What was your major/minor (undergrad and MBA)
I majored in Sociology in my undergraduate education, and Real Estate Finance while at DePaul MBA.

Why did you decide to join SLA – Sales Leadership Association?

The success of my current start-up venture is dependent upon networking and relationship building. I was confident that SLA would provide a setting where I could meet other successful young professionals with whom I could network. Also, “sales,” as a vocation, is such a unique and challenging job function. Having a network of other encouraging sales professionals would only help me maintain the discipline and optimism as I struggled through the “ups and downs” of the sales market (common to all sales professions).

What made you decide to pursue a career in sales /real estate?
While it takes a tremendous amount of work, dedication, and personal discipline, a career in sales is the only career that holds no ceiling. Once you find your “sweet spot” of productivity, efficiency, and sales skill, there are no bounds to the number of organizations you can serve, people you can help, and compensation you can earn. It’s the beauty of controlling and truly shaping your own destiny and the magnitude of your impact.

Did you have a positive experience with SLA?
I have received so much benefit thus far from my involvement with the Sales Leadership Association. Not only have I generated qualified referral sources for my growing business and network, but I feel that I have developed genuine and supportive friendships. The nature of SLA and the personalities of its leadership foster an organizational structure that caters to professional development and personal connections.

Any advice to those thinking about joining SLA
SLA stands as the premier networking organization for young sales professionals. Whether you are looking for business contacts, great new friends, or simple support and encouragement in your sales career, SLA will meet your needs.

What challenges have you faced in your current position?
While “Sales” can be the most rewarding and gratifying career around, it also requires so much work, determination, and mental toughness. There can be tremendous victories and successes, and there can also be difficult setbacks and discouragement. I believe the greatest challenge each sales professional faces (at some point or other) is the temptation to give up in discouragement. If you allow your mind to work against you, you’ve lost. As my grandfather (who started his own insurance sales company) used to say, “If you’ve won your mind, you’ve won every sale.” Sales success or failure is determined everyday by what’s going on in your own head.

What successes have you experienced in your current position?
The nature of what I do (helping clients buy or sell their home) has allowed me to meet some tremendous people, and to develop some friendships that will truly extend through the rest of my life. While the financial successes are great and meaningful, I find more value in the people I have helped, the counsel I have given, and the relationships I have built.

What are your career goals?
Vranas Properties has some aggressive goals for growth. In the past two months, we have brought on 3 additional agents to our salesforce. We are excited to continue to grow in terms of sales volume and impact upon the Chicago real estate market. As we continue to grow, we are excited to acquire competitors’ firms and extend our client base to help more people!
I am excited to deepen my leadership and management skills while leading new stages of growth at Vranas. While I have goals to develop Vranas Properties as the top-producing residential brokerage in Chicago, I am also excited to extend our value into investment property holdings and property management. One step at a time, and we’ll get there!

Parting Thought
If you are open and willing, “sales” can not only be the most financially rewarding career, but also the most personally beneficial. The personal growth and development I have experienced because of my tie to “sales” is so profound, it’s almost hard to believe. The challenges and obstacles that “sales” makes you confront, push you to develop muscles of proactivity, optimism, and determination that salaried, cubicle-workers rarely develop. These challenges are truly a gift that “sales” gives to us!

Keep up the perseverance and proactive attitude as you progress through your sales career! Work hard always pays off in the end.

Mark Raymo
Senior Client Representative of Vranas Properties
312.255.1275
mark@vranasproperties.com