Monika Stepniak’s life has been marked by great change. Predicated by an adventurous spirit and remarkable ability to adapt and do what needs to be done to achieve success, her story begins in Kraków, Poland, in 1999, when she, at the age of seven, and her mother decided to leave their homeland and everything they knew to start afresh in America.

“We were fortunate to have some of my mother's siblings already established in the United States, which offered us a support system and a sense of familiarity,” explains Monika. “Yet, starting this adventure tested the resilience and determination of both my mother and me. My mother is someone I’ve looked up to because she is such a strong, hard-working woman, raising me as a single parent and accomplishing what she’s accomplished while barely speaking English.”

Monika inherited her mother’s work ethic. After graduating high school in 2011, she started as a sales associate at T-Mobile and became a manager just a few years later. While she’d put her sights on the position of district manager, she left in 2015 after she started her new journey, working at Abt—a family-owned and operated electronics and appliance store. 

Monika spent six years with Abt. She credits the experience with allowing her to develop strong customer service skills, attention to detail, and a deep appreciation for quality products and service. However, after a decade of working long hours in retail, having to work every holiday and weekend, she craved more freedom. 

“So many things [about] working in retail made me second-guess my career,” explains Monika. “I missed friends and families’ important life events: weddings, birthdays, baby showers, etc.; I lacked the personal time to focus on being healthy; but most of all, the ability to grow was limited, along with the rewards.”

Real estate was in the back of Monika’s mind for years. She always loved interior design and knew she had a natural ability to walk into an old or rundown home and immediately imagine what she could do to it. However, she put the idea off for quite some time. “I really did procrastinate on starting in this field. I doubted myself on what I would be able to accomplish,” she confesses.

In the Spring of 2021, however, Monika finally took the leap, marking a pivotal moment in her professional and personal life. Although she didn’t quite know what to expect, she was ready to make this career her own.

“I started my career in real estate with a clear goal in mind: to achieve financial freedom on my own terms,” she says. “The idea of building my own business, where I'm not beholden to anyone else but myself, was a powerful motivator. Beyond the financial aspect, I was drawn to the idea of helping people navigate the complexities of the real estate market. The flexibility of making my own schedule was another enticing prospect, as it would enable me to prioritize what truly matters: spending quality time with the important people in my life.”

All has proven true. Real estate has allowed Monika to pursue these dreams and to achieve great personal and professional growth in the process. As she navigated the complexities of the real estate market these past couple years, she found herself constantly learning and growing and eager to apply her retail experience. Starting out as a solo agent, however, she struggled with feeling lost and alone at times. Until she met Anam Hargey.

“Anam took me under her wing and was able to mentor me. We’ve become best friends outside of work as well, and I’m so grateful for her help and friendship,” Monika emphasizes. 

Two-and-a-half years into her career today, Monika is currently focused on “getting back to basics” with door-knocking and cold-calling on expired and cancelled listings. Getting out of her comfort zone is the name of the game, and for Monika, that means making a special effort to build her social media image, something she has never been inclined to do. However, she has a clear goal that she is working toward and that keeps her focused. 

“Two to three years from now when I have children, I imagine being there for them when they need me most—school pick-ups, sports, plays, etc.—and still be able to work and focus on my business,” she says. 

Monika’s other pursuits of happiness include getting together with her mom once or twice a week to take her dogs—Baby, Buddie, and Buster—to the glen in Glenview, or to cook a Polish dish together. Monika describes Gołąbki (stuffed cabbage rolls), one of their special dishes, as labor-intensive but more fun and easier to make with two people. 

Monika also loves a good “retail therapy” session by herself or a fun round of bowling with friends when she isn’t at the gym and focusing on her health. With a love for traveling and experiencing different cultures, especially their foods, Monika also has a goal of visiting every state in the US and spending an entire month in Europe. 

From the historic streets of Kraków to the suburbs of Illinois, Monika's life has been a testament to the idea that with perseverance and a clear vision, anything is possible. She exemplifies that success is not just measured in financial terms but also in the joy of helping others, the ability to be present for family, and the freedom to live life on one's own terms. It will be exciting to see everything she will continue to build for herself.