“I remember them when…” We use this phrase to reflect on different people’s journeys to greatness.
Right now, there are a lot of dreamers in our industry. According to National Association of REALTORS® Chief Economist Dr. Lawrence Yun, in 2021 there were 1.55 million REALTORS®, a record high. Here in Chicago, we’re also seeing a steady increase in both new members and pre-licensing students.
Most people enter our industry with a dream, maybe one where they work as their own boss as an entrepreneur, or where they make homeownership a reality for more people, or simply, where they help people every day. For those of us already in the industry, we have a unique opportunity to show them what’s possible through hard work and dedication.
Within the pages of this CR Magazine, there are a number of you who have achieved Top Producer status in 2021. Congratulations on your accomplishment! Your mentors, colleagues and friends will see you in these pages, remember when you dreamed of this moment and say, “I remember them when…” They now know you for achieving something great.
At the association, we have another exciting set of dreamers this year: our first-ever Leadership Accelerator class. This brand-new program will help these REALTORS® prepare for the next step of their leadership journey, both in their careers and in the association. They have dedicated themselves to a year of hard work, and I can’t wait to see how far they’ll go. I’m sure you’ll see many of them soon and think, “I remember them when…”
Don’t stop dreaming. Even if you’ve reached your dreams, there’s always farther to go and more ways to grow. And if you haven’t reached your dreams yet, now is your time to shine! We’re here to help you with tools and resources along the way.
MICHELLE MILLS CLEMENT, FASAE, CAE, RCE
Chief Executive Officer
Chicago Association of REALTORS®