Welcome to Chicago North Shore Moms weekly Meet a Mom series where we feature one local mama, what they’re up to both personally and professionally.
Some partnerships are simply meant to be. Coco Harris and Julie Bradbury Miller of Third Coast Luxury are both second-generation Realtors who grew up watching their mothers pour their hearts into this line of work. Having much in common, when they finally joined forces, something extraordinary happened. Together with their grown children now carrying the torch, Coco and Julie have built one of the North Shore’s most trusted luxury real estate teams from the ground up, brick by brick, relationship by relationship. Whether you’re searching for your forever home, navigating a major life transition, or finally ready to plant roots in a community you love, these are the women who will show up for you — completely and wholeheartedly. They get the nuances of the current climate of negotiating, winning bids, and earning bids. And with an arsenal of home-ready resources from attorneys and inspection firms, to handyman companies and remodeling boutiques, Coco, Julie and their team have your back every step of the way – and beyond.
Get to know Coco and Julie, what they love about the North Shore, real estate trends to watch for and local favs. Welcome, Coco and Julie!
Coco and Julie.
Hi Coco and Julie! Please introduce yourselves: Where do you live on the North Shore, and what kept you here?
COCO: I have lived in Chicago since 1995 and in Wilmette since 2002. I grew up in CT so I didn’t know anything about the North Shore, but my husband grew up in Lake Forest so he really drove our home search locationally, and I’m so grateful that he did. His two non-negotiables were proximity to Lake Michigan and walkability to the Metra. Our location in Wilmette is perfect as we walk everywhere – from town for dinner to Gillson Beach. The transformation of downtown Wilmette from a sleepy little town to a vibrant destination has been exciting to watch!
Coco and family.
JULIE: I was born and raised in Wilmette and returned shortly after my oldest child was born in 1995. It was important to me to raise my family in the same community that had given me such an exceptional foundation growing up, and my husband who had just graduated veterinary school was thrilled to have the opportunity to practice in the area. Both of my children enjoyed many of the same experiences that made my own childhood so special; from Ronald Knox Montessori School and Wilmette’s outstanding public schools to the sports programs, park district activities, beaches, and countless community traditions that make the North Shore such a remarkable place to call home.
Sarha, Nolen, Grace, Kurt and Julie
Having spent most of my life on the North Shore, I have developed deep connections throughout the communities I serve. Those lifelong relationships and experiences are something I value tremendously, both personally and professionally. After my husband passed away, I made the move to northeast Evanston. It has been a wonderful chapter. I love being close to the lake and having the ability to walk to Northwestern University, enjoy Evanston’s vibrant restaurants and shops, or head just as easily to downtown Wilmette and the beautiful lakefront.
Tell us about your family. What does motherhood look like in your house these days even if you’re an empty nester?
COCO: I keep wondering when my husband and I will experience the empty nest lifestyle that many of my friends talk about! We have two grown sons: Alex is 26, works with me and is in the process of moving to the city after four hard years of getting his real estate business off the ground and saving money to not just move out, but to buy a condo. Griffin is 22 and just graduated from Xavier University in Cincinnati with an economics degree and is looking for a job in either Cincy or Chicago.
After the loss of our beloved family dog 18 months ago we have taken the plunge again and have welcomed a Cavapoo puppy named Millie into our home. She is a lot of work but her sweet face and happy disposition is worth every early morning wake up call. All joking aside, I am so grateful to still have my children in and out of the house on a regular basis because sharing meals together is truly the highlight of my day.
JULIE: Well, now I am truly going to show my age! I am the lucky mom of two grown children. Nolen and his wife Sarah live in Northfield with their adorable baby boy, Kurt, who is 8 months old. Nolen is the business manager for Winnetka Animal Hospital, my late husband’s practice. Sarah is a teacher who is currently providing one on one tutoring and mentoring for children of all ages. My daughter Grace and her handsome Great Dane Brutus, live in Lakeview. I am blessed to have Grace work with me in real estate.
Julie with grandson, Kurt
What’s something about you that might surprise people in your life?
COCO: I love to entertain, but hate to cook! My husband and I love to host dinner parties but I often cater the meal (Apple a Day in Glencoe and Convito in Wilmette are my go-to’s for picking up great catered meals.) I am also a huge sports fan – especially football. I love the Bears, but what I really love to watch and follow is college football. Alex is a graduate of the University of Alabama and it’s been a great couple of years, but our first love will always be Northwestern football! We live close to the NU football and basketball stadiums and have had tickets to both for over 20+ years.
JULIE: I’m a true foodie and love to check out all the fabulous options for fun and interesting cuisines around the area. I also love to cook and entertain. Checking out interesting destinations and events in the city and suburbs is always fun! We have world class museums, art, architecture and venues along with exceptional access to the performing arts. Summer and fall are the best time to explore it all, especially the fun outdoor music scenes like the annual Winnetka Music Festival which just occurred this past weekend.
Julie with daughter and real estate partner, Grace.
We all love a good rec! Specifically, what are your go-to spots right now?
COCO: Eating and shopping locally is important to me and we are so lucky to have so many incredible options on the North Shore! When we entertain I always serve a cake from Three Tarts for dessert, Elizabeth Griffin is my go to for fun hostess gifts and hilarious cards. I eat the kale salad from Hometown at least once a week, and no ice cream spot beats Homer’s (trust me I’ve tried them all). Nothing beats a summer dinner on the patio at 501 Local or Tocco and my all time favorite steak house is The Barn in Evanston. I could go on and on… if you ever need an inside tip just ask!
Coco with family.
JULIE: I was recently treated to a very fun evening at the Deer Path Inn’s revamped Brasserie. It was great – good food and fun atmosphere. Deer Path does it all so well. I also love EJ’s and Tocco for excellent local faire. Valentina is a great shop in Winnetka, their fun and welcoming staff are the best and they offer great gifts and really nice clothing options.
What’s something you cannot leave home without?
COCO: My readers. I would be lost without them. As it is I have the font on my phone so large that someone could probably read my texts from Iowa!
JULIE: Lip gloss! I never know where my day will take me and how long I’ll be out and about on the move. I hate dry lips!
Is there a quote, mantra, or mindset that grounds you when things feel chaotic?
COCO: One quote that I come back to often is something Peloton instructor Jess Sims says: “You can be a work in progress and a masterpiece at the same damn time.” I love the reminder that while we should always be learning, growing, and working to become better versions of ourselves, we also don’t have to wait until we’ve reached some imaginary finish line to appreciate who we are today.
Coco at the beach.
JULIE: “Chaos is temporary. Integrity, composure, and reputation are lasting.” Chaos will pass, it’s the way you navigate chaos that will define your reputation and the trust you build with people.
It’s time to get down to business! Tell us about your real estate careers!
COCO: My mom is 82 years old and still a licensed, practicing real estate broker in Connecticut. She started her career when I was a toddler, so I honestly don’t remember a time when she wasn’t working. I watched her build a successful business, own her own brokerage, earn countless top-producer awards, and, most importantly, find tremendous fulfillment in her work. My real estate story starts with her as my inspiration, but it took me several years to get there.
Coco with her mom, Susie, and son, Alex – Three Generations!
After college, I moved to Vail, Colorado, to begin a career in hospitality, which is where I met my husband. That path eventually led me to Chicago and a role in the sales office at the Four Seasons Hotel. When our oldest son, Alex, was born, I stepped away from full-time corporate work and spent the next 12 years working alongside my husband in his business in the Merchandise Mart.
When I was ready to return to a full-time career, I wasn’t sure what direction to take. My mom passionately encouraged me to consider real estate and shared a piece of advice that has stayed with me ever since: there are no guarantees of success in any profession, so if you’re going to take a chance, bet on yourself.
When I earned my license, I reached out to Steve Hudson of The Hudson Company, one of the last boutique brokerages in the area. Although he rarely took on new agents, he took a chance on me. More than fourteen years later, that gamble has paid off. Steve has been a mentor, champion, and trusted advisor throughout my career, and I’m incredibly grateful for the role he played in helping me build the business I have today.
JULIE: I began my real estate career in 1997 following an eight-year career in the healthcare industry. I was incredibly fortunate to have my mother, Mary Bradbury, as both my role model and mentor. A highly respected and successful real estate broker on Chicago’s North Shore, she invited me to join her in the business. This opportunity profoundly shaped both my career and the way I approach relationships and service.
Learning alongside one of the very best gave me an invaluable foundation. My mother was not only admired for her professionalism, market knowledge, and success, but equally for the way she supported and encouraged others in the industry. She believed deeply in relationships, integrity, and collaboration, and she modeled those values every day.
Through her example, I learned that while real estate is undeniably competitive, long-term success is built through trust, professionalism, and meaningful relationships with both clients and colleagues. The ability to collaborate, communicate honestly, and genuinely advocate for others has remained at the core of my business throughout my career.
Her influence continues to shape the way I serve my clients today: with dedication, discretion, compassion, and a commitment to always putting relationships first.
Recently, my daughter Grace joined me in the business, and it has been one of the greatest joys of my career. Watching the next generation carry forward the values of integrity, service, and dedication that my mother instilled in me feels incredibly meaningful. What began with my mother, Mary Bradbury, has now evolved into a three-generation family business rooted in relationships, trust, and a genuine love for helping people. I feel extraordinarily fortunate to work alongside Grace every day and deeply grateful for the legacy we continue to build together.
Julie with late mother, Mary Bradbury
When and why did you both form Third Coast Luxury?
COCO: When The Hudson Company was acquired by Compass in 2018, my friend and colleague, April Callahan, approached me about forming a team. I initially resisted because I loved being a solo agent, but she convinced me that a partnership could make us both stronger. Those years taught me something invaluable: while real estate can be an incredibly rewarding career, it can also be a lonely one, and I thrive on collaboration, shared ideas, and the support that comes from working alongside great people.
As our businesses evolved, April began spending less time locally, and I found myself thinking about the next chapter. Around that same time, two significant things happened: my longtime friend and respected colleague, Julie Bradbury Miller, and her daughter joined our Compass office, and my son, Alex, became a licensed Realtor and entered the business. As Julie and I discussed our futures, she suggested we explore the idea of building something together. It was an immediate “aha” moment.
Over the next nine months, we thoughtfully designed every aspect of what would become Third Coast Luxury. We wanted a brand that honored our shared legacy as second-generation Realtors, celebrated the emergence of a third generation entering the profession, reflected the exceptional level of service we provide, and paid tribute to the North Shore communities we are privileged to serve.
Today, Third Coast Luxury is a team of ten agents united by a commitment to collaboration, expertise, and client care. More than anything, we believe that real estate is a relationship business, and we are passionate about helping our clients navigate some of life’s most important transitions with confidence, clarity, and exceptional service.
JULIE: Soon after Grace and I joined Compass in late 2023, I recognized a unique opportunity to bring together the strengths of our team with Coco’s. The synergy was undeniable, and I felt strongly that together we could create something even more dynamic, collaborative, and impactful for our clients and the communities we serve.
Third Coast Luxury represents the coming together of experienced professionals, strong family values, and generations of trusted relationships, all with the goal of providing a truly elevated real estate experience.
That vision became Third Coast Luxury, a partnership built on shared values, complementary strengths, deep market expertise, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional client experience. From the beginning, it felt like a natural fit both professionally and personally.
I also had a strong feeling that, one day, Coco’s son Alex would join her in the business at Compass, continuing the tradition of a multi-generational family legacy. Watching that become a reality has been incredibly special. Alex joined as a third-generation partner alongside his mother, which adds such a meaningful dimension to our story and our team culture.
Coco with son and real estate partner, Alex.
Coco and Alex are outstanding partners. They bring tremendous knowledge, professionalism, and strength to our markets, and I have the highest respect for their work ethic, integrity, business acumen, and the relationships they have built throughout their careers. Together, we share a common philosophy centered around trust, collaboration, discretion, and always putting our clients’ best interests first.
How long have you both known each other? I’m sure there are some fun stories here!
COCO: Julie and I met when I joined The Hudson Company in 2012. As a new agent, I was incredibly intimidated walking into an office filled with some of the most accomplished Realtors on the North Shore, but I distinctly remember how welcoming Julie and her mother, Mary Bradbury, were from day one.
Mary had a warmth about her that immediately put people at ease. She reminded me of a beautiful combination of my own mother and grandmother, and I was both fascinated by and envious of the partnership she and Julie shared. The trust, respect, and admiration between them was something truly special, and it became a model for the kind of career—and relationships—I hoped to build.
Over the years, Julie and Mary became mentors, colleagues, and dear friends. They exemplified professionalism, integrity, and a deep commitment to their clients and community. To now be partnered with Julie is one of the greatest joys of my professional life.
Mary passed away this winter, and I am forever grateful that our paths crossed. Her legacy lives on through Julie and Grace, through the countless clients and agents she influenced, and, in many ways, through me as well. She made a lasting impression on who I am as both a Realtor and a person.
JULIE: I met Coco when she joined The Hudson Company in 2012, and I can honestly say it did not take long to recognize that she was going to be incredibly successful. She brought an energy that was impossible to miss: vibrant, engaging, hardworking, and genuinely fun to be around. Even early on, Coco had a natural ability to build trust and meaningful relationships within the office and with clients alike.
What stood out most was her willingness to do the hard work. In real estate, there are no shortcuts, especially in the beginning. It is a challenging business no matter when you enter it, and even more so when you are relatively new to the area, which Coco was at the time. Yet she approached every opportunity with determination, humility, and a great attitude even when the rest of us were probably wondering why we chose a career where weekends and evenings mysteriously disappear.
Over the years, it has been incredibly rewarding to watch Coco build such a respected and successful business through integrity, consistency, and authentic relationships. Beyond being an exceptional professional, she has become a dear friend, trusted partner, and someone I admire tremendously. I feel very fortunate that our paths crossed all those years ago — and even more fortunate that we now get to build something special together through Third Coast Luxury.
Do you have any real estate nuggets of advice you can pass forward to our readers?
COCO: There is no such thing as a perfect house. No matter your budget, every home involves trade-offs because as price points increase, so do expectations. The buyers who are most successful are those who stay focused on their priorities while remaining open-minded. More often than not, they end up falling in love with a home that is missing one item on their wish list because everything else about it feels exactly right.
JULIE: One of the best pieces of real estate advice I can offer is this: buy the best location and quality you can comfortably afford, and think long term. Markets will always fluctuate, but exceptional locations, strong communities, and well-built homes consistently hold value over time. A home is both a financial investment and a lifestyle investment, so it is important to consider not only resale value, but also how the home will support the way you want to live.
Are you involved in any community initiatives, foundations or nonprofits that you’d like our audience to know about?
COCO: I am a member of Christ Church in Winnetka, and for ten years I co-chaired the handbag department for the church’s annual Rummage Sale, which is the largest of its kind in the Midwest. What makes the event especially unique is that donations are collected year-round, allowing us to offer an incredible selection of merchandise and create a truly remarkable shopping experience for the community. The sale generates more than $300,000 in a single day, and every dollar is reinvested back into the community through grants awarded to more than 60 charitable organizations. It has been incredibly rewarding to be part of an initiative that has such a meaningful impact, and I am grateful to play even a small role in helping make it possible.
JULIE: Over the years, I have been fortunate to serve on various boards, school committees, and philanthropic initiatives within the communities I love. Giving back and staying involved has always been deeply important to me, both personally and professionally.
At this stage of my life, my greatest priority is spending quality time with my adorable grandson while continuing to thoughtfully grow Third Coast Luxury alongside my family and partners. Building a business centered around relationships, trust, collaboration, and legacy has been incredibly meaningful, and I feel very grateful to continue doing work I love with people I genuinely care about.
Is there anything else you’d like to tell the Chicago North Shore Moms audience?
At the end of the day, real estate is about far more than transactions. It is about people, families, transitions, and helping clients feel confident and cared for during some of the most meaningful moments in their lives. We feel incredibly fortunate to do work we genuinely love in communities that mean so much to us personally.
