February 2024 marks 34 years since becoming a full-time real estate agent. Like many people, the nostalgia of celebrating an anniversary takes over. We reflect on where we are, and how we got there…
How it Started…
Bea Taylor gave me the first opportunity to begin my real estate career back in February of 1990. I remember being so anxious to interview with her that I went to the Coldwell Banker office at 133 E. Ogden Avenue in Hinsdale a week early. Pat Turdick, the assistant manager at the time, realized my mistake and quickly led me to a conference room and interviewed me because Bea was out of the office. Bea was a great trainer and dedicated a lot of time to new Realtors. I’m forever grateful that I had a chance to work in her office.
A few years later in 1995, I was feeling ambitious and wanted my own private office, and RE/MAX Elite at 34 S. Vine Hinsdale was happy to offer me one. The owner was Marcia Roubik and she was a pioneer in that brand. I had tremendous respect for her for many reasons, but one of which was because, at the time, many of the owners of real estate companies were men. It was under her guidance and the RE/MAX Elite brand that I was able to continue my early career learning through experience, honing my negotiation tactics, and allowing my creativity to help me sell homes.
In 2010, Nina Fotopoulos, who was an admin in my first office, had risen to the top of the company and wanted me to join her in opening the Coldwell Banker Clarendon Hills office at 5 S. Prospect Avenue in downtown Clarendon Hills. Nina was one of the most powerful managers we have ever seen. I spent nearly ten years in this office, with a front row seat to the growth and evolution of the downtown Clarendon Hills business district. It truly provided me with the opportunity to see real estate through the lenses of community. A holistically healthy community was a draw for families – and families are who I help.
How it’s Going…
In 2019, Robert Reffkin’s Compass came to town with plenty of youth and enthusiasm, and I was won-over to make a meaningful move. This chapter of my work history is now in year five. Compass’ fresh approach, superior technology, and being obsessed with embracing change is serving my needs well at year 34. As the industry changes, so must we as Realtors!
And the rest is history…still in the making.
