Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Tomala.
Hi Eric, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Eric Tomalá is the Assistant Director at the Maryland Robotics Center and a real estate agent in Maryland with over 20 years of experience working with Latinx communities and higher education. He is the owner of Management Advisory Solutions (M.A.S.) and 365 Events and Rentals, where he leads strategic business growth and event planning. Eric is also a motivational speaker and advisor who empowers entrepreneurs nationwide to launch and grow successful businesses. Holding degrees in Economics, International Business, and a Master’s in Sociology, he serves as a notary and wedding officiant, committed to supporting his community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many immigrants, when I first arrived in the United States in 1999, I faced the typical struggles—language barriers, cultural differences, and the challenge of starting over without many resources. Learning English was one of my biggest obstacles, and I had to push myself out of my comfort zone by surrounding myself with English speakers, watching only movies in English, and committing to learn through immersion.
Another challenge was financial. Education in the U.S. is expensive, and it took me nearly eight years of working different jobs before I had the opportunity to go back to school. Balancing work, studies, and supporting myself was not easy, but I saw education as the key investment that would open doors.
Like many entrepreneurs, I also faced setbacks in business. Starting and running companies required resilience, persistence, and a willingness to reinvent myself. There were times when resources were limited or when I had to pivot quickly to adapt to new realities.
Migration itself brings unique difficulties—you lose connections with your home country, face uncertainty, and constantly have to prove yourself. But I chose to view those struggles as opportunities to grow. Each challenge pushed me to evolve, to find my place, and to turn obstacles into steppingstones for both my academic and entrepreneurial careers.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I wear several professional hats, but at the core, my work is about helping people grow, connect, and succeed. Over the last two decades, I’ve built a career that blends higher education, business, community service, and entrepreneurship.
In education, I’ve served as an administrator, mentor, and lecturer at three state universities, and today I am the Assistant Director for a state University in Maryland. Through these roles, I’ve had the privilege of working with thousands of students, guiding them academically and professionally, many of whom are first-generation or international students from Latin America.
As an entrepreneur, I founded Management Advisory Solutions (M.A.S.) and 365 Events and Rentals, two companies focused on empowering people. With M.A.S., I specialize in mentoring Latino entrepreneurs across the U.S., offering mentorship , practical business training that combines lessons from economics, sociology, and psychology. With 365 Events and Rentals, I bring joy and memorable experiences to people’s lives through weddings, celebrations, and cultural events.
I’m also a certified wedding officiant and notary, delivering personalized bilingual ceremonies, and a licensed real estate agent, helping families and individuals achieve the dream of homeownership.
What I’m most proud of is the impact: helping students discover their potential, seeing entrepreneurs launch businesses, couples celebrating their love, or a family getting the keys to their first home.
What sets me apart is my multidisciplinary approach—I combine academic knowledge with real-world business experience, cultural understanding, and motivational teaching. I also bring the perspective of someone who has lived the immigrant journey: I understand the struggles firsthand and can translate that into empathy, mentorship, and actionable guidance for others.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
In the next 5–10 years, I see real estate continuing to evolve with technology, data-driven tools, and changing market dynamics, but the human side of the business will remain just as important. Families—especially immigrant and bilingual households—will continue to need trusted advisors who understand their culture, language, and unique challenges when buying or selling a home.
My personal goal is to become a real estate broker so I can expand my reach and serve the community better. By creating opportunities for other agents, offering training, and building a team that is culturally aware and bilingual, I can help more families achieve the dream of homeownership.
I also see growing opportunities in educating first-time buyers, offering financial literacy resources, and guiding people through the process in a way that feels approachable and empowering. The Latino community in particular represents a powerful force in the housing market, and I want to be at the forefront of supporting that growth.
For me, the future of real estate isn’t just about transactions—it’s about building trust, creating generational wealth, and empowering communities to thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://oficiantebodasmarylanddc.com/ | https://managementadvisorysolutions.com/ | https://365eventrent.com/
- Instagram: www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tomala-bb5706295
