Karen Hood believes in celebrating life—the big wins, the quiet moments, and even the messy in-betweens. That philosophy threads through every part of her life, from parenting to real estate to karaoke nights with friends.

“Everything should be celebrated—good and bad,” she says. “That shows you’re really living.”

Before stepping into real estate, Karen spent two decades working in national cable advertising, most notably with HGTV. She joined the network when it was a small startup, long before it became a household name. Helping brands get on the air during the early days of niche television was exciting. But eventually, the industry began to shift, and Karen found herself craving something different.

Her media career had roots in her first love: sports. At the University of Illinois, she majored in broadcast journalism with dreams of becoming a sportscaster. She landed internships that took her into press boxes and locker rooms, even interviewing White Sox players.

But while her passion for sports was strong, her desire to stay in Chicago ultimately led her to the media sales side of the business. There, she found her stride, combining her communication skills, natural charisma, and drive to build relationships—skills that would later become essential in real estate.

As Karen’s kids grew older and the advertising world began to change, so did her priorities. She wanted more flexibility, more presence, and more joy in her day-to-day life. “I was getting burned-out,” she shares. “My kids were getting older, and I wanted to be more present in their school life and activities.”

But what drew her to real estate was more than just its flexible schedule. Karen wanted to stay rooted in work that revolved around people and home—and real estate offered both. “I thought it would be great to become a Property Brother instead of selling the Property Brothers [on HGTV],” she says with a laugh.

So, she began taking night classes and meeting with agents, including Dennis Hyuck, who introduced her to @properties. Joining the team was a leap, but she was ready.

“Many people thought I was crazy for leaving such a lucrative career,” Karen says. “Plus, my marriage had ended, and I was going through a divorce, so there was a lot of uncertainty. But I never wavered in my faith that I could create a successful business in real estate and provide for my family.”

And that’s exactly what she did. Leveraging her vast network, her concierge-style approach to customer service, and her natural ability to build meaningful relationships, Karen hit the ground running and closed over $6 million in sales in her first year.

Much of Karen’s approach to life and business is rooted in how she was raised. Growing up in Lombard, the middle child in a lively, loving family, Karen learned the most from her dad—an old-school, South Side business owner who ran a meat-packing business. “He was a lifeforce,” she says of him. “He taught me how to hustle and how to be authentic, but most importantly, he taught me to be kind, work hard, and to love everyone. And to not be afraid to express your love—that’s something I try to embody in both my family and my career.”

Today, home for Karen is in Bowmanville, just north of Lincoln Square, where she’s lived for twenty years. She shares that space with her teenage daughter, Abbi; their mini goldendoodle, Payton; and plenty of love and laughter. Her son, Ben, recently started college at Marquette University; and her partner, Jim, though they don’t live together, is a steady presence in her life. Together, they love cooking, playing golf, and catching live music.

Balance is something Karen values deeply. That balance often includes yoga on Sunday mornings, long walks along the lakefront, or peaceful weekends at her lake house in Michiana Shores, not far from New Buffalo, Michigan.

She also carves out time to give back. Each October, Karen leads a team of women in Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative, raising funds and building alongside women in need of safe, affordable housing. Supporting women, especially those who are underserved, is very close to her heart.

Her advice to newer agents is simple: stay consistent, lean into what you love, and trust the process. “If you’re great at connecting with people, double down on that. If open houses are your thing, make them count. There’s no one right way—but you do have to show up.”

Through it all, what stands out about Karen is her authenticity. She shows up fully for her clients, her family, and her community. She leads with joy, puts in the work, and finds reasons to celebrate every step of the way.