Violet Ostrowski is the managing broker at Show House Chicago @ Keller Williams Thrive.
What was your most interesting job before going into real estate?
I sold leather outerwear at a well-known leather store at that time during high school and learned early on how to build relationships and create value to attract repeat customers and be at the top of the sales leader board.
Where did you grow up?
I was born in Poland. I immigrated to the U.S. with my parents at the age of 6, and we lived in the Belmont Cragin area.
Growing up, what did you want to be?
Growing up, I wanted to be an attorney.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed?
When I’m stressed, I get outside. I love to walk and be in nature. I also enjoy being around friends and just relaxing with a good conversation over a great meal and wine.
What is Chicago’s best-kept secret?
Chicago’s best-kept secrets is Polish/European-style bakeries and homemade baked goods.
What do you love most about the industry?
What I love most about the real estate industry is that in one capacity or another I get to bring people home. What’s better than that?
What’s the weirdest thing that’s ever happened to you on the job?
There’s many weird things that happened over a span of 25 years. I tripped and fell down a flight of stairs while showing a home, I almost had a dog attack me while opening the door to a house, I had a cat get stuck in duct work and the owner called me because she couldn’t find the cat, I blew a tire on my car showing homes in Sauganash and my client helped put the spare tire on my car, are a few examples that come to mind.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents?
I like to think that I distinguish myself from the crowd through my experience in coaching, training, education and the psychology of communication. I help guide the client to allow self-discovery.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
The most difficult aspect of being a real estate broker is to empower and develop confident buyers and sellers in a fast-paced, fluid market.
If you could meet any well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why?
I’d love to meet and have conversations with Coco Chanel. I love fashion and style, and her style is classy and chic. I’d love to chat with her and learn about her experiences on entrepreneurship, ambition, branding and how to stay relevant in a changing world.
What’s your best advice for generating new leads?
The best advice for generating new leads is having conversations. One conversation leads to another conversation, and so on. Real estate is a contact sport, and continually sharpening my own personal growth and development and the skills of communication to stay relevant is key.
What has been your greatest accomplishment?
The greatest accomplishment for me thus far is celebrating 25 years in business in 2025. Deciding to celebrate this milestone with family, friends, clients and colleagues also allowed me a platform to start a scholarship fund for District 214 high school students entering secondary education.
What are you binge-watching/reading/listening to lately?
I recently binge-watched “The Last Ship” on Netflix. I enjoy listening to podcasts and reading fiction books and anything leadership-, psychology- and personal growth-related.
What’s your favorite meal in Chicago?
My favorite meal in Chicago is a tie between Lou Malnati’s deep-dish pizza and a Portillo’s cheeseburger wrapped in lettuce with fries.
What is your favorite vacation spot and why?
My favorite vacation spot is anywhere with a beach and sunshine. I enjoy European vacations near the sea and anywhere along the Caribbean ocean.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Commit to the time, and master asking good questions.