Why Elephant Skin? The Story Behind the Name

Ever wondered why we’re called Elephant Skin?

It all started with a post-it note. Yes, the one you see here is the original!

Many of us have experienced the challenges of moving to a new city, country, or school. It doesn’t matter who you are—these transitions are tough 100% of the time. You have to reset, adapt, and start from scratch. You meet new people, develop new skills, embrace new cultures, question yourself, and learn to thrive in uncertainty.

In 2015, our CEO, Giovana, joined a renowned landscape architecture firm in Miami. Despite the excitement of this new opportunity, it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows. “We worked tirelessly, and some days, no matter how strong our intentions were, things just didn’t go our way,” Giovana recalls.

During one particularly challenging day, Gi’s ex-boss handed her a post-it note and said:

“You need this. You need to develop your Elephant Skin. Focus and keep moving forward.”

Reflecting on that moment, Giovana shared, “This happened in 2017 when I was working for a landscape architecture firm in Miami. I remember it was my first opportunity to manage my own project. I had always been part of a team before, and this was my chance to show I knew what I was doing. I had a presentation prepared, with numbers and materials, and I had worked late and over the weekend. When I presented the project to the client, my boss was there with me, but the feedback was tough. There were many changes needed, and I felt really disheartened. When I came back to my desk, my boss had left a pink post-it on my monitor. She explained that I needed to be more resilient, that not every day would be good, and that I couldn’t give up. I had to keep going and trust I was on the right path.”

When the time came to name our company, "Elephant Skin" fit perfectly. It reminds us every single day that the world is challenging and life can be unfair, but we are Elephants. We remember where we came from and embrace the stories that shape us. This is our foundation, and it’s how we’ll achieve our goals.

Giovana elaborates, “I see that the concept of 'elephant skin' is tied to everyone at Elephant Skin, in all positions. It’s a core part of our culture and values because building this resilience isn’t something that happens overnight. You have to go through very uncomfortable situations, far outside your comfort zone. Whether it’s presenting to investors, creating new partnerships, or dealing with daily challenges, facing these new situations makes you grow and develop your elephant skin.”

To have Elephant Skin means to be bold, sharp, forward-thinking, and to make things happen. Our team is made up of minds, not just hands. We are thinkers and doers, transforming Real Estate into masterpieces. We care deeply about our work, treating every project as our own. We think like our clients and strive to make ourselves proud. And yes, we are motivated as hell!

Real Estate is not for amateurs. That’s why our team comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds, adding value and unique perspectives to make each project stand out genuinely and powerfully.

We are fierce, compelling, and creative. The Elephants are taking over the world. In a world full of dogs, we are Elephants!

“I see that Elephant Skin has enabled a lot of flexibility. Working remotely, having the opportunity to experience other cultures and countries, requires an enormous 'elephant skin.' It’s about how you, as a human, as a professional, develop in different spheres,” says Giovana.

Now, let’s create your WOW story together!