Real estate is often considered a family business, and that’s certainly the case for the mother-daughter partnership between Marlene Rubenstein and Dena Fox. Representing the second and third generation of real estate entrepreneurs, Rubenstein and Fox lead the Rubenstein Fox Team, a $50 million brokerage positioned to double its sales in coming years.

“My father was a builder and developer, and I would accompany him to his worksites when I was young,” Rubenstein says. “As I got older, I helped help him rent and sell his buildings, which were primarily in Rogers Park and Evanston. I learned quite a bit about the real estate business through my father, which I then passed on to my daughter, Dena. Working with my daughter is a dream come true; she is remarkable at every element of the business.”

The Rubenstein Fox Team has developed proprietary practices and insights for clients, including a consultation package for buyers before beginning their search. “We also have a 10-step process for listing and selling homes that is unique to our team,” Fox says.

Specializing in relationships that start with renting and trade-up for first-time homebuyers and downsizers, the Rubenstein Fox Team is there for clients at every stage of their life. They serve the South Loop north to Lake Forest and west to Oak Park, as well as Elmhurst and other suburbs. While Rubenstein’s forte is the suburbs, Fox specializes in the city. “The beauty of our partnership is that both of us can shift into either market,” Fox says. In addition to the pair, the team includes Rich Arenibar, Jen Fidanovski, Sue Green, Laura Kerstein, Shopanny Mejia, Silvia Miner and Amanda Ptito.

Strong advocates of philanthropy and community service, Rubenstein and Fox support the Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center, Housing Opportunities for Women, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and the National Kidney Foundation of Illinois.