FEATURE STORY

"I'm an idea person," says Tamara Tyrbouslu, CIPS, ABR, TRC, and founder of Las Vegas International Alliance, "and I'm passionate about making a difference in the world." Nowadays, she's widely known in the Las Vegas area as a REALTOR® and Feng Shui instructor, but Tamara's inquisitive nature and desire to synergize with people has led her through a myriad of career experiences. With a dual degree in international affairs and women's studies, she's made her mark in a wide variety of careers including fitness, law enforcement, photography, and restaurant ownership. In 1998, Tamara moved to Las Vegas from Boston and started her Feng Shui consulting business. She helps clients discover their heart's desire and create residential and office environments to support them on their journey.

In 2002, Tamara entered the field of Real Estate with Realty One Group, where she uniquely incorporates her Feng Shui expertise, teaching other REALTORS® and assisting clients in the art of Feng Shui. As part of her service, she helps sellers to stage their homes for successful sales and assists buyers in organizing and arranging their new homes for maximum efficiency and serenity. She's also part of the developing international team of REALTORS® in the area.

She designed the company's first CE class for Feng Shui for REALTORS®, then met the need for another type of Feng Shui class—one developed for those interested in personal development. The classes are now attended by people from many different paths who, like Tamara, are interested in being the best that they can be and offering more to their world at large. It seems her two careers have melded nicely into a truly full-service business.

But Tamara is also a visionary and a people person. That's why, in the spring of 2003, she began taking international courses through the National Association of REALTORS®, even though her formal education had already provided her with much training in that area. There were some folks who questioned Tamara's need to learn any more about the subject, but she just knew this course of study would take her somewhere significant. "International Real Estate is a long-term trend," Tamara says, "and I wanted to plant a seed that would have global impact."

In October 2007, Tamara launched LVIA to fill a niche she saw in the Real Estate community. "LVIA is leveraging the gap between the need to address the global market and what REALTORS® were able to provide," she says. Desiring to design a new model, Tamara and her co-creators wanted to avoid the traditional patterns of a council or an association. "We wanted it to be a true alliance," she says, "results-oriented and membership-driven. Everyone helps out to make it effective."

Tamara describes the Alliance as two-fold. "The Inner Circle includes a membership that's locked in quarterly," she says. "That provides a full-value, trusting environment where we can address the current issues." Monthly mentoring provides hands-on, one-on-one coaching, while group masterminding offers networking to open up new markets and expand business.

The second part of LVIA includes the general population: entrepreneurs, investors, developers, etc., in the greater Las Vegas area who benefit from regularly scheduled programs featuring global economists, shared information about international properties or project opportunities, and the latest emerging markets and what people should know about them.

Tamara is excited about the opportunities LVIA presents for people to make a difference in environments across the globe. In October, LVIA hosted a Trade Mission on Central, South America and the Caribbean where developers from Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Brazil, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Dominican Republic shared their projects with agents and investors. "We meet with socially and environmentally conscious, eco-friendly developers to explore ways to provide sustainable living for people," says Tamara. "We've also shared opportunities with China and other countries."

LVIA offers limitless opportunities for connecting globally in a safe and controlled networking environment. Members can host potential clients from abroad who are looking to invest in property in the lively and thriving Las Vegas area, or they can travel to other countries to check out investment possibilities there. The organization even provides a virtual connection where members can give and receive information, bringing the world to Las Vegas and Las Vegas to the world.

"It's all about leveraging teamwork," Tamara says. "I don't look for team members who are just like me; I look for a balance." And she's found partnering with First American Corporation’s Joanne Mucino adds that balance to the organization. "Joanne contributes the practical, grounding element in LVIA," Tamara says. "She's the financing and detail person, great with people, and has a wonderful sense of timing." Together they're planning the programs for next year, focusing on a worldwide mission with sponsors, speakers, and their expanding membership. Plans for next year's programs include an evening event featuring a world economist, and a program that will focus on world trade missions and projects from other countries. "LVIA has brought so many great people together," says Joanne. "It's a good networking tool for both the audience and the presenters."

Donations of money, goods and services keep LVIA's fees to a minimum, and Joanne is the one who keeps track of expenses. "We try not to over-commit or under-deliver," she says. "We just focus on what's available out there for the Real Estate community."

While membership is already closed for this year, it's certainly not too early to fill out an interest form on LVIA's Web site at: www.mylvia.com. Each applicant is contacted by a mentor who walks them through the orientation process and prepares them to network with others who are passionate about impacting the world in positive ways.

In conjunction with the world-class growth that the Las Vegas area is making in so many arenas, it just makes sense to develop new venues for professional and personal development that will assist in the transition from local to global. LVIA is the new format for socially and environmentally conscious Real Estate.

For more information, you can reach Tamara at (702) 682-3989 or the LVIA office at (702) 730-2828. E-mail her at tamarat@realtyonelv.com. or peruse the LVIA Web site at www.mylvia.com. You can also find out more about Tamara’s Garden at www.tamarasgarden.com.