Leslie McDonnell is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Suburban in Libertyville.
Where did you grow up? Wilmette.
What is your favorite free-time activity? Boating, and hanging out with friends (most of whom are fellow agents), family and grandkids.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Go spend time with my grandchildren, do simple things or head up to my lake house.
Growing up, what did you want to be? An independent business owner.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Luke Bryan, a country music artist who was an unknown three years ago. I’m a big fan!
Where is your favorite place to hang out? My lake house.
What do you love most about the industry? All the amazing people I get to meet and friends I have made that I cherish. They are composed of many Realtors and
many clients.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I try to help other agents become better by sharing.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Dealing with the small percentage of agents with questionable ethics or business practices, or less-than-becoming personalities.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I hang out with other clients.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Having the freedom to do what I want as a result of my sales accomplishments, and thus being able to share with my family and friends. I was the No. 1 individual RE/MAX agent in 2004 in Illinois, have been No. 1 pretty much every year since in teams and was No. 2 this year in Lake County, according to Chicago Agent (thank you!).
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? The last good book I read was “Givers and Takers.”
What is your favorite restaurant? Paisano’s on Broadway in Richmond, Illinois.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago?
The Oriental Theater, especially the inside.
What kind of car do you drive? A Cadillac Escalade.
Smartphone or paper? Smartphone.
What is your favorite city after Chicago? New York.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?Start with systems and pay it forward.
What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Andriod app? SIRI and MapQuest.