Leadership Talks: A Global Company Making an Impact Locally

Often, the most remarkable things come from humble beginnings. Many understand this to be true of their favorite athletes or public figures, but in visiting the Swire archives in Hong Kong last month, I learned this applies to the company where I’ve been helping spearhead residential sales and marketing for the past two years.

While at Swire, I’ve learned of its rich history in Asia. Still, my trip provided another level of understanding and insight into Swire’s humble beginnings and how John Swire & Sons Limited nurtured the company into the flourishing international conglomerate it is today. Having previously visited the John Swire & Sons Limited headquarters in the U.K., this felt like a full-circle experience. I’ve seen how the companies have grown in tandem over their 200-year history, and my trips to Hong Kong and the U.K. are experiences I will never forget and ones that I will be holding close as I work to continue to support Swire’s work in Miami, the city I call home.

I love living in Miami and the city’s vibrant ecosystem, but traveling outside of Miami was necessary for me to recalibrate as my team continues working to bring The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, to life via our traditional sales and marketing strategies and our soon-to-be-opened sales pavilion. The partnership between Swire and Mandarin Oriental is powerful. The parallels between Mandarin’s world-renowned service and Swire’s strong base of customer trust have come together to mark milestones for both Swire and Mandarin Oriental, especially as The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, will be Mandarin Oriental’s new North American flagship location and will exemplify what it means to stay at a Mandarin Oriental or live at a Mandarin Oriental residence.

For Swire, this project marks a commitment to developing Brickell Key, doing so in a manner that is not rushed or haphazard but instead meticulously planned and carried out over time – ensuring buy-in from key global stakeholders with the ultimate goal of creating something Miami has never seen before. Miami is a bold and vibrant city, and its residents are constantly presented with “bigger is better” messaging. It has been refreshing to work for a company whose reputation speaks volumes and whose buyers have come to associate our brand with excellence, care, and attention to detail from the moment they step foot on the property and every single day afterward.

As for what’s next, my team is constantly staying nimble and thinking on our feet. We’re lucky that our buyers already know and believe in the Mandarin Oriental and Swire brands. When Bloomberg published a story on The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, this past April, we saw such buzz from the market before we’d even begun implementing our formal marketing strategy. We are committed to the highest level of quality and excellence, and our buyers know that. As for The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami’s Sales Pavilion? I can confidently say that visitors and Miami residents alike have seen nothing like it. With panoramic views of Biscayne Bay and breathtaking interior details, we look forward to welcoming guests very soon.

When I reflect on what drives me, it’s the realization that my team and I are changing the Miami skyline. Working for a global company like Swire with a legacy as impactful as theirs, I know that I am able to make real change and be part of something beautiful and meaningful. Like Swire building a global company from humble beginnings, I know that I am helping to do the same thing here in Miami, and I cannot wait for you all to see what’s next.

–Erika Cajigas, Vice President Residential Sales & Marketing

Erika Carjigas – Vice President Residential Sales & Marketing

One of many archival objects I was taken by on my recent trip to Hong Kong

Looking up and looking ahead – The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Miami, are already making a splash along Biscayne Bay.