Kaplan Enterprise

What was your first job in the realty industry?
Property management for my father

Who inspires you?
All the great writers and speakers in the real estate industry inspire me.

What is your favorite free-time activity?
I enjoy traveling and listening to people I meet along the way.

How did you learn the business?
By looking for good models in the industry and eventually listening to their advice

What was your most difficult sale, and how did you succeed?
My most difficult sale was a bank foreclosure in a small town with Draconian laws that made it close to impossible to help out this poor woman. I had to keep writing letters to the town president who eventually allowed my client to sell her property, despite the fact that it did not meet all the town requirements.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
Staying focused on what has to be done every day

What was your worst job, and what did you learn from it?
My worst job was removing burrs from two-ton rollers while at the bottom of a pit with rancid cooling liquid showering from 20 feet above me. What I learned was that I needed a better education and higher goals.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients?
Wherever I am it just naturally becomes part of the conversation.

What has been your greatest accomplishment?
Being able to help clients who believed it was beyond their reach to own and maintain a home

What was the last good book you read?
The last book that comes to mind is “The Secret.” It just reminded me that, especially at this time, it is important to keep my thoughts where I want to be and not focus on all the negative hype.

What is your favorite restaurant?
I have to say whatever restaurant I find myself in. I really enjoy all that Chicago has to offer, whether it’s a beef sandwich or Thai dinner at Arun’s.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Chicago?
My favorite is the Chicago Tribune building. I am fascinated with all the bits and pieces affixed to it from all around the world.

What kind of car do you drive?
Black BMW 525i

BlackBerry, Palm or paper?
Paper and pen, batteries not required

What is your favorite city after Chicago?
If I am just going to visit, it would have to be New York city. It is amazing and loud.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry?
Go to all the free seminars you can. It’s free!