While searching for her first apartment, Trish San Juan recalls telling the Realtor, “I’m sorry to say I don’t like any of the apartments, but I think I’d like to have your job.” With those words, her career was launched. For 17 years, she’s been busy doing what she loves best: helping clients find their perfect home. Coming from a restaurant industry background, San Juan has a different perspective on real estate. “I approached the industry as a helping profession rather than sales, which I think gives my clients a very different experience,” she relates. “I’m still humbled by the trust my clients give to me.”

This year, @properties Christie’s International Real Estate honored San Juan by conferring on her its Road to Rolex award, given for hitting $10M in sales for the year. She’s also a sustainability ambassador for the Chicago Association of Realtors.

San Juan carefully guides her clients, especially first-time buyers, through the transaction process and makes sure they feel cared for. She understands that the process can be stressful, but by being levelheaded and proactive, she creates a positive environment for everyone. San Juan is professional yet easygoing with her clients, striving to get to the heart of what matters and make the process fun and efficient. After years of showing properties in many different areas, she’s developed an enormous mental database of properties with lightning-fast recollection of addresses. Active listening skills and attention to detail make working with her special. “I’m always thinking of others and am happy to go the extra mile to be helpful,” she emphasizes. “I work out of passion, and my philosophy has always been, ‘If you work hard and with good intention, you’ll do well.’”

While San Juan truly loves her work, she also makes time for involvement in neighborhood organizations and scoping out great architecture with her husband.