DALLAS
C O N N E C T I N G .
E L E VAT I N G .
I N S P I R I N G .
NORCROSS leading by learning
MIKE DELGADO: COMING FROM A PLACE OF CONTRIBUTION TAMMY CARTER: MAKING THE MOMENT MELANIE MULAMBA: WORTHY OF THE JOURNEY STONEBRIAR MOVERS: HELPING OTHERS FORWARD
Photo by: URSPECIAL
MARCH 2022
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PARTNERS
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TA BL E OF
CONTENTS 06
13
14
Preferred Partners
Publisher’s Note: RP Vetted Businesses
Mike Delgado: Coming From A Place of Contri bution
18
26
32
Event Recap: Magazine Release Party
Stonebriar Movers: Helping Others Forward
Melanie Mulamba: Worthy of the Journey
39
40
50
Which Real Producers Territory Are You a Part of?
Tammy Carter: Making the Moment
Marlene Norcross: Leading by Learning
If you are interested in contributing or nominating REALTORS® for certain stories, please email us at Jordan.Espeseth@realproducersmag.com 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 paid advertisements contained within the Dallas Metro Real Producers magazine are not endorsed or 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.
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Dallas Real Producers • 5
PREFERRED PARTNERS
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!
BUILDER Shaddock Homes (972) 526-7700 ShaddockHomes.com
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Home Warranty of America Lacy Stephens (214) 601-4561 hwahomewarranty.com
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HomeServe Home Warranty (972) 266-6829 home-warranty.com
CLIENT ENGAGEMENT LEADS by Mandi Jackson (801) 598-5767 LEADSbyMandi.com
JUNK REMOVAL Junkluggers of Greater Dallas (214) 476-6003 junkluggersof greaterdallas.com
FOUNDATION REPAIR Elite Foundation Repairs (214) 856-9634 EliteFoundationRepairs.com FCS Foundation and Concrete Services (877) 554-8284 FoundationAndConcrete.com HOME INSPECTION Home Inspection Solutions Cliff & Sheri Willis (214) 924-6561 / (214) 448-9572 HISDFW.com Inspect360 (817) 754-0360 inspect360.com
6 • March 2022
MAKE READY SERVICES Ready My Property (214) 886-1280 ReadyMyProperty.com
loan-consultant/texas/ dallas/lisa-peters Caliber Home Loans Christian Johnson (214) 763-8767 HomeLoansByChristian. com Gracie Morrow Mortgage Group (972) 757-2132 GMMG-MTG.com Willow Bend Mortgage (214) 449-2334 wbm.com MOVING SERVICES Element Moving and Storage (972) 805-0988 elementmoving.com Stonebriar Moving Services (469) 734-9000 stonebriarmoving.com
MEDIA PRODUCTIONS #TheDifference Radio, Livestream and Podcast (214) 883-1294 www.hashtag-the difference.com
PHOTOGRAPHER URSPECIALS by Jin Kim Studio (972) 375-1266 urspecials.com
MORTGAGE LENDING Axen Mortgage Wade Betz (469) 906-2522 winningwithwade.com
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT American Real PM (469) 620-0114 americanrealpm.com
Caliber Home Loans Lisa Peters (214) 763-7931 caliberhomeloans.com/
Healy Property Management (214) 368-4663 HealyProperty Management.com
PROPERTY PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY TruPlace Courtney Schafer (240) 654-0575 TruPlace.com ROOFING New View Roofing (469) 232-7220 newviewroofing.com Remedy Roofing, Inc Chris Wander (214) 335-8953 www.remedyroofing.com Tarrant Roofing D’Sha Jones (972) 470-9999 TarrantRoofing.com ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION Red Dirt Roofing & Construction (817) 454-0608 ROOFING AND HOME WARRANTY Total Roof Protection (817) 675-0905 TotalRoofProtection.com SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING/ MANAGEMENT Content Compounding (405) 888-9119 contentcompounding.io STAGE & DESIGN George Bass Stage & Design (469) 776-5118 GeorgeBassDesign.com
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Loft Allure (214) 544-9345 LoftAllure.com
Fair Texas Title (602) 421-6417 fairtexastitle.com
TITLE COMPANY Alamo Title Co - Park Cities (214) 373-7653 alamotitleoftexas.com
Lawyers Title (469) 247-8281 dfw.ltic.com
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Dallas Real Producers • 7
8 • March 2022
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Dallas Real Producers • 9
MEET THE
DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS TEAM
Jordan Espeseth
Rachelle Marie
Danica Dacayo Administrative Assistant
Crystal Barley Content Specialist
Mandi Jackson
Katherine Fondren
Missy Kremer
Lanie Schaber
Owner/Publisher
Events Assistant
Assistant Publisher
Content Coordinator
Dave Danielson Writer
10 • March 2022
Bill Brock Videographer
Editor
Ad Strategist
Jin Kim
Photographer
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Dallas Real Producers • 11
12 • March 2022
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publisher’s note
RP VETTED BUSINESSES WO R K I N G W I T H T H E B EST
I ask top agents all the time, “How important is it to work with businesses that you know and trust?” And every single time, they tell me that working with great businesses is crucial to their success as an agent. Having partners that are not only communicative but also who will go above and beyond to serve the clients and to preserve the relationships of everyone involved is a game-changer in this business. Two days ago, a top producing agent posted this on Facebook: “It matters who you work with. It really does. Partner with people who you or your REALTOR® know and trust. It takes a team of professionals to get the transaction to the finish line, and I am thankful to partner with people who set my clients (and me) up for success!” Truer words have never been spoken! It takes an enormous team, across many industries, to successfully close a transaction. This is why I love our RP
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Vetted Businesses! Each of the businesses that are in our magazine and that come to our events have been recommended by top-producing real estate agents, vetted by our team, and continuously monitored to ensure they maintain a standard of excellence. In an interview with Rachelle, Real Producing Agent Dena Malasek said, “I was so excited to find out that Real Producers has this vetted list of trusted businesses. It is awesome! It makes me more comfortable using the businesses that have been vetted by other top producers. This is a solid list!” We hear that all the time! So, RP Vetted Businesses, thank you for continually striving to be the best for yourself and for the agents that you serve. We wouldn’t be the most elite real estate community in DFW if it weren’t for you. Cheers, Jordan Espeseth Owner jordan.espeseth@realproducersmag.com
Dallas Real Producers • 13
MIKE DELGADO COMING FROM A PLACE OF CONTRIBUTION
rising star Written by: Dave Danielson Photos by: URSPECIAL
14 • March 2022
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Mike and Paige Delgado
ONE OF THE MOST FULFILLING WAYS TO FIND SUCCESS IS BY GIVING YOUR BEST TO THOSE AROUND YOU.
That’s something that fuels Mike Delgado each day. As Vice President and REALTOR® with Standard Real Estate, Mike helps others move forward with a true sense of contribution. “My goal is to wake up every single day and love people, whether or not that benefits me monetarily. As long as I am making friends and people walk away feeling loved, the money will come,” Mike emphasizes. “The most important thing to me is the relationships that I’m building. That is first and foremost for me.”
Mike wasn’t so sure at first.
FAITH AND PURPOSE
“I always told myself I wouldn’t do a 100 percent commission job, so I didn’t want to pursue it,” he admits. “But, I remember being in New York on my birthday all by myself. At that point, I said I don’t want to do this. I decided to get my real estate license.”
Faith is also a big part of Mike’s purpose in life. “I wouldn’t be in the position that I am today if it wasn’t for the Lord,” Mike explains. “I want to give all the credit to my faith.”
PUSHING FORWARD WITH PASSION
Mike’s background helped to hone his appreciation for achievement in life. “Growing up was difficult in a single-parent home, with all kinds of abuse in my life. I chose not to pursue schooling. I had dropped out of high school, though I eventually went back and finished,” Mike remembers. “In time, I started to get my head on straight. I started going to church and realized there was a lot more to life than what I had been doing. I went to church and found the Lord there and that changed the trajectory of my life.” GAINING GROUND IN LIFE
Prior to beginning his career in real estate, Mike worked in retail. “For a time, I worked with Neiman Marcus Group. I was a 50 percent employee with them and 50 percent with a company in New York,” he says. “I went back and forth for a while. And then, as retail was waning, I had some friends who said they thought I would make a good real estate agent.”
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That was 2018. As he got licensed and began his journey in the business, he faced many of the same hurdles that most new agents do. “I tried to quit my first year in real estate, but my wife, Paige, was very supportive. She said I believe in you,” Mike remembers with a smile. “If it wasn’t for her, I probably would have quit.” Part of Mike’s path forward came down to a mindset and realization about his role. “I knew coming into real estate that I wasn’t a salesperson. I’ve never been good at it. But what I am good at is studying and being a people person and knowing the market,” he says. “It takes longer to do that because for anyone to show you trust, you have to be trustworthy.” Mike’s passion for what he does is contagious. “I love being in front of people and building relationships. I don’t have specific monetary goals. Setting a yearly goal monetizes a family. So, I don’t do that,” he
Dallas Real Producers • 15
clarifies. “My favorite thing to do on a day-to-day basis is to “I know that material items don’t bring joy, but they bring connect with people.” some happiness through how hard I work. That’s important to me, and it’s what drives me.” FAMILY FULFILLMENT
Family is at the heart of life for Mike, including Paige and their two children. “Growing up with not having a ton, I want to give my wife and kids a better life than I had,” he says.
In his free time, Mike enjoys taking part in group fitness classes. He and Paige also like exploring local restaurants. They also have two dogs they like to spend time with. As Mike continues to envision and create his growing success story, he does so by coming from a sincere place of contribution. “For me, it all begins with honesty. I don’t think you build trust outside honesty,” Mike says with a smile. “If there’s anything I need to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.” The Standard Real Estate Team: Zach De Bernardi, Mike Delgado, and Logan Nichols
16 • March 2022
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I t's Not Luck...It's Experience! Your Dedicated Park Cities Team
C O D Y D O M I N O E s c r o w O f fi c e r / O f fi c e M a n a g e r JULIET DOMINO Director of Business Development JENNIFER OWENS Escrow Assistant JON BOBBY Escrow Assistant YVONNE CASAS Administrative Assistant
(214) 373-SOLD (7653) www.AlamoTitleofTexas.com 8115 Preston Road, Suite 100E Dallas, TX 75225 realproducersmag.com
Dallas Real Producers • 17
event recap Photos by: Samantha Farris
MAGAZINE
RELEASE PARTY December 2021/January 2022 Starting in 2021, Real Producers is now doing mini-magazine release parties! In attendance for these events, we will have those real estate agents and businesses that were featured in the previous issue or two along with a few non-featured advertising partners. This was our first magazine celebration party of the year, and, like the last six, it was an absolute blast! At this event, we showcased the December 2021 and January 2022 issues. These events are such a
18 • March 2022
fun way to debut the magazine and connect with a smaller group of incredible people. Congratulations again to Lee Lamont, Valerie Bracchi, Ani Nosnik, Rustin Smith, Jefferie Ellison, Justin Barker, Brandee Escalante, Becky Chance, Jansen Klefeker, and Jayant Malik. Our team feels very grateful to have had the chance to share your stories and celebrate with you. We look forward to continuing these smaller celebrations in the months and years ahead!
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Dallas Real Producers • 19
20 • March 2022
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“ Great follow-up, Professional, Communicates freely.” - Happy Customer
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Dallas Real Producers • 21
Dallas Real Producer’s Trusted Resource for Packing, Moving & Storage!
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469.734.9000
DONATED THIS YEAR TO HELP END MODERN-DAY SLAVERY.
Did you know there are more victims held against their will today than ever before? That’s why The N2 Company – the company behind this publication and 850+ others like it – is financially committed to end human trafficking.
FOR EVERY AD SALE WE MAKE, N2 DONATES ENOUGH MONEY TO FREE 2 SLAVES FROM CAPTIVITY. The average Fortune 500 company donates about 1% of their profits to charity. The N2 Company donates 2.6% of their gross revenue.
we bill insurance for you! Your Trusted Real Producer’s Partners Tyler and Ashley Edwards
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Thanks to the businesses within these pages, our Area Directors, and readers like you, we’re able to break the chains of this horrible reality.
Visit n2gives.com to learn more about our fight.
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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 of 2018 with North DFW Real Producers (now called “North Dallas”). In May 2019, Dallas Real Producers launched and then Tarrant Real Producers in March of 2021. In 2022 Tarrant Real Producers split into two publications, North Fort Worth and Fort Worth Real Producers. Fort Worth Real Producers will go to print later this year. Q: WHO RECEIVES REAL PRODUCERS MAGAZINES? A: The top 500 real estate agents in each
of the four markets in DFW based on their annual residential MLS sales volume for the previous year. If a deal is not recorded in the MLS, we are unable to pull that data. Most agents produce 10-30% more than what the MLS shows. 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, then 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 will 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.
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In every market, we take the top 500 real estate agents, and RP Vetted Businesses, and we build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, market trends, upcoming events — really, anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.
support Real Producers, and attend our private events.
Q: DOES REAL PRODUCERS HAVE EVENTS? A: Yes! Each community will have two
nothing, my friends, so nominate away! We are not a pay-to-play model. We share real stories of real producers.
main events a year and then we do a combined event at the end of the year, which is an awards gala called The ESPEs. For these events, we invite the top 500 real estate agents and our RP Vetted businesses. Top 500 agents are allowed to invite members on 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 to increase your chances we encourage you to meet with one of our team members,
You can email your nominations to jordan.espeseth@realproducersmag.com Q: WHAT DOES IT COST A REAL ESTATE AGENT/TEAM TO BE FEATURED? A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. It costs
Q: WHO IS THE RP VETTED 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 the best businesses, as well, so we can grow stronger together. 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@realproducersmag.com.
Dallas Real Producers • 23
www.wbm.com Drew Brenner
Caleb Buczek
Dianne Glenn
Kelsey Acosta
(214) 282-6387 drew@wbm.com
214-412-9118 caleb@wbm.com
(214) 334-2401 dglenn@wbm.com
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Willow Bend Mortgage Company, LLC. NMLS# 117371. 5800 W. Plano Parkway, Suite 105, Plano, TX 75093. This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. Not all applicants will qualify for all loan products offered. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law. Willow Bend Mortgage, LLC is licensed by the Department of Business Oversight under the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act. License #4130600. Further, Willow Bend Mortgage, LLC represents itself and conducts business only as a residential mortgage lender. Willow Bend Mortgage, LLC is not a mortgage broker.
24 • March 2022
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Sara Parker Jones Daniel Carson
David Betbadal
Chad Stansell
(972) 841-9010 sara@wbm.com
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Dallas Real Producers • 25
26 • March 2022
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stonebriar movers
partner spotlight Written by: Dave Danielson Photos by: Scott Peek Photography, LLC
HELPING OTHERS FORWARD
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Dallas Real Producers • 27
The Stonebriar Moving Services Team
Each day, you dedicate your experience and expertise to your clients … supporting them in their journey through life. It’s an important advantage for you and your clients when you have a partner who approaches life and business the same way. That’s the edge people get when they work with Tyler and Ashley Edwards and their team at Stonebriar Movers. “I always want the people who work with us to feel that we helped them have the best move of their lives,” Tyler says. “We are very thankful and grateful that they chose us to work with them.”
28 • March 2022
As Ashley says, “We always want to ensure our clients are well taken care of during what can be a very stressful time. It’s most rewarding for us when we feel we have lifted the burden of moving off their shoulders.” Gaining Ground. Creating True Success.
Tyler and Ashley have created a remarkable success story that leaves a positive impact on those around them. When Tyler was 19 years old, he met a gentleman from San Antonio who offered him work. In time, Tyler took him up on his offer. “I ended up moving to San Antonio with $35. I lived on his couch for a
year. Each day, he came and woke me up at 6 a.m. and I would go to work as a mover,” he remembers. About a year later, Tyler moved back to Dallas and rented a Penske truck. “During that time, I pretty much lived in the truck,” Tyler remembers. “I worked through brokers and traveled all over, working with people to move their belongings.” Over the next few years, Tyler worked with various moving companies. He made it a point to take away all the good practices the companies were doing and also took note of where improvements could be made.
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Taking all the knowledge he picked up, he decided to start his own company. In 2012, he and his wife bought their first moving truck, and over the course of the next five years, Tyler was determined to build something to disrupt the industry. He worked every job himself, many times working late into the night only to be up early the next morning starting the whole process again. Ashley booked every job, spending as much time as each client needed on the phone; they personally worked every aspect of their business in the early days. They acquired clients through online ads, doorto-door marketing, word of mouth, returning clients, and friends and family. Fast forward to 2015, Tyler wanted to build something bigger. He did just that. He realized that building relationships with REALTORS® would achieve this. He visited numerous brokerages across DFW, getting to know the REALTORS® on a more personal level.
We pride ourselves on being affordable and accountable. We know that our partners’ reputation is on the line when they refer their clients to work with us.
Photo courtesy of Stonebriar Moving Services
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Dallas Real Producers • 29
Signs of Success
All of the planning, quality work and service, and dedication have paid off. Today, Stonebriar Movers has a fleet of 11 trucks and two cargo vans and is moving into a new 8,000 square-foot office space in Garland. In the process, they handle residential and commercial jobs of all sizes and have a team that ranges from 20 crew members up to 50 team members in the summer. “Through my career, I’ve personally handled about 10,000 moves with my own hands, and I’ve been in and out of most of the buildings in town,” Tyler says. “As a result, I really know this business and I’m able to quickly communicate that experience to people who trust us to work with them.”
We take that very seriously,” Tyler points out. “We are always moving forward ourselves … learning and enhancing what we do.” Family Foundation
Away from work, Tyler and Ashley look forward to time spent with their family, including their children — 16-year-old Allyson, 15-year-old Gavin, and 14-year-old Liam. In addition to enjoying time with each other at home in McKinney, they also like to spend time with their three dogs and travel. Gratitude
As Ashley says, she and Tyler feel a big sense of pride and gratitude.
“Tyler and I both started from very humble beginnings. Being able to work really hard, we have seen it pay off. It feels very good being able to employ and help a lot of people. I hope they come away feeling that they were well taken care of and loved on and that we really care about them individually,” she says with a smile. “Someone said, ‘You’ve come a long way.’ But it’s not just by our efforts. It’s God’s. My biggest prayer for us as we started was to help our clients, and the people we employ, and change their lives for the better. I feel that God did it. We did everything that God enabled us to do. He has been there guiding us through everything.” For more information, contact Stonebriar Movers. Phone: 469-267-0052
It all begins with a phone call. Within a few minutes of calling Tyler, you quickly understand his high-energy passion for what he does and the commitment he and his team members have to deliver an exceptional experience for their real estate partners and clients. “We pride ourselves on being affordable and accountable. We know that our partners’ reputation is on the line when they refer their clients to work with us.
30 • March 2022
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Thorough Home Inspections + Exceptional Service = Happy & Satisfied Clients
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Dallas Real Producers • 31
Written by: Dave Danielson | Photos by: URSPECIAL
MELANIE MULAMBA inspirational agent
Worthy of the Journey The awesome responsibility of what you do each day can be challenging and, at the same time, rewarding … knowing that you are the pilot who is safely conducting your clients to the next stop in their story.
Melanie Mulamba feels the honor of that role, as well. As a broker associate with eXp Realty, Melanie and her husband, Gilbert (who is also a licensed agent) feel blessed to be able to help others. During the Sudanese Civil War 30 years ago, 20,000 Sudanese orphan children were uprooted. They were known as the Lost Boys. They embarked on a treacherous 1,000-mile-long journey walking from the war zone areas to refugee camps in Ethiopia in search of safety, food, and running to avoid being drafted into army groups. They eventually integrated refugee camps in Ethiopia for some years but had to be on the run again when the 1991 war erupted in Ethiopia. They began resurfacing in Kenya and were resettled in refugee camps there. “Eventually, they were brought here to the U.S. through resettlement programs and the International Rescue Committee that helped hundreds of them start new lives across the country. I helped some of them buy homes,” Melanie says. “One day during a housewarming gathering, one of them stood up and explained what it meant
32 • March 2022
to them to have a home. They had never had one. They ran from village to village, from city to the wilderness, hopped from refugee camp to refugee camp, and from one country to another. Resettlement had been their way of life for years and homeownership was such a far-fetched dream for them. They are striving as homeowners and all these things humble us … the fact that God finds us worthy of this journey.” Melanie understands these success stories on a very personal level. She experienced the same struggles. “In 1997, I ran into hiding with my four small children to Lafayette, Louisiana, where we stayed in a battered women’s shelter. I completely lost everything, and I lived in fear of being found by an abusive ex-husband who threatened to kill me,” she remembers. Following Her Dreams
In time, Melanie and her children moved to Dallas, and she worked with Texas Instruments. Melanie rented an apartment but was interested in buying a house. A friend referred her to a REALTOR®, and Melanie reached out to set up a meeting. She met a lady who lived in the same area of Richardson that Melanie did. The lady had a house, while Melanie rented an apartment. Melanie got the name of her friend’s REALTOR®, Jane.
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Dallas Real Producers • 33
34 • March 2022
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One day, ... one of them stood up and explained what it meant to them to have a home. They had never had one. They ran from village to village, from city to the wilderness, hopped from refugee camp to refugee camp, and from one country to another. Resettlement had been their way of life for years and homeownership was such a far-fetched dream for them. They are striving as homeowners and all these things humble us … the fact that God finds us worthy of this journey.
“I went there, and we talked about me buying a house. I was very surprised when Jane said, ‘I’m not helping you buy your house. It looks like you would be a good agent yourself. You can buy your own house,’” Melanie remembers. “Jane came back with a stack of papers, and I signed. She said, ‘Congratulations, now you just have to go to school and get your license. We’ll stay in touch.’” Jane wasn’t kidding. She called Melanie every couple of weeks to encourage Melanie to finish her test and get her license, which she did in July 2002. Answering Her Calling
Like most who enter the business, Melanie faced a tough transition. “I knew that I was in it for a long run, but I wasn’t aware of how hard it would be. I got laid off a few months after I got my license, and I needed to make more money. So, I talked with Jane. I told her that I would clean the office and restrooms for $50 in gas money each week,” Melanie says. “She prepaid me for the cleaning, and every evening after the agents left, I cleaned and then went home. My first sale came six months after. It was a breakthrough, and I thought this is real now and I can do it. I’ll never forget the cheer my kids gave me when I came home and I told them that I had a sale. It was the beginning of a great journey.” As Melanie built her business, she reached out to people in apartment complexes. “I had a moment where I thought all of these people living here were my clients. I started lead-generating and asked the apartment manager if she would allow me to do a first-time homebuyer seminar. The manager agreed, and I did that once a month. In
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time, the manager noticed me. She said I’m thinking of buying. Would you be my agent?” Still, the business wasn’t coming fast enough. So, Melanie applied for a 9-to-5 job. As she recalls, “After I went to pick up a job application from a local call center, I went back to the car to fill it. As I sat there, I heard a strong, clear voice that said, ‘So you don’t trust me?’” Melanie broke down in tears. “I screamed at God and said, ‘What do you want me to do?’ After I was done crying, I promised God that I would never look for another job again,” she says. “That has been the voice that continues to ring through my ears when things are rough.” Family Fulfillment
Family is at the heart of life for Melanie. She is very thankful for the partnership in life and work she enjoys with her husband, Gilbert. “God has blessed me with him. He was a scientist with Harvard who left everything behind to join me here in Dallas. My husband and I feel like we have been called into real estate.” They treasure time with their children — Christian Kalala, Blanche Kalala, Odia Kalala, Jessye Mulamba, Miriam Kalala, and Jeremy Mulamba. In their free time, Melanie and her family enjoy time together cooking, exploring local restaurants, traveling, and watching TV. When it comes to giving back, they support a variety of organizations, including Faith House, the shelter in Lafayette that first housed Melanie
Dallas Real Producers • 35
and her family, and the International Rescue Committee, an organization that assists refugees in resettlement in Texas. Melanie also served as Chair of the Global Business Council with MetroTex and was involved in helping others learn about how achievable the American Dream is. She and Gilbert also support a small group of widows in the Congo. In addition, Melanie wrote a book, Loosed … a biography about her journey. As she says, “The world is in pain, so whatever we can do to bring a smile, we want to do our part.”
Passion and Purpose
When you talk with Melanie, you can see the passion and sense of purpose in all that she and Gilbert do. “When we meet people, our first reaction and thought is, ‘Why did God send these people to us?’ We care about people. We want to build a lifelong relationship with them,” Melanie emphasizes. “People are not numbers to us. They are human beings with needs. We look at them as new members of our family.”
People are not numbers to us. They are human beings with needs. We look at them as new members of our family.
36 • March 2022
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Dallas Real Producers • 39
TAMMY MAKING THE MOMENT One of the most exhilarating times in the course of any transaction is when it ends in a raving success for everyone involved.
That’s a feeling that Tammy Carter knows well. As a Team Lead of the Carter Hillock Group with Ebby Halliday, Tammy is driven by the opportunity to help make the moment come to pass for her clients. “I love building and keeping relationships. I don’t just sell a house and close it and move on. I build relationships,” Tammy emphasizes. “I love walking in and seeing the excitement on their face when they walk into a house and they know that it’s the right one for them.”
40 • March 2022
I LOVE BUILDING AND KEEPING RELATIONSHIPS. I DON’T JUST SELL A HOUSE AND CLOSE IT AND MOVE ON. I BUILD RELATIONSHIPS. @realproducers
featured agent Written by: Dave Danielson Photos by: URSPECIAL
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42 • March 2022
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Tammy with her three daughters and her mom
HOMETOWN SPIRIT
Tammy was born and raised in Corsicana, Texas where her mother has been a real estate broker for 42 years and her father was a well-known builder. Her family’s impact on the community has been very tangible through time. In fact, Tammy has two streets (“Tammy” and “Renee”) named after her. “It’s funny thinking back,” she says. “I had always said I didn’t want to be a REALTOR® but ended up following in my mother’s footsteps. She is one of the best of her time.” GAINING VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
As she grew up, Tammy went to college, then worked as a district manager in Houston for Talbot’s. “I started with them out of college in Dallas and then moved to Naples, FL, before going to Houston,” she says. “I decided to come back to Corsicana to raise my family. As soon as my oldest daughter was born, we moved back to Corsicana.” Never one to sit still too long, Tammy needed another channel for her energy. She started Secret Treasures, a business that offered personal shopping services. She even had a local TV segment on the topic, while staying home with her girls. realproducersmag.com
“I went to the World Trade Center once a week and did a lot of personal shopping. At the same time, I also had a gift shop in my home,” she recalls. “I had that for seven years until my husband at the time and I divorced. At that point, my mom encouraged me to get into real estate.”
real estate career when she created her own team. Today, the team has five members, and Tammy looks to grow through time. As she says, she and her amazing business partner, Celestina Hillock, couldn’t make a better team, since they have the same vision for their clients.
That was 22 years ago. Since then, Tammy has steadily built a remarkable reputation for results, earning many accolades and honors along the way. In fact, she has been voted Best of the Best REALTOR® in Navarro County.
Although she serves clients all across the DFW region, one of the drivers for Tammy’s success is her love of her community, which includes Richland Chambers Lake, the third-largest lake in Texas.
SIGNS OF SUCCESS
“I’m really proud of our community. In addition to being the place where oil was first discovered west of the Mississippi, Corsicana was the first Texas oil boomtown. It was also one of the first cities in Texas to have
In 2021, she and her team recorded an astounding total of 144 closings, representing $50 million in sales volume. They finished the year as Top Group based on closed volume and units in the Preston Center Office. They also were recognized as the Top Producing Group from January to December of 2021. “I give my success to God,” Tammy says. “I’m a very strong Christian, and I live by faith.” In 2019, Tammy took the next step forward in her Tammy Carter and her business partner, Celestina Hillock Photo by: Daniel Motta Photography
Dallas Real Producers • 43
natural gas for fuel and lighting,” she says. “Plus, Corsicana was the place where Lyman Davis first delivered his chili in 1895 … the recipe that would become known as Wolf Brand. We have a lot of culture in downtown Corsicana, including museums, the wine bistro, breweries, and an artist colony where people come here and learn to paint.” FAMILY FULFILLMENT
Away from work, Tammy’s life is made richer by her family. She looks forward to time spent with her three daughters — Mackenzie (25), Claire (20), and Anna (17) … and her mom. Tammy is an only child and values family. In her free time, Tammy has a love of traveling. One of her favorite destinations is Hawaii, where she had attended college. She also enjoys visiting Colorado during the summer months.
getaways,” she says with a smile. She also enjoys shopping, visiting wineries, watching movies, and hanging out with her group of girlfriends from high school. When it comes to giving back, some of Tammy’s favorite organizations to support include the American Cancer Society, The Hope Center, and her involvement in Grace Community Church. She also has been engaged with the Dancing for the Stars event at Navarro College, which is a big local scholarship fundraiser for the college. She also gives back to the industry she loves. In fact, this year she serves as
President of the Navarro County Board of REALTORS® for 2022. LEADING THE WAY
Those who know Tammy count on her honest, genuine nature and the way she treats everyone with the utmost respect. She truly loves people. Whether she’s helping a client list their home, or welcoming a family across the threshold of what will become their forever home, her passion is contagious … as she gives her all to create unforgettable moments.
“I love being with my girls. We love doing weekend
Hanna Phillips, Mariah Lacey, Tammy Carter, Celestina Hillock, and Annette Goolsby Photo by: Daniel Motta Photography
44 • March 2022
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cover story
NORCROSS leading by learning Written by: Dave Danielson | Photos by: URSPECIAL
IT’S SAID THAT THERE’S NO REPLACEMENT FOR THE POWER OF LIFELONG LEARNING … THE ABILITY TO GAIN NEW KNOWLEDGE TO PROVIDE FRESH SOLUTIONS TO OTHERS. Marlene Norcross carries that commitment to ongoing education with her.
she worked for Lord and Taylor, and Neiman Marcus, as a buyer.
GENUINE CARE MARLENE
From there, she continued taking new steps forward in her career, serving as a store manager for Saks Fifth Avenue overseeing their Austin and Houston flagship stores.
As co-owner and REALTOR® with City Real Estate, Marlene leads the way for those around her … and it’s centered on a genuine desire for learning in its various forms. “I’m a real people person. I like meeting new people and learning their stories and getting to know them. You learn a lot about people through the process,” Marlene says.
She also worked with Macy’s, where she was a store manager and eventually elevated to become a district merchant manager for Indiana, as well as part of Illinois and Kentucky — over a 12-store footprint.
“You find out about what drives them and about their family. I also really love the opportunity to help first-time homebuyers with teaching and coaching. I use those same skills to help clients to get through the pitfalls and find their homes. The excitement of finding that first home is awesome.”
“My entire career was in the retail industry,” she remembers.
A REWARDING PATH
“Wayne had owned City Real Estate for over 30 years,” she says.
Marlene earned her real estate license four years ago. Before that, she found significant success in another career field. As Marlene came of age, she graduated from TCU, and she entered the world of retail, where 50 • March 2022
TAKING A NEW DIRECTION
Marlene and her husband, Wayne, had discussed her plans beyond that world.
“I didn’t want to retire, so I decided to get my license. I had always helped him with the books for the business and administrative aspects, and then I got really serious about selling real estate.” @realproducers
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Dallas Real Producers • 51
EXCELLENCE THROUGH EXPERIENCE
As Marlene earned her license and dove into her new, official role as a REALTOR®, she found that her extensive background in sales and sales leadership provided her with the tools she needed to make a seamless transition into that new chapter of life. Another trait that helped Marlene excel has been her competitive nature. “Our brokerage has a lot of very successful agents. We are all very supportive of each other, and yet there is that very healthy competition that I think helps all of us,” she points out. “I look at my numbers every month to track my progress.” SIGNS OF SUCCESS
Marlene has continued to build on her strengths while helping her clients achieve their dreams. The results have been rewarding. In fact, in 2020, Marlene accounted for $20 million in sales volume on about 65 transactions. In 2021, she added another $17.5 million and 63 transactions to that. FAMILY FOUNDATIONS
Away from her role as a real estate leader, Marlene’s world is made richer by her family, including her time spent with Wayne, as well as their son, Chase, and their daughter, Jame Swackhamer, along with their two grandchildren — Christian Norcross and Adalyn Swackhamer. One of her favorite things is traveling together as a family each year. Marlene takes great joy from her charity and community involvement. She has served as program manager for the Rotary Club for the past two years. She’s also on the board for Ellis County Museum and is involved with the annual Gingerbread Home Tour.
52 • March 2022
Marlene and her husband, Wayne
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I’M A REAL PEOPLE PERSON. I LIKE MEETING NEW PEOPLE AND LEARNING THEIR STORIES AND GETTING TO KNOW THEM. YOU LEARN A LOT ABOUT PEOPLE THROUGH THE PROCESS. You find out about what drives them and about their family. I also really love the opportunity to help first-time homebuyers with teaching and coaching. I use those same skills to help clients to get through the pitfalls and find their homes.
THE EXCITEMENT OF FINDING THAT FIRST HOME IS AWESOME.
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Dallas Real Producers • 53
MAKING HER BEST EVEN BETTER
When you talk with Marlene, you immediately understand the qualities that allow her to guide and mentor those around her. As she emphasizes, “In what I do I always want to be caring, supportive, and passionate about the people I work with … and about their end goals.” Congratulations to Marlene Norcross for the ongoing impact she has on the world around her. Day-by-day, Marlene fully immerses herself in the stories and needs of those around her … leading the way to results by learning about their needs.
54 • March 2022
IN WHAT I DO I ALWAYS WANT TO BE CARING, SUPPORTIVE, AND PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PEOPLE I WORK WITH … AND ABOUT THEIR END GOALS.
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Dallas Real Producers • 57
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