“I want agents to see the value in being a member of a team, even if they’re doing over $20 million a year in sales,” says REALTORⓇ Lauren Herskovic. “I think a lot of agents start teams before they’re truly ready or for the wrong reasons. For me, staying on a team has been the best choice for my business and, most importantly, my clients.”

Lauren has built an impressive career as a member of the Moda Group at Compass. Her decision to stay on a team after many others might start their own, reflects her commitment to prioritizing client support—a needed mindset in the competitive, but client-dependent world of real estate. 

Born and raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan, Lauren grew up with older twin brothers and hard-working parents. Naturally drawn to leadership roles, she was an active member of clubs and organizations throughout her school years. She was drawn to the strong community and rigorous academics at the University of Michigan, where she studied English and secondary education. 

“At the University of Michigan, I was surrounded by incredibly smart, high-achieving, successful people who pushed me to be the best version of myself,” she recalls. “You can be so much better when you’re surrounded by the best, which is what’s working for me now at Compass.”

Lauren’s early professional journey was marked by twists and turns, including stints as a writer in New York City and as the COO of a consulting company. Though she gained valuable experience, the fast-paced demands of her roles left her feeling unfulfilled. 

“I was working insane hours to build someone else’s dream, and I realized that I wasn’t getting paid what I was worth and probably never would be,” Lauren reflects. “I was burned-out and decided it was finally time to do something I was truly passionate about.”

When she purchased her first home in Chicago, Lauren was intrigued by every step of the process. She decided to combine her past experiences with her new-found passion for home buying and make a new start. “With my background, I knew I could give my clients a great experience.”

But launching her new career wasn’t without its challenges. She made the unconventional decision to start as a licensed assistant, a role that required her to take a steep pay cut from her time as a COO. 

“A lot of people wouldn’t take such a huge ‘step back,’ but I truly believe that [taking that job] was the best thing I could have done,” she explains. By embracing humility and learning the business from the ground up, Lauren laid the foundation for a career that would later flourish. 

“Ego can really get in the way of true growth,” she adds. “I always encourage people who are new in this business to come from a place of yes for every possible opportunity. You never know where those things will lead or how they will benefit you.”

In her early days as a full-time REALTORⓇ, Lauren faced a steep learning curve. Self-doubt and the temptation to compare herself to other successful agents often threatened to hold her back. Lauren credits her mentor in real estate with helping her stay grounded. 

“I learned that people are looking for authenticity,” Lauren says, “My mentor helped me realize what worked for me, and pushed me to just keep ‘doing me’ instead of trying to do what I thought I should be doing. And the minute I learned that, my business started to grow exponentially.”

Lauren’s deliberate decision to remain on a team, rather than start her own, proved to be a strategic move as it allowed her to focus on what truly mattered: “being herself” so she could best serve her clients. Today, Lauren is a powerhouse within the Moda Group, which is led by its founder and team leader, James D’Astice. The group comprises several skilled agents and support staff, each bringing their unique background to the table. 

With her business firmly established, Lauren is now focused on honing her service and continuing to build authentic connections within her community. Recently, she moved in with her partner, Adam, and his children in Northbrook. Lauren is excited to explore the North Shore and bring her real estate expertise to the suburbs while continuing to support her clients in Chicago. 

Whatever the future holds, Lauren knows that her team and her industry are flexible enough to meet her evolving life and professional goals.

“I love that real estate can grow and pivot with me, wherever I end up,” she says. “Success is setting a goal and achieving it without losing sight of who you are and what you stand for.”