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