Many people in the Region know Nancy Frigo-Sventanoff as a go-getter, as someone who has been nominated the “Most Influential Person” several times over. She definitely is the hardworking person everyone loves, but what truly makes her so incredible isn’t her resume; it’s her heart.
Frigo-Sventanoff grew up in Chicago and bought her first house here in Northwest Indiana when she was only 18 years old. Since moving to Indiana, she’s pursued all kinds of opportunities in life: she studied computers at South Suburban Community College, she was a certified fitness trainer, she owned her own restaurant, she was a licensed general contractor, and she was the owner of her own Century 21 company.
Working in real estate has always been Frigo-Sventanoff’s passion. She loves getting to help people in a way that most people don’t really think about.
“It's one of the basic fundamentals of life. Having shelter is a necessity, and it’s critical for people to understand how important it is for everyone to have a roof over their head. We have so much homelessness in our country, so the more that we can educate people and help them get others under a roof, the better,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
Frigo-Sventanoff is currently a commercial and residential broker at Coldwell Banker Realty as well as the director of the homebuilders association. She’s also spent the last 10 years teaching real estate courses as a continued education instructor to help students learn more about the industry and how big of an impact they can have on others.
“You can really make a positive difference in people's lives. You may only be dealing with them once or twice, but for them, this is often their largest investment. You can make a lot of money in real estate, but it's not really about that. It's about changing lives,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
Many people have helped Frigo-Sventanoff get to where she is today in her career, but one person she’s always looked up to is her dad.
“My father was a great man. He never even graduated ninth grade, and he became a trade master for a railroad. You can’t do that nowadays without a master’s or bachelor’s degree. He also served in the Army, fought in Korea, and was a Chicago police officer for many years. He really made a difference in the world and taught us a lot of life lessons,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
Another person who was a big role model to her was her next-door neighbor, who used to help her with her kids when she was a single mom.
“She raised me practically. I had two small children and I was divorced young, and she helped me out. I’ll always remember her and what she did for my life. If it weren’t for her, I would never have gotten my career off the way it was because she helped me with my kids,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
Frigo-Sventanoff is ultimately very grateful for all the positive people in her life who have pushed her to be the best person she can possibly be. She strives to be as kind as the people who have been good to her.
“I think it's important to surround yourself with good people who care, and that's what I try to do for people too. Sometimes things work out, sometimes they don't, but don't sweat it. Just go forward. I’ve never looked backward,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
Frigo-Sventanoff knows how difficult it can be to move forward–her son Dean passed away unexpectedly in high school when he was killed by a speeding driver. For a long while, she struggled, but since her son had always been so kind and so giving, she knew she had to do something. She and her daughter started the 33 RDP Dean A. Frigo Foundation to help the kids of Lowell further their education.
Every year Frigo-Sventanoff sets money aside from her real estate transactions to put into the scholarship fund. For many years she also held an annual race in her son’s memory. It’s ultimately grown into something much larger than she could ever have imagined.
“It’s just so cool. The kids write me letters and invite me to things to say thank you. It really does take a village to raise a child, so there’s really nothing better than making a difference and helping children out with their future. All of this came from my love for Dean, and I know he would’ve wanted it this way,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
Frigo-Sventanoff’s work isn’t done yet, though; she has big plans to keep helping out the community her son loved. She wants to build a dog park that her son had designed right before he passed away. Also, as the president of the local chamber of commerce, she wants to work to renovate some things within Lowell to help it continue to grow.
“I’ve got to get some things done. You have to complete your circles and pay it forward,” said Frigo-Sventanoff.
When she’s not busy making a difference in her community through her work or her side projects, Frigo-Sventanoff loves to spend time with her daughter, grandkids, and her husband, whom she just married a couple of weeks ago.
All in all, Frigo-Sventanoff’s life goes to show how important it is to just go with the flow and through it all be kind and appreciative of everything life throws at you.