Having a mentor in your corner makes all the difference. Rachel Scheid understands that. “Allie Payne (a top broker in the Evanston market) has been one of my mentors and dearest friends,” she recalls. “I truly wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for her constant support and unwavering encouragement.” Now Scheid pays it forward. Now, she helps agents in the West Loop, Gold Coast and Lincoln Park build thriving businesses. She specializes in coaching agents, team development and business operations.

Scheid has received professional recognition for her dedication, including Coldwell Banker Realty’s National President’s Club Circle (with teammate and partner Nykea Pippion McGriff) and Chicago Agent Magazine’s 2021 Charitable Service Award.

When it comes to business, Scheid is “all about having fun while working, but making sure that you’re being as effective as you can. Work smarter, not harder.” In addition, she insists that a customer relationship manager is essential for success. “If you don’t have anything helping you track your sphere, your transactions and your numbers, you’re not operating efficiently, and you’ll hit a glass ceiling,” she explains. “Being able to understand where your business is coming from, what you have in your pipeline, what you have under contract, where you are with your goals and who you need to talk to you is critical to run a thriving business.”

By working in various roles in the business, Scheid gained experience that makes her uniquely qualified to coach and advise agents, no matter where they are at in their career. “It’s so important to have an advocate in your corner, whose focus is on helping you run an operationally excellent business while maintaining your authenticity,” she says. “I know that I bring that to the table with every one of my agents and it’s such a thrill to see their continued successes.”