At 19 years old, Jon DeVries climbed onto a motorcycle in Vietnam and rode through a country he had never seen before.

 

The trip was part of a three-month solo journey across five countries in Asia, but along the way it stopped being about travel. Away from home and the future he had always assumed he would have, Jon began asking himself what kind of life he actually wanted.

 

Back in Illinois, the plan had seemed straightforward. After high school, he went to work in his family's paving business, expecting that one day he would take it over. Two years later, he realized he was following a path because it was available, not because it was his.

 

"I wanted to build a life that made me happy, challenged me and gave me a sense of purpose," Jon says.

 

That realization became the first of several decisions to bet on himself. He returned home, packed up again and moved to Florida, where he reentered the golf world as a caddie. Golf had been part of his life since he was 12 years old, but caddying became something much bigger than carrying a bag.

 

Every day, he walked alongside executives, entrepreneurs and business owners who had built successful careers. Over four or five hours, conversations naturally drifted toward business, family and the decisions that shaped their lives.

 

Jon listened.

 

"As a caddie, you learn how to read people quickly," he says. "You learn when to talk, when to listen, when to encourage someone and when to simply be steady."

 

Those conversations changed his perspective. He met people who had taken risks, started companies and built lives on their own terms. The more stories he heard, the more he believed he could build something of his own.

 

Eventually, another opportunity took him west. Jon accepted a position caddying at a prestigious golf club in the Colorado mountains. It was his first real experience living in Colorado, and the state immediately felt like home. He knew he wanted to stay. He also knew he wanted a career where his effort would directly shape his future. Real estate checked every box.

 

"I wanted a career that rewarded hard work, trust, communication and problem-solving," he recalls. "I wanted to be in rooms where big decisions are being made."

 

He earned his license in late 2024 and began selling homes in 2025. Just two years into his career, he has generated $11 million in closed and pending volume across 25 transactions, including approximately $5 million during his first year.

 

He credits much of that early momentum to the culture at Thrive Real Estate Group. As a new agent, he found himself surrounded by experienced professionals willing to answer questions, share advice and help him navigate difficult situations before they became costly mistakes. More importantly, they reinforced that real estate is built on far more than contracts.

 

"It's about serving clients well, communicating at a high level, protecting people and building a reputation that lasts," Jon explains.

 

For Jon, that commitment is most evident during negotiations. He approaches every transaction with the mindset that this is where the greatest value is created. Whether he's representing buyers or sellers, his goal is simple: to leave every client in a stronger position than where they started. Through thoughtful strategy, clear communication and strong advocacy, he works to protect his clients' interests while helping them make confident decisions.

 

"Success means building a life that gives you freedom, purpose and pride," Jon emphasizes. "It's knowing you're getting better, taking care of the people who trust you and building something that lasts."

 

Outside of work, the people closest to Jon have found their own place in the real estate world. His sister, Jen, owns Times Ten Design, where his girlfriend, Gabby, serves as staging manager. Gabby also encouraged Jon to make the leap into real estate, a decision Jon credits with giving him the confidence to bet on himself. Today, they remain among his biggest supporters.

 

Jon also enjoys golfing with his father, cheering on the Chicago Bears with his family, tackling home improvement projects around his own home and taking every opportunity he can to enjoy Colorado through hiking, skiing and travel.

 

Years ago, a motorcycle ride across Vietnam convinced Jon that the safest path wasn't necessarily the right one. Every major chapter since has grown from that realization. Betting on himself no longer feels like a leap of faith. It's become the standard by which he shapes his life.