Meet Selina Ponniah | Real Estate Broker, Mortgage Broker & Home Decor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Selina Ponniah and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Selina, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
I graduated with a MBA from the University of Memphis, TN in 1988. As I graduated, I was expecting my first child, and so I stayed home for the kids. That was a privilege to stay home and care for my children, while my husband supported that, So I did not enter the workforce after graduation. But my husband always said that a MBA is a stepping stone to starting your own business. The confidence that comes from having a solid education and developing good oral and written communication skills, cannot be overemphasized. That allowed me to be content with what I needed to do at any moment in time. People are always clamoring for one thing or another. That happens because people are not content and always thinking and wanting the ” grass that appears greener on the other side”! My balance now has changed over the years to juggle both work and life as I started my business and had to care for my family and their education as well as promoting and growing my own business. Over the years, I have started 3 businesses and now it is forming a synergy. Being a Real Estate broker, Mortgage Broker and an architectural/antiques dealer, in Houston ( 1995 – now) is now leading to a cohesive one stop shopping niche. I am glad to be part of it and enjoy it.

What should our readers know about your business?
First Business: Bungalow Antiques, the story of how we came to establish was featured int he Lifestyle section of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE, Oct 29, 2003. I am also a Texas Realtor, and a member of the Houston Association of Realtors, and the Dallas and Fort Worth Real Estate Association and a federally licensed Mortgage Broker.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Show them the sights of Houston..NASA, Antique Center of Texas for a fun Texas size shopping mall reminiscent of yesteryears, and full of collectibles….. Friday evening dinner at The Rainbow Lodge at 2011 Ella Blvd, at East TC Jester, Houston, TX 77008-2701. You can go here after a visit to our Bungalow Antiques storefront! A couple of decades ago, I visited this same location, on our wedding anniversary…it was an acclaimed French restaurant, On saturday, a visit to Galveston beach and take the ferry across at about 4 pm to Crystal Beach ( 20 minute complimentary ferry ride) and enjoy the skyline of Houston and watch the sea gulls and pelicans swoop and dive. At Crystal Beach, you would go for the most scrumptious Blueberry Margarita and the Shrimp Tikka Masala with homemade grits! The appetizers with mango salso is a great way to wash down the margaritas. The place worthy of Michelin star status, is the well kept secret of the locals… Steve’s Landing. 1290 Bay Vue Rd, Crystal Beach, TX 77650. A ferry ride back in the evening will give you the nightlights and neon lit skyline of Houston! On Sunday, you could visit St. Martins’ Episcopal Church at San Felipe for a church service and see the beautiful rectory and wood carvings. They have church tours of the old rectory and church and stain glass windows. A visit to the Aquarium, is a must, and a visit to the Houston Zoo would be a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4KJV This was a prophetic verse that has guided me all my career and who would have thought precious and pleasant riches are antiques! I am an antique dealer and our shop Bungalow Antiques has been in Houston for 24 years, and we are a 1st DIBS dealer. So thanks be to Jesus Christ. Amen.

Website: www.Bungalowantiques.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/homewiserealtytx
Other: www.1stdibs.com www.har.com/selina www.har.com/homewiserealty

Image Credits
Selina Ponniah