What was your first job in the realty industry? Currently this is my first job: working with Baird & Warner at the Naperville office, which happens to be the No. 1 office for the company.

Where did you grow up? In the LaGrange and Westmont area.

What is your favorite free-time activity? Trading S&P futures, travel, working out and going to great restaurants.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Working out helps, as does turning the phone off and spending time with family.

If you weren’t a Realtor, what would you be? Trade S&P futures or own a restaurant.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Any travel destination for a long weekend.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? As a new agent, I think a lot of the old ways and old mentality actually hurts agents. In this environment, one needs a new way of looking at things. Don’t get me wrong, you can’t just sit at a computer and never get on the phone to prospect. You need to
still go and see people, stay active and form relationships, but you also need to
take advantage of all the new tools we have.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Not being able to do more, and not being able to get people what they “expect.”

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Everywhere: church, the store, out to dinner. As a former business owner in Naperville, I bump into people all the time that ask me what I am doing these days. It’s great.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? Getting my MBA, opening my own business and finding my wife.

What is your favorite restaurant? It used to be Dino’s, the one I owned. But now, it all depends on the food I want.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I love Transformers, but The Social Network was great. The Facebook story shows how one person can change the world. I think every business owner should see it. Transformers1,2,3 they should see, also.

Smartphone or paper? It’s 2012: smartphone. Although up until I got into real estate, I never texted.

What is your favorite city after Chicago? Las Vegas.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Prospect, prospect, get involved, make it fun, prospect, prospect.