Kevin Cruz is living proof that with grit and determination, the American Dream can become

reality.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Kevin enjoyed a childhood filled with fun and carefree days,

creating countless happy memories in his homeland. During those early years, while his mother

worked in the dental industry and his father in pharmaceuticals, Kevin learned to be

independent. “I learned the hustle independently at a very young age,” Kevin says. At 13, he

traveled to the United States to visit family, a trip he never imagined would change his life

forever. While he was away, his parents decided that to give their son greater opportunities to

pursue his dreams, he should remain in the U.S. to continue his education and begin a new

chapter. “I didn’t realize my life was going to be here,” Kevin recalls.

Arriving as a tourist, Kevin not only started his life in America with only $300, but also spoke no

English, often carrying a dictionary with him in order to communicate. Right away, he got to

work. He washed dishes, cleaned cars, and at just 15 secured his first job at a pizza parlor.

From there, he took on a variety of roles, always finding ways to earn money and help his family support him.

At 18, Kevin was detained in a prison because of his immigration status. Never one to give up,

he fought the case relentlessly and ultimately won. “That was my second chance in my life to

actually make something out of myself here in America,” he says of gaining his freedom and

securing citizenship. Determined to seize every opportunity, Kevin quickly recognized his

potential as an entrepreneur. In his early 20s, he launched several ventures, achieving success

with his event production company, which produced events for 300 to 5,000 attendees. He also

started a sound and light production company, along with a variety of other side hustles.

By 2015, Kevin was a father of two and knew he needed to focus on one career path, ultimately

deciding to give real estate a try, part time at first. After just a year, he realized he could fully

support his family in the field and jumped in full time. “Real estate is what really changed my

life,” Kevin asserts. In his first year, he earned Rookie of the Year in Northern California, in his

second year Kevin was chosen as the 30 under 30 Entrepreneur of the Year, and by his third

year he was building his own team.

After only four years in the business, Kevin founded Kinetic Real Estate together with his

fiancée Tien Le and Guillean Arradaza. The name of their brokerage holds special meaning:

Kinetic blends Kevin’s initials with Tien’s first name, while also reflecting the unmatched kinetic

energy they and their agents embody. Kevin is quick to point out that no one builds something

like this alone. “It takes a TEAM to create what Kinetic Real Estate has become,” he explains.

That team now includes President Juan Ruan, Vice President Edgar Barreto, Operations

Manager Ana Ruan, and leaders such as Pri Ruan, Bryan Cruz, Michael Lim, and Leonardo

Morales, all of whom play a vital role in driving Kinetic’s growth and culture. Together, they

continue to expand the vision, not only through residential real estate but also by launching

Kinetic Commercial with Giovani Franco, extending the company’s reach into commercial

markets in the Bay Area.

Their mission remains simple: to help as many people as possible. Today, Kevin’s team of more

than 60 agents has helped over 1,600 families and closed over $1.6 billion in sales since its

inception. “I’m always trying to find ways to excel, innovate, and elevate our agents. All of us

came from adversity,” Kevin says.

Kevin views real estate as a powerful vehicle for building wealth. About seven years ago, he

began investing in rental properties and now owns 15 properties totaling 40–45 doors, primarily

in Sacramento. In 2020, he expanded into property flipping and has completed more than 40 fix

and flips to date. He currently has seven developments underway and is one of the largest

investors in a 3D-printing home-building machine in California called 4Dify. Kevin keeps his

ventures close to home, feeling a deep connection to the region. “The Bay Area is where my

heart is,” he says.

Today, Kevin and Tien have blended their families, raising four sons, ages 13, 14, 15, and 16,

along with a four-year-old daughter they share. When he’s not working, Kevin enjoys gathering

with friends for meaningful conversations and brainstorming new ideas. One of his greatest joys

is watching the people around him grow and succeed in their own pursuits. He also loves

spending time with his family, playing video games, and traveling the world. Some of the most

exciting places he has visited are Switzerland, Italy, France, Germany, Hawaii and New York.

Kevin is especially fascinated by studying architecture in the places he explores.

Kevin knows that without his parents’ bold decision to keep him in the United States, he

wouldn’t have the successful career he enjoys today. “I wouldn’t be able to do what I do in the

Philippines,” he explains. After battling his immigration case and spending time in prison, Kevin

experienced a powerful wake-up call. He realized, “Life is not happening to you, it’s happening

for you.” He also came to understand that failure is an essential part of growth and that

achieving your dreams requires the grit and determination to keep getting back up. His advice to hose just starting out is not to fear failure, but to embrace it. “I’ve seen both spectrums in life.

The American dream is definitely what people strive for,” Kevin says.

Kevin’s journey highlights his perseverance and relentless drive. Starting with little and adapting to a new country, he rose swiftly to build thriving businesses while always investing in the people around him. His success shines brightest in the opportunities he creates for others.