Marci Trautenberg is a Realtor associate with EWM Realty International.

What was your first job in the realty industry? I started as a weekend receptionist at a single family home development in Aventura.

Where did you grow up? North Miami Beach.

What is your favorite free-time activity? Spending time with my many pets, some rescue animals.

What do you do to relax when you’re stressed? Shopping or some lengthy walking.

Growing up, what did you want to be? Veterinarian.

If you could have lunch with a well-known figure (living or not), who would it be and why? Bill Clinton. I just think he’s extremely interesting and intelligent.

Where is your favorite place to hang out? Home.

What do you love most about the industry? That every day is different, the variety of people you meet and the mix of all the cultures we get to work with.

How do you distinguish yourself from the crowd of agents? I’ve been working with a partner for the last 15 years and we maintain a superior level of professionalism and ethics even if it isn’t always in our best interest financially.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job? Seeing and hearing how the turn in the market a few years back affected our customers, some forced into foreclosures or bankruptcy.

Where do you go to network and meet new clients? We do go to the Aventura Marketing Council events sometimes, but mainly, after being in the business for almost 20 years, most of our clients come to us by referral.

What has been your greatest accomplishment? Having a wonderful and successful business partner and surviving the ups and downs in this business.

What was the last good movie you saw or book you read? The Book Thief.

What is your favorite restaurant? Joe’s Stone Crab, take-out especially.

Architecturally speaking, what is your favorite building in Miami? For a new building, the Perez Art Museum is lovely.

What kind of car do you drive? BMW.

Smartphone or paper? Both.

What is your favorite city after Miami? Paris.

In 10 words or less, what is your advice for someone new to the industry? Be patient and work with integrity.

What’s your favorite Real Estate iPhone/Android app? Don’t use any, pretty old school with this.

Who are your favorite people to follow on Twitter? Seth MacFarlane, Ellen DeGeneres, Mark Cuban and LeBron James.