I was a mother of five who had been at home for 10 years going bonkers, and my husband suggested I take a real estate class because he loved houses. Since then, I’ve been in the industry for 20 years and a managing broker for a year and a half.

People in the industry have a better understanding of what agents go through than someone who hasn’t sold for over 20 years. When I made the move to managing broker, I was told I’d be babysitting agents. Not one day have I ever babysat an agent. There are new problems every day, and with my knowledge and experience, I can truly help agents.

BARBARA O’CONNOR, MANAGING BROKER, DREAM TOWN REALTY, CHICAGO