For Natalie Scumaci, her time spent in the hospitality industry was not only the catalyst to begin her real estate career but also the best preparation she ever could have asked for. Five years ago, she was burned-out and yearning for a change from the late nights and high pressure of being a maître d’ at a high-end restaurant in the city. After realizing that real estate would give her the flexibility, income and autonomy she craved, she jumped in with both feet and quickly learned that she also had a passion for homes and the skill set to succeed.

“Working the front door of a hot-spot restaurant, with executives, celebrities, athletes and your everyday people, I really had to learn to connect with everybody,” Scumaci remembers. “I attribute a lot of my success in the real estate industry to my tenure in the restaurant business. I am confident that without that experience, I would not be where I am today.”

Though other agents may have more years in the business, Scumaci’s tenacity and transparency win her clients. “My clients always tend to focus on how hard I go to bat for them,” she says. In addition, clients appreciate how she sets clear expectations for the road ahead, providing transparency from the start so there are no surprises.

At Berkshire Hathaway, Scumaci has already broken into the top 10% of agents, an accomplishment she values. Most of her clients follow her on social media, so they think of her first when they’re ready to buy or sell. Many are peers experiencing the same life stages: getting married, starting families and buying their first homes. She is also proud to count many city employees, including police officers and firefighters, among her clients.

Away from real estate, the Chicago native has been busy planning her own wedding, assisting her fiancé with his successful restaurants and building their dream home. She unwinds by working out and playing with her beloved dog.