Prior to joining the world of real estate, Vickie Soupos worked in finance, negotiating health insurance premiums for Fortune 500 companies. But when 9/11 happened, her field took a huge hit. Her mother Georgia, who already was a successful a broker, told Vickie that she was booming with business. Vickie decided to join her in 2002, and now, almost 20 years later, the mother-daughter duo are still thriving. According to Vickie, “Sometimes, the whole is larger than the sum of its parts when it comes to our team and what we can accomplish.”
A majority of Vickie’s business comes from referrals by satisfied clients. “I love helping my clients. I always have their best interest in mind. I will advise a client away from a deal, at risk of losing business, if I don’t think it’s the right fit for them. My clients truly appreciate my directness and honesty, which is why they refer people back to me. No matter what, I always treat all my clients as if they’re my only client.”
Due to her Greek heritage, Vickie grew up very involved in the Greek community, and was taught the importance of giving back. To this day she makes sure to continue the tradition by supporting the Philoptochos Society, which provides for those less fortunate. She is also involved in a regional Junior Olympics, where kids from churches in the Midwest participate in an Olympic-style games competition.
For Vickie, the grind never pauses or stops, even when she tries to take time off. “A couple years ago we were on a family vacation in Greece. I was on the beach with family and friends, and managed to negotiate and sell aa $7.5 million dollar property. I’m a hustler, I’m a closer, and I’m a problem solver. I’m extremely determined, and always get the job done,” she says. When she gives herself a breather, she loves to spend time with her husband and two children.
As the new reality of the COVID-19 pandemic matures, Vickie predicts the real estate world will be forever changed and the need for interacting with clients virtually and through social media is becoming a reality and necessity. “The commercial side of real estate is going to be significantly impacted. As people get comfortable working from home, offices will become less necessary. And that will impact restaurants and retailers as well, because people won’t be going out on their lunch break grabbing food with a coworker or impulse retail shopping. I’m definitely preparing for major transitions in the near future.”
Improving oneself through constant learning is important for Vickie, who believes that regardless of the amount of experience you have, there is always opportunity to learn—a useful piece of advice for up-and-coming agents. “One thing I know is that I don’t know everything. What I’ve done over the years is to listen and learn, and then listen and learn some more. I listen to my clients to learn their needs; I listen to my peers to better understand what’s happening in my industry. I attend conferences to keep my finger on the pulse of what’s transpiring. To quote Carl Rogers: ‘The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.’”
To learn more about Vickie Colovos Soupos: email colovos.soupos@gmail.com, visit www.colovos-soupos.com, or call (630)-965-6000
