy and what they wanted to accomplish.  I really didn’t want to win, so for me the result was not as important as the overall experience.  I did manage to stick around for a while though…  The entire experience far surpassed my expectations.   I never thought it would be as popular as it became.  It definitely opened up doors for me professionally, and I have been very strategic about that.  I am forever grateful for being lucky enough to be chosen for the show as it really was an experience of a lifetime.

Tianna: Tell us about your new show on Bravo TV, Miami Social?

Katrina: described by the show’s producers, “Miami is an international cultural melting pot filled with the young, gorgeous and wealthy looking to live the good life. South Americans, East Coasters, native Floridians…everyone comes to Miami for the sun and fun – it’s a city that specializes in people that work hard and play even harder. In Miami Social, Bravo followed a successful group of friends who are some of the most connected and interesting young professionals in South Beach, as they go from the city’s night life, to the board room, to magazine offices where they lead their intertwined lives.

Miami Social’s season finale wrapped up as a controversial, daring, volatile and (believe it or not) thought-provoking show for some … yet for others, Miami Social left footprints of an ever-evolving, vibrant, edgy, bustling metropolis renowned for its colorful skyline, tourism, fashion, and nightlife, as well as a Mecca for international business.  “The Magic City” has weathered hurricanes, riots, scandals, corruption, crime, racial tension, political turmoil and endless waves of immigration, only to bounce back with impetuous audacity and so too will the cast of Miami Social.

Tianna: What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Katrina: Family by far is the most important thing in my life at this point in my life.  I also have a long-term goal to utilize the media to empower women and to encourage them to honor themselves – a subject I am most passionate about.   I yearn to instill a sense of self in others and encourage them to make the most of themselves by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of confidence and possibility into flames of optimism, drive and ultimate achievement.

Tianna: Do you collect anything? What do you collect?

Katrina: I love bracelets and collect them as well as they are probably the one eccentricity I enjoy.   I believe in the power of nature’s simple elements – crystals and stones possess powerful healing energy.  Most of my bracelets I either make myself of have someone make them for me. I am drawn to crystals and stones not only for their energy but for their magnificent beauty I love bracelets so much so that I am also working on a bracelet line called BRACE YOURSELF by Katrina Campins.

Tianna: What do you think of the paparazzi?

Katrina: Paparazzi are people just like everyone else.  Some go a bit overboard yet the reality is that they are doing a job – they just sell what people buy. If society’s fascination with the so called “celebrities” would subside, we would have no use for the paparazzi but unfortunately, in most cases, the celebrities are the ones that utilize and manipulate their every action.