Sandra Mendiola Alaniz initially worked in her family’s printing business for 20 years before switching careers to
become a real estate broker. She credits her husband for being instrumental in encouraging her to start her own business
as he sold a business he previously owned in order to support her new venture.
Alaniz said when she decided to open her business under the RE/MAX franchise in 2013, a network of 105,000 real
estate agents worldwide, the RE/MAX of Texas Board of Directors interviewed her five times. Classes she took at the
Business School taught her the art of negotiation and helped her build an enterprise that grossed $48 million in sales last
year, she said.
Born and raised in Laredo, Alaniz said she has always been ambitious and has had an entrepreneurial spirit in her. She
said she loves helping people in the community find their dream home.
“The way that I was raised, I always wanted to help the community,” she said,
“I am so proud to say that not only am I from Laredo, but that I was
educated in Laredo and I feel that it is my personal responsibility to give back to
my community.”
She said students do not need to leave Laredo to receive a quality education.
She recommends they become involved in TAMIU clubs and organizations
and network in the community to make crucial connections.
“They are so lucky to be a part of such a wonderful University. Every time
that I drive through that campus, I wish I was a student again,” she said.
These three Sanchez School of Business graduates are representative
of hundreds of successful graduates, all truly nurtured in TAMIU’s business
incubator… and all learning their own way to Go Beyond.
WE MEAN BUSINESS
Sandra Mendiola Alaniz, ’89,
broker and owner,
RE/MAX Real Estate Services
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