“It's hard to explain how your perception of life and its experiences change when you go through something like that,” says Landon Heck, about the near-fatal car crash he survived when he was eighteen years old. “I am forever humbled and grateful for every day since—the great days and the challenging days.”

Landon brings this attitude of gratitude into every facet of his life—from personal relationships to his everyday work as a REALTORⓇ with the Home Discovery Team at Sotheby’s International Realty in Chicago. 

“I can say that I have a profound sense of gratitude for the people I'm surrounded by—from my family, friends, clients, and work colleagues, all the way down to the people I chat with while waiting for my coffee,” he says. “That experience [the accident] has impacted every aspect of my life and truly helped me grow as a person.”

Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Landon was inspired by his entrepreneurial parents as he watched them make their own way in business. He can trace his drive and desire to create his own professional path from them.

“Their example of what it means to forge one's own way and to work for the things you have in life has always been my guiding force,” Landon says.

After studying fashion design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Landon worked in the hospitality industry for over twenty years. During his tenure in restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, he held positions in bartending and management, which not only allowed him to capitalize on his innate social prowess, but also revealed his capacity to swiftly adapt to different and dynamic landscapes within the industry and surmount challenges with notable precision. While he was successful, his entrepreneurial spirit craved greater autonomy in shaping his days and life, plus he longed to make an even greater, positive impact on the lives of others. So over the next a year and a half, Landon transitioned from hospitality to real estate, working bartending shifts while growing his business as a REALTOR®.

“The hours and lifestyle were a big change, but [it was all] definitely for the better,” recalls Landon. “I was bartending until 4 or 5 am, Thursday through Saturday. It was challenging to balance both schedules, but my drive, grit, and undeniable desire to build my real estate business and help others kept me going.”

Landon has now been with the Home Discovery Team for nearly six years, and Team Lead Jennifer Mills Klatt has been instrumental in helping him find his footing. Landon’s passion for design and architecture shine through in all he does, but it’s his ability to connect with people that has made his new career in real estate a success, both personally and professionally.

“I have loved meeting and getting to know people since I was a little kid,” explains Landon. “I thrive on learning, collaborating, and helping others. Hence, I've spent my entire professional career in two of the most social industries.”                        

When not working on his business, Landon stays active in his community. He frequently partners with the organization Fight2Feed, a charitable group that, to date, has not only served 800,000 meals to those in need, but has also rescued over three million pounds of food between their Chicago, Atlanta, and Kansas City locations. 

“They create chef-prepared meals for those in need by sourcing and using surplus foods from distributors and restaurants,” Landon explains. “There is no reason anyone should ever go hungry, and Jiwon McCartney, the founder of Fight2Feed, and her team's relentless efforts to reduce food waste and feed those in need is incredible.”

Looking forward, Landon certainly aims to continue growing his business. But to him, it’s just as important to continue growing his appreciation of the relationships he builds every day. It’s a perspective on life that he’s maintained since his life-changing accident.                

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” shares Landon. “When your life is driven by passion, your currency is measured in special moments and genuine relationships; your career isn't just the means to make a living, but part of the reason you live.”

“Real estate is the most humbling profession I can think of. We are not only working with a person's largest asset, but we are a part of one of the most personal aspects of their lives,” he adds. “A home is solace away from the craziness of a person’s everyday life, and it’s the space on this earth that is truly theirs. It's incredible to be invited to be a part of that.”