When my boss encouraged me to become a REALTOR®, I took his advice—without realizing the grind of my past had been preparing me for it all along.

I didn’t want to stay in the restaurant industry forever. I knew I could do more, but the language barrier was undeniable. I bounced from one restaurant to another, picking up English one table at a time, learning how to connect with people even when I didn’t know all the words. Every customer was a lesson.

The dream of coming to the United States started back in college. I attended University in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, where I became the youngest president of the student body. That role came from pure hustle—organizing the student dorms, managing the cleaning schedules, and learning to lead. It was the first time I saw the kind of impact a determined person could make. I wanted to see more of the world and apply my leadership in a country that offered me opportunities. When the chance came to do an academic exchange in the United States, I took it. I landed in Montana with just $500 in my pocket.

My first jobs were washing dishes at an IHOP and cleaning hotel rooms. I’d grown up watching my single mom work hard and stretch every coin. It was just the two of us, and I had to step up my game, so I worked in construction at age 14. That discipline stuck with me. So I washed dishes with focus and cleaned rooms with pride, valuing every penny. But I’ll never forget going out for breakfast with a friend, spending $15, and feeling this knot in my stomach. I needed a change.

I moved to Washington State and spent three years working in restaurants—in the kitchen and as a server. Those years taught me resilience and customer service. I had a knack for making friends with the customers—but I was hungry for more.

Then, on New Year’s Day, I met Marina. From the moment we met, I knew she was a keeper. I also started reading books about sales and investments, trying to figure out my next move. I landed a job at a credit card processing company, selling terminals to small businesses. My boss there also ran a real estate company. I was always peppering him with questions—real estate just pulled me in. One day, he looked at me, half-laughing, half-annoyed, and said, “You should just get your license.”

So I did. I got licensed in 2017 and made a deal with myself: if I could sell just one house, I’d leave the corporate world behind. Within three months, I’d sold two. I haven’t looked back since.

If I’m being honest, it would’ve been easier to stay in the security of a 9-to-5. But I didn’t come here to play it safe. Starting out at 25, I didn’t know much about building a business, but the discipline from my childhood and my youth prepared me for the grind. I kept going even when it got tough.

Now, Marina and I have been married for 10 years. We’ve built a life in Seattle, and we’re the proud parents of Sabrina, who’s 5 and full of opinions. On weekends, you’ll find me in the garden, unplugged from my phone, or napping on the couch. We try to travel to one or two new countries each year—it keeps us grounded and inspired. I also stay active in the Ukrainian community, and I make it a point to connect with my clients every summer and Christmas.

Real estate gave me more than a career—it gave me the life I once only dreamed of, back when I was washing dishes with $500 to my name.

I genuinely care about my clients and work hard to deliver the best results—something that sets me apart in an industry where not every agent puts in the same effort. Real estate can be an emotional journey, often filled with unexpected challenges. I go above and beyond the typical REALTOR® role, helping clients through every step, whether that means packing, cleaning, assisting with moves, or ensuring seniors find the right home. I protect my clients from being taken advantage of and simplify the process so there are no surprises, offering full support from start to finish.

Negotiation is one of my strongest skills—I fight to make or save my clients money because I know, for many, their equity is their future. I don’t take that responsibility lightly. Whether it’s maximizing the sale of a home or securing the best deal on a purchase, I negotiate with my clients’ long-term success in mind. I specialize in residential and new construction properties and maintain close relationships with local builders to offer clients even more opportunities. My dedication, care, and expertise make all the difference.

Sincerely,

Igor Pechkovskyi