Personal History

In the Beginning...

I was born in Denver, Colorado on December 27th, 1967 as Leslie Ray Walgreen. I moved to the Chicago area at 6 weeks old. So... as much as I would like to say I have been a Chicago native my whole life, I cannot.

The first question people ask me when we meet usually is "Are you related to the Walgreen Drugstores?". Actually, that is impossible. My great grandfather, Charles Rudolph Walgreen Sr., did in fact start the Walgreen Company in 1901 at Barrett's Hotel of Cottage Grove and Bowen Avenue on Chicago's South Side.

I truly wish I could have met him. An innovator, entrepreneur and holding himself to the highest standards of integrity, my great grandfather truly lived the american dream. He also was quite the pool shark. If you would like to learn more about him, Click Here.

Growing Up

I have to admit, it is a little odd growing up seeing your last name plastered everywhere. My father, Charles R. Walgreen III, became president of Walgreens in 1969 and CEO in 1971 following my grandfather, CRW Jr. Back then Walgreens owned a chain of stores in Mexico called "Sanborns". He would bring a popular candy from Mexico back home with him called "Sugrus" (I think). As a very young child (I was small once) I believed my dad was in the candy business. 

As I grew older, I always believed that I would work for the company, just as my father, his father, and his father's father the father of Walgreens. (that last part is a tongue twister)

Business History

I worked in the stores in high school, and remember it as fun but also a lot of work. My very first day at the stores was cleaning under the conveyor belt were all the merchandise from the stock room to the store is transported. Over time, things tend to spill, break, fall etc... I was told to first find all to good merchandise, clean it, and then mop underneath. The manager at the time then told me "Les, all of the things you found saved the store's profit for the day" a very similar experience my father had as his first day as a stock boy (I know he had something to do with it). Lesson learned Dad.

I had studied Biology in college at Drake University in Des Moines Iowa, with the hopes joining the medical field since my handwriting is poor. Unfortunately in life, you need to decide what you want to be when you grow up at the dumbest time in your life, age 18. Nearing the end of school, I realized that medicine wasn't the place for me - however I knew where I would have sent my patients to get their prescriptions filled!

At age 25, I joined the Walgreen Corporate offices in the Marketing Systems and Services department. What I hadn't realized is that all through high school and collage, I had been a computer hobbyist, enjoying the creative abilities that they can help you achieve. I soon learned how they would change my life.

In February of 1994, a friend of mine came over (another computer enthusiast) to show me something new called the World Wide Web - less than a year old at the time. The very fist thing he showed me is still here. I saw a live picture of a coffee pot, in England. My mind instantly went a million miles a second.

Why? If I could see a coffee pot in England, then why couldn't somebody see a bottle of aspirin in Walgreen's? To market products On-Line? Could it also be possible to buy something? I never thought a coffee pot would have such an impact, even if thrown at my head.

Luckily, I was in the right department, working with great bosses who let me use some of my time to learn more. I quickly registered the domain name www.walgreens.com and created the company's first web site.

The site was very basic (as were all sites of that time) providing company info and a store location look-up. By 1995, I developed the first bar coded coupons that someone could print at home, bring to a store, and have it scanned in so that it could be tracked by our systems. I worked with the purchasing department to get in contact with some of our vendors who were eager to try a new way to get their  products marketed.

I had the itch. No, not the kind that requires ointment, but the entrepreneur kind. I left the Walgreen company in June of 1996 to start a new company, one that would bring technology, marketing and creative advertising together. With the same aspirations as my great grandfather, I sought to build something different, something new.

Manta Media Inc. was formed in 1996. It was dissolved in 2002. The first two years were tough - building a client base, convincing companies that the internet was not a fad, finding the right people in a job market were a 20 year old could demand 80K-120K for technical expertise and get it.

The middle two years were the most exciting. We built up a good client base, we were working on multiple projects with a variety of clients from Fortune 1000, Law Firms to startups. Web site development, application development, print and multimedia was our business, and we did it well. We maxed out at 33 employees.

Bubbles are fun. Except when they are a metaphor for a sector that is about to pop. In hind sight, I should have seen it coming sooner. I totally understand the 20/20 saying now. Companies dropped their advertising, marketing and  especially internet budgets. Shutting down eventually became the only option. Looking back, I am proud that I gave it a shot.

In 2002 I was looking for the "Big Break". An opportunity where I could use all the skills I had learned. A way  I could help  people, do the right thing, the right way.

Then my "Big Break" happened. They say things happen for a reason. They say there is destiny. What I have learned is that "They" have a sick sense of humor.

The beginning of November of 2002 was my "Big Break". I fell 10 feet and shattered my fibula, 2 ankle bones, ripped off all my ligaments and tendons. My surgeon, head of "ankles" at one of Chicago's finest hospitals, told me that it was one of the worst breaks he had seen in his 25+ years.

I was in a wheel chair for the first couple of months, then moved on to crutches. I learned never to take for granted so many things in life, such as being able to reach something a few feet away. I took my first steps in April making me feel like a giant toddler. One thing is sure, when I do something, I do it all the way.

I had time, lots and lots of time. Time to figure out that there is one industry where I could apply my knowledge and skills, my personality and drive to make a difference. I had done well in my own real estate investments and I found something to tie in all my passions and knowledge. I am now very educated in the real estate industry and ready to help.

I am one of the best Realtors in Chicago. Continue to the next section to find out why.

What to expect working with me

Communication is the key to any relationship. It is important that we communicate well together. Is there really such a thing as a "stupid" question? Yep, ask me anyway. I will ask you many questions as well. The more I know, the better service I can provide to you.  

Buyer Client

As my buyer client, my main goal is to find the right home for you, one that will be a sound investment as well as providing for your need for you today and the future. Chicago is currently under a "Buyers Market" and is an advantage to you. As we work together to find your new home, I will make sure you always current on all aspects of the buying process.

I can help you find the financing and help you to determine what is the right kind for you. Remember to always shop around. Finding the right mortgage company is just as important as finding the right type of financing. Helpful Hint: The best place to start is with the bank you currently have a relationship with!

Ready to find your home? There are many ways you can start looking: online MLS search, The Sunday ads, driving around the area you want to live in. That is a good start, but let me do the work for you. Once we have determined what criteria you need in a home, I will find the the best properties for you to look at.  I will provide you with as much information as possible about each property before you even see it.

Each property we look at I will take notes for you. To help you even further I will take digital photos as you request and email them back to you for your records. It helps to have a visual note as well. to learn more about the buying process click here.

Note: All information we share is confidential between you and I. I work to protect you.

Seller Client

The Ultimate goal for any seller should be to get the best return on investment possible. I will help you make that happen. I have a step by step process that I will go over with you. Expect me to know your home inside and out. I have an eye for detail. Assume every potential buyer does as well. I will help you determine what to do to get your home ready for sale.

Once we are ready to sell, I will find the right buyer for you. As I mention in the Sellers area, I have an extensive marketing program to make your home stick out of the crowd.

We always hope for the easiest solution, but always expect the unexpected. I will be prepared and ready to solve any problem that arises from start to close.

I will exceed all of your expectations through the entire process.

Note: All information we share is confidential between you and I. I work to protect you.

Junk Drawer

Below you will learn about my many interests:

Animals: I love pets, so if you have any I look forward to meeting them. I have 2 great dogs that always keep me entertained and I know quite a bit about the different breeds out there.

Automobiles: I love cars. I subscribe to most car related magazines out there. I am partial to the exotics and know quite a bit about them. I have had some great opportunities to drive some of the finest ones out there. I have quite a bit of track time as well. As we drive around the city I will apply these skills to get us there as quickly as possible. Just kidding...

Books: I do love to read. I typically like to read informational and educational books. I'm an information junkie I guess. This helps me with Trivial Pursuit and Jeopardy. May sound boring to some, but the one book I have always loved is the World Almanac.

Computers: I am a closet geek. I may not look or act like one (I hope), but I have extensive knowledge about Apple and Windows OS's, Palm OS, multiple creative applications and the Internet.

Gadgets: The more buttons the better. That's actually not the case, but I do enjoy technology and the unique ways people are finding to use it.

Movies: I have been collecting DVD's over the last 10 years or so.

Music: I enjoy quite a variety of music. I have been playing the piano since age 3. If you ever catch me singing alone in the car, I apologize for my lack of vocal abilities.

Pharmacy: I know where I always shop. I also collect old Walgreen memorabilia.

Photography: I am currently expanding my knowledge not only for my own purpose, but for my profession as well.

Sports: Boxing, Cubs and Bears "Oh my".

Weight Training: After my "Big Break" I started to lift weights. I have come far, but have a way to go to get to where I want to be. The work is hard but pays off.