My strong work ethic from a young age led to an internship at 13—an opportunity that would later shape my career.
Getting laid off from my corporate job was a turning point––it was time to go all in on a career that had no guaranteed paycheck. Yet, it made sense––I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. My parents brought me to California from Yemen when I was 6, and I barely knew the language. As the oldest of 5 siblings, responsibility was second nature to me. My dad owned a smoke shop, and from a young age, I was involved in the business, counting the money at the end of the day. That’s when the entrepreneurial bug hit me.
In addition to being involved in my dad’s shop, I started working at 13, partly to contribute money to the household income and help my parents take care of my siblings. Later, I worked at the Coldstone Creamery in Pinole, but the life-changing opportunity came when I landed an internship at a real estate office as a teenager. That experience introduced me to real estate and to a broker who would later become my mentor.
By the time I finished high school, I had landed my first corporate job at AT&T, and realized I had a talent for sales—it just came naturally. I was also in a serious relationship with my girlfriend at the time, thinking about the future and what it could look like.
My life changed when I became interested in real estate investing. I reached out to the broker I had interned for, and he suggested I get my license. So I did! I worked part-time at AT&T and part-time as a REALTOR®, showing homes and trying to gain traction in the industry.
My girlfriend wasn’t thrilled with my decision. She didn’t see the vision I had or support my career. This girl, who had become my companion and confidant, instead left the relationship. At the same time, my job at AT&T ended—I just couldn’t balance working as a REALTOR® while staying at AT&T.
Those were dark times because I felt like I had nothing going on. I even questioned who I could trust. But instead of letting the disappointment consume me, I focused on myself. I went to the gym, spent time with family, leaned into my faith, and fully committed to real estate. Unlike a traditional job, real estate offers no predictable income, so I had to go all in.
The broker I worked for as a teenager became my mentor. He taught me discipline and pushed me to be more involved in the community. I knocked on doors, met people face to face, and even sent handwritten thank-you cards. I put in the work. That first year was tough, but I set goals and stuck to them. Over time, I built my business—and my confidence. Now, I feel grateful I stuck with real estate, despite the challenges.
Family remains a huge part of my life. My mom is my emotional and spiritual anchor, always there to calm me down when I need it. On weekends, I’m on the sidelines cheering for my brothers at their soccer games. I never had an older brother figure, and I want to be there for them in that way. I also volunteer once a month, helping clean the city of Hercules. There’s something special and beautiful about keeping the community clean.
I now see the value of fully committing to what you love and pushing through the challenges. Growing up, I just wanted to be helpful. Now, I help my clients make one of the most important decisions of their lives—buying or selling a home. I take that service to heart every day.
I love using my knowledge and resources to help people achieve their goals. I care about providing value by answering questions, finding solutions, and being a genuine source of support. I’m committed for the long haul, patiently working with clients until we find the perfect home.
Having grown up in this area, I offer deep insight into the community, local businesses, and neighborhoods, helping clients choose a home that fits their lifestyle. I also work quickly and efficiently—responding fast, sending information promptly, and handling tasks without delay.
Inclusivity is important to me. I welcome clients of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, ensuring they feel well-represented. I stay up to date on market trends, regulations, and real estate best practices to offer the highest level of service. If I don’t have an answer, my strong professional network does. I also speak Arabic and am happy to assist Arabic-speaking clients, making the process smoother and more accessible for them.
Sincerely,
Qayes "Q" Abdulla
REALTOR® | LIC# 02150727
Direct 510.779.4525
Q@QRemax.com
AskQayes.com
Getting laid off from my corporate job was a turning point––it was time to go all in on a career that had no guaranteed paycheck. Yet, it made sense––I’ve always wanted to be an entrepreneur. My parents brought me to California from Yemen when I was 6, and I barely knew the language. As the oldest of 5 siblings, responsibility was second nature to me. My dad owned a smoke shop, and from a young age, I was involved in the business, counting the money at the end of the day. That’s when the entrepreneurial bug hit me.
In addition to being involved in my dad’s shop, I started working at 13, partly to contribute money to the household income and help my parents take care of my siblings. Later, I worked at the Coldstone Creamery in Pinole, but the life-changing opportunity came when I landed an internship at a real estate office as a teenager. That experience introduced me to real estate and to a broker who would later become my mentor.
By the time I finished high school, I had landed my first corporate job at AT&T, and realized I had a talent for sales—it just came naturally. I was also in a serious relationship with my girlfriend at the time, thinking about the future and what it could look like.
My life changed when I became interested in real estate investing. I reached out to the broker I had interned for, and he suggested I get my license. So I did! I worked part-time at AT&T and part-time as a REALTOR®, showing homes and trying to gain traction in the industry. My girlfriend wasn’t thrilled with my decision. She didn’t see the vision I had or support my career. This girl, who had become my companion and confidant, instead left the relationship. At the same time, my job at AT&T ended—I just couldn’t balance working as a REALTOR® while staying at AT&T.
Those were dark times because I felt like I had nothing going on. I even questioned who I could trust. But instead of letting the disappointment consume me, I focused on myself. I went to the gym, spent time with family, leaned into my faith, and fully committed to real estate. Unlike a traditional job, real estate offers no predictable income, so I had to go all in.
The broker I worked for as a teenager became my mentor. He taught me discipline and pushed me to be more involved in the community. I knocked on doors, met people face to face, and even sent handwritten thank-you cards. I put in the work. That first year was tough, but I set goals and stuck to them. Over time, I built my business—and my confidence. Now, I feel grateful I stuck with real estate, despite the challenges.
Family remains a huge part of my life. My mom is my emotional and spiritual anchor, always there to calm me down when I need it. On weekends, I’m on the sidelines cheering for my brothers at their soccer games. I never had an older brother figure, and I want to be there for them in that way. I also volunteer once a month, helping clean the city of Hercules. There’s something special and beautiful about keeping the community clean. I now see the value of fully committing to what you love and pushing through the challenges. Growing up, I just wanted to be helpful. Now, I help my clients make one of the most important decisions of their lives—buying or selling a home. I take that service to heart every day.
I love using my knowledge and resources to help people achieve their goals. I care about providing value by answering questions, finding solutions, and being a genuine source of support. I’m committed for the long haul, patiently working with clients until we find the perfect home.
Having grown up in this area, I offer deep insight into the community, local businesses, and neighborhoods, helping clients choose a home that fits their lifestyle. I also work quickly and efficiently—responding fast, sending information promptly, and handling tasks without delay.
Inclusivity is important to me. I welcome clients of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds, ensuring they feel well-represented. I stay up to date on market trends, regulations, and real estate best practices to offer the highest level of service. If I don’t have an answer, my strong professional network does. I also speak Arabic and am happy to assist Arabic-speaking clients, making the process smoother and more accessible for them.
Sincerely,
Qayes "Q" Abdulla
REALTOR® | LIC# 02150727
Direct 510.779.4525
Q@QRemax.com
AskQayes.com