A polish immigrant who came to the U.S. in 1991, Mark Mikina quickly rose to prominence as a salesman in the fitness and furniture industries. Due to his entrepreneurial spirit, however, real estate was always on his mind. He made a seamless transition five years ago and — given his trustworthy, warm and communicative style — has successfully served his clients ever since.

Mikina specializes in residential real estate and multi-unit buildings in neighborhoods west of O’Hare International Airport. He is equally comfortable working with first-timers, repeat buyers and investors, and is known for being both easygoing and for getting the job done. “One skill that I think is most instrumental in my success as a real estate agent is the ability to connect with people and make them feel at ease and relaxed,” he says. This personal approach enables him to focus on referrals and the expansive reach of social media instead of running ads. This past year was his best so far in terms of production, elevating him to second in his office for total number of transactions.

Mikina is a thorough planner who works with his clients to create a strategic plan while also remaining flexible enough to pivot when necessary. “Having sold many properties and worked many deals,” he says, “the experience I have allows me to foresee unexpected issues before they happen and adjust the course of action accordingly.”

A successful participant in the “75 Hard Challenge,” Mikina is a fitness enthusiast with a penchant for weight lifting and soccer. He’s also a sponsor for Schiller Park youth sports and a committed member of the National Association of Realtors and the Mainstreet Organization of Realtors. When not helping clients, he enjoys reading educational and motivational books, as well as spending quality time with his wife, their two children and their family dog.