Everyday People, Make the World Go Round – Meet Rozita Rafat
Everyday People, Make the World Go Round – Meet Rozita Rafat
Name: Rozita Rafat
Title: Realtor/Broker Associate
Company: Keller Williams Realty
Major City Where You Work: Weston, FL in Broward County
City Where You Live: Weston, FL in Broward County
Please, share your personal and cultural background with our readers. Where did you grow up?
I was born in Iran and migrated to the United States with my family at the age of 11. The first city I called home, in the United States, was Atlanta, Georgia. My parents still reside there today. I moved to Miami in 2003 to complete my graduate degree in Biomedical Engineering at Florida International University. South Florida is my home and where my husband and I raise our family. I enjoy the diversity this area has to offer.
Please share with us a current typical day or week in your everyday personal life.
My mornings consist of getting up early, getting the kids ready for school, and working out in the gym. As a
realtor, I have a pretty flexible schedule and no day is ever the same. This keeps things very exciting for me.
Each day, including weekends, could be a different appointment, property showings or a last minute change.
Tell us why you do, what you do, for a living. 
My passion is my family and having the opportunity to help other families create a home and long-lasting memories drives me every single day. I do not take my role as a realtor very lightly. It is not about a transaction for me. It is about truly caring and making sure that families have the time to explore and make sure that they are making the right choice for their future. I meet so many amazing families who have become close friends along the way. Home is where the heart is, and to be there every step of the way with families gives me great joy.
How did you end up in your line of work? Was it accidental or were you strategic about it?
I was a Chemical/Biomedical Engineer and spent several years in my field of study in labs working on cutting-edge research. As amazing as this was, it was also very demanding and my schedule was not in my control. The idea of being in business for myself always fascinated me. When I married the love of my life and we decided to start a family, it made sense to take a leap and leave the corporate world. The transition was very strategic and well thought out. After having our second child, I decided to use my maternity leave to explore and learn more about the real estate world. The more I learned, the more it excited me. It’s been seven years and I’ve never looked back. This was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life.
Tell us about the factors that shaped your career and business aspirations.
Besides the entrepreneurial drive that I have always had, helping people is my main goal. I was taught by my
parents, from a young age, that if you give back to your community and help everyone as much as you can, it will
all come back to you in different ways. I absolutely believe that what you put out in the universe comes back to
you. Best of all, finding families a house that they can call home is so gratifying.
Please share with us a current typical day or week in your everyday professional life.
Availability in my business is the key. I wake up early, and hit the ground running. I go from showing homes,
to meeting new families, to finishing the day with phone calls and drafting contracts. I am available to my clients 7
days a week. When everyone is off, my work hours begin.
Share how you balance the work-life challenges…what have been the rewards.
Since my business operates every day at all hours of the day, I find little pockets in my day where either I spend
quality time with family or have time for myself. I do disconnect from my phone when I know there is nothing
urgent that could arise. Also taking vacations with the family to re-fresh my mind and energy is a key to my
success. My goal is to be present no matter where I am and what I am doing.
What advice would you have for others in the business sector trying to make it day after day?
There are many aspects in any business that is not in our control. You always have to remind yourself about the
uncontrollable factors and just push forward with absolute positivity.
Did your background/ethnicity create any obstacles for you? Any advantages? How so?
Being Iranian and married to a Latin man has strengthened my perspective in life and business. I am absolutely
proud of my heritage which was built on strength and deep cultural roots. My business is built on relationships
and having the three cultures (Iranian-American-Latin) in my house only deepens my appreciation for diversity
in our world.
What inspires you in your work life? What turns you off? 
My client’s appreciation for what I do for them, with honesty and transparency, is what fuels my inspiration.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
To always follow your heart and never take anything for granted. Every moment in your life happens for a reason. Make the best of it.
Do you think you have ever truly “made it” in life?
The definition of “made it” could have various meanings for different people. As long as I have health and am surrounded by love then I have “made it”.
If you could have dinner with any person—living or dead–who would it be? Why?
I would love to have known my grandmother from my mother’s side of the family. She left our world too early, however
raised strong children, including my mother.
What is your favorite quote/saying? Give us your own personal quote to commemorate at LBT.
My favorite saying is, “Get out of your comfort zone”. In order to excel in life you have to first be uncomfortable
to become comfortable later. If you get out of your comfort zone, it pushes you forward.
