When you meet Myra Nimchaiyong, president-elect of the Northern Illinois Commercial Association of REALTORS®, and director of commercial sales at Century 21 SGR, you quickly understand that the success she has achieved in her nearly two-decade-long career in real estate is no mistake. 

 

With a track record of representing high-profile commercial, residential, and investment interests, Myra has focused on being a commercial REALTOR® for the last six years, having successfully carved a niche in a highly competitive field and an even more competitive market. But Myra's journey is about more than just real estate; it's a powerful narrative of personal growth, cultural heritage, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. 

 

Myra's journey is a testament to resilience, tenacity, and the unwavering belief that dreams can transcend the circumstances of our beginnings. Born to Thai parents who immigrated to the United States for higher education and eventually stayed to open their own restaurants, Myra's childhood was steeped in the hustle and bustle of her family’s restaurants.

 

Immersed from a tender age, Myra discovered the value of diligence and hard work as her mother, who became a single parent, navigated the challenges of entrepreneurship. At just nine years old, Myra found herself serving guests and managing phones—an experience that laid the foundation for a work ethic that would shape her future. 

 

Myra's aspirations reached beyond the familiar confines of restaurant ownership, however: she wanted to sell establishments rather than own them. In the meantime, clearly primed for a life of entrepreneurship, Myra initiated her own ventures early. One such venture was organizing parties during the day at her mom’s house, for which she charged a cover, when she should have been in school.

 

In the end, Myra’s childhood not only made her stronger, but it also armed her with a philosophy that views challenges as stepping-stones to growth and adversity as a catalyst for great achievement and success. "I grew up [feeling] angry," she reflects, "but I chose to work so I could help my family." Her journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance as well as the profound impact of familial sacrifice. 

 

“Mine is a tale of a young girl forced to mature swiftly in the absence of a paternal figure, yet emerge with a profound sense of gratitude, strength, and intelligence,” she says. Myra’s story is not one of victimhood but one of triumph over hardship, as she chose to embrace the opportunities to work, learn, and lead.

 

Just as she was there for her family and friends, Myra makes it a point to always be there now for the people who come into her life because, as she says, “Everyone could use a little help. I sure did. I still do. I believe we get to where we need to be by helping others on their path. I believe someone will always have something to teach you so that you can teach others. And I believe in the goodness of people, even today.” 

 

Myra is an ardent lover of Chicago—from taking long walks along the water in the summer to attending Chicago Blackhawks games in the winter and catching all the live music she can in between. Music has always been a part of her life and this fact reveals her innate talent: she taught herself how to play the piano when she was five years old just by listening to a song and playing it out. 

 

While Myra didn’t pursue formal education, her success can be attributed to her insatiable appetite for learning combined with her patience and perseverance. With humor, she credits mob movies for her negotiation skills. Behind the jest, however, is a woman who has taken every class and seminar on real estate she could find, transforming herself into a knowledgeable and skilled professional. Her real estate education includes the prestigious CCIM designation, a testament to her expertise in commercial investment real estate. 

 

As the director of commercial sales at Century 21 SGR today, Myra continues her passion for education by passing on her knowledge and experience through growing their commercial division and bringing “a modern, positive approach to business in a more wholesome way.” She sees much real estate development on the horizon, and when it comes, she will be ready to fulfill the reasons she got into real estate in the first place: to be part of the changes she was seeing in the neighborhoods she grew up in, and to make a difference in the lives of others.   

 

Myra's story is a powerful reminder that our paths are not defined by the circumstances of our beginnings, but rather by our courage to pursue our dreams despite them. As she looks to the future and fully embraces the mantle of leadership bestowed upon her, her message is clear:   “Be brave, be fearless, and remember that the most difficult times often lead to the greatest growth.”