In 2019, with rosy cheeks and a great sense of anticipation, Evan Smeenge embarked on his real estate career, unaware of the whirlwind that awaited just six months later with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

 

Evan’s story, however, begins in Holland, Michigan, where he was born and raised. His upbringing deeply shaped his perspective, which is anchored in self-reflection and a relentless pursuit of growth. In high school, he’d start his day with a massive cup of coffee, the business section of the New York Times, and by playing the stock investment simulator on Investopedia. It was at this young age when he first became focused on the future and improving himself. 

 

As Evan grew up, he looked up to his father, a carpenter turned teacher, and to his mother, a homemaker who later found herself in supporting roles in the healthcare industry. But more than anything, Evan looked up to himself, or rather, the person he aspired to become. 

 

“Specifically, [with my future goals in mind] I focused on who I am, where I am, and how I am. I've have always been so focused on the next thing in life that I [really] never stopped to think about the present,” admits Evan. While he has since learned to take more joy in the present, Evan’s outlook imbued in him a desire to always push toward the next goal. 

 

Before donning the hat of a REALTOR®, Evan's professional journey took him through various roles in the museum industry, where he delved into prospect management and fundraising. It was life's subtle nudges and pivotal moments that steered him toward the world of real estate.

 

One of the catalysts that set Evan on the path to real estate was his move from Rhode Island to Chicago in 2017. “Family located in Chicago started having children. That pushed us, my wife and me, to rethink living on the East Coast. It made me rethink my goals in life, too,” explains Evan. 

 

With new families blossoming around him in Chicago, Evan’s mind began to shift toward a different plan for the future. He wanted to buy rental properties and knew that his nine-to-five job at the Museum of Science and Industry did not offer the resources he needed to do that—neither the income nor the time to learn how to do it. So he decided to get his license and jump fully into real estate; it was the quickest path to meet both goals, but of course, the path to success in real estate is not without its obstacles. 

 

Like many, Evan weathered the storm of COVID-19, grappling with market uncertainties and personal challenges. Yet, amidst the chaos, he found solace in embracing life's ebbs and flows, focusing on what truly mattered: family, resilience, and adaptability.

 

Looking back at 2023, Evan says much of his year involved  “nesting,” as he and his wife, Shelby, had their first child, Theodore (Ted), that spring. “Everything changed last year,” shares Evan. “But I had a new ‘why,’ and I have absolutely loved seeing my family grow.” 

 

Today, as Evan reflects on his journey, he finds himself driven by a passion for innovation in the real estate landscape. He says that while traditional methods hold merit, he believes in embracing new technologies and strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Moreover, amidst the hustle of the business world, he cherishes the connections forged with clients, many of whom have become treasured friends.

 

In many ways, Evan sees himself as part of a larger, younger generation of agents who are entering the industry hungry and ready to take it on and make it their own. To those aspiring agents, Evan offers a simple piece of advice: “Embrace failure as a stepping-stone to success and prioritize self-care amidst life's hustle and bustle.” 

 

When he is not working or cuddling up with little Ted at home, there’s nothing Evan loves more than to travel. In fact, before Ted will turn two, he will have already been to three European countries. 

 

As for Evan’s wife, she is his rock. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without Shelby,” shares Evan. “She has been a great partner through everything.”

 

A lover of men’s fashion, Evan also enjoys going to his sports club to shoot clays and smoke cigars. His favorite place to eat in town is Great Coast Commons in Kenilworth, and he can’t resist the Detroit style pizza at DeSalvo’s in Evanston. 

 

As Evan continues building on the momentum he’s created thus far and gazes toward the future, he will undoubtedly continue to experience success in the exact way he sees it:

 

“For me, success is continuity, happiness, clarity about your life goals, and solid relationships. Success is stoking that fire in my chest to do more, as well as children that run to you when you get home.”