Bridget Gricus fine-tuned her real estate expertise working for a construction company and a law firm, but the true foundation was laid growing up one of 12 children in the Irish countryside where "negotiation and communication were necessary for survival! As I look back, my whole life has been directed research for success in real estate."
Bridget took a leap of faith into real estate 15 years ago, as a working mother of two little children. "A perfect storm was gathering in me. Sometimes my children had breakfast, lunch and dinner without me. I wanted a professional life but also wanted precious time with my children." In addition, as a young girl, Bridget had big dreams of making it in America, with its limitless opportunity. She knew she was ready to lift the ceiling off her potential and start her own business. The time was right, she took the plunge and has never looked back!
As her multiple awards and accolades show, Bridget has soared in the fast-paced, cut and thrust world of real estate. She is as comfortable handling million dollar dream properties as she is with starter homes. Bridget's clients appreciate her unique combination of street smarts, soft skills and Irish charm. They become raving fans, referring her to family, neighbors and friends, in ever-increasing circles.
Bridget attributes her success above all to the pure love she shows her clients through the intricate process of buying or selling property. "I take what can be a daunting experience and make it manageable, even enjoyable. There are many players in a real estate transaction; agents, attorneys, inspectors, appraisers, lenders, surveyors, title examiners etc. The demands can be overwhelming for clients, already unsettled with a major life change. My job is to carry that weight so my clients do not have to."
Bridget's superpower? " It's not what you might think. Honestly, I owe my success to a God-given instinct for human vulnerability. I know when someone needs their hand held their tears dried, their fears eased. My clients know they can trust me with the contract, deadlines and their bottom line. But, more importantly, they trust me with their life situation and feel safe in my hands. That is what I am most proud of and why clients become friends for life.
Bridget is also proud of the respect she has earned in the circles of high producing real estate brokers. She attributes brilliant relationships and successful collaborations with her peers to her abundant, non-competitive approach. "The world is made up of real estate. There is enough business for everyone!"
Those tiny boys that inspired Bridget's career in Real Estate? They are now avid high school soccer players so Bridget spends a lot of time on bleachers and in stadiums. She also donates time to her favorite shelter, "One Tail at a Time', from which she adopted her family beagle, ‘Bailey'.
Bridget has always loved to dance and is currently brushing up her country line dancing. She has previously taken ballroom, belly dance and English country dancing classes. Bridget's love of formation dance came from watching her parents dance and the joy they shared in each other. "My mother used to say, with mild annoyance, ‘your father thinks everything should end with a dance'. I decided early this too would be my life philosophy."
Bridget's approach to her family, friends, clients, peers and social causes can be summed up in her favorite quote from Zig Ziglar: "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want."
Awards
- 5 star agent with MRED
- Road to Rolex Winner
- International Diamond Society
- Multi-million dollar club
Community Member:
- Oak Lawn Chamber of Commerce
- Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce
- Beverly Area Planning Association (BAPA)
- Supporter of One Tail at a time, Almost Home and Palos Park Women's Club
