Growing up in the Irish countryside as one of 12 children, Bridget Gricus learned that solid negotiation and communication skills were necessary for survival. Those same skills have helped her excel as a real estate broker and earn @properties Christie’s International Real Estate’s Road to Rolex award.

Boasting a combination of street smarts, soft skills and Irish charm, Gricus says her clients in the southwestern suburbs quickly become raving fans and refer her in ever-increasing circles. She’s as comfortable assisting luxury buyers, sellers and investors as she is with clients who are entering the market for the first time. What’s more, she specializes in helping families navigate trust and probate properties after the death of a loved one.

“I know when someone needs their hand held, their tears dried and their fears eased,” says Gricus. “My clients know they can trust me with the contract, deadlines and their bottom line. But more importantly, they trust me with their life situation and feel safe in my hands. That is why my clients become friends for life.”

Gricus takes a non-competitive approach to selling real estate and values collaborating with peers. “The world is made up of real estate,” she remarks. “There’s enough business for everyone.”

She became a broker 20 years ago to have a professional life and spend time with her two young sons. It was also a chance to fulfill her dream of making it in America, the land of opportunity. Once she took the leap, she never looked back. Now one son is an electrician, and the other plays soccer in high school.

  “I take what can be a daunting experience and make it manageable, even enjoyable,” says Gricus. “There are many players involved in a real estate transaction. The demands can be overwhelming for clients, already unsettled with a major life change. I carry that weight so they don’t have to.”