I used to look forward to the new issue of the Chicago Reader every week. I would read it on the L on the way to class at UIC, fully entranced.
I was always so interested in their perspective – the culture, the news stories they chose to write about, Savage Love, the upcoming show announcements. Chicago Reader felt like a newspaper for me and for Chicagoans.
The Best of Chicago issue was always my favorite of the year. I'd read through every category knowing most of those restaurants and bars were still somewhere in my future — places I'd get to eventually. It didn't matter – it felt like a beautiful portrait of my city.
That was almost 20 years ago.
I'm in my late thirties now, and a lot of the people I grew up with have become the fabric of the city’s culture. I have watched people I know show up year after year on the Best Of issue across many different categories and it’s so cool to see.
Getting chosen for Best Realtor of Chicago this year felt amazing! It was a full circle moment and to see so many of my friends also having won this year made it all very special.
I got into real estate at 23, mostly on the encouragement of my aunt, while I was saving up for law school. Year after year I’d say I was going back and eventually I realized fully that I like my job and I’m good at my job. Over 12 years and about $150m in sales later, I still love my job. Getting this recognition from the Chicago Reader is the best acknowledgement I could get – better than winning awards from my company or the Chicago Association of Realtors Top Producers award, it comes from something close to my heart.
Thank you Chicago and thank you Chicago Reader Allstars!
