“My husband used to call me ‘the mayor,’ because I have the gift of being able to talk to anyone,” says Linda Conforti, associate broker at Jameson Sotheby's International Realty in Hinsdale. “I can leave the grocery store knowing everything about the cashier after just a few minutes [conversation].”

Possessing the natural gift for making fast connections, Linda found the career transition into real estate ideal. Growing up in the western suburbs as the child of immigrants—her father is from Spain, and her mother is from Cuba—Linda was also imbued with confidence in her ability to reach her dreams, a mindset that helped her embrace the challenges of the career change.

“I definitely have looked up to my mom and her success,” says Linda. “She came to this country basically alone, without much [financially], and two young kids. She worked hard, quickly learned a new language, became a citizen, raised three successful kids, and always put us and God first in her life. She taught us there’s nothing you can’t accomplish if you truly want it with hard work, dedication, and prayer.”

After attending school for accounting, Linda kept the books and ran the office for the Charles Ifergan Salon on Oak Street in Chicago. When she met her husband, Frank, he convinced her to move back to the suburbs.  

“I was living the dream, or so I thought, in the city and building my accounting career, but God had a different and better plan for my life: everything changed and changed quickly when I met my now husband,” she says. “I relocated work to the suburbs to stay close to him—no more fun city life for this girl! We were married within a few years and started our own family.”

Linda absolutely loved her job, working in admin and sales support at Corporate Concepts, a contract office furniture company. But when her second child was around two years old, she decided it would be best to become a stay-at-home mom. “Which was ultimately the best job ever,” she affirms.  During those over ten years, she volunteered heavily—at their church, at the kids’ schools, at animal rescues, and at other organizations.

When her oldest son started to visit colleges and her youngest was entering junior high, she felt the pull to return to work. “On top of wanting to help with the enormous costs of education, as my kids were becoming more independent and busier each day, I felt I was no longer needed as much at their schools or even in their daily lives,” explains Linda. “I also needed my own outlet and feeling of accomplishment.” 

Because of her innate networking ability; accounting, sales, and customer service experience; and financial success in buying and selling their own homes, Linda thought real estate would be a great and seamless move. She was also drawn to the idea of guiding others through a stressful situation. From the beginning, however, she had to learn several valuable, mindset-shifting lessons. 

“I thought with all the people we knew it would be easy to get clients,” she reflects. “I was surprised to find out that was not necessarily true. Most already had an agent, or didn’t trust me because I was new, or just did not call on me for other reasons.”

“On the positive side, though, I wrongly thought, as many do, that I would only be a REALTORⓇ part-time,” she adds. “I didn’t know how much I would love it and want to dive in.”

Over time, Linda began to build up her network by leaning on her connection skills and personability. She started by placing rentals, then home purchases, and those led to referrals and repeat business. Now she has a strong support system of faithful clients. After more than eleven years now, she still finds enjoyment in each transaction, especially when she can be a neutral advisor.

“I am so passionate about helping buyers navigate this super-tough market and make the right home decision, aside from the ‘look’ of the home they are all fighting for,” Linda says. “I frequently talk to clients about if and when this market changes, how a home would sell in a different market. I try to help them purchase smartly, not emotionally, to protect their investment long-term.”

“Most of my clients turn into close friends that I can’t help but want to stay in touch with. It’s hard to be so close and learn so much about them and not want to continue the relationship after the closing,” she adds. 

Linda and her husband, Frank, the owner of Frankie’s Deli in Oakbrook Terrace, both love to cook and spend time with their three adult children whenever they can: Mario (29), Christina (26), and Frankie (23), as well as their first grandchild. Linda relaxes by taking her dogs for long walks, sitting on the deck with a little music and a glass of wine, and watching a movie in the evening with her husband. 

Looking forward, Linda is excited to expand her expertise, her network, and her impact, especially into the lives of her children. For her, being able to help them achieve their own real estate goals, and that of their friends, has been the cherry on top of an already successful career.

“In the future I would love the opportunity to continue to help my kids and their friends as they become successful adults and move up,” Linda says. “Helping my own kids with their first homes was beyond rewarding.”

“I think I will always need to keep busy,” she adds. “I have a great network, even out of state, so if life pivots and turns, I can pivot too.”