After decades in the corporate world, I felt burned out and underappreciated. It took one conversation—specifically, one invitation—for my life to change for the better.

 

My life has been about finding balance and maintaining integrity. The search for a job that aligned with these values took a long time, with many lessons learned along the way, and arrived in a somewhat unexpected manner.

 

Growing up in a small town in Michigan, my dad—an engineer—told me I should become an engineer too. Following his advice, I began studying engineering in college but eventually switched to hospitality management. Enter the next chapter of my life: integrity, a principle my dad instilled in me early on. He’d say, “If you behave dishonestly or hurt people, it will come back to bite you.” Those words stayed with me as I navigated various corporate jobs. 

 

I started as a general manager, overseeing the operations of a laser tag facility. Later, I sold sunrooms, but the position didn’t sit right with me. I felt like a vampire, taking money from people for something overly expensive and not genuinely beneficial for them in the long run. That job made me realize sales—at least in that form—wasn’t for me.

 

Searching for a job that aligned with my values instead of conflicting with them, I became vice president of operations for a corporate cleaning company. My role was to manage teams responsible for cleaning carpets and floors in hospitals and corporations. This move marked the beginning of a new chapter: stress. I was working 90-hour weeks and it took a toll on me. 

 

I switched to a role as a branch manager at a bank, where I enjoyed training staff and helping underperforming branches thrive. I felt like I was doing good for people but the stress followed me. It all came to a head when my boss offered me an exciting new project that would fast-track my career but required double the work for the same pay. “It’s a good deal for you but not for me,” I said, knowing that a change in my professional life was needed.

 

Around that time, my father passed away. At the funeral, my wife Marlana’s uncle, who is a REALTOR®, suggested I join his team. It was a tempting offer, but I was hesitant. Marlana and I had just gotten married, and we were planning to buy a house, which made leaving a stable paycheck behind daunting. I took the leap anyway, got my real estate license in 2014, and sold my first house on my first day! 

 

Talking to people comes naturally to me, which was a huge advantage in the field. While the average REALTOR® averages about four sales in their first year, I closed 15. By my second year, I was among the top 5% of sales at my brokerage, and for the past 5 years, I’ve been consistently ranked in the top 10 salespeople. Switching careers wasn’t just a good decision—I truly believe it saved me from a heart attack.

 

Today, I’m happily settled in my role as a REALTOR® and love spending time with Marlana and our four children—Dominic, Nathan, Sophia, and Steven—who are now grown and raising families of their own. I enjoy golfing, swimming, and traveling so much that I even became a travel agent on the side. Giving back to the community is also important to me. I volunteer with several charities, including raising money for the Rainbow Connection and serving on the local board of the Salvation Army.

 

Reflecting on my journey, I feel incredibly grateful. It wasn’t always easy to find a career that aligned with my principle of integrity while avoiding burnout, but every twist and turn gave me the clarity I needed and built my character along the way. 

 

One of my favorite aspects of being a REALTOR® is helping people while staying true to my values. Buying a house can be stressful—I get it—which is why handing over the keys on closing day brings me immense joy. My work is about doing good for others while maintaining integrity, which is at the core of everything I do. My philosophy is simple: be prepared, know what you’re doing, and do good for people.  I focus on mentoring my clients, acting as their trusted advisor and advocate.

 

What sets me apart as a REALTOR® are my social skills and genuine connections with clients. From the first meeting, I listen carefully to understand who they are and what they need. That personal connection matters, as does setting realistic expectations upfront. I communicate openly about what’s feasible and guide my clients in the right direction. I also ensure they’re fully informed of each step of the process, so there are no surprises. Helping people is my passion, and I welcome the opportunity to assist anyone eager to buy or sell a home.

 

Sincerely,

 

Chris Waring

REALTOR®

Mobile (586) 291-4675

Office (586) 315-5700

cwaring@keerealty.com

waringrealtygroup.com