What was your most interesting job before going into real estate? I’m a police officer and a Realtor. I’ve been in law enforcement for 10 years, and I wanted to help create a relationship where community and police relationships thrived.

Where did you grow up?
I was born and raised on the South Side of Chicago but spent most of my summers in Arkansas with my family. My friends describe me as a “city girl with a little Southern hospitality.”

Growing up, what did you want to be? Growing up, I wanted to be a writer. I accomplished that goal — I am the author of two published books!

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Music and working out has always been my stress reliever. And with my cycling classes on my Peloton bike I can do both. Almost every morning I feel empowered to sing (although I can’t hold a note) or rap, and feel pure happiness, all while getting stronger. If I drop a few pounds in the process, I’m not mad at that either.

What is Chicago’s best-kept secret? Whenever I have family or friends in town we always take a boat ride down the Chicago River. We rent a boat from Chicago Boat Rentals, bring our own food and drinks and set sail. You get to see the city from a different view and be your own captain!

What do you love most about the industry? I love real estate because I get the opportunity to help my clients build their family legacy and create generational wealth where they can look beyond their current circumstances and realize that all things are possible! It’s so humbling to know that you have a part in helping families, marriages, their children and their children’s children.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I have a background of over 10 years in the criminal justice field and bring strong communication, problem-solving and negotiation skills when working with my clients.

What’s your best advice for generating new leads? My two biggest priorities for lead generation are my sphere of influence and social media. My sphere includes family, friends, club members and so on. Social media helps with educating my followers about real estate and staying top of mind.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? My greatest accomplishment is my ability to go above and beyond in whatever I do. With academics, I graduated with my master’s degree. When it came to athletics, I broke multiple records and received a full athletic scholarship to play Division 1 college basketball. And now in my career, I’ve coined the nickname “Your Favorite Real Estate Agent.” Being a hard worker, driven and focused seemed to be qualities I inherited at birth.

What’s your favorite meal in Chicago? My favorite Chicago meal is a deep dish pizza from Lou Malnati’s. I like Italian sausage, mushrooms, spinach and lots of cheese!

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago? Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower) is my favorite building in my city. It’s over 2,000 steps to the top. And once you are there it’s like you are in the clouds and the views are incredible. You can literally see everything Chicago has to offer!

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Save some money in reserves before becoming an agent.