For Chris Everhardt, real estate isn’t just about sales—it’s about service, growth, and grit. It’s about showing up even when the odds feel stacked against you. And it’s about turning every no into the next step toward a bigger yes.

Raised in Chicago, Chris has always felt a deep connection to the city—the energy, the neighborhoods, the skyline—and to its long-respected, blue-collar worker mentality. Even when his family relocated to Florida when he was fourteen, Chris knew his heart would always be in Chicago.

His strong work ethic was fostered in the Windy City. “While I was growing up in Chicago, some of my closest friends were from the Polish community, and many of their families had deep roots in the trucking industry. As a kid, I thought it was the coolest thing to drive a big truck—and in some way, I think their influence shaped my appreciation for hard work and entrepreneurship,” Chris says.

In time, sure enough, Chris obtained his commercial driver’s license and began transporting Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Driving gave him purpose, but he knew it wouldn’t be his final stop.

While searching for a home in Florida, a frustrating experience with a real estate agent opened his eyes to a new career option. “The service just wasn’t there,” he recalls. “I knew I could do better. I wanted to help people in a way that would actually make a difference.”

That motivation grew stronger when he met his now-wife, Mariia, in 2017. “I remember telling her the story with the REALTOR®, and she said, ‘You would do a much better job.’” In 2018, the couple moved back to Chicago. While still driving, Chris enrolled in real estate school and prepared for the exam. “Life has a funny way of bringing you back to where you belong,” he says.

By 2019, Chris was licensed—and cold calling. That first year was tough. “Every day, I thought about giving up,” he admits. “I was getting rejected constantly. But I kept going. I told myself, ‘There’s no other choice. Just do it.’” His persistence won him his first listing, but the world was about to be upended: “I put my very first listing on the market at the end of 2019, and we got our first offer in February 2020. Then COVID hit—the buyer lost their job and couldn’t get financing, so the deal fell through." 

But Chris rallied and kept going, and closed his first deal in August 2020, right in the middle of the shaky COVID market. By 2021, he’d closed $2.7M. That’s when things began to click.

Now, a few years in, Chris has built a solid real estate business that’s rooted in consistency, sincerity, and a sharp understanding of the market. Whether he’s helping first-time buyers or seasoned investors, his focus is the same: build lasting relationships and guide clients toward smart, confident decisions. “I’m deeply passionate about what I do,” he says. “Every deal is a chance to make someone’s life better.”

Outside of work, Chris finds joy in the simple things: walking along the lakeshore, watching movies, practicing boxing and Brazilian jiujitsu, cooking up something delicious, curling up with his cats, Clyde and Porsche, and of course, spending time with his beloved wife, Mariia. His version of balance also includes spending time with his parents and brother—including going to Broadway shows with his dad, and cooking with his mom—and family dinners filled with laughter, stories, and the occasional pet update.

Chris and Mariia remain committed to supporting Ukraine, where Mariia is from. They donate to hospitals there to help those injured by the war—a quiet but powerful reminder of what really matters.

Chris—who remains focused on growing, both personally and professionally—is quick to credit his wife for keeping him grounded and motivated. “Some days are tough,” he says. “But Mariia reminds me why I started.” He also reflects on his early years behind the wheel as the foundation of his work ethic: “Those years gave me perspective. I’m grateful every day because I know how far I’ve come.”

For Chris, success isn’t measured by numbers. “It’s about health, happiness, and the people around you,” he says. “If I can have that and keep helping others along the way, I’m right where I’m supposed to be.” 

His advice to new agents? Keep going. Be consistent. Be curious. “Real estate isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. And there are people out there who will say yes. Just don’t give up.”

Because Chris knows, firsthand, that success doesn’t always start with a big win. But when you go all in, the wins eventually follow.