If you’ve ever crossed paths with Joshua Mariconi, those words will probably sound familiar. It’s his signature comeback when his instincts turn out right — which, in real estate, happens often. Sharp-witted, relentlessly driven, and always five moves ahead, Joshua has carved out a space among top producers by betting big on himself — and winning.

But let’s rewind.

Walking away from a $70,000-a-year job with benefits to go commission-only isn’t a leap most people dare to take. Joshua remembers the moment clearly: “I had vacation saved up with two weeks paid off. Then I took the leap to real estate.” Nights, weekends, bonus structures changing on a whim — he realized he was grinding hard to build someone else’s future, not his own.

That decision to bet on himself wasn’t just brave — it was a game changer.

Joshua was raised in a small town outside Springfield, Illinois, where his high school graduating class had just 30 students. “Luckily,” he jokes, “I come from the class of 2000.” After high school, he studied at Lincoln Land Community College, then moved to Milwaukee in 2001, where he earned an associate degree in liberal arts at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He even did two semesters at the University of Wisconsin before deciding college wasn’t his path.

Instead, at just 20 years old, Joshua launched his first business: Mariconi’s Maintenance, a property maintenance service working on his dad’s rental properties and those of other local investors. It was the first spark of entrepreneurship that would shape his future.

Over the next several years, Joshua wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves. He worked two jobs simultaneously — one at the airport and another at a truck loading facility — before eventually moving back to Illinois. He spent eight years at Sam’s Club, rising through assistant management roles across six different locations in three states. Afterward, he pivoted into the payday lending industry, working for TitleMax, where he honed his skills in appraisals, collections, and vehicle valuations.

Despite his success in those roles, Joshua’s real estate license kept tugging at him. He’d been dabbling on the side, representing one or two clients at a time. But in May 2018, everything shifted: “That’s when I made the leap from working for someone else to working for myself full time.”

Today, Joshua runs QDM Real Estate LLC, a firm he named after his son, Quinten. “It’s his initials,” Joshua explains proudly. “He’s supposed to get his real estate license when he turns 18, and we’re going to work on that together.” Quinten, who graduates high school in just two weeks, is headed to Southern Illinois University this fall — making the family legacy in real estate even stronger.

Joshua’s dad recently retired after decades of work, adding another layer of pride and reflection to the family’s story. While most of Joshua’s family still lives in central Illinois, he and Quinten make time to visit a few times each quarter.

Ask Joshua what lights him up in his business right now, and you’ll hear one clear goal: staying in the top 10 on the Board of Realtors’ reports for total transactions. He’s intensely focused on working with investors, leveraging his years of experience, sharp eye, and deep understanding of the market to guide smart deals.

Joshua credits his success to three simple but crucial pillars:

“Follow up. Follow through. Communicate — with clients, agents, title companies, and everyone involved.”

That no-nonsense, laser-focused approach has earned him not just deals, but respect.

When he’s not closing transactions or tracking market trends, Joshua knows how to have fun. He’s a big fan of traveling to the Caribbean, aiming for three to four trips a year. He also enjoys gambling and poker, soaking up the thrill of the game — perhaps a nod to his own boldness in life.

He’s a country music fan through and through, attending six or seven concerts each year. And when it’s time to relax at home? He’s happily glued to his favorite TV lineup: Chicago Med, Chicago PD, and Chicago Fire.

As for his long-term vision? Joshua grins. “I really want to move to the Caribbean and work remotely on a beach.”

With his unstoppable drive, Joshua isn’t just chasing success — he’s building it, on his own terms. Stay tuned to see what he accomplishes next!