Mark Siwiec

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CEO, The Mark Siwiec Team at Keller Williams Realty

Years in current role: 33

What do you enjoy most about your position in your company and/or your role in the community?

The thing that I love most about my job is the fact that it’s become a creative outlet for me. I’m not an artist or a musician, but my business allows me to think in an abstract manner that allows us to grow. I started selling real estate as a sole agent and, more than 30 years later, I oversee a team of 15 professionals responsible for $85 million in residential sales. At the same time, I’ve been able to grow a large portfolio of rental properties. There are many reasons for the success that I’ve enjoyed — having a remarkable team of caring and loyal employees is chief among them. However, what keeps me engaged is the constant learning and strategizing. It’s a different kind of creativity, but it’s one I’ve come to love.

What is one thing you hope to accomplish before the end of the year?

In the past year, the real estate industry has faced challenges and a 23% local market decline. Yet, our team’s sales have only dipped 5% YTD. We’ve outperformed the market and increased our market share. As year-end approaches, our focus will remain the same — resilience, endurance, and providing our clients exceptional service — rather than chasing big profits. We’re not just trying to weather the storm, we’re learning to dance in the rain. However, staying afloat doesn’t mean standing still. We’re actively preparing for the future, anticipating a normalization of the real estate market come January. We’re using this time to refine our strategies, improve our services, and strengthen our team. Rather than wait for the storm to pass, we’re preparing to set sail once the skies clear!

What is the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome in your career?

In my career, the most significant challenge that I’ve faced isn’t a single event, but a personal journey of growth and self-improvement. It’s about growing older, gaining wisdom, cultivating patience, and achieving inner peace. In my younger years, I was eager and ambitious, but I lacked the serenity that comes with maturity. As I made mistakes, I saw opportunity in learning to face them, look in the mirror, and take responsibility. It was a lengthy process of self-reflection and humility. I’m enormously grateful for my partner, Duffy, who played a crucial role in this journey. His steady hand guided me, providing a sense of stability and perspective when I needed it most.

What are your favorite things about the Rochester area?

Rochester, for me, is more than a city. It’s a community characterized by warmth, kindness, and generosity. Moving here as a young gay man in the 1980s, I discovered opportunities in business and personal relationships that would have been unimaginable in Buffalo, my hometown. Here, I found fertile ground for my business aspirations. My ventures flourished, nurtured by a supportive community that values hard work and innovation. And it’s here that I’ve formed deep, meaningful friendships that have evolved into a large, chosen family. In short, Rochester is a place where professional aspirations and personal relationships coexist and thrive. It’s a place that has allowed me to fulfill the wildest dreams that I had as a kid and the reason why I’m so grateful to call Rochester my home.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing Rochester?

The greatest challenge facing Rochester today is a lack of political leadership, particularly in City Hall. The city grapples with serious issues — a soaring crime rate, a high murder rate, a struggling school district, and deteriorating infrastructure. Yet there seems to be a lack of direction on how to address these pressing problems. Compounding this issue is a lack of communication. We remain in the dark about the plans, if any, of city officials, as they rarely hold press conferences to address our concerns or share their vision. The absence of a clear, strategic plan, decisive action, and open communication exacerbates these issues. Rochester, a once-vibrant community, deserves leadership that can navigate these challenges and steer the city toward a brighter future.

This profile is part of Rochester Business Journal's Power List for LGBTQ+ Business Leaders for 2023. Information used in this profile was sourced from the honoree. View the full list at rbj.net.