"If I could go back five years and give myself advice, I’d tell myself to slow down and enjoy the wins," says REALTORⓇ Danny Lewis. "I used to be so focused on the next deal that I didn’t take time to appreciate the moment. That’s changed."

When we last checked in on Danny in 2018, he was building his big team with a blend of perfectionism and professionalism. Since then, Danny moved his real estate firm, the Lewis Group, to Dream Town Real Estate, bringing with him his many lessons on how to build a thriving firm. But Lewis’s biggest evolution came in 2020 when he moved away from the large, commission-based team model. 

He used to have a team of thirteen commission-based agents. “But after plenty of trial and error as well as success, I realized that a more focused team, comprised of full-time professionals was the smarter approach,” he says.

"Before, I found myself constantly training new agents, only to see them get recruited elsewhere,” he adds. “To avoid that constant rebuilding, I shifted my focus to building loyalty. By hiring a full-time agent with salaries and benefits, I created stability, ensured consistency in service, and ultimately made my business more efficient." 

Though it was a bit of an ego hit at the time to “downsize,” Danny knew that making his team leaner would result in providing better overall service for his clients. What’s more, he knew that his client relationships, an important foundational principle, would be positively impacted by the change.

“When I was just starting out, I didn’t realize how crucial client relationships would be because I didn’t have many to manage then,” he recalls. “As my business grew, it became harder to keep up with everyone: I learned that no matter how much my business expands, I must make the effort to stay connected.”

"I also realized many big-name agents build teams just for the optics [the show of it], but what I really wanted was something much more sustainable,” he continues. “Now I get to work closely with one dedicated agent, Gerardo Tapia-Quiroz, and our administrative assistant, Illana Mesinger (who is on her way to obtaining her real estate license), instead of having to juggle conversations with a dozen different people."

Despite the big changes to his team approach and the shifting market, Danny has maintained his status as a top producer in Chicago. Recently, with rising client concerns about uncertain economic conditions, both domestically and internationally, he’s challenged himself to stay even more up-to-date on trends and initiatives that could provide solutions, and build a stronger network of other REALTORSⓇ. 

In fact, he believes that staying connected with other top-selling agents is more important than ever. “It’s crucial to understand what’s happening in each other’s businesses so we can stay ahead of trends and opportunities," he notes.

Danny’s adaptability extends beyond sales. Having a smaller team has freed up some of his time to work on optimizing his business and marketing strategies, as well as modernizing his technology and social media tactics to change with the times.

“Recently, I’ve started adding more personal touches to my social media content, and I’ve seen higher engagement and a stronger connection with my audience,” he says. “I’ve also started using platforms like Zenlist to reach clients in new and innovative ways. Instead of just texting, I’m now messaging clients through real estate websites that provide them with current and upcoming listings.”

While real estate is his passion, Danny has also learned the importance of work-life balance. He’s committed to taking multiple periods of time off a year to travel and reset. His most recent trip was to Vietnam.

"I used to let deals keep me up at night," he admits. "Now, I’ve learned to separate work from my personal life. My family, travel, and my health are bigger priorities now." 

Danny is exploring business opportunities beyond traditional real estate too, including development and tech ventures. He has also expanded his investment portfolio to four rental properties and has plans to grow further. Looking ahead five years, Danny envisions a life built on professional and personal success and fulfillment. 

"I love problem-solving and innovation," he shares. "I’m always looking for ways to grow, whether it’s through new investments or creative business ideas."

"I want to continue growing my business, expanding my real estate portfolio, and helping my clients in ways that truly matter,” he adds. “But more than anything, I want to enjoy the journey, spend time with the people I love, and make a lasting impact."