Marcelo Bermudez

Marcelo is a graduate of the University of Southern California, Marshall School of Business & Lusk Center Ross Program in Real Estate. He has three decades of business, commercial real estate, finance and management experience working with investors, entrepreneurs, high net worth individuals, family offices and lower middle market companies across multiple industries.

He is a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) and Mediator to help business owners create a strategy that maximizes their business, personal and financial goals, and build consensus in difficult situations.

He was President and National Board Member of the USC Marshall School of Business Alumni Association and is active in community teaching financial literacy, fatherhood empowerment, and pre‐marrieds. He and his wife, Lizbett, help single mothers needing housing & mentoring. He is a recipient of the Fulfillment Fund’s Sherak Inspiration Award and University of Southern California’s Widney Alumni House Award for excellence & community.

Marcelo is a Ventura County Leadership Academy alumni where he dedicates himself to broadening awareness of critical issues in business, social services, education, government, infrastructure, water, agriculture, housing and transportation in the region.

In addition to writing long-form articles on business and commercial real estate, he is an author and amateur photographer.

Lizbett G. Bermudez

Lizbett is a principal of Shokunin. She has a degree in criminology and spent two decades helping and educating people with special needs to live independently. She has managed residential and commercial properties, people, and budgets for a leading international service provider of adults and children with disabilities. Lizbett collaborates with Marcelo on property selection, assessment, acquisition and management for their own portfolio and for syndication opportunities.

Marcelo and Lizbett are married with three children. They are Los Angeles / San Fernando Valley natives and live in Thousand Oaks, Ventura County, California.

Shōkunin

Shokunin is a Japanese word meaning “to be master of one’s profession and devoted to your craft.” It drives one’s work ethic and discipline.

The Japanese apprentice is taught that shokunin means not only having technical skills, but also implies an attitude and social consciousness. The shokunin has a social obligation to work his/her best for the general welfare of the people. This obligation is both spiritual and material, in that no matter what it is, the shokunin’s responsibility is to fulfill the requirement (Tasio Odate).

This concept resonated with Marcelo and Lizbett’s personal values. They wanted the brand to reflect their commitment to clients, family, friends, and those in need.

RECENT FEEDBACK

We bought a company in distress that had lost all credit options with its vendors. While we began to rebuild the company, Marcelo found capital to ensure we had enough cash flow to get to the next level instead of having to pre-pay for inventory and supplies as our client base and orders grew. He has also laid out a capital access plan for us as we hit certain revenue and income milestones to ensure we are successful with our investment.

Private Equity Investor, Miami, FL

My small construction development had run into trouble after a dispute with the general contractor. With foreclosure looming, Marcelo was able to synthesize everything to get the project past the finish line. His high level of communication and professionalism with the lender has bought us some time while we press forward and find a solution to finish the project.

Real Estate Developer, San Gabriel, CA

As an experienced real estate developer, I knew that the retail development I wanted to build was out of favor because of the pandemic. Marcelo ushered in several capital sources to get this project off the ground and we are well on our way to delivering a much-needed product in a community that needs the investment.

Real Estate Developer, Montebello, CA

My credit score and income had taken a beating after a messy divorce. After meeting with Marcelo, he helped me find the courage to move forward on a real estate development project on one of my properties that I had put on hold for years. He found capital that paid attention to the story on the development and not my personal details.

Real Estate Investor, Los Angeles, CA

The team at Shōkunin helped us structure a leveraged buyout of a competitor who was much larger than us. Marcelo put together unique forms of capital to get us the most leverage possible. We were able to close in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic successfully even after everyone else hit the pause button.

Digital Advertising CEO, Dallas, TX

As the owner of several restaurant brands, Marcelo always made sure to keep us organized as we sought capital for growth, including the unplanned acquisition of a restaurant location that has proven to be one of our most profitable locations. He is my first call for all things related to capital.

Restaurant Management Group, Hollywood, CA

About Us - Shokunin

Marcelo Bermudez

Lizbett G. Bermudez​

Shōkunin

RECENT FEEDBACK

As the owner of several restaurant brands, Marcelo always made sure to keep us organized as we sought capital for growth, including the unplanned acquisition of a restaurant location that has proven to be one of our most profitable locations. He is my first call for all things related to capital.

Lizbett G. Bermudez