Strictly a referral-based broker, Rachel Frangos Scheid is still happy about a decision she made eight years ago. “I started in real estate at 21, kind of by accident,” said Scheid, an assistant managing broker at Baird & Warner. “My best friend’s mother, a top-producing agent in the northern suburbs, needed an assistant who would become licensed, and I fit the bill.”
To her credit, Scheid did have two years of experience as a city manager for a souvenir photography company to build on. “I was in charge of hiring, training, managing and running the photography operation for Photogenic’s Philadelphia location,” she said, noting it helped form the level of attentiveness, care and drive she puts into real estate.
“I learned how to manage my time, work with clients, solve problems quickly and keep a cool head, all while trying to sell someone something!”
Grateful to learn the ins and outs of real estate from a top producer, Scheid easily incorporated the knowledge she gained handling paperwork and utilizing customer relationship management tools and back-office systems into her own business plan.
“As a younger agent, both in age and years of service, I cater heavily to millennial and first-time buyers,” she said. Scheid works with clients in Chicago’s North and West Side neighborhoods, as well as the north and northwest suburbs.
Following up with open house leads, referrals and past clients is key to her success. A member of the Chicago Association of Realtors, Scheid serves on its Realtors Political Action Committee and Foundation Board of Trustees. She is also president of the Veterans Association of Realtors and Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity’s Young Professionals group. Most proud of her volunteer work, Scheid is a 2018 recipient of Chicago Agent magazine’s Charitable Services Award. She was also one of 12 Realtors in Illinois selected to participate in the Illinois Realtors Leadership Development program, an intensive yearlong program focused on building leadership and association engagement skills.
“Some would argue that saying ‘yes’ too much can derail your business or your needs,” she says. “I strongly disagree. Being a source of ‘yes’ for people has kept me grounded, produced better ideas and helped me achieve a better business and personal life.”
