“Sometimes what feels like a setback is actually a setup for something greater,” says Eugene Fu, reflecting on the pivotal moments that have shaped his career. As the founder and president of the Fu Group, a top-producing real estate team in Chicago, Eugene’s journey from financial analyst to real estate leader is a testament to turning setbacks into opportunities.

Since his childhood, growing up in Little Rock, Arkansas, Eugene has been fascinated by the stories of successful people. He spent much of his youth reading biographies and watching interviews with a variety of industry leaders, trying to uncover the mindset behind their achievements.

“What stood out to me was that their success wasn’t about chasing money or status,” Eugene explains. “It was about pursuing something greater, beyond just themselves.”

What also stood out to Eugene was his father’s example that you can achieve anything if you work for it. Having fled to Taiwan from mainland China during World War II, his father’s entire family lived in a cramped one-bedroom apartment. Despite their circumstances, his father managed to excel in his studies and attained a place at Taiwan’s top university. Following his graduation, he moved to the US for his PhD and started a family.

Eugene graduated from the University of Illinois with honors, and his degree in finance won him a financial analyst role at IBM. Despite the stability of his position at the large, well-known company, Eugene knew something was missing.

“It was a solid role, but I was not passionate about the work,” Eugene says. “I joke that the highlight of my day was when we had a conference call because I got the opportunity to talk to someone.”

When the dot-com bubble burst in the early 2000s, Eugene’s career took an unexpected turn: he was laid off. Though this initially seemed like a setback, it quickly became a blessing in disguise.

“Six months before I was let go they offered packages to leave voluntarily, but I stayed out of fear,” he explains. “When I was finally laid off, not only was the severance package better, but I also realized that if you're not passionate about what you’re doing, it’s time to move on. I wanted to emulate the leaders that I admired. I also learned a powerful lesson: many times, setbacks set you up for something greater.”

That something greater turned out to be real estate, a field Eugene had long been interested in but hadn’t yet pursued.

“I was always drawn to real estate, but back then, the profession didn’t have the most glamorous reputation,” he recalls.

In the early days of his real estate career, he had to “hustle” for every opportunity. Eugene’s dedication and perseverance would be the foundation for his future team.

Today, the founder of the Fu Group is focused on mentoring new talent and fostering a collaborative team environment. What began in 2020 as a team of two has exploded into a powerhouse team of twelve.

“I’ve negotiated thousands of transactions, and now it’s my turn to mentor others,” Eugene explains. “I take pride in helping brokers who have no prior experience grow into top producers, closing luxury deals.”

The Fu Group’s director of sales, Elliot Melsness, brings his management experience from a Fortune 10 company to help him build key relationships; senior brokers Max Austin-Williams and Justin Daly share their passion and expertise regarding Chicago’s vibrant architecture and neighborhoods; brokers Cece Wang, Jeff Cook, Jennifer Armetta, Matias Nordenstahl, Vik Schrader, and Margie H. Tinerella bring their unique backgrounds and perspectives to the team, empowering the Fu Group to best serve their equally broad clientele; and the team’s director of operations, Chris Woodall, oversees operational efficiency so the brokers can focus on delivering top-notch service to their clients.

“It’s not about ego with our team members,” Eugene emphasizes. “It’s about the collective success of the Fu Group. We’ve built something special here: a team where each member brings their own unique skills, passions, and perspective to the table.”

“What makes us different and effective are three key directives: we’re driven to reach our full potential, we support one another like family, and we’re passionate about real estate and helping our clients achieve their goals,” he affirms.

Outside of real estate, Eugene finds balance in fitness, personal growth, and art. “Art feeds my soul,” he shares. He is the chair of Emerge, an MCA Circle Donor affinity group, and he serves on the board of directors of Artadia, a national nonprofit dedicated to supporting artists.

Ultimately, Eugene’s journey is about more than personal success—it’s about creating a legacy of growth, creativity, and collective achievement. “I want to continue building a collective that is a supportive, creative space where talent can thrive. It’s no longer solely about me. It’s about my team,” he concludes. “When people are counting on you, you show up. It’s this collaborative spirit that allows us to consistently achieve extraordinary results, and I’m proud of what we’ve built together.”