“The most rewarding part of being a REALTORⓇ is the relationships I am building with clients and members of my community,” says broker Chris Grano of Keller Williams Infinity in Naperville. “I didn't realize how much I was missing out, earlier in life, by not being an active participant in the local community.”

Chris’s passion for performing and entertaining led him down a circuitous route into real estate. Growing up in Berwyn, Chris was tight with his family. His parents were shining examples of hard work and heart—in faith, work, and relationships—to aspire to. 

After graduating from high school, Chris completed a degree in vocal performance from Cornerstone University in Michigan and later an MBA from Bethel University in Tennessee. He took this combined training into the music industry, where he hoped to make a name for himself.

“My first job out of college was in the mail room at Sony Records in Nashville,” Chris says. “In college, I was in a popular local band that broke up just before moving to the next level. That caused me to want to understand the business side of entertainment, which then launched me into that career.”

While in Nashville, Chris managed programming and events at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center, where he oversaw the presentation of nationally touring Broadway shows, celebrity guest performers, and concerts. He met and collaborated with many artists and celebrities including William Shatner, Anthony Bourdain, Seal, Yanni, and Journey.

When Chris and his wife, Alicia, moved back to Chicagoland with the goal of starting a family, he continued to work in the events and entertainment industry, but started exploring a new career path. “I was burnt out on the business side of entertainment and wanted a change,” explains Chris. “And the birth of our son, Rock, was a major wakeup call for me to get more serious about what I wanted for my career and be able to provide a great life for my family.”

Chris took the leap and made a temporary landing as an account manager for a packaging company in Bolingbrook. Around the same time, he got back on the stage, performing as the lead singer in a popular local wedding and festival band, Recycle The Day. It was in this role that Chris had a pivotal ah-ha moment while performing with his band at the wedding of a top-producing REALTORⓇ in Will County. 

The impressive event prompted him to look into the income that a high-volume agent could earn. For Chris, who had always been interested in real estate, the chance to provide for his family and have the flexibility to continue performing was the ideal combination.

“I’ve always felt that the purpose of a career is to fund a perfect life,” Chris explains. “My dreams and goals center around creating a good life for my family, leaving a legacy for them and for my greater community, and touching as many lives as I possibly can with my limited time on earth.”

Giving back to his community has become a way for Chris to grow his network and re-energize his enthusiasm for business. For the last few years, Chris has been part of F3 Naperville, a men's outdoor workout group, and he supports their charitable end, the F3 Naperville Foundation. Chris and his family are also active members of their church where Chris sings with the worship team. In addition, he hosts a podcast called Naperville Real Talk, where he talks to guests with ties to Naperville, as well as a soon-to-debut restaurant review segment on 630 Naperville, which airs on nonprofit Naperville Community Television. But when he’s not growing his business or giving back, Chris is a "family first” homebody in most respects. His children, Rock (7) and Rose (3), keep him busy with their many activities. 

When Chris looks back on the circuitous path that led him to his current life, he’s grateful for the journey, and he hopes to help others as they make their own way through life’s big moments.

“I've had many blessings in my life: a supportive family, a loving wife, and a reliance on God to get me through the tough times,” says Chris. “I am passionate about making life easy for my clients. Buying and selling is so incredibly stressful, and I love being a steady rock for my clients to lean on.”

“Real estate, I hope, will continue to be the fuel that feeds the fire of my dreams and goals, as well as those of my clients,” he adds. “Success to me is having the biggest positive impact [you can] on those around you, starting first with family and then going beyond.”