Business With a Heart
Daniel Zia’s grand-father emigrated from Afghanistan, a country where business acumen has long been prized. Now, he’s channeling that entrepreneurial spirit through his Santa Barbara real estate business. Instead of blanketing social media with listings, he uses it to open up conversations. “If the content is good, people are going to subscribe,” Zia, 28, says. “Over time, that interaction becomes the relationship.” Zia mentors nearby college students and administers to the community at large. His Christian faith motivates him to donate 20 percent of his gross income to local and international charities. Clients can suggest worthy causes. “It’s a blessing to learn about new organizations in this way,” he says.