Tireless Service Times

Where one person who is committed to delivering superior service, two can do even more.

With a shared vision and spirit for delivering all of their best each day, Kelley Theriot McMahon and Lauren Valek Farris make an undeniable impact for those around them.

Engagement and Impact

As Principals of the Farris McMahon Group in the Lakewood office of Compass, Kelley and Lauren represent the impact of tireless service times two.

“We’re really like sisters,” Lauren says. “I don’t know how anyone in this business can go it alone. We have each other covered if one of us is out of town. We are each other’s support network. That’s how we started.”

“Real estate can be a lonely business, and I love working with Lauren … having someone to bounce ideas off of,” Kelley points out. “Every deal is different, and it is very helpful to have someone in your corner.”

Beginning Their Paths

Both Lauren and Kelley grew up down the street from one another in Lakewood, though they never crossed paths at the time. It wasn’t until adulthood that their shared backgrounds launched them into the roles of leading Lakewood real estate experts.

Lauren earned her license and got her start in the business in 2010, with Kelley beginning her adventure in 2012.

OWTLauren went to The University of Texas, where she majored in Public Relations. In time, she went back to earn her MBA from the University of Dallas. It wasn’t long before she decided to utilize her entrepreneurial spirit, business acumen, and love of Lakewood’s architecture to earn her real estate license, joining Team Whiteside with Coldwell Banker. From there, she and her team moved to Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s for a year before she and Kelley joined forces in 2015 to form the Farris McMahon Group.

After Kelley finished high school, she went on to continue her education at Texas A&M University. There she was an Education major and went on to teach at Lakewood Elementary. In addition to teaching, she also worked in Austin at the Capital, and she also worked in the non-profit world. Eventually, her brother, who was a mortgage lender, convinced her to look into real estate. She dove in and gave herself a year to see if her choice would work out. It definitely has.

Remarkable Results

Their teamwork has been very rewarding all the way around. In fact, in 2022, their team accounted for $56 million in sales volume representing a lofty total of 68 transactions.

The passion they have for their work is easy to see when you talk with them.

“I really believe that you get out what you put into it. I enjoy the hunt,” Kelley says. “We are matchmaking for our clients and trying to find the right fit for them. At times, it can be very challenging. We aren’t just REALTORS®. We wear different kinds of hats. As part of that, we try to man age their expectations and help them find what they want.”

As Lauren says, “It’s fun seeing the smile on my client’s face at the end of the day. It’s so rewarding to see their dreams come to fruition.”

Family Foundation

Family time makes life richer for both ladies.

Lauren looks forward to time with her husband, Davey, who works in home and auto insurance, and their three sons — 10-year-old, Wesley; 7-year-old, Wright; and 3-year-old Truett (Foxy).

In her free time, she has a passion for giving back. She serves as Secretary of the Lakewood PTA and also serves on the board of the Lakewood Early Childhood PTA. She also likes to patronize local businesses and also have fun at White Rock Lake, walking, and riding her bike with her children. She loves watching her boys play baseball and football in neighborhood leagues, as well.

Kelley treasures moments with her husband, Mark, who is a financial advisor, and their children — 16-year-old, Lindsey; and 13-year-old twins, Michael and Mary Kate.

In her free time, Kelley has an ongoing love for playing tennis. In fact, she is part of a team at Lakewood Country Club. She is also engaged in her children’s PTAs at Bishop Lynch and J.L. Long. She also enjoys supporting her children in their various school and sports activities. Travel is also a favorite.

Relentless Pursuit

One of the secrets of the success that Kelley and Lauren have assembled through time is really no secret at all … it’s the result of doing the right things consistently through time.

“I think about how I would treat my family in these situations that we encounter through the process of working with our clients,” Lauren says. “If I think something is a good idea or a bad idea, they know that. I take my fiduciary duty to heart.”

Kelley feels the same way.

“I’m a straight shooter. I’m very loyal to my clients and do what’s best for them,” Kelley says. “We know this area very well. One of the keys to being successful in this business is you really need to know the streets and schools,” Kelley says. “We pride ourselves on being the neighborhood experts. We know the history of the neighborhoods. We have a wealth of knowledge of how the neighborhoods have changed.”

With deep local roots, true teamwork and pride, Kelley and Lauren represent the possibilities that come with relentless service.

Written by: Dave Danielson

Photos by: Jin Kim, URSPECIAL