Some people fall into real estate. Dan Fowler was built for it.

Raised on Chicago’s north side in a big Irish Catholic family, Dan grew up watching his father juggle life as a police officer, real estate investor, and father of six. “He worked several jobs to provide for his family,” Dan says. “I helped him with his multi-unit buildings, doing repairs and maintenance. I always took pride in understanding how homes work.”

Seeing how real estate helped support his family—and how much his father loved it—sparked something in Dan early on. His drive was further shaped by his parents and his love for sports. He attended Catholic school from kindergarten through college—starting at St. Margaret Mary Elementary School (now Northside Catholic Academy), then Loyola Academy, where he stood out not just in the classroom but also on the field.

A multi-sport athlete and natural leader, Dan was often the team captain, known for stepping up and taking initiative. At just twelve years old, he won the city championship title in the Chicago Park District’s ping-pong tournament. By college, he’d earned a football scholarship to Valparaiso University and later completed his degree in criminal justice at DePaul University.

Dan’s early working life spanned everything from being a stockbroker to working in property management, restaurants, and law enforcement. In 2010, he got his real estate license—mostly to scout investment properties and write his own offers. But once he started helping friends and family, he realized he’d found his calling.

“I caught the bug,” he says. “What started as a side hustle turned into something I truly loved. I poured everything back into the business: my commissions into marketing, and my time into building relationships.”

It paid off. Within two years, Dan went from almost walking away to becoming a $10M producer and earning the @properties Rolex Award. Now, over a decade later, he’s consistently ranked in the top 1 percent of producers, running a one-man operation known for its hands-on approach, expertise, and genuine care.

“I absolutely love getting to know my clients on a personal level because I really do care,” he says. “I want to know who they are, what they’re striving for, and what makes them happy. I want to help them get their dream home, but I also want to leave the transaction as a trusted friend and their REALTOR® for life.”

Dan’s background in property management and home maintenance gives him a unique edge. “I’ve always been curious about how things work—plumbing, HVAC, foundations, etc. That knowledge helps me guide my clients in a more informed way.”

As a father of three—Charlie (15), Madeline (14), and Caroline (12)—Dan balances a demanding career with an active home life. Sports are in the family’s DNA. “Charlie is already six feet, six inches tall and being recruited for football,” Dan says, proudly. “We spend a lot of time at games, out on the lake, or going to concerts. And of course, Roger, our golden retriever, is part of it all.”

Outside of work and family, Dan is a Cubs fan, a boat guy, and a lover of live music. He especially loves Pete Yorn and Big Head Todd and the Monsters—the soundtrack of his youth. Dan’s perfect day? Anchored on the lake, watching the skyline—the peacefulness of it all. Or just relaxing at home, watching golf, or going to Wrigley Field for a Cubs game.

Dan also makes time to give back. He supports the Danny Did Foundation, which works to raise awareness about Sudden Unexpected Death from Epilepsy (SUDEP). “My childhood best friend's family started this organization in honor of his nephew, who died in his sleep at age four,” Dan shares.

Dan’s definition of success is rooted in presence and peace. “It’s that feeling of contentment—of being in the moment and saying, ‘I did this. I’m happy.’” If he could go back to his twenty-five-year-old self, he’d say something similar: “Don’t rush. You’ve got so much ahead of you. And don’t underestimate yourself; age is just a number.”

Looking ahead, Dan hopes to expand into development and design—blending his passion for real estate with creativity and vision. 

“I can’t imagine my life without being in this profession in one way or another,” he says. “Some would call getting into real estate at age thirty as ‘late in life,’ but I truly feel like it’s my calling. It comes naturally to me. I was just built for it.”