Dean Petrovas has served as an asset manager at Hunt Club Apartments in Chicago since 2024. He began his career as an accountant with Louras CPA & Associates, a role that provided him with insight into the management of commercial real estate accounts and other privately held businesses. He joined Sundance Property Management as an asset manager in 2013, a position that involved operational and financial management for a portfolio consisting of more than 400 residential units and mobile home sites. Following three years as a senior asset manager and acquisitions associate at Sperry Van Ness/Bart, Dean Petrovas spent seven years as the director of investments for Sax Realty Group, Inc., during which time he spearheaded significant annual growth for the $500 million real estate portfolio.
After gaining further experience as an asset manager with Northern Trust, Dean Petrovas began working for Hunt Club Apartments. He oversees all daily operations and financial activities involving the organization’s portfolio of multifamily properties. He functions as the primary liaison between ownership, vendors, contractors, and business partners, with a focus on growth, operational success, and the timely resolution of business and tenant issues.
Dean Petrovas completed a general studies program at Indiana University. He later received his master of arts in real estate from DePaul University.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I try to approach each day with structure and intention. I usually begin by reviewing my priorities and identifying the most important tasks that need my attention. Rather than trying to do everything at once, I focus on making steady progress on a few key goals. I also dedicate time each day to learning, whether that involves reading, studying new technology, or improving my professional skills. Staying organized and maintaining consistency has helped me become much more productive over time.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I believe ideas become valuable only when they are put into action. When I have an idea, I start by breaking it down into smaller, manageable steps. I focus on testing concepts quickly rather than waiting for perfection. Whether it is a business idea, a personal project, or a professional goal, I have found that taking consistent action and making adjustments along the way is far more effective than spending too much time planning.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Artificial intelligence is the trend that excites me the most. We are entering a period where individuals and small businesses can access tools that were previously available only to large organizations. AI has the potential to improve productivity, increase access to information, and create entirely new opportunities for innovation. I believe we are only beginning to see what these technologies will make possible.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that has helped me tremendously is planning the next day before going to sleep. Writing down my priorities in advance allows me to begin the day with clarity and direction. It reduces decision fatigue and helps ensure that my time is spent on meaningful work rather than reacting to distractions.
What advice would you give your younger self?
I would tell my younger self to focus less on short-term setbacks and more on long-term growth. Life rarely follows a straight path, and challenges often become valuable learning experiences. Patience, persistence, and the willingness to keep moving forward are far more important than trying to achieve immediate success.
Tell us something you believe that almost nobody agrees with you on.
I believe that many people underestimate how much their lives can change in a relatively short period of time if they commit to consistent daily improvement. Small actions repeated over months and years can completely transform a person’s career, relationships, and opportunities. Most people focus on dramatic changes, but I think steady progress is far more powerful.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
I consistently invest time in learning new skills and expanding my knowledge. The world changes quickly, and continuous learning is one of the best investments anyone can make. Whether through books, online courses, conversations, or practical experience, learning creates opportunities that might not otherwise exist.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
When I feel overwhelmed, I try to simplify things. I step back, identify the most important task in front of me, and focus only on that. Exercise, walking, and spending time away from screens also help me regain perspective. I have found that clarity usually returns once I stop trying to solve everything at once.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has consistently helped me is building genuine relationships. Whether in sales, business, or personal development, relationships matter. People are more likely to trust, collaborate with, and support individuals who demonstrate reliability and authenticity. Focusing on long-term relationships rather than short-term transactions has opened doors throughout my career.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I sometimes spent too much time trying to make decisions perfectly rather than taking action. Looking back, I learned that progress often comes from making informed decisions, learning from mistakes, and adjusting along the way. That lesson helped me become more adaptable and confident when facing uncertainty.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Artificial intelligence tools have become incredibly valuable for productivity. I use them to organize information, brainstorm ideas, learn new concepts, and improve efficiency. Rather than replacing human judgment, these tools help me process information more quickly and focus on higher-value tasks.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
One of the best recent purchases I made was a combination of books, educational resources, and online learning tools. Investing in knowledge has consistently produced returns that far exceed the initial cost because the lessons continue to compound over time.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book that has had a lasting impact on me is Atomic Habits by James Clear. The book focuses on how small daily actions compound into significant results over time. Its message reinforced my belief that success is often the product of consistency rather than dramatic breakthroughs.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
I recently enjoyed How I Built This and similar entrepreneurial content because I enjoy hearing how founders overcome challenges and build successful businesses. Learning about the process behind innovation is often just as interesting as the final outcome.
Key learnings
- Consistent daily habits often create greater long-term results than short bursts of motivation.
- Continuous learning and adaptability are increasingly important in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
- Building genuine relationships and maintaining integrity can create opportunities throughout both business and personal life.
- Resilience and persistence are often more valuable than avoiding setbacks altogether.
- Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence can be powerful tools when used to enhance productivity and expand knowledge.