It amazes me how much goodness there is in people if you give them a chance. For this reason, I strongly believe in respecting all people and giving everyone an opportunity.
Peter Palivos lives by the values of hard work, loyalty, service, and honor. He is a successful businessman who has created a law firm and legal practice that continues to flourish. His contributions to the cities of Las Vegas and Chicago are of high recognition. He is a cultural facilitator of the strong diplomatic relationship between the United States and Greece. Peter’s dedication to serving others reflects through his philanthropic efforts with charitable causes, bipartisan political activity, pro bono legal services, and community volunteerism.
Born on February 23, 1958, to his Greek immigrant parents, Angelo and Bessie Palivos, Peter grew up in Uptown Chicago. His first job was working for his father in a shoe repair and shoe shine store at the age of 7 alongside his three other siblings. It was there that the American work ethic was deep-rooted in Peter.
Peter Palivos studied Political Science and History at the University of Illinois at Chicago. In 1980, he received his Bachelor’s Degree in History from Trinity College. Not only did Peter excel in academics, he also was an All-Illinois, All-Midwest, and All-American soccer athlete selected by the National Soccer Coaches Association, the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes, and the National Christian College Athletic Association.
Instead of pursuing a professional career in sports, which was very much in reach upon his graduation from Trinity, Peter decided to pursue a career in law. He attended the Illinois Institute of Technology-Chicago Kent College of Law and graduated in 1983 with a Juris Doctorate Degree. During his law school career, he earned the school’s Bar & Gavel Award for his outstanding school spirit and dedication to helping other classmates.
Upon Peter’s graduation from law school, he went on to work as an associate with a Chicago law firm: Rittenberg, Krichiver, and Buffen, Ltd. In 1986, only three years later, the firm offered Peter a full partnership, making him the youngest associate to see such an offer in the firm’s history. That same year, he began Peter A. Palivos & Associates.
Throughout Peter’s career as a businessman, he has served on various boards of directors, two of which are the Broadway Bank of Chicago and the Peoples’ Bank of Arlington Heights, Illinois.
Peter Palivos has always engaged in philanthropy both in his personal life and his career. Some organizations he’s involved in are the United Hellenic American Congress, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Chicago Council, the Pan Arcadian Federation of America, and the Hellenic Professional Society of Illinois. The Pan Arcadian Federation awarded Peter with the National Award of Merit in 1989. In the year following, Peter organized the Pedia Scholastic Scholarships program which awards young men and women with college scholarships for their excellence in academics and efforts in community service.
Where did the idea for Nevada Real Estate Investments LLC come from?
I was raised very poor. My first job was shoe shining shoes when I was seven years old. By the time I was 12 years old, we were selling hot dogs out of a hot stand in the streets of Chicago. So, in a way, I have been a small businessman from the time I was a child. Therefore, the opportunity to be an entrepreneur has always excited me. Nevada Real Estate Investments is a business which develops, owns, and manages real estate. I got into real estate because its a business that has always excited me.
What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?
I am always excited to go to work and challenge myself to be more productive every day. I rarely look at the clock and I still regularly work 10 hour days.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I read a lot and I try to talk to smart people. As Socrates taught us, we have something to learn every day, and we only learn by asking questions.
What’s one trend that really excites you?
The human spirit. It amazes me how much goodness there is in people if you give them a chance. For this reason, I strongly believe in respecting all people and giving everyone an opportunity.
What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?
I am very ambitious and believe in excellence. I always believe that we can do better for ourselves, our families and for our community.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Be more patient.
Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on?
That all people-regardless of color, ethnicity, social class or economic background- are owed respect, dignity and equal opportunity.
As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?
Strive to do better every day. Strive to improve yourself and business every day.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?
I have always strived to be the best in anything I do. Therefore, in every business I started,
my goal was to achieve excellence.
What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?
Not being the top company in Las Vegas. We are overcoming this by continuing to improve.
What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?
The client and customer is always right, and anyone that does not follow this basic business idea will be out of business.
What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?
Giving money to charity. There is so much good that $100 can do for charity or someone less fortunate.
What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?
“The Bible’ because it’s the greatest book ever written and it contains the words of God.
What is your favorite quote?
Dr. Martin Luther King Junior’s phrase about “ injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere”. For me there is too much injustice in the world. So, good people have to stand up and fight for justice. This does not mean just justice for a few, but justice for everyone. Therefore, despite my very busy schedule, I have always given free legal services to hundreds of people, and I still devote over 25% of my time to doing pro bono work for the less fortunate.
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Steve (Stefan) Junge hails from Germany and helps with the day-to-day publishing of interviews on IdeaMensch. While he and Mario don’t share a favorite soccer club, their enthusiasm to help entrepreneurs is a shared passion.