Today we’d like to introduce you to Erika Fonseca.
Hi Erika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My story begins in Klaipeda in the years following the fall of the Soviet Union. It was a time of profound transition. When the system collapsed, my family made the decision to leave in search of opportunity. That journey eventually brought us to London, where we began rebuilding and looking ahead.
In a life-changing moment, we were blessed to win the U.S. Green Card lottery, and in 2001 we arrived in the United States with ambition, gratitude, and belief in what was possible.
Growing up in a post-Soviet environment and immigrating shaped my perspective early. Corporate America became a dream long before I stepped into it. It represented structure, excellence, and opportunity at scale. Education became my pathway forward.
A defining professional chapter began at Virtuit Systems, which was still small and in its early stages when I joined. I started part-time in data entry and, over nearly a decade, grew into the role of Director of Finance. Growing alongside a young company gave me firsthand exposure to scaling operations, managing cash flow, and making strategic financial decisions that directly impacted growth.
Under the mentorship of Michael Murphy, I developed not only financial expertise but leadership confidence. Mike’s coaching extended beyond technical knowledge — he challenged me to think strategically, take ownership, and lead decisively. His influence shaped how I approach business and growth to this day.
Eventually, I stepped into Corporate America, including a chapter at American Express, fulfilling a long-held goal. That experience deepened my understanding of enterprise-level systems, compliance, and operational excellence.
Along the way, I earned my MBA -becoming the first woman in my family’s history to do so – and today I continue to serve as a Teaching Support Specialist in Penn State’s Online MBA program, staying connected to leadership development and higher education.
My husband and I have always believed deeply in real estate as a vehicle for stability and generational wealth. Together, we manage a growing portfolio through our company, Sona Properties. In 2024, we relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, and I stepped fully into entrepreneurship as a Mortgage Loan Originator under Oak City Lending, building my brand, “Your Home with Erika.”
Looking back, my journey has been shaped by education, mentorship, partnership, and an unwavering belief in ownership – of opportunity, of growth, and ultimately of one’s own path.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it was not smooth at all.
There were years that felt like pure survival.
When we were building our life here, I did whatever was necessary. I cleaned homes. I worked seasonal cashier jobs during the holidays. I took night shifts in a local hospital emergency room so we could bring in extra income and secure health insurance. We were raising two daughters, and stability was not optional -it was our responsibility.
At the same time, I was going to school at night.
I never stopped.
There were seasons when I operated like a machine: work, school, motherhood, repeat. Sleep was limited. Rest felt indulgent. But I was driven by a belief that education and discipline were the path forward. I knew that if I kept moving – even when exhausted, the long-term outcome would be different for our family.
Then came 2008.
We were hit hard during the financial crisis. We experienced foreclosure. I remember being afraid to open the door, worried it might be the sheriff serving eviction papers. That fear is not theoretical – it’s physical. It stays with you. It reshapes how you think about money, security, and risk.
We have seen instability. We have felt uncertainty. We have had to rebuild.
But here is what matters most: I was never alone in it.
My husband was always by my side. Always.
He supported me when I worked nights. He encouraged me to keep studying when I was exhausted. He believed in me before the results showed up. He pushed me forward when quitting would have been easier. Every milestone in my career, every degree earned, every professional risk taken – he stood behind it, steady and unwavering. We didn’t just survive those years. We survived them together.
Those struggles shaped everything that came after. They built discipline, resilience, humility, and empathy. They are the reason I understand what financial pressure feels like. They are the reason I guide clients with seriousness and care.
The road was not smooth. It was demanding, frightening at times, and deeply stretching. But it built strength. It built partnership, it built perspective. And it built the foundation for everything we have today.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a Mortgage Loan Originator based in Raleigh, North Carolina, operating under Oak City Lending through my brand, “Your Home with Erika.” At its core, my work is about helping individuals and families navigate one of the most significant financial decisions of their lives: purchasing or refinancing a home.
I specialize in strategic mortgage planning, not just rate quoting. That means I look at the full financial picture: income structure, long-term goals, investment plans, risk tolerance, and timing. My background in finance allows me to analyze scenarios deeply and structure loans intentionally, whether it’s conventional, FHA, VA, investor financing, or more complex situations involving self-employment or credit rebuilding.
Because my husband and I actively manage rental properties through our company, Sona Properties, I also bring an investor’s mindset to the table. I understand leverage, cash flow, and long-term wealth building from personal experience. For many clients, especially those interested in building real estate portfolios, that perspective makes a meaningful difference.
What I am most proud of is not volume or production numbers. It is trust.
Many of my clients come to me during vulnerable moments – when they are unsure if they qualify, rebuilding after financial hardship, or making their first major investment. I take that responsibility seriously. Having personally experienced financial setbacks and rebuilding, I approach lending with empathy and discipline. I do not treat loans as transactions. I treat them as long-term financial decisions.
What sets me apart is a combination of lived experience and financial strategy. I have seen instability, I have rebuilt, and I have invested again. I understand both risk and resilience. My clients often tell me they appreciate my clarity – I explain numbers in a way that removes fear and replaces it with understanding.
Ultimately, I am known for being steady, analytical, and relationship-driven. I build my business through community involvement and long-term partnerships. My goal is not just to close a loan, but to become a trusted advisor as clients grow, invest, and build wealth over time.
The work is technical, yes, but for me, it is deeply personal. Homeownership represents opportunity. And helping families step into that opportunity is something I take pride in every day.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The biggest advice I would give someone starting out is this: you are often your own worst enemy – stop that. You are more capable than you think.
For a long time, I struggled with insecurity. I questioned whether I belonged in certain rooms. I wondered if I was “behind.” I worked twice as hard because I feared not being enough. That internal voice was louder than any external obstacle.
What I’ve learned is that confidence is built through action, not before it.
I am the first woman in my family’s history to earn an MBA. That milestone carries deep meaning for me. It represents generational progress – proof that the trajectory can change in one lifetime. Education was never just a credential; it was leverage. It was a way to expand what felt possible.
Today, I continue to serve as a Teaching Support Specialist in Penn State’s Online MBA program. Staying connected to that academic environment matters to me. It keeps me intellectually sharp, but it also reminds me of the path of studying at night, of pushing through exhaustion, of choosing growth even when it was inconvenient.
If I could speak to someone just starting out, I would say this: do not shrink yourself. Do not let insecurity dictate your decisions. Temporary jobs do not define you. Setbacks do not disqualify you. You can build a life that looks different from what you inherited.
Progress does not have to be loud. It has to be consistent.
And sometimes, the most important step forward is simply believing that you belong in the room.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.yourhomewitherika.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourhomewitherika/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YourHomeWithErika
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikafonsecarealestate/
