D.J. Paris

President of Sales and Marketing
Kale Realty

When D.J. Paris started at Kale Realty three years ago, there were 10 agents. Since then, the president of sales and marketing has grown the team to 190.

“I love hearing brokers tell me their goals,” he says. “My philosophy on marketing Kale Realty is to eliminate the ‘smoke and mirrors’ and offer more functional resources that will help them actually achieve their career objectives. That has proven to work well for me and continues to help the company grow.”

Kale Realty is a family-owned business in its 63rd year. The company has opened three additional offices in the past two years and is looking to further expand. Many of the agents work remotely, but Paris says office space is necessary for them to utilize when they desire. It’s that kind of service and dedication that likely made them one of the Chicago Tribune’s Top 100 Workplaces in 2013.

“I make sure our brokers are being taken care of, and try to keep a welcoming atmosphere,” Paris says. “There are usually two dogs running around the office, and that fits our philosophy that buying or selling a home should be an enjoyable experience.”

Outside of real estate, Paris spends his time writing humor and will be published in three humor anthologies later this year. His entertaining and down- to-earth personality positively resonates in both his writing and recruiting.

“My greatest strength is the ability to authentically recruit,” he says. “While others attempt to ‘persuade’ brokers to work for them, I find out exactly what brokers’ needs and goals are, and tell them realistically if we can help them accomplish those objectives.”