What was your most interesting job before going into real estate? Surprisingly, real estate is the only industry I have ever worked in. Right out of college, I spent my first two years as a leasing agent. This allowed me to learn all the various neighborhoods all over the city.
Where did you grow up? I grew up in the northwest suburbs with a healthy dose of Chicago my entire life!
Growing up, what did you want to be? A doctor; math and science were always my strong points, and this was an industry that always intrigued me. But if you told me today I HAD to pick a different career, I think I would become a pilot.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? TRAVEL! As brokers we work so hard. I have found that having planned vacations keeps me motivated, and having numerous vacations a year allows me to recharge while away.
What is Chicago’s best-kept secret? Street art. Through my travels I have become obsessed with street art across the globe. Only after my travels and research did I realize that we have such amazing artists and artwork right here in Chicago.
What do you love most about the industry? The relationships we build through our work. My relationships with people mean everything to me! This encompasses not just my clients, but also team members, staff at my office, managing broker and national brokerage employees.
What’s your best advice for generating new leads? Network, network, network! You know more people than you think, and these people are your lifeline to your business. You need to educate your network that your business is reliant on their referrals; remind them of this, and remind them often.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? Winning the 2019 Industry MVP Award from Chicago Agent Magazine was one of my proudest moments. This is not because I feel that I am the absolute best broker in the business, but rather that my peers view me as someone they would want to work with, and they have recognized my years of cultivating those relationships with other agents.
What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately? During quarantine we obviously had a lot of time at home, so I took the opportunity to rewatch the entire Sopranos series from start to finish.
What’s your favorite meal in Chicago? I am a sucker for our famous steakhouses. Chicago is so fortunate to have so many options, each with their own flare and identity. I could pick a different steakhouse each night for a month straight, and would never get bored.
What’s one thing people are surprised to learn about you? Random fun fact. I have been ice skating ONCE in my entire lifetime, and that was on Christmas Day with my wife in Paris. I figured it would be hard to top that, so I think I have permanently retired my ice skating career.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Don’t stop learning/evolving, and don’t stop working your network!