Sam sits down with Chicago powerhouse agent Gia Devenyi for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to build a long lasting real estate career. Gia walks through starting in the business during the 2007 crash, learning REOs, rentals, and property management before most agents her age had written their first offer, and how losing everything in her twenties became the turning point that fueled her rebuild. She explains why following up matters more than flashy marketing, how a great CRM can resurrect your business, and why picking up the phone still outperforms every tech shortcut. They also get into team dynamics, winning multiple offers, what sellers actually value in competing bids, and how agents can stay relevant as the industry consolidates and evolves. A candid, high energy conversation packed with perspective, resilience, and practical advice for navigating today’s Chicago market.