Isolated behind a computer screen, drowning in spreadsheets and the grind of tax accounting, Arbiona Tafic found herself gazing out of her Northbrook office window. Her eyes lingered on her car, parked in the distance—a symbol of freedom and adventure and everything she was yearning for. In that moment, she decided it was time to take the wheel and steer her life in a new direction: toward real estate.

Arbiona’s attraction to the open road and her enthusiasm for cars and driving reflects her independent spirit and love of freedom. She was born and raised in the Chicagoland area, but her family is from Montenegro; they primarily speak Albanian at home. Arbiona’s strong sense of family and culture helped her to never feel the need to follow the crowd. “I have always done my own thing, shaped my own path, and attracted like-minded people who also want to create their own destinies,” Arbiona emphasizes.

This outlook and mindset attracted Arbiona toward sales jobs and the versatility of business, leading her to earn a business degree from Northeastern Illinois University. In her resulting tax accounting career, she served a wide array of clients including doctors, contractors, plumbers, lawyers, REALTORS®, and even a private jet charter out of Chicago Executive Airport (PWK).

It was in April 2021 when Arbiona shifted gears and left her accounting career behind for what she saw as the open road of real estate. The opportunities seemed endless to her. Real estate offered the work-life balance she craved, the ability to invest and create passive income, the flexibility to someday start a family and be present in the life of her children, and it included her love of driving, exploring neighborhoods, and negotiating.

Of course, the road to success is rarely a smooth, straight path, and Arbiona’s journey was no exception. Despite her delight in being untethered from corporate life, moving from a stable salary to the unpredictable income of a commission-based job was daunting. She also entered the industry when buyers were competing against sometimes as many as twenty bids. Throughout, Arbiona strove to keep her clients’ hopes and spirits high, as well as her own. 

In addition to these professional challenges, Arbiona faced personal setbacks. Her car, a vital part of her livelihood and passion, was stolen during the time she was navigating a painful divorce. But Arbiona’s resilience and confidence shone through. She not only secured a new car prior to the insurance payout, but also managed to have an outstanding year in business.

“It was all very painful and somehow it was my biggest year yet. That put things into perspective for me: if I could manage that kind of volume at the lowest point of my life and during a very tough market, then the possibilities are endless,” Arbiona shares. 

One thing that sets Arbiona apart is her unwavering commitment to her clients. She often embarks on two-hour road trips to various neighborhoods to help her clients find the perfect home. For Arbiona, the drive is both literal and metaphorical—it’s about going the extra mile in all ways.

"Finding the perfect properties for my clients, and having the skills, experience, and tactics to win multiple offers is what drives me," she says. "I cover a lot of ground for my clients because I know they will be in good hands with me and my teammates at The Lubeck Group."

For Arbiona, success isn’t about reaching a destination; it’s about enjoying the journey and being happy, healthy, and financially comfortable enough to live without constant worry. Over-the-top success, with its added responsibilities and stress, doesn’t appeal to her. Instead, she seeks a balanced life where she can savor moments of tranquility and connection.

“I want to be successful enough to just sit in the sun, cook a warm meal for my family, and not worry for a while. Society has become so fast-paced. Being able to slow down and exist in the moment is the true luxury,” she says.

Arbiona’s favorite ways to relax include boating, jet skiing, swimming, fishing, and spending time with her golden retriever, Yogi Bear. But when it comes to really letting loose, for her, nothing beats being behind the wheel, whether she’s drag racing, driving around neighborhoods, or hitting the open road.

For Arbiona, the road ahead is full of promise. As she hammers down when clients give her the green light, she remains focused, confident, and determined to navigate every twist and turn that may arise for herself and her clients, and she continues to shape her own path.