Name: Jared Wilk

Title: Broker Associate, The Jared Wilk Group

Company: Benoit Mizner Simon & Co.

What was your first job in the realty industry? Assistant real estate developer & property manager

Where did you grow up? Newton, MA

Growing up, what did you want to be? An actor or sports commentator.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Take my dog for a walk or hike

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Jeff Probst, host of Survivor. I am obsessed with the show and would love to hear his stories and pick his brain about how to get on it!

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Believe it or not, home. Specifically in my basement or driveway playing with my kids.

What do you love most about the industry? Everyone I work with is different and buying or selling their home means something unique to them. This is such an important moment in people’s lives and they are choosing to bring me along on the adventure with them, putting full trust in me.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I am myself. People have always told me that I am “one of a kind,” and usually (hopefully!) people like what they’re seeing from me. It is very important to find something I can relate to a person about/with so that they feel a comforting connection with me. Then I have to show them how I’ve succeeded in the past and why, and most importantly, how it will translate into success for them.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Setting reasonable expectations in a very difficult market.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? It’s a blessing and a curse, but my eyes, ears and mind are always open whenever I go. Turning the networking off simply is not something I can do.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? Five years ago I set a five-year goal. I exceeded those numbers in year three and have continued to expand my business while building my own team at work. Meanwhile over those same five years I got a wife, a dog, a house and two sons … balancing it all is the toughest challenge and also my greatest accomplishment.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? I figured it would either be terrible or fantastic — “A Dog’s Purpose” had my wife and I laughing, crying and smiling from start to finish.

What is your favorite restaurant? Pino’s Pizza, Cleveland Circle.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Boston? Is Fenway Park a building? If not, I’d say Boston Public Library or the Custom House.

What kind of car do you drive? Volvo S-90 and my old Pontiac Firebird for top-down days.

Smartphone or paper? Smartphone.

What is your favorite city after Boston? Nashville (Tennessee) and Sydney (Australia).

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Think about your network and then be persistent yet patient.

What’s your favorite real estate iPhone/Android app? Docusign and Ripl

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Sylvester Stallone and bunch of Survivor people (Rob Mariano, Rob Cesternino, Jeff Probst and Dalton Ross).