When Oksana Suden began selling real estate seven years ago, she planned for it to be a side hustle to supplement her income as a supply chain manager. When she realized how much more she loved working in real estate than she did working behind a desk, a career was born. Today, she specializes in luxury clients, first-time buyers and relocations. Her market area is downtown Chicago, along with nearby Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Bucktown, West Town and West Loop, as well as near suburbs.

“Because I have done it all — rentals, sales, purchases, investments, relocations — I am able to understand my clients’ goals quickly and provide them with multiple solutions to achieve their short- and long-term goals,” Suden says. She tailors her business style to each client’s preference, adding, “I am very good at adapting to my clients’ personalities and utilizing the style that makes the process easy for them.”

Preparation is key for buyers and sellers alike, Suden has learned. For example, when working with a first-time buyer, she will schedule a day touring different home options to help the person narrow down their search. “I find this helps first-time homebuyers quickly understand what is a ‘must-have’ and what they can compromise on, which makes the process that much easier for them moving forward,” she says. “I am not ‘sales-y’ and want my clients to be happy at the end of the transaction, which makes them feel safe and trust me.”

This client-centered approach delivers results. “The most frequent comment I hear from clients is that I made the process super easy for them,” Suden shares. “Often they are surprised by how smoothly and quickly their transaction moves along compared to what they have heard from friends or reading online.”

Suden values personal growth as much as professional growth. To unwind, she enjoys traveling, reading and trying Chicago’s newest restaurants.