Today we’d like to introduce you to Catherine Dugan LaBelle.
Catherine, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Mentorship is the foundation to many a successful endeavor in life. This was true to my career in real estate. Alex LaBelle is my ex-uncle in-law and the person who first directed me into a career in real estate. At the time, 2003, I was an Assistant Montessori teacher at the Children’s House in Deerfield. As an assistant Montessori teacher, I was afforded the benefit of having my second son in the classroom with me and he in turn received a wonderful Montessori education from the Directress Usha Bala. One day, knowing that Montessori teaching wasn’t my life goal, Alex simple said to me, “I think you would be a great Realtor.” I replied, “Great, I believe in Mentorship; when do we get started?!” The rest, as is said, is history.
After four months of home study, I received my real estate license. It was July 2004. My sons were 6 and 9 and I was fortunate that my husband had a career with a major consulting firm where he was an internal IT manager and could work from home. This was just one more fortunate turn in my career.
Throughout my 13 years in real estate, I have been blessed with mentors, surrounded by fine leadership, and have been given incredible opportunities to grow that are not the norm. During my career, I have served on both Illinois Association of REALTORs Committees and the Mainstreet Association of REALTORs Committees and also as a Board Member for a term. Alex LaBelle taught me, as a business owner and community member, first to serve.
Over the years of my career life has been challenging both personally and economically. In 2007, I lost my father. Having already lost my mother 20 years prior, I was now an orphan along with my eight older siblings. In 2008, my husband of 17 years and I decided to remain friends and ended our marriage in favor of a lifetime of friendship. We have known each other since we were 4. The years of 2008 through the later part of 2011 were economically challenging if you had a banking or real estate career. Nevertheless, I believed I could not only endure, but be successful. By November of 2011, I knew I had survived the worst, learned an extreme amount and could now move on to be a REALTOR that was armed with knowledge, compassion (I had grown from my own life lessons) and the goal to serve. All this as the foundation of my career in Real Estate.
In January of 2012, the boutique realty I was affiliated with was sold to Baird & Warner. Baird & Warner is the oldest family owned Realty in the United States. It is only in Chicagoland with 28 locations all under one family yet it has a national and international highly acclaimed representation. This is when the magic happened.
Being a REALTOR under the Baird & Warner Family Affiliation has seen my career grow every year. Today I am counted in the Top 2% of 2,200 agents. With Designations of CNE, CRS, GRI, LRS, SFR, SRES; I have equipped myself with tools to educated and serve my Buyer and Seller Clients so that they are able to fulfill their dreams and goals.
Oh and on a personal note, I’m very happily remarried to my life partner; my sons, Ian, now 22 yr., is continuing his studies toward his degree as an Architect and Brian, now 19, has begun his undergraduate studies in business. Being their mother is my greatest joy and sense of achievement. They are incredible people and the force that keeps me focused and motivated.
Being an Entrepreneur in America has been a gift, I believe, the world wishes to have. I am grateful for my ability to be one as a REALTOR. Serving others to own a piece of the American Dream is how I show my gratitude.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road is never smooth when you push yourself. I have mentioned some of my struggles. I believe that circumstances happen and one’s attitude toward them defines us. 2007-2011 where defining years in real estate and my career. I’m grateful for them as they have made me stronger, more equipped to serve.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Baird & Warner Residential – what should we know?
Residential real estate is my main business focus as a REALTOR. Under that umbrella, I serve first-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, sellers, investors, seniors, and those complicated by distress properties such as short sales, foreclosures and REO’s. Baird & Warner Residential has thrived and grown since 1855 because it is a Family Company focused on serving Families. My affiliation with Baird & Warner is aligned with who I am and has made it very easy to grow personally, professional and serve others to do the same.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Compassion and listening are the two most important skills I bring to my career as a REALTOR. Those I serve are always in a life transition. This is when compassion and listening are most important. Additionally, I have specialized knowledge, market knowledge and the affiliation with an outstanding Brokerage.
Contact Info:
- Address: Baird & Warner La Grange
318 W. Burlington Ave.,
La Grange, IL 60525 - Website: www.LaBelleSells.com
- Phone: 224-558-2043
- Email: CLaBelle@LaBelleSells.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/labellesells
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaBelleSells
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/labellesells
- Other: https://www.zillow.com/profile/LaBelleSells
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