It was another banner year for the McColly Real Estate team, and they celebrated in style on Thursday with their Annual Christmas Party at Innsbrook Country Club.
The party was not only a celebration of the real estate agency’s business achievements over the year, but also a way for the McColly leadership to recognize and honor the brokers and staff across Northwest Indiana, Chicago Southland and Central Illinois who make everything they do possible. Featuring almost endless waves of gourmet food from the Innsbrook kitchen, live performances from the Wheeler High School Choir, and an appearance from St. Nick himself, the evening showcased everything that makes McColly a special place to work and grow.
“I think people really like this, we’ve been doing it now for about 25 years,” said Ron McColly, Founder of McColly Real Estate. “If I were to boil our work culture to one thing it’d be ‘family.’ What we’re trying to do is create one large family. I’d just like to wish that family the best holiday season ever.”
The Holiday Party is a mainstay of McColly’s culture, and some of their veteran brokers have been attending it for well over a decade. The leadership always strives to be more than just a workplace; they look to perfect work-life balance by not only granting their team the time they need for their families and personal interests, but also by making sure there is always something to look forward to on their calendar.
“What we try and highlight with this holiday party, and any of the various appreciation luncheons or dinners that we do throughout the year, is the idea that we want people to have a true work-life balance,” said Drew Ranich, Director of Broker Relations. “We want to make sure that our brokers can provide for their families and live their best lives while spending as much time with their family as possible and pursuing the thing that they’re passionate about.”
Aside from enjoying food and drinks, attendees also lined up for pictures in front of Innsbrook’s many Christmas trees. Sounds of holiday classics were also enjoyed thanks to the Wheeler High School Choir.
While many of the brokers loved the chance to sit back and enjoy dinner with friends and family, others were so excited about the McColly team’s achievements this year that they could not help but talk shop.
“The McColly leadership is on the bleeding-edge of technology, when we’re the number one company out there, why would brokers consider going anywhere else,” said veteran broker Mary Jane DiMichele. “But even though I say that, there’s a social aspect to our business. It’s not always ‘business, business, business.’ Thanks to events like this, we get to know people on a social and personal level. It’s about families and us getting to know each other, and that’s very important.”
From the newest agents to veterans of over two decades, there was a common theme mentioned when asked what it is that makes McColly Real Estate a special place to do business: every single broker is a whole lot more than just another team member.
“What I love about working for Ron McColly is that he cares about every agent, not just succeeding this year, but succeeding for a lifetime,” said Brenda Versnel, one McColly broker. “He cares about our future, our retirement, he invests in us as people.”
