Katie Wells was never one to back down from a challenge. Growing up in Dallas, Texas, under the influence of her father’s commercial real estate firm, she always envisioned herself in the industry. Her path, however, took a couple detours before leading her to where she is today—a thriving real estate professional in Chicago, a city she now proudly calls home.

Before launching her real estate career, Katie immersed herself in two fast-paced worlds: fashion and travel. Her early career as a personal shopper at Highland Park Village, an upscale mall in Dallas, had her styling the city’s elite, fulfilling their couture dreams one meticulously curated outfit at a time. “I love fashion and clothes so much,” she shares. “There aren’t many better feelings than 'new outfit day!'”

While fashion was and continues to be a passion for Katie, she knew it wasn’t a long-term career path. Seeking a change, she pivoted to another adventure: becoming a flight attendant with United Airlines, a role that would eventually bring her to Chicago; she moved here in 2016. The city captured her heart instantly, but it wasn’t until the COVID-19 pandemic forced a global reset that she finally seized the opportunity to pursue real estate.

It was a complex decision, choosing to start fresh in a new city where she hadn’t built a professional network. Had she begun her real estate career in Dallas, the process might have been smoother, given her existing connections. Instead, true to her personality, she leaned into the challenge. “I love hard work,” she says. “Real estate is a very tough industry, especially when you didn’t grow up in the city you’re working in—it involves an extra layer of trust from clients. But I’m thankful for that because it holds me to a higher standard and makes every closing even sweeter.”

Initially, Katie believed she could do it alone and believed she was doing well, until the day she recognized that being on a team would allow her to be more successful. Seeing the power of collaboration, she joined the Home Discovery Team at Jameson Sotheby’s International Realty under the mentorship of Jennifer Mills Klatt. “Joining a team was the best thing I’ve ever done,” she admits. “My advice? Find a team that fits you and work hard to join them. Once you do, your success will grow.”

Now, as a luxury real estate advisor specializing in premier properties like The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Katie sees a natural connection between her time in fashion and real estate. Just as she once curated high-end wardrobes tailored to each client’s needs, she now applies the same meticulous attention to detail in real estate: ensuring her clients receive a seamless, high-touch experience that feels just as exclusive and personalized. "Luxury is not a price point; it is a level of service," she explains.

For Katie, real estate is about relationships more than anything. “Every client relationship is fueled with learning and growth,” she says. “I work hard to put my clients first, listen to their every need, and give them the time and attention they deserve from start to finish.”

Looking ahead, Katie is determined to make her mark. With a competitive spirit and an unwavering commitment to learning, she is eager to grow alongside her team while taking her business to the top. She says, “I want to be the best! I am very competitive in a healthy way.”

Katie has set specific goals for her career, and her personal life is filled with just as much promise. She and her fiancé, Taylor Bloom, the co-founder of Foxtrot Market, are planning their wedding in Beaver Creek, Colorado, and hope to start a family one day. Together with their dog, Eloise, they love skiing, exploring new destinations, sipping coffee on Saturday mornings, and binge-watching true-crime documentaries.

Katie’s favorite thing to do, however, is to be with people. She thrives in social gatherings and constantly surrounds herself with friends, neighbors, and colleagues. “I often get into trouble for putting 'too many' social events on my fiancé’s calendar,” she admits. “But work is always at the top of those plans.”

The balance of hard work and joyful living is what defines success for Katie. “Success is living peacefully and joyfully with those you love,” she shares.

As Katie continues her upward trajectory, never backing down from a challenge, her passion, drive, and appreciation for the process promise that she will not only achieve professional success but also a life well-lived.