Real estate has always intrigued me—not just as a career, but as a way to create spaces that have meaning. My interest started young, influenced by my grandfather, who ran a hardware store in Midlothian, IL, and my dad, a carpenter. Working alongside them, I learned the value of craftsmanship, hard work, and how a well-built space can change a life.

As a teenager, I spent summers building homes on mission trips in Appalachia and Mexico, gaining h...