After owning her own fashion company in the city of New York, Judy Gibbons found herself looking for a new career that would allow her creative side to flourish. “My father was an entrepreneur, and he taught me a lot about building a brand,” Gibbons says. “I knew the market very well and always enjoyed solving problems and making connections, so I decided to make real estate my next move.”

The tenacity and grit Gibbons learned as a 23-year-old entrepreneur in Manhattan continues to serve her well as a Realtor of 16 years. She has won numerous awards, but the one nearest to her heart is the 2019 Women’s Council of Realtors Illinois Member of the Year award because the organization identifies, supports and promotes the development of strong women business leaders within the industry and community.

“I do what I ask my clients to do, and I believe that I walk the walk,” Gibbons says. “As an investor and owner of an Airbnb property, I have a deep understanding of marketing and the business of real estate. And to me, it’s never about a sale — it’s about the relationships that are built on trust and respect.”

A member of WCR, the Chicago Association of Realtors and its Young Professionals Network, the North Shore-Barrington Association of Realtors, and The Service Club of Chicago, Gibbons gets 94% of her clients from referrals. “What I especially love is that many agents from different brokerages refer their clients to me because I know the Chicagoland market so well,” Gibbons says.

Selling during these uncertain times has shown Gibbons how strong her relationships are. She recently reached out to a past client to suggest relisting his home, and within just a few days, Gibbons got his home under contract at the asking price. “My sellers were thrilled, and so was I,” Gibbons says. “We had been through a lot over the years, and I’m so glad I made that call and I got my client to the finish line.”