Before Kiser Group principals Lee and Estella Kiser became a commercial real estate power couple, they were “brothers,” Lee jokes. And they were, technically, since they met in a business fraternity at UNC Chapel Hill’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. The couple quickly found they had more in common than an interest in business, and the college sweethearts eventually married. After Estella graduated from law school at UNC, a job offer from Chicago’s Jenner & Block had them packing their bags and heading to the Midwest. Estella became a commercial litigation attorney and Lee joined a national commercial real estate firm.

After seven years, Lee convinced Estella to leave law behind and build a commercial real estate brokerage business with him. They established Kiser Group in 2005, and since then the dynamic duo’s business has grown into one of the most successful mid-market brokerage firms in Chicago. When they aren’t brokering apartment deals, the couple enjoys traveling and spending time with their boys. They are also one another’s biggest fans. Lee has traveled to Okinawa to watch Estella train in Shorin Ryu Karate and she has spent many evenings cheering him on as he sings lead vocals and plays guitar in his rock cover band, The T-Byrdz.