For REALTOR® Michael Rosenblum, “Happily Ever Always” isn’t just his brand, it’s his mantra. “We are all entitled to always live happily ever, not after: always is a continuum, an endless period, whereas the word after signifies an end [point],” he explains. This inspiring viewpoint and his “can-do” attitude are the whys behind his successful referral-based business of more than twenty-three years. 

Michael subscribes to the philosophy that “failure is a springboard to success in disguise,” and affirms that he has had his share of failures in life.

 

Michael's journey to becoming one of the most respected REALTORSⓇ in Chicago began in 2003 when the newly created area of River North, known today as Kingsbury Park, was starting to develop. An early pioneer, Michael was one of the first brokers to buy in the neighborhood when an enormous square block consisted of only parking lots and some open land—a result of a devastating building fire in 1989. As new buildings were constructed, Michael’s knowledge grew—knowledge he shared with the many buyers who were attracted to the developing area. Since then, Michael has made over 600 sales, and he is often referred to as “Mr. River North.” 

 

Michael’s success is in thanks, in part, to his Golden Rule mindset. “I do for each client what I would want my chosen broker to do for me,” he affirms. But Michael takes this idea further by intentionally being “a broker’s broker.” In his view, he represents three client categories in his work: buyers, sellers, and brokers. “I can’t stress enough the importance of treating brokers in the same manner you would a buyer or seller,” he advises. “If they call for something, return that call promptly. If they request feedback from a showing, provide it. Do for them as you would want them to do for you.” Michael believes this is the winning mindset and practice for any new broker getting into the business, and as such, he willingly devotes time to helping other agents and to speaking engagements.

 

Besides real estate, Michael is passionate about sharing important messages with kids. “These messages were born through the trials and tribulations that have shaped my life and defined my success,” he says. 

A creative writer since youth, Michael loves to express and share his whimsical imagination with kids in the children’s books he writes. His first book, The Caterpillar and the Butterfly (2021), is a story about believing in yourself, and became a best-seller after it was featured on ABC’s The View. Co-host Sara Haines said, "My kids fight over this book every night. I'm going to read it regardless, but they each want it to be their book choice. It is ripped to shreds. We can't leave the house without it. The illustrations are beautiful. It’s such a special book in our house."1

 

The sequel, A Garden of Flowers, was released in September 2023. “It’s a story about loving the gift you were born to be, and houses a theme about diversity and inclusion,” states Michael. “My books have two simple yet important messages: (1) fear is faith turned inside out, and (2) we are all born as a special gift to the world, and we are also here to teach each other about ourselves.”

 

After finishing his third book in the series in the coming months, Michael hopes to set up a foundation for underprivileged children’s charities. Since 2022, he has been donating 50 percent of his earned publisher royalties to charities of this kind.

 

Looking ahead, Michael is excited about the future and the growth of his real estate practice in Miami where he also has a home.

 

Michael's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, creativity, and what success can come through caring for others and having an appreciative mindset regarding challenges. His journey is an inspiration to anyone looking to make a positive impact in their own life and the lives of others. 

"I'm just grateful to be me, and alive, healthy, and here to help people,” he adds. “That's what's really important to me: living my 'Happily Ever Always.'" 

1 The View, Sara Haines, “The Ladies Get Lit: Sara Haines’s Summer 2021 Book Picks,” Facebook, July 28, 2021, https://www.facebook.com/watch/?ref=search&v=201591025253416&external_log_id=ec6160ef-480c-4b42-8d65-fccb3c141f23&q=sara%20haines%20ladies%20get%20lit%20summer%202021.