Patricia Wargowski is the vice president/branch executive for Koenig & Strey Real Living in Naperville
Where did you grow up? In Oak Lawn, which is famous for the South Side Irish parade. Once you’re a South Side girl, you’re always a South Side girl.
What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? To really escape reality, I love to read a great book. I love to get lost in the written word.
Growing up, what did you want to be? I wanted to be an attorney, but my mother didn’t think it was going to pay a lot of money.
If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? That would be Katharine Graham. I know she’s no longer with us, but she was just a captivating figure.
Where is your favorite place to hang out? I love the city, especially North Michigan Avenue – I’m a shopper and I love that Michigan Avenue vibe.
How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I’m the manager – I manage the offices in the western suburbs of Koenig & Strey, so I look at it that way. I try to develop my agents, doing everything I can to make their job easier. Selling real estate is a tough job, so I want to make sure that the offices are well-stocked, the admin staff is top-notch and that my assistant manager and I are available to help them with every kind of issue, whether it’s personal or business. We really want to be the safe haven for them.
What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Time. We never have enough time in this business, whether you manage or whether you sell. We have so many demands for our time by our clients, our families and our personal lives. We just need more time.
Where do you go to network and meet new clients? I’m always looking to meet new agents, so I try to go to broker opens and chamber events, and we try to get involved with community events to meet both clients and other agents.
What has been your greatest accomplishment? To tell you the truth, I think every day is a great accomplishment. We have to put up with so much – life can throw us so many curve balls. Every day that I get up and finish a day and feel really good about it, that’s a great accomplishment for me.
What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? Well, I’m a sucker for “The Notebook.” It’s not the latest, but I love it. I also just picked up and started reading “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand, and it’s phenomenal.
What is your favorite restaurant? Everest Restaurant on LaSalle St.
Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago? The Museum of Science and Industry. I love the grandness of it and that when you’re inside it, there are several places you can look out at the fabulous Lake Michigan.
Smartphone or paper? Smartphone.
In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Be kind, considerate and fair.
Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Forbes Woman, the Wall Street Journal, Time magazine and Anderson Cooper.