North Dallas Real Producers - August 2023

CONNECTING. ELEVATING. INSPIRING.

SALLY DARNALL & KELLY CALKINS

BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION: A REAL ESTATE FAMILY

BRIT DANIELS: COMING HOME

DREW BURGESS: A CULTURE OF GIVING

JOSH MCCRAW: LEADING WITH KINDNESS

CODY BRASHER OF 100% CONSTRUCTION: FROM RIGS TO ROOFS

DAN CARSON OF ORIGINPOINT: BETTERING THE LIVES OF THOSE HE SURROUNDS

Photo by: Ilona Gorokhovskiy, Ilona Jade Photography

NORTH DALLAS

If you are interested in contributing or nominating realtors for certain stories, please email us at

DISCLAIMER: Any articles included in this publication and/or opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the views of The N2 Company d/b/a Real Producers but remain solely those of the author(s). The publication contains paid advertisements by local companies. These companies are not endorsed or specifically recommended by The N2 Company or the publisher. Therefore, neither The N2 Company nor the publisher may be held liable or responsible for business practices of these companies.

Cruz Acevedo Photographer Jessica Nelson Social Media Director

Ilona Gorokhovskiy Photographer

Scott Peek Photographer

Lance Dunahoe Co-owner

Jordan Espeseth Founder/Co-owner

Julie Altemus Executive Director

Landon Robinson Content Specialist

Mandi Jackson Event Assistant

This section has been created to give you easier access when searching for a trusted real estate affiliate. Take a minute to familiarize yourself with the businesses sponsoring your magazine. These local businesses are proud to partner with you and make this magazine possible. Please support these businesses and thank them for supporting the REALTOR® community!

BLINDS & DRAPERIES

Best Shutters (214) 538-2400

bestshuttersdirect.com

BRANDED MARKETING MATERIALS

Lovehandle (281) 778-2051

www.lovehandlepromo.com

BUILDER Shaddock Homes (972) 526-7700

ShaddockHomes.com

BUSINESS COACHING

Hero Nation Coaching (469) 500-3642 theheronation.com

CLIENT AND REFERRAL GIFTS

Gifts of Graze Eileen Torres (214) 814-1216 www.giftsofgraze.com

CLIENT ENGAGEMENT LEADS by Mandi Jackson (801) 598-5767 LEADSbyMandi.com

COFFEE COMPANY Poo Brew Coffee (469) 430-3443 PooBrewCoffee.com

CREDIT REPAIR

MSI Credit Solutions (866) 217-9841

www.msicredit.com

FINANCIAL ADVISER/ FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL

New York Life

Alec Berrey (541) 908-3683

Elijah Cross (NYL) (361) 236-8957

FLOORING

The Design Group Flooring (682) 234-6930 tdgflooring.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR

DIGG Foundation Repair (214) 307-4060 diggfoundationrepair.com

Elite Foundation Repairs (214) 856-9634 EliteFoundationRepairs.com

HEALTH

Restore Hyperwellness & Cryotherapy (817) 912-1550 Restore.com

HOME CLEANING

Tidy Up Cleaning

Brandy Bail (469) 636-8951 tidyupdfw@gmail.com

HOME INSPECTION

Element Inspection (214) 535-7971 element inspection.com

First Choice Home Inspection (325) 260-8311 www.firstchoicehomes inspection.com

Inspect360 (817) 754-0360 inspect360.com

Semper Fi Home Inspections, Inc. (682) 351-2267

SemperFiHome Inspections.com

HOME REPAIR & RENOVATIONS

BOSSCAT

Lindsey Pryor (404) 993-8622

lindsey.pryor@ bosscathome.com

HOME WARRANTY

Fidelity National Home Warranty

Mike Csanad (469) 590-5733 www.homewarranty.com

Tarrant Home Warranty (972) 470-9999 tarranthws.com

INSURANCE AGENCY

Paine Insurance Group (972) 387-9217 paineinsurancegroup.com

JUNK REMOVAL

Junkluggers of Collin County Mark Schneider (469) 344-6659 junkluggersof collincounty.com

MORTGAGE LENDING

First Rate Financial (214) 872-4442 iamfirstrate.com

Highlands Residential Mortgage

April Myrick (972) 955-9633 mortgagebymyrick.com

Mortgage Matters (469) 807-1300 mortgagematters.us

Movement Mortgage (469) 202-4195 LoanOfficerMark.com

OriginPoint

Dan Carson (512) 878-3047

PBJ Mortgage, LLC (469) 766-4811 pbjteam.com

Reliant Team of Premier Mortgage (619) 378-3795 MichaelChiodo.com

The Tuttle Group Cross Country Mortgage (469) 319-0660 thetuttlegroup.com

Wesley Mortgage Team (817) 494-1726 wesleymortgage.homes

MOVING SERVICES

All My Sons Moving & Storage (561) 578-3800 allmysons.com

Black Tie Moving North Dallas JC Caldwell (615) 900-2641

Finesse Movers (469) 657-5975 finessemovers.com

Stonebriar Moving Services (469) 734-9000 stonebriarmoving.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ilona Jade Photography (253) 632-5155 ilonajade.com

Scott Peek Photography (469) 587-2300 ScottPeek Photography.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

American Real PM (469) 620-0114 americanrealpm.com

Real Property Management Focus (469) 820-0088 realpmfocus.com

REMODELER

Renovation Sells (214) 888-4376

RenovationSells.com/ North-Dallas

ROOFING

Tarrant Roofing (972) 470-9999

TarrantRoofing.com

Texas Direct Roofing

Nathan Lemons (972) 951-3748

nathan@txdroofing.com

Total Roof Protection (817) 210-6338

totalroofprotection.com

Town & Country Roofing (972) 377-8188

townandcountry

roofingdfw.com

ROOFING / STORM RESTORATION

100% Construction (469) 999-6091

100percent

constructiontx.com

Cook DFW Roofing and Restoration (214) 236-2832

cookdfw.com

Swordsmen Roofing and Construction LLC (972) 979-6197

swordsmenroofing.com

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

iTrip Vacations North Dallas (972) 649-0454

northdallas.itrip.co/

SOLAR

Tarrant Solar

(972) 470-9999

TarrantRoofing.com

TITLE COMPANY

Alamo Title Company

Ashley Polito (214) 727-7034

Chicago Title DFW

(972) 931-1522

ChicagoTitleDFW.com

Fair Texas Title fairtexastitle.com

Lawyers Title (469) 247-8281

dfw.ltic.com

Republic Title

Ken Callahan (214) 793-5979

RepublicTitle.com

VIDEOGRAPHY/ PHOTOGRAPHY

StudioUSA

(469) 955-5833

studiousa.live

WINDOWS

FoggyWindowRepair.Com

(972) 693-6449

FoggyWindowRepair.com

Town & Country Roofing

(972) 377-8188

townandcountry

roofingdfw.com

This Was Written by

ChatGPT

publisher’s note

The following article was written by ChatGPT. The only prompt I gave it was this: “Write a 300-400 word Publisher’s Note article for Real Producers Magazine on how real estate agents should embrace artificial intelligence in their business.”

Here is what came out…

“Title: Embracing Artificial Intelligence for Real Estate Success

Dear Readers,

Artificial intelligence has made significant strides in recent years, revolutionizing various sectors, and real estate is no exception. The integration of AI tools and platforms offers unparalleled opportunities for agents to enhance their business practices, improve efficiency, and provide exceptional value to their clients.

One of the key advantages of AI in the real estate industry is its ability to analyze vast amounts of data quickly and accurately. With AI-powered algorithms, agents can streamline their property search process, identify relevant listings based on client preferences, and even predict market trends and pricing fluctuations. This empowers agents to offer tailored recommendations, saving valuable time for both themselves and their clients.

Moreover, AI can automate mundane tasks such as paperwork, scheduling appointments, and responding to inquiries, enabling agents to focus on high-value activities that require their expertise and personal touch. This increased efficiency not only boosts productivity but also enhances the overall client experience, leading to higher satisfaction and increased referrals.

AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants are also transforming the way real estate agents interact with their clients. These intelligent bots can engage in natural language conversations, answer common queries, and provide 24/7 support. By leveraging AI in customer service, agents can ensure prompt responses, efficient lead nurturing, and improved communication, ultimately leading to stronger client relationships.

Additionally, AI can aid in accurate property valuations by analyzing historical sales data, market trends, and property characteristics. Agents can leverage this information to price properties competitively, negotiate better deals, and provide clients with accurate estimations of their property’s worth. This level of precision not only instills confidence in clients but also positions agents as trusted advisors in the market.

However, embracing AI does not mean replacing the human touch; rather, it enhances it. Real estate agents bring invaluable interpersonal skills, market expertise, and negotiation prowess to the table. AI serves as a powerful tool that empowers agents to elevate their capabilities and provide unparalleled service to clients.

As AI becomes more and more prevalent, we encourage you to explore the latest AI technologies and discover how they can transform your real estate business. Embrace the power of artificial intelligence, and unlock new opportunities to thrive in an ever-evolving industry.

Wishing you continued success in your real estate endeavors!”

Not bad, right?

Jordan Espeseth

YOUR NORTH DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS

BADGES

BADGES

Congrats for being one of the Top 500 real estate agents in North Dallas!

You now have your own badge to use however you’d like to show that you’ve made it a part of this exclusive community of the top 1-2% in real estate! Missing your badge? Email jordan.espeseth@n2co.com.

Using your badge? We’d love to see how! Show us how you are using your badge, and you may just find a picture of what you shared in the magazine! Social media, email signatures, web listings, marketing material ... nothing’s off limits!

Our RP-vetted businesses have been carefully selected to be a part of this community and have their own badge as well! They have been recommended by your peers in the top 500 and are some of North Dallas’ most elite businesses. Look for this badge to know that you are working with one of the best, recommended by the best!

FAQ

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE

Real Producers magazine started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 100 markets across the nation and continues to spread rapidly. Real Producers first launched in DFW in August 2018 with North DFW Real Producers (now called “North Dallas”). In May 2019, Dallas Real Producers launched, and then Tarrant Real Producers in March 2021.

In 2022, Tarrant Real Producers split into two publications, North Fort Worth and Fort Worth Real Producers Fort Worth Real Producers launched in August 2022!

Q: WHO RECEIVES REAL PRODUCERS MAGAZINE?

A: The top 500 real estate agents in each of the four markets in DFW, based on their annual residential sales production for the previous year, as recorded on the MLS. Refer to the map in this publication for the exact territories. If your broker address is within that given territory, and you are in the top 500, you will receive that publication for the year. There are approximately 60,000 licensed real estate agents in DFW. The list will reset at the end of every year and continue to update annually.

Q: WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS MAGAZINE?

A: We believe that we are better together. When we surround ourselves with other successful, like-minded people, we grow to new heights. Real Producers is a platform that brings together the most elite individuals in DFW real estate.

We take the top 500 real estate agents and RP Vetted Businesses in every market, and we build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, market trends, and upcoming events

— really, anything that will connect, inform, and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.

It is important to note that Real Producers is not a brag book. To be in the top 1-2% in your field takes a lot of grit, passion, hard work, trials, tribulations, and a strong “why” to keep pushing on. Real Producers is about sharing and honoring those stories and humanizing you and your peers to create a culture of honor and collaboration that propels us all to the next level.

Q: DOES REAL PRODUCERS HAVE

EVENTS?

A: Yes! Each year we have several events. Some are specific to each territory, and some are shared events for all four DFW Real Producers markets. We have several different types of events, such as magazine celebration events, partners-only events, social events, mastermind/ educational style events, and of course, the annual black-tie awards gala called The ESPE Awards. For these events, we invite the top 500 real estate agents and our RP-vetted businesses. Top 500 agents are allowed to invite members of their team, as well. These events are an incredible opportunity to connect with the best of the best in DFW real estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connections made at these events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!

Q: WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR BEING FEATURED IN THIS MAGAZINE?

A: It’s really simple. You have to be on the top 500 list, and we take nominations seriously. You can nominate other real estate agents, businesses, brokers, owners, or even yourself! Office leaders can also nominate real estate agents. We will consider anyone brought to our attention who is in the top 500 because we don’t know everyone’s story, so we need your help to learn about them. We cannot guarantee a feature, but we encourage you to meet with one of our team members, support Real Producers and attend our private events to increase your chances.

You can email your nominations to jordan.espeseth@n2co.com.

Q: WHAT DOES IT COST A REAL ESTATE AGENT/TEAM TO BE FEATURED?

A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs nothing, my friends, so nominate away! We are not a pay-to-play model. We share real stories of Real Producers.

Q: WHO ARE THE RPVETTED BUSINESSES?

A: They are one of the best businesses in DFW in their category, and you can find them listed in our index! We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. One of many of the top real estate agents has recommended every single business you see in this publication. We won’t even meet with a business that has not been vetted by one of you and “stamped for approval,” in a sense. Our team will further vet every business to make sure they are a good fit and bring value to our community. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best real estate agents in the area but for the best businesses, as well, so we can grow stronger together. When you meet one of them, be sure to thank them for their continued support and for investing in you and your growth.

Q: HOW CAN I RECOMMEND A BUSINESS?

A: If you know and want to recommend a business that works with top real estate agents, please email us to let us know at jordan.espeseth@n2co.com.

REALTOR® on the rise

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Cruz Acevedo, StudioUSA

Mccraw Josh

Leading with Kindness

Shortly after getting married in 2011, Josh Mccraw and his wife bought their first home. It was a foreclosure property, allowing them to get a great deal on a home when the real estate market was struggling. Over the next few years, Josh and his wife bought and sold several more homes with their REALTOR®, Tim Grubbs. Meanwhile, Josh was working as the Media Director at Elevate Life Church. His work was fulfilling, but his income was capped. There wasn’t much room for upward mobility in the nonprofit world, and Josh wanted to achieve more financial flexibility for his growing family.

By 2015, Josh had two young children. Tim Grubbs suggested he give real estate a shot, and so he decided the time was right to go for it.

“Working at a nonprofit, there wasn’t a way to bring more money in. It was capped. I got into real estate because I wanted to make more money. There’s nothing sexy or inspiring about it,” Josh says frankly.

I want to leave a legacy for my kids, something they have ownership in, something for them when I’m gone — whether that’s a real estate portfolio or a nonprofit we start.

While Josh began his real estate career in search of more income, it soon transpired into something much more meaningful.

“What I discovered is that every deal is different. Everyone has their struggles, and I was able to see that there is a way to really help people in this industry. One of my core values is kindness, and I was able to bring that into this work,” Josh continues.

Josh continued working at Elevate Life Church for two years while building his real estate business. By the second year, his income in real estate far exceeded his income from his nonprofit work. He decided it was time to engage with real estate fully.

“If I was making six figures in real estate in just half my time, what could I do if I spent all my time doing it? I realized I could provide for my family more and get some time back to be home with my wife and kids,” Josh explains. “By the time the two-year mark came, we were pregnant with our fourth child. I put my notice in and went into real estate full-time.”

Built on Core Values

Josh has built his real estate business on the values he honed while working for the church. His relationship with God and his family sit at the top of his values. He approaches every day and every interaction with kindness, generosity, excellence, and honor.

“My core values were shaped during my time working at Elevate Life Church, and each core value carries over to what I do in real estate,” he says.

Josh closed $28 million in 2021, $16 million in 2022, and is tracking to once again eclipse $20 million in 2023.

“Number one, I care more about my clients as people than I do making a sale. I don’t pressure anyone. I don’t bring paperwork to appointments. I try to understand what the client needs, and then we go from there,” Josh explains. “And I do my best to make the home buying/selling process fun for my clients.”

Faith and Family

One of the big wins for Josh in 2022 was work/ life balance. He spent about half the time working as he did the prior year while still running a successful business. With five kids under the age of ten, that was a victory with tangible benefits.

“At this point, I’m focused on being there for my family, spending time with them, and being more selective about who I work with client-wise,” Josh says. “With five kids, I’m never going to regret spending more time with them.”

Josh and his wife, Mandi, have children ranging from two to ten: Everett (10), Emerson (8), Eli (6), Edison (4), and Emilia (2). They enjoy playing outdoors, swimming in the pool, and attending church (they still attend Elevate Life Church in Frisco).

“The legacy I want to leave is being generous, kind, and honorable,” Josh closes. “And I want to leave a legacy for my kids, something they have ownership in, something for them when I’m gone — whether that’s a real estate portfolio or a nonprofit we start.”

Coming Home

Growing up in Kennedale, Texas, Brit Daniels dreamed of a career as a musician. She started playing music at just three years old and began recording in her early teenage years. By the time she headed off to college at the University of North Texas, she was confident she’d be playing music professionally for the rest of her life. But, as is so often the case, God had other plans laid out for her.

Brit studied radio, television, and film at the University, preparing herself to work in the music industry while pursuing a career as a recording artist. She moved to Nashville after graduating to intern at BBR Music Group (Jason Aldean, Randy Houser, Joe Nichols) and Hill Entertainment Group (Jana Kramer, Rodney Atkins). Post-internship, she worked creatively alongside industry professionals who had also worked with Kanye West, The Chainsmokers, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, and 30 Seconds to Mars, to name a few.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d end up back in Dallas. I was truly convinced I would live my life in Nashville,” Brit reflects.

rising star

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Cruz Acevedo, StudioUSA

As she got deeper into life in the music industry, however, Brit began to realize she wanted another line of work to support her financially. The music industry brought waves of highs and lows, and Brit desired more stability in her life.

“I just started praying about it, asking God to lead me and help put me into something else that would work with my songwriting and performing schedule,” she says.

Brit’s prayers were answered in an unexpected way. Soon after, the idea of selling real estate rose to the surface.

“My grandfather was a huge real estate investor growing up. I grew up around real estate, and I had some friends in the music industry shifting to do real estate, and they loved it. I could shift my energy and still write music during the day (which was required in Nashville), so I decided to go for it,” Brit explains. “Once I got into the business, I realized how much I could see my future in real estate. Things totally shifted.”

Coming Home

After a year and a half selling real estate in Nashville, Brit was starting to hit her stride in real estate. Then, she had a realization: She was ready to return home to Texas.

“I asked myself, ‘Why am I doing this in Nashville when I could do this back home where my family is?’”

Brit returned to Texas in 2020. There, her business took off.

“My database from growing up here, those people are using me as their agent now. My career has totally skyrocketed. I don’t think I would have the same success if I stayed in Nashville,” she continues.

I WANT THEM TO FEEL THEY CAN REALLY TRUST ME AND TALK TO ME ON A FRIEND LEVEL. AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHEN I NEED TO STAND UP FOR THEM, I WILL.”

As an individual agent with Monument Realty, Brit closed 24 transactions for $13 million in 2022. In 2023, she’s looking to grow those statistics even further.

“Clients like working with me because I’m real and transparent. I want them to feel like they can talk to me about anything. I want them to feel they can really trust me and talk to me on a friend level. And at the end of the day, when I need to stand up for them, I will.”

Right Where She’s Meant to Be

When she’s not selling real estate, you’ll find Brit traveling (Italy is her favorite destination), spending time with friends and family, or playing music. After taking a break from recording for a few years, she’s returned to the studio and will be releasing a single soon.

As Brit reflects on her journey into real estate, she marvels at the path her life has taken her. She never imagined returning to Texas or selling real estate, but both have been incredibly fulfilling experiences. More importantly, both have helped her fulfill her mission to be the type of person others can count on.

“Never in a million years did I think I’d be back here, but I’ve never been happier. I’ve been led to my purpose. Who would’ve thought that’s where that would have led me? But it’s true — I’ve never been happier.”

Hail damage?

Contact Tarrant Roofing, we have an army of people waiting to help!

We provide Five Star quality ser vice from beg inning to end!

Need payment options? No money out of pocket, we take payment at closing!

In 2017, Dan transitioned into becoming the National Head of Sales and helped his company quintuple its production while starting to originate loans on the side. In early 2023, he joined OriginPoint to help the company grow its local and national footprint.

“During my years in the industry, I noticed a lot of people were in our business for the wrong reasons. I developed a passion for helping people find homeownership with integrity,” Dan explains. “I saw a lot of originators that were nonchalant about how they worked with clients. My team has care and consideration. I wanted people that were passionate, problem solvers, and wanted to grow by helping other people grow. We get to help people achieve the American dream, and I want to have a group of people that help others do that for the right reasons — for it to be about the passion of helping people.”

Serving with OriginPoint

After several years with Willow Bend Mortgage, Dan transitioned his team to OriginPoint early in 2023. He cherished his time with Willow Bend but ultimately felt the time was right to move on. OriginPoint gives Dan and his team the best opportunity to serve clients in the way they desire.

“It was the right opportunity, right time,” he says. “We can give agents and their customers the best experience they can have from a customer service and relationships standpoint.”

Dan’s team takes a creative approach to support their partner real estate agents. They focus on helping agents grow their production through outside-the-box solutions, like co-branded closing gifts, strategy building, and pipeline management services. They underwrite all loans up front, so the preapproval process is airtight. The OriginPoint operations and appraisal teams are local, ensuring they remain in close contact with every step of the loan approval process.

I WANT MY KIDS TO HAVE THE LIFE I DIDN’T HAVE, AND I WANT TO PROVIDE MY AGENTS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE SAME TO THEIR FAMILIES.

“We want to help agents grow their production by giving their cli ents the most positive experience possible. For example, we have one person whose job is specifically to manage the client experience, making sure every client feels like the only client we have,” Dan says.

Bettering Lives

Dan grew up without much material wealth, and he was even home

HOW TO FIND

Submitted by Bri Westbury, CCAR Communications Director

BALANCE IN YOUR DAILY LIFE

BALANCE

In the pursuit of mental well-being, incorporating self-care practices are paramount. Join us as we delve into a conversation with Katie Sholty, Yoga Instructor and Wellness Coach, who shares her insights on the importance of movement, resilience, and nourishing oneself to maintain and improve mental health.

Katie believes that mental and physical well-being are deeply intertwined and encourages clients to move with ease and cultivate a strong sense of center. By doing so, individuals can adapt to various situations in their lives and align their core intentions with different roles and responsibilities.

She explains, “Our bodies, brains, and hearts are intimately connected. When we take care of our physical well-being, this vessel of our body, it’s also a great entryway to take care of our mental health. I work with clients to move while in this vessel of our body, and that when we move with ease, when we have a strong sense of our center so that I can move in all the different ways. I can reach down, and pick something up. I can reach up and grab something from a high shelf…and it’s the same thing in our life…We want to have a strong sense of center, a strong core of intention, the core of our purpose of why we’re doing the work that we do. And then I can adapt and…[discover] how do I take that core intention to support my real estate clients? How do I take that core intention to be a good partner to my husband, wife? How do I take that core intention to be a good mother, a good father, a good, whatever the different roles that are that in your life, and I use the physical body as that entry point, to get that clarity of center and

purpose, so that you feel it in your mental well-being, in your heart, soul spirit… taking care of the vessel is important, because if breaks down, it’s causing a lot of other troubles. But what you’re carrying inside that vessel is incredibly valuable.”

When discussing the role of mental health in overall life satisfaction and success, Katie emphasizes that success is a subjective construct. “What one person defines as success may differ from another’s definition,” she says. To achieve true satisfaction, Katie urges individuals to connect with their core values and focus on what truly resonates with them. By understanding their core intentions, they can let go of external markers of success that may not align with their authentic selves. Celebrating small victories along the way and finding fulfillment in nourishing others can lead to genuine life satisfaction.

However, real estate professionals often carry a heavy emotional load for their clients and can often time be isolated. Sholty provides a simple self-care toolbox that can help build resilience and bring your back to your core intention.

Self-Care Toolbox to Build Resilience & Balance:

1) Take a Cold Shower: Cold showers or cold-water dunks at the end of a warm shower provide a no-cost way to engage in resiliency training that can transfer into mental resilience. These discomforting experiences allow individuals to witness their capacity to bounce back and build mental tenacity.

2) Take a Breath: Katie recommends incorporating big, long exhales. These deep breaths help downregulate the nervous system and provide moments of relaxation.

3) Step Away: Disengage from work-related stressors for 5-10 minutes and take a walk outside. These replenishment practices offer respite and rejuvenation, contributing to a balanced mental state.

4) Find Comfort: Do something for yourself for 20-30 minutes. Sholty enjoys a warm blanket and cuddles with her dog on the couch before reapproaching a stressful situation.

Nurturing mental health is a continuous journey that requires intentional effort. By acknowledging the connection between physical and mental well-being, practicing resilience, and embracing self-care, individuals can develop the strength and balance necessary to navigate life’s challenges with grace and find fulfillment in their personal and professional endeavors. To hear the full conversation, visit www.welcometothetop.com.

cover story

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Ilona Jade Photography

SALLY DARNALL

CALKINS KELLY &

BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION: A REAL ESTATE FAMILY

Sally Darnall and Kelly Calkins have been working side by side in real estate for over 26 years. This mother-daughter duo brings family culture and unique skills to real estate, leveraging their relationship to create a business that has stood the test of time.

Sally and Kelly’s business has changed shape many times over their two-plus decades together, but one thing has remained steady: their commitment to serving their clients. While neither Sally nor Kelly grew up in Texas, they have found their home in North Dallas, settling in to create the life of their dreams. Fittingly, they spend their days helping others find their place in the community, too.

The Road to Real Estate Sally began her real estate career in 1992 in Florida. She relocated to Texas when her husband Jack, a land developer, took over the Stonebridge Ranch project.

“I was in the corporate world for a long time and was accustomed to independence,” Sally reflects. “I like working. When Jack became CEO of Stonebridge, it was natural for me to sell real estate in the area. I had a great source of knowledge in my own home. I learned about the parameters for each village. I helped buyers with the building process as well as listed and sold existing homes. At that time, McKinney was still a small town, maybe 25,000 people.”

Kelly joined her mom in January 1997.

“I was a newly single mom living in Chicago,” Kelly adds. “Moving to McKinney was a no-brainer. It is a great place to raise kids with high-performing public schools, lots of activities, and, most importantly, family. My mom’s business was taking off, and it made sense to join her.”

ALL IN THE FAMILY THE FAMILY TIES TO REAL ESTATE EXTENDS BEYOND SALLY AND KELLY’S PARTNERSHIP.

KELLY’S HUSBAND, KEN, OWNS TWO BUILDING COMPANIES, AND HALEY, KELLY’S DAUGHTER, GRADUATED FROM TEXAS A&M WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN URBAN PLANNING.

Side by Side

More than twenty-six years later, Sally and Kelly are happier than ever with their real estate careers. Through the years, they’ve built teams and even owned the local RE/MAX office for six years, but today, they are a team of two with Keller Williams — and they like it that way.

“What we really enjoy is just working with our buyers and sellers,” Kelly says. “I value that more than sitting in an office and managing agents. We prefer to be out in the community working with people. No two days are the same.

“The vast majority of our business is past clients and referrals. It is so rewarding to have been doing this long enough to have helped three generations in a family. Honesty and integrity are non-negotiable. Our clients know that we are straight shooters. If you are making a large financial decision, you need to have all the facts. I think most people would prefer that we, as their REALTORS®, are constantly learning about the local real estate market rather than our ability, or lack thereof, to create a TikTok video. That’s just not our lane.”

In 2022, Sally and Kelly were the top team in the Keller Williams North Collin County office, a distinction they have held every year since they rejoined the office.

Happy and Grateful

When they’re not selling real estate, Sally and Kelly remain active in their community. Sally enjoys yoga, walking, traveling, attending book clubs, and volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Kelly is heavily involved in the local schools, volunteering with the PTO in her position as Chair of Community in Schools. She is also on the McKinney Boyd Football Booster Board.

Kelly has two grown children, Haley and KC, and her youngest, Jake, has two years left at McKinney Boyd High School. When she’s not working or at the school, Kelly can be found on the tennis court.

Twenty-six years after beginning their real estate partnership, Sally and Kelly couldn’t be happier with the lifestyle it has provided them.

“I always say that I live a charmed and blessed life,” Kelly says, “We have our family. We have our health. We have the best clients who make our work worthwhile. I’m super grateful for all of it.”

“You’re talking to two very happy and grateful people,” Sally adds. “I was walking out of yoga yesterday and said to the instructor, ‘I am just so grateful.’ It’s not always easy, but we have a beautiful life.”

print

Were you, your broker, or the team featured in an issue of Real Producers?

Want a copy of your article or full magazines that you were featured in?

REPRINTS!

What the heck is a reprint? A reprint is a four-page, magazine-quality-grade paper with your full article and photos featuring you on the COVER of the publication.

WHY DO I NEED THOSE?

These reprints are a professional marketing tool that can help brand you, your team and/or your business.

• Use on listing appointments.

• Send out to friends and family.

• Send to clients with your holiday greetings.

• Brokers, use as recruiting tools for capturing new talent.

• Use when farming your favorite neighborhood.

WHAT IF I CHANGED COMPANIES OR NEED SOMETHING CORRECTED IN MY ARTICLE?

No worries! We can make any changes needed. We send you a proof, you approve, and they are sent to you via FedEx.

WHO CAN BUY THESE?

The REALTOR® who was featured, the broker or family. Anyone who wants to promote you.

HOW DO I ORDER?

Email Katherine Fondren at katherine.fondren@n2co.com or call 985-518-1991.

BRASHER BRASHER CODY CODY

OF 100% CONSTRUCTION

rp vetted business spotlight

Written by: Zachary Cohen

FROM RIGS TO ROOFS

Before joining 100% Construction, Cody Brasher spent a decade working on oil drilling rigs. He assumed it would be his career for life, but as it turned out, life had other plans for him.

During his ten years in drilling, Cody worked on rigs around the world, from Texas to South America, Africa, and Asia. But as the oil market shifted and his kids got older, he became open to a new pathway forward.

Cody and his now-business partner, Chris Carr, have known each other since grade school. When Chris caught wind that Cody had returned to Dallas, he reached out to him with an opportunity.

“I was stubborn,” Cody admits. “I thought I was oil through and through, and that was what I wanted to do. I blew a meeting with him off several times, but the fourth time he called me, he said, ‘At least meet me for coffee.’”

Cody agreed. After two hours of conversation with Chris, Cody decided to leave his post in oil and gas and start working with 100% Construction.

Photos by: Ilona Jade Photography

So, what sold Cody on making the transition to 100% Construction after being so convinced oil and gas would be his only career? Ultimately, it was about two things: the chance to be present for his family and the opportunity to serve the community.

“I spent the majority of my oldest two kids’ lives being gone at least half the year, on a rig somewhere. I missed out on a lot. I made up for it on days off, but at the same time, it was tough. At the time I joined 100% Construction, my youngest was two, and knowing he’s my last son, my last child, it was a huge draw for me to be home and get to spend the time with my kids,” Cody explains. “I don’t regret the work I did because I thoroughly enjoyed it. At the same time, I was selling myself short and allowing a company to set my value. When I stopped being stubborn and looked at the opportunity with 100%, it became a no-brainer.”

The Best in the Business Fast forward to 2023, and Cody couldn’t be happier with his choice to join 100% Construction. As a partner in the company, he leads the commercial sales division and assists in day-to-day operations for the Dallas branch. He considers himself a “utility player,” helping out wherever he’s needed — sales, management, or operations.

Cody has come to believe 100% Construction is the premier roofing company in Texas.

“Why we can with confidence say we are one of the best — we do the right things for the right reasons all the time. We drew a very hard line in the sand starting off, and we’ve stuck to that,” he explains. “Our first concern is that we want to take care of our people and clients. I take pride in being dependable. I take pride in doing what I say I’m going to do. We do exactly what we say we are going to do. It’s very simple.”

Now in its sixth year in business, 100% Construction is expanding. The company recently opened a location in Jacksonville, Florida, and plans to continue expanding throughout Texas and Florida.

Striving for the Best Personally, Cody strives to continue being the best at what he does every day.

“I don’t ever want a specific job to define my legacy. I want my actions to do that,” he says.

Cody is proud of the life he’s built. The business is thriving, his wife still likes him after almost ten years of marriage (most of the time), his kids are happy and growing, and he’s healthier than ever. After struggling with alcoholism early in his adult life, Cody is sober; he now uses his energy to improve his health rather than damage it.

“ I quit allowing alcohol to negatively impact my life eight years ago, and about two and a half years ago, I did 75 Hard for the first time, and it changed my mindset completely. It positively affected every aspect of my life — marriage, fatherhood, work, leadership,” Cody explains.

NONPROFIT SPOTLIGHT

CODY’S FAVORITE NONPROFIT IS ROOFERS IN RECOVERY, AN ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO HELPING PEOPLE IN THE ROOFING INDUSTRY WHO STRUGGLE WITH ADDICTION.

Outside work, you’ll find Cody working out, giving to charity, or hanging out with his wife, Kirsty, and three sons, Tucker (17), Landon (16), and Ace (9).

“The people I want to leave a legacy for are my wife and my kids. I want my wife to know I got up every day to give her the love and life she deserves. I want my kids to know I got up every day to provide them with a life they deserve, as well as set an example of how they can build their lives as adults. I want to show my sons anything is possible if you set your mind to it and put the work in.”

For more information, visit www.100percent constructiontx.com .

DFW Masterclass DFW Masterclass

with Chris Heller

event recap

DFW Real Producers hosted their 2nd Masterclass event on June 16th from 1pm – 4:30pm at the Hurst Conference Center. Even though it was a Friday afternoon at the start of summer, we had over 200 in attendance!

Our keynote speaker, Chris Heller, delivered a relatively simple but extremely powerful message regarding mindset. These mindset reminders are so important and often these are ideas we have heard over and over, but the question to be asking ourselves is “Am I consistently living out what is being taught here?” If we are honest with ourselves that is not always the case. One of the many things I love about Chris is that he lives these things out better than most people on the entire planet. What he has accomplished is reflective of that…highest producing agent worldwide in Keller Williams, Former

CEO of Keller Williams, current CEO of OJ Labs, Best Selling Author of Dominant Thoughts, and on and on!

After Chris’s message we had a beautiful time of high-level networking with some light bites and drinks. We want to give a big shout-out to everyone who came out, all our RP Vetted Businesses who are the backbone of this community, and a special thank you to our evening’s event sponsors: Bryan Connatser with Cardinal Financial, TL Global, Texas Premier Title, DIGG Foundation, Titan Lending, All My Sons Moving, Glass Guru, and Best Shutters Direct.

We are excited for the 2nd half of the year and all the amazing events that we have planned!

See you at the next one!

B U R G E S S

mission-minded agent

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Cruz Acevedo, StudioUSA

A CULTURE OF GIVING

Drew Burgess leads the Burgess Group at Keller Williams alongside his brother, Shaun, serving the community through real estate, but Drew and Shaun’s commitment to service runs far deeper. The culture of giving back they have developed is a core part of their mission as businesspeople and human beings.

Drew and Shaun can trace their charitable roots back to their childhood and teenage years when they traveled the continent giving back through mission work with their parents. They’ve spent time in Montana, Wyoming, Missouri, and Mexico with various ministries, mostly helping children in difficult situations. This work carried into adulthood, as giving back became an integral part of their lives.

Today, Drew and Shaun leverage their real estate business to serve the community. Whether they are helping clients buy and sell homes, or using their earnings to make charitable donations, their intent remains grounded in service and contribution. They donate 10% of every commission check directly to charity and are continually on the lookout for opportunities to support folks in the community.

“We have a culture of giving, and that’s how we run our team,” Drew says. “Helping people in the community, going above and beyond — we’ve brought that to every part of our business. We are aligned and focused on our values.”

Building the Burgess Group

Professionally, Drew and Shaun took divergent paths earlier in life. Drew began working in corporate relocation while studying for a degree in biochemistry. When he completed his degree, he chose to stay in the real estate industry by getting his license and launching a sales business.

“I was married with a daughter and staying quite busy with all of that and the relocation work. I should have and could have gone to work as a biochemist, which I studied for years, but maybe it was more of a necessity than anything with a family. I chose to stay in the same industry I was working in and go into full-time real estate, which is related to relocation. I chose to take that and grow it into a larger enterprise.”

Drew began building his real estate business as an individual agent. He leveraged his relationships and skills in relocation to become a resource for folks moving to the area, which also allowed his real estate sales business to flourish.

Meanwhile, Shaun was working on Chick-fil-A’s corporate team as a trainer and manager. Drew was getting busier, so he reached out to his brother for support.

“I said, ‘I know you have this great job, but we have an opportunity here. Would you be willing to help me out?’”

Shaun agreed to join his brother, making the real estate group a family business. With his corporate experience in hand, Shaun helped implement systems, processes, and the ability to scale the business.

Shaun also brought his values to the table, encouraging Drew to focus more on family time and giving back. Previously, Drew worked seven days a week; now, he takes every Sunday off. He admits it hurts his business, but that’s a sacrifice he’s willing to make.

EVERYDAY JOB IS TO HELP PEOPLE.

In addition to serving clients during real estate transactions, Drew and Shaun run MovingUp Relocation, which offers comprehensive relocation services.

“My background is corporate relocation. Someone moving here needs assistance with everything, and I’m their central point of contact, really their first friend in the area. I’m helping them get everything done for housing to schools to cars to doctors,” Drew explains. “That’s my background, but now that’s intertwined largely with real estate sales, which pays our bills. Relocation is a volume business and can be a bit of a grind. We use it as a way to meet people, to be the one-stop-shop for our clients.”

Drew Burgess

Mission-Minded

Shaun’s entry into the real estate business has helped Drew remember what’s most important to him. He didn’t get into the real estate business to work every single day; he got into the business to provide for and be with his family. Drew and his wife, Nadia, have two children, Eoin (14) and Judah (4).

“My kids are my life. My family is my life,” he says. “I want to take care of my family. I want to make sure they have everything they need financially and materially, and I’m hoping to continue to shift the direction of the team so I can spend more time with the kids so they not only have the money and material things… but the relationships.”

Drew’s commitment to balance has been greatly improved, as has his devotion to serving God and the community.

“I want to honor God with my life and teach my kids to honor God with their lives. I want my kids to know they are loved,” he continues. “That extends to the community, too. I’m in real estate to help people, ultimately. My everyday job is to help people.”

Shaun Burgess