“I really care about people and the community. I see people who could buy a home but don’t know it yet. That’s why I’m so interested in financial education
Her voice is clear, energetic, and sweet—it invites companionship, and encourages open, honest dialogue.
“Laura Stopani is a financial expert whose background—not only academically but also personally—gives her advice the power to change her clients’ lives.”
“I think I’ve…” she pauses for a few seconds… “helped about a thousand people buy their homes,” she says proudly. “When I’m driving through Riverside, Covina, or other cities, sometimes I’ll say, ‘Look, I helped someone close on their house here,’” says this woman, born in Durango, Mexico, but raised in Monterrey.
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What were you like as a child? I ask. Were you mischievous, studious, social?
She laughs, perhaps remembering those years.
“I was very introverted as a child. From a young age, I loved American movies—I imagined myself living in this country. Of course, I liked school. I have a family that was always involved. I loved music, and many times I’d lock myself in my room and sing Madonna songs…”
Which ones? I ask.
She goes quiet, trying to remember the tunes, and then suddenly, over the phone, I hear a voice singing:
“Open your heart to me, baby / I’ll hold the lock and you hold the key / Open your heart to me, darling / I’ll give you love if you, you turn the key.”
She laughs, “I’m a terrible singer, but that was one of the Madonna songs I used to sing and dance to. I’d write down all the lyrics and practice pronouncing them—that helped me learn English,” she says.
Her artistic side didn’t stop there. At family gatherings, she’d be asked to dance. She studied ballet, Hawaiian, jazz, and was often chosen for school plays.
“It created a very beautiful environment. My dad was very romantic with my mom—he would serenade her. Seeing that made us happy,” she adds.
She also visualized big buildings where she imagined herself working someday. The world of finance came calling, says Stopani, now VP Loan Officer at Sol Terra Estates & Lending Inc. and Chief Development Director of FFA Financial Group.
“I’m fascinated by so many things and I’m very curious—watching airplanes fly, thinking about everything that goes into them. Fulfilling myself as a woman was always a priority,” she says.
Her father initially worked in finance and later moved into import-export in the United States.
“We had to leave Monterrey when our family went through a difficult period—a time of crisis. Before that, we had everything, and then suddenly, we didn’t. We had to face that reality. During that time, I grew, I learned a lot, and I realized that some friends will stick with you no matter what. My mom also left a deep impression on me. I saw how strong she was and how she pulled us through while my dad handled other matters. It was a very constructive period,” she says reflectively.
They moved to Del Rio, Texas. Before that, Laura and her sister had spent some time in California to learn English while staying with their aunt.
“When we got to Del Rio, we told everyone we were from California—that made a big impact, we were really popular,” she laughs again, enjoying the memory of her youth. “People called my sister and me ‘heartbreakers,’” she laughs again. “My mom was very strict with us, so we didn’t really go out.”
She made the most of her high school years—studying business, joining the debate club, and doing a lot of aerobics, which was very popular at the time.
“Texas didn’t treat us badly. We made good friends. We were kind of in shock—there were people from the Air Force there, and it felt like we were in the movie Top Gun. I was more prepared to handle those transitions because the tough times had already taught me a lot,” she says.
In college, she had a relationship that resulted in the birth of her son.
“It was short-lived, but it was never meant to last—it only lasted a few months. I ended that relationship, and my family was moving to California. My mom told me, ‘You need to go build your own path—I’ll take care of my grandson.’ That motivated me. My family supported me, and we moved to San Dimas. Later, my dad bought a house in Chino Hills, and I had a job in Covina. That’s where I met my mentor, who taught me everything I needed to know about the real estate market. That’s when I took off,” she says proudly.
One of her biggest lessons was the importance of documenting every transaction.
“My father wasn’t like that—a handshake was enough to close a deal. My mother couldn’t believe it. She told him everything had to be documented, and that lesson really helped me in all the deals I’ve closed,” she adds.
Navigating the financial world has meant a lot of studying, attending various forums, and talking with many experts. All of that helps her offer her clients the best tools and options.
“I really care about people and the community. I see people who could buy a home but don’t know it yet. That’s why I’m so interested in financial education—sharing this information, explaining what’s out there in the market, and guiding them. But they have to do their part. If someone’s missing something, I give them homework—it’s up to them whether they do it or not,” she says firmly.
Laura feels she’s made solid progress and achieved her dreams.
“When I discovered Newport Beach, I promised myself I’d own a house there one day. I did it when I was thirty. I was so happy,” she says.
Despite all her success, Laura still felt something was missing. She had built a solid, secure career—but something didn’t feel complete. One day, it clicked.
“I was missing my connection with God. I started reading a lot—I read the Bible, and I love it. That emptiness I felt was from not giving time to God, not taking the time to get to know Him,” she concludes.
