For Alicia Soekawa, real estate is a giver’s game. In 2022, after logging eight years at a top brokerage, earning a slew of awards, and coaching agents across the nation with Tom Ferry International, she founded The Collaborative, a company best summed up by its slogan: “Working together for your ideal tomorrow.” At The Collaborative, Alicia serves as mentor-in-chief for a group of top-notch professionals who pool their talents and define success by the positive impact they have on others. Grounded in a strong belief in abundance and an irrepressible drive to contribute, Alicia serves a 90% referral clientele and helps agents get to the next level through collaborative support, accountability, and business coaching. Her approach is proactive and holistic, reaching beyond real estate into other aspects of a person’s life. 

A first-generation Korean-American, Alicia grew up in Richmond surrounded by entrepreneurial relatives who taught her what it takes to run a successful company. Her introduction to real estate was helping her father, who had not yet mastered English, type up a contract during his stint in the industry. The path back was a winding one. She moved away from home and graduated with honors from Meredith College. Then she had an award-winning 15-year career in biopharmaceutical sales and started a family. When she returned to Richmond, she turned her attention to real estate. 

Alicia, an agent since 2014 and a broker since 2018, can pivot on a tightrope to meet any challenge. She is especially adept at helping people buy and sell at the same time. Whether clients are relocating, rightsizing, or going through a major life change, Alicia’s tech savvy, social media marketing skills, and insider perspective give them the advantage. She also has an eye for aesthetics and can perfectly style any space to make it market-ready. Solid relationships with contractors, other agents, lenders, and more ensure that her clients have resources for everything home — long after contracts have been signed. Alicia loves building connections and considers her clients to be “friends and family.” She aims to be an agent for life. 

Outside of her vocation, Alicia is dedicated to continual self-improvement through reading, mastermind groups, conferences, and Peloton workouts. She’s a devoted wife and mother who’s been married to Michael, also her business partner, for more than 20 years. They have three kids — Sebastian, Clover, and Reign — and two pups — Barbie and Ken.