New to RE and looking to network/connect - Chicago area

[Patrick Aloisio]

Hello all,

My name is Patrick, and I'm from Chicago. I graduated from college in 2016 and went the entrepreneurial route by starting my own company. I still run it today, but my parents who are both realtors advised me to get my license on the side. So I passed the test several months ago and now have my license, yet I was never very interested by real estate. But once a friend told me about Bigger Pockets, I instantly became hooked. I've listened to almost 100 podcasts in about two months. 

What excites me the most is multi-family, BRRRR strategy, and any sort of creative financing to make a deal work. I can listen to a ton of podcasts, and read many books on the topic, but it's still not quite the same as talking to someone who has actually done it. I would love to connect with anyone who can give me advice or their thoughts on the best way for an ambitious 25 year old to get started. (Especially if it can be specific to the Chicago area market). Feel free to comment on this post with your thoughts, or if you're in the area I am happy to meet for lunch. Thanks for your help!

Sincerely,

Patrick