Name: Lana Stepanskaia

Title: Real Estate Consultant

Company: Hillman Homes

What was your first job in the realty industry? Coordinator of purchase and sale transactions

Where did you grow up? Moscow, Russia

Growing up, what did you want to be? Educator. I wanted to help people achieve their dream.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Meditate, read, walk the beach

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Catherine the Great of Russia, as she is the example of a brilliant, well educated, powerful, and charming woman

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Bid City

What do you love most about the industry? Ability to help people fulfill their dream and feel good about it

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? Experience, integrity, patience, vast knowledge of the subject, and my love for people

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Keeping calm and balanced in difficult situations

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? Various events at Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce

What has been your greatest accomplishment? Closing on three chain transactions on the same time

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? Book – The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield; Movie – The Beguiled

What is your favorite restaurant? Legal Sea Foods

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? Frank Gehry Building at MIT

What kind of car do you drive? BMW X3

Smartphone or paper? Smartphone

What is your favorite city after Boston? New York

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Patience, integrity, perseverance, necessity to learn every hour

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? DocuSign

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Stephen Colbert, Conan O’Brien, Ken Jennings