Dallas Real Producers - March 2026

DALLAS

Piper Young Rivera SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM

MARCH 2026

DECARLA ANDERSON

Of Help and Healing

MARSHA SIKES People Builder

BRITTANY REALZOLA

The Long Game

BOLT MOVERS & AARON OLSON

Redefining the Moving Experience PHOTO BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL

2 • March 2026

Dallas Real Producers • 3

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Dallas Real Producers • 5

Contents 30

Marsha Sikes

36

Piper Young Rivera

26

COVER STORY DeCarla Anderson

PROFILES

IN THIS ISSUE

14 Brittany Realzola

4 Preferred Partner Index 8 Meet the Dallas RP Team 10 Your Dallas RP Badges 12 Publisher’s Note 14 Agent Spotlight: Brittany Realzola 18 Preferred Partner Spotlight: Bolt Movers 22 Real Education: Why Your Pet Frog Died 26 Cover Story: Piper Young Rivera 30 Celebrating Leaders: Marsha Sikes 36 Inspirational Agent: DeCarla Anderson 40 FAQ

18 Bolt Movers

If you are interested in nominating people for certain stories, please email us at: Jordan.Espeseth@n2co.com 6 • March 2026

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LUXURY CUSTOM HOMES ON YOUR LOT Dallas Real Producers • 7

Meet The Team Jordan Espeseth Founder/Co-owner

Lance Dunahoe Co-owner

Ashley Gentry Agent Liaison

Reece Gentry Partner Liaison

Katherine Fondren Editor

Sarah Consentino Ad Strategist

Jin Kim Photographer

Jessica Espeseth Social Media Director

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 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 • 9

YOUR DALLAS Real Producers Congrats on earning your Real Producers Top Agent Badge!

BADGES

Because of your 2026 MLS production, you earned your spot as a 2026 Dallas Real Producers Top Agent and can represent your badge proudly! This year, we have added NEW badges to the top 500 and top 1000 – top 10, top 25, top 100, top 250, and top 750 —the badge you will receive is determined by your production.

Regardless, that is the top 6% in Dallas!

Missing your badge? Email team@ dfwrealproducers.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 preferred partners 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 and are some of Dallas’ most elite businesses.

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Dallas Real Producers • 11

PUBLISHER’S NOTE

investment into Real Producers is ultimately an investment into you, the top-producing agents in DFW. They make it possible for us to host meaningful events that bring the right people together. They make it possible for our magazine to feature agents without charging a dollar. They help create a platform where recognition is earned, not bought.

When you see an RP Preferred Partner at an event or in these pages, take a moment to thank them. And beyond that, consider working with them.

They are here because they have committed to showing up at the level this community deserves.

We regularly hear from agents who say that having a trusted network of aligned businesses inside Real Producers changes the way they operate. Knowing the people around them share the same standards gives them confidence in every referral they make.

THE

PARTNERS WHO

Raise THE Bar

I

n conversations with top agents, one theme comes up again and again.

When it comes to the businesses they choose to work with, trust is not optional. It is everything.

The right partners do more than help close transactions. They protect relationships. They communicate clearly. They solve problems before they become problems. They understand that every deal carries a client’s finances, future, and reputation with it. That is the standard.

Real estate has never been a solo sport.

The strongest agents build strong teams around them, and the strongest

12 • March 2026

That is the power of this room.

To every RP Preferred Partner, thank you. You raise the bar. You protect the integrity of this community. And you help make DFW real estate stronger because of it.

communities are built on alignment and trust. That is why we are so intentional about our RP Preferred Partners.

Every RP Preferred Partner has been intentionally vetted and selected to align with the standards of this community. They are not here by accident. They are here because they meet the level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment expected by top-producing agents.

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Dallas Real Producers • 13

AGENT SPOTLIGHT

BRITTANY REALZOLA

WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS

BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL

F

or Brittany Realzola, real estate has never been a phase or a short-term play. It is the throughline of her life, bringing together childhood memories, technical curiosity, and a sense of responsibility to the people she serves. “DFW isn’t just where I’m from, it’s the foundation of how I understand real estate at scale,” she says, and that perspective has shaped a 20-year career defined by longevity, adaptability, and forward-thinking leadership.

Growing up in the heart of downtown East Dallas, Brittany witnessed the city’s transformation firsthand. As the metroplex expanded, so did her understanding of how neighborhoods evolve and opportunity compounds. That early exposure wasn’t passive. While many kids were playing outside, Brittany was immersed in construction sites, remodeling projects, and technical conversations. Her family owned a home remodeling business, and later, entrepreneurial ventures that blended education, service, and leadership.

“Construction sites were a normal part of my childhood,” she recalls. By 13, she understood building concepts many adults never learn, and by her teenage years, she was jailbreaking computers and fixing tech problems for fun.

Real estate, however, was never just about structures; it was about impact. At age 10, when her parents purchased an empty lot and built a custom home, Brittany experienced the entire process from land to completion. Working agents during that journey left a lasting impression.

“From that moment on, I viewed REALTORS® with the same level of importance as doctors or attorneys,” she says. “I always knew this was what I would do.”

14 • March 2026

THE LONG GAME

Dallas Real Producers • 15

True to form, Brittany didn’t wait for permission or perfect timing. She graduated from high school at 16, started real estate school at 17, and earned her license at 18.

“I’ve never waited for opportunity. I’ve always moved toward it,” she says. That momentum carried her into roles with industry leaders, including Mark Kreditor and Ari Lund, both former presidents of the National Association of REALTORS®. At the time, she didn’t fully grasp the weight of those names, but looking back, she sees it as alignment.

Early in her career, Brittany faced challenges that would have sidelined many. Being young in a large brokerage environment meant others often tried to define success for her. She was told to limit her geographic reach, to work only in one or two cities. “That restriction never aligned with who I was or how I learned markets,” she says. Instead, she committed to mastering every county within a two-hour drive of Dallas and Fort Worth, studying buyer behavior, local dynamics, and why people choose one area over another. It was demanding, but it became one of her greatest strengths in mastering the market.

Her ability to thrive in difficult markets became a recurring theme. “The harder the market becomes, the more I thrive,” she explains. During downturns and equity-compressed cycles, Brittany’s instincts sharpened. Over a decade ago, when three property managers left simultaneously while she was working for Mark Kreditor, she stepped into all three roles— managing thousands of homes across DFW while still serving as marketing director and broker assistant.

She built systems, stabilized portfolios, and proved she could lead under pressure.

Yet some of her most defining moments came not from volume, but from responsibility. In one eviction case, Brittany chose education over demands. She called the tenant and explained the long-term credit consequences of eviction. The result? The tenant paid, avoided eviction, and later

16 • March 2026

thanked her. “Moments like that confirmed for me that real estate is about responsibility, education, and impact, not just transactions,” she says.

Today, Brittany is the owner of INXT Realty Group, brokered by eXp Realty, and leads a growing team of three. Her approach blends deep market knowledge with future-forward execution. She was the first Realtor in DFW to both close and place a home on the blockchain—a milestone that symbolized where tradition meets innovation. “That moment represented where traditional real estate meets future-forward execution,” she says.

Despite her high-volume performance, Brittany doesn’t measure success by awards or arbitrary numbers. “There is no such thing as a small transaction,” she says. On average, she closes between two and ten transactions monthly while also assisting average home buyers, investors, landlords, commercial clients, and land buyers. For her, success is about long-term partnerships and trust. “My goal is to be the ‘doctor’ of real estate that people trust with their most important decisions.”

Technology plays a central role in how Brittany shows up today. A lifelong technologist, she creates digital content using AI tools and Blender, and has built a social presence of over 65,000 followers with more than 70 million views worldwide. Her content blends real estate, entrepreneurship, financial education, humor, and real life, reflecting who she is both professionally and personally. “I don’t fear market shifts or downturns, I lean into them,” she says.

Looking ahead, Brittany’s goals include earning more clients and perfecting systems alongside technology.

Her vision for INXT Realty is clear: “We want to be viewed across DFW as a trusted reference, not just for transactions, but for guidance.”

When asked what she wants to be remembered for, her answer is rooted in integrity. “I want to be remembered as the true definition of a REALTOR®,” she says. “My client’s goal is always the only goal.”

It’s a philosophy echoed in the advice she lives by, passed down from her parents: “Work hard, work honest, and you can do anything in this life.”

For Brittany Realzola, real estate isn’t a chapter; it’s the entire book. Built on history, powered by technology, and guided by responsibility, her career stands as proof that the long game is the one that lasts.

Dallas Real Producers • 17

PREFERRED PARTNER SPOTLIGHT

BOLT MOVERS & AARON OLSON R EDEF INING T HE MOVIN G EXPERIEN CE WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN • PHOTOS BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL

18 • March 2026

Relocations are a fact of life when it comes to real estate, and stress often accompanies packing tape and cardboard boxes. But in the Metroplex, there exists a moving company challenging the conventions of moving as we know it, and its name is Bolt Movers. With a mission to transform the arduous task of moving into a seamless, even enjoyable process, Aaron Olson, the manager and Dallas Branch owner, has been spearheading this movement for a decade.

“Our ability to give clients a stress-free move and exceed expectations is what sets us apart,” Aaron explains, his voice tinged with a sense of pride and conviction.

Founded on the principle of breaking free from the negative associations typically tied to moving, Bolt Movers offers a full turn-key service, handling everything from packing to cross-country hauls. “We’re about making it a stressfree, enjoyable experience,” Aaron emphasizes. While the company still takes on moves of any size, their recent focus has shifted toward larger, high-end relocations—projects that require precision, discretion, and an elevated level of care. From luxury homes to complex, multi-day moves, Bolt Movers has leaned into serving clients with higher expectations, and they continue to shine when the stakes are high.

The journey of Bolt Movers, much like the winding roads of a cross-country trek, began with humble origins.

Aaron, a Dallas native, found himself navigating through college with a degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn University. Little did he know that his path would eventually lead him back to his roots, establishing the Dallas branch of Bolt Movers.

“It sort of just happened,” Aaron chuckles, reminiscing about his serendipitous entry into the moving industry during his college days. “I needed some extra money and knew of a couple brothers who were doing moves for folks, and I became their first employee.

It snowballed from there, and I feel very blessed to have what we have today.”

What started as a means to earn extra income blossomed into a full-fledged enterprise driven by hard work and honesty, two pillars that Aaron holds dear to his heart.

“We emphasize a stress-free move without any unwanted surprises along the way,” Aaron assures as he speaks of the core values embedded within Bolt Movers’ ethos.

That commitment extends beyond local boundaries.

Today, Bolt Movers handles nationwide relocations, moving clients both into Dallas and out of it, bringing the same level of care and professionalism no matter the distance.

But behind every successful venture lies a dedicated team, and Aaron is quick to acknowledge the contributions of his carefully curated crew.

“We have several full-time team members, all capable of being a team lead,” he explains, a sense of camaraderie evident in his words. With each member handpicked and trained

by Aaron himself, the Bolt Movers team embodies professionalism, trust, and expertise—qualities that are especially critical in high-end and luxury moves.

“Our clients are our priority,” Aaron affirms, his dedication to providing top-notch service evident in every aspect of Bolt Movers’ operations.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the moving world, Aaron’s life has entered a Dallas Real Producers • 19

THE BIGGER THE JOB, THE BRIGHTER WE SHINE.

meaningful new chapter.

He and his wife recently welcomed a baby boy, Owen, who is now eight months old. Fatherhood has brought a fresh perspective, reinforcing Aaron’s appreciation for balance, purpose, and family. His wife, a veterinarian, shares that grounding presence, and together they enjoy life with their growing family.

“You can find us at the lake or the ranch most weekends,” Aaron shares, where they spend time with their two dogs—Potato, a 4-yearold golden retriever, and Porkchop, a 10-month-old Bernese mountain dog—along

20 • March 2026

with their two cats, and now, their newest little sidekick.

As the conversation veers toward personal pursuits, Aaron’s passion for outdoor adventures becomes palpable.

“Camping, hunting, or training for the Ironman,” he lists with a smile, showcasing his penchant for embracing life’s adventures with gusto.

Yet, amidst the whirlwind of work, travel, and family life, Aaron remains steadfast in his commitment to balance. “There are 168 hours each week,” he muses, his words echoing a sentiment of mindful living amidst life’s demands.

Looking toward the future, Aaron sets his sights on ambitious goals for Bolt Movers, aiming to double their accomplishments from the previous year. “The bigger the job, the brighter we shine,” he declares with confidence, a statement that reflects both the company’s recent growth and its expanding focus on complex, high-end, and nationwide moves.

To all real estate professionals, Aaron extends a welcoming hand, inviting them to entrust Bolt Movers with their most challenging clients. “Send us your ‘most difficult’ or

most particular,” he urges, expressing a genuine desire to support agents and help them succeed by delivering an exceptional moving experience for their clients.

Along the winding road of Aaron Olson’s journey with Bolt Movers, honesty, dedication, and a passion for exceeding expectations intertwine, creating a narrative of resilience and unwavering commitment.

Through steadfast leadership, a growing family, and an evolving vision for the future, Aaron continues to redefine the moving experience—one stress-free relocation at a time.

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REAL EDUCATION

Why Your Pet Frog Died

BY LES MCGEHEE

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In real estate, we talk a lot about individuals — hustle, drive, motivation. But real estate agents don’t live in isolation. They live inside an ecosystem.

And when ecosystems fail, it’s rarely because the living things inside them didn’t try hard enough. It’s because something essential stopped circulating.

In a brokerage ecosystem, education is nourishment. It’s what turns a license into judgment, effort into income, and experience into stability.

When education flows properly, new agents survive long enough to contribute, veteran producers remain strong, and the business generates healthy momentum. When it doesn’t, the ecosystem weakens quietly — until something precious is lost.

Which brings us to the frog.

Out of respect for the departed, let’s give the frog a name. We’ll call him Hoppy.

Hoppy lived in a terrarium that looked fine at first glance. There was water. There were plants. There was light. And yet, Hoppy didn’t make it. Not because he wasn’t resilient. Not because he didn’t belong there. Hoppy died because the system stopped supporting life the way it needed to.

The Brokerage Ecosystem Healthy brokerages treat education as a circulating system, not a calendar of events. Learning flows in, skills strengthen locally, business activity increases, and revenue stays in the ecosystem — reinvested into better support, better education, and better outcomes. When that loop stays intact, everyone benefits.

That’s what happens in brokerages.

Growth follows a simple equation:

When it breaks, costs shift.

Managers spend time fixing preventable issues. Culture tightens. Momentum slows.

And sometimes, a beloved part of the system disappears.

Recruitment + Retention = Net Agent Growth.

Brokerages want more REALTORS®. They value new relationships. They welcome growth. But when education becomes thin, generic, or disconnected from real needs, new agents struggle to survive early.

Veteran agents feel ignored. Complaints increase.

Burnout appears. The system becomes reactive instead of supportive.

Hoppy didn’t die because he wasn’t wanted.

Hoppy died because the ecosystem no longer supported life. Even then, he lived for a little while, cough, bet then, cough cough, well, you know the rest.

5 Ways to Keep the Water Clean Feed the system intentionally Align education to real, local needs through collaboration between brokerages, associations, and MLSs. Protect early growth Support new professionals with learning that helps them survive early — not just comply.

Respect maturity Veteran professionals need education that honors judgment and leadership.

Watch the signals Complaints and burnout are feedback from the ecosystem, not nuisances.

Keep investment local Healthy ecosystems circulate money, skills, and trust where they are created.

Brokerages don’t need every agent.

They need ecosystems that can support the ones they already have — and the ones they hope to welcome next.

Fix the circulation, and growth becomes sustainable.

Ignore it, and loss becomes predictable.

Les McGehee President & Chief Education Strategist, Rialto Academy les@rialtoacademy.com Author, Plays Well With Others Dallas Real Producers • 23

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Dallas Real Producers • 25

COVER STORY

Piper

SECOND TIME’S THE CHARM

YOUNG RIVERA

WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL

26 • March 2026

S

ome people find their career path early. Others have to lose it once before they truly understand where they belong. For Piper Young Rivera, the path to real estate success was forged through ambition, hard lessons, and a desire to build a life that worked both professionally and personally.

Growing up in Lake Highlands as the middle of three sisters, Piper learned early how to navigate personalities, compromise, and competition. A self-described “sports girl at heart,” she gravitated toward volleyball, a game rooted in communication, trust, and timing. Her parents, whom she describes as loving and free-spirited, encouraged independence and creativity.

“They always encouraged us to pursue our own creative and individual goals,” Piper said, an influence that quietly shaped the way she would later build both her business and her life.

bend things when it makes sense.”

What she craved was autonomy, variety, and the ability to think creatively without apology.

Real estate seemed like the answer, but her first attempt didn’t unfold as planned. It marked the first true failure of her life and one that forced reflection.

“It was the first time I had really failed at something, and that did not sit well with me,” Piper said.

Rather than dressing up the experience, she stepped back. She returned to what felt safe. But the pull of real estate never left. The lesson lingered not as defeat, but as unfinished business.

With renewed confidence and a no-fail mindset, Piper re-entered the industry, this time with clarity.

“I sold $5 million in my first month back,” she said. “All the pieces of my life and the people I knew started to fit together, and I was hooked.”

Nearly a decade later, Piper is a principal behind Christie’s International Real Estate

Lonestar, runs her own team of strong driven agents, Piper Real Estate Collective, and is a leader within the Sports + Entertainment Division. Yet for her, the work has never been just transactional.

“What I love most about being a REALTOR® is the relationships,” Piper said. “This is truly a relationship business, and I treat every client like family.”

Trust, transparency, and direct communication form the backbone of her approach.

“Almost all of my clients become good friends, and that’s the greatest reward.”

As her career evolved, so did her definition of success. Once fueled by external benchmarks, it expanded to include family, health, and quality of life.

“It’s evolved almost like taste buds,” she said. Becoming a wife and mother sharpened her priorities. “Success isn’t just about what I achieve personally. It’s about the stability, presence, and life I can create at home.”

After college, Piper’s first professional chapter unfolded far from real estate. She entered third-party staffing, an industry she describes as “the wild west.”

Starting in recruiting, she quickly moved into sales, ultimately managing her firm’s largest account and helping launch its national division. On paper, the trajectory was strong. Internally, something was missing.

“While I was successful by traditional measures, I didn’t feel fulfilled,” she said. “I often felt constrained by corporate rules and red tape.” Piper realized she wasn’t wired for rigid systems.

“I’m not a rule breaker,” she added, “but I’m also not afraid to Dallas Real Producers • 27

What began as a lean operation built from the ground up with a close friend of more than 16 years, now her business partner in the brokerage, has since grown into a high-performing, award-winning firm known for disciplined execution and whiteglove service.

A key component of that execution-first philosophy is collaboration, practical, not performative. One of her closest collaborators is her husband, Tanner Rivera, builder and owner of Tanner Homes. Their partnership is straightforward and results-driven: Piper brings market strategy, sales leadership, and client experience; Tanner brings construction expertise and uncompromising build standards.

Together, they’ve created a seamless pipeline from concept to delivery elevating expectations around quality, reliability, and long-term value.

I’m a no-BS,

‘shoot you straight’ kind of person. I’m completely okay with losing business if it means being honest.

That balance was tested when Piper launched her own brokerage shortly after welcoming her second son.

“Building something from the ground up while juggling a newborn and a growing family pushed me further than I thought I could go,” she said.

28 • March 2026

Despite the intensity of the industry, Piper remains deeply motivated by the life she’s building for her family. “They’re the reason I work as hard as I do,” she said. Helping clients create wealth while feeling genuinely cared for gives her work meaning beyond numbers.

Looking ahead, Piper’s goals are ambitious but intentional.

She’s targeting $100 million in production this year while refining systems that protect service quality as the firm scales.

“I’m not interested in chasing numbers at the expense of experience,” she said.

Outside of real estate, Piper is a mountain girl at heart. An avid skier, she’s drawn to all four seasons, with winter holding a special place. When she’s not on the slopes, she’s often hosting

themed gatherings, playing games, or working through a puzzle, moments that reflect the same blend of strategy and joy that define her professional life.

In the end, authenticity remains her calling card.

“I’m a no-BS, ‘shoot you straight’ kind of person,” Piper said. “I’m completely okay with losing business if it means being honest.”

When asked how she hopes to be remembered, her answer is simple: “Kind, smart, and fair.”

It’s a fitting summary for someone who turned an early stumble into a disciplined, resilient career and who now stands confidently and unapologetically on the cover of the March issue.

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CELEBRATING LEADERS

Marsha SIKES

30 • March 2026

People Builder WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL

Leadership, at its core, is about influence. For Marsha Sikes, it’s also about responsibility—responsibility to her agents, her family, and the community she calls home. As Residential Director of M&D Real Estate’s Forney office, Marsha leads a growing group of 20 agents while remaining active in production herself. But this only tells part of her story.

What truly defines her leadership is a commitment to growth, a people-first mindset, and a belief that culture matters just as much as performance.

“I’m motivated by growth— both personally and professionally,” Marsha says.

“I strive to be better each year and love helping agents take their businesses to the next level while building a strong, positive culture.” That balance, between ambition and care, has become her signature.

Marsha is proud to be from the Mesquite area, where she graduated from Mesquite High School in 1997 before attending Eastfield College.

Independence came early.

“I’ve been independent since the age of 16,” she shares.

“While my early years came with challenges, I’m deeply grateful for those experiences. They taught me resilience, shaped my character, and molded me into the person and leader I am today.” Those lessons became the backbone of how she shows up, for clients, for agents, and for her family.

Before real estate, Marsha spent 13 years with Johnny Carino’s, starting as a bartender and working her way up through leadership roles that included on-theroad trainer, manager, general manager, and eventually managing partner. “That journey taught me the value of hard work, leadership, and creating exceptional experiences for both guests and team members,” she says. Those years weren’t just preparation, they were training ground. The skills she developed in hospitality would later translate seamlessly into real estate leadership.

Her entry into real estate came in May 2014, prompted by both transition and trust.

“The turning point came

when my former regional vice president, Sunny Darden, encouraged me to join her in real estate,” Marsha explains.

“Sunny was an exceptional mentor who not only believed in me but also taught me how to be a strong businesswoman and an effective leader.” That mentorship laid a foundation that still shapes how Marsha leads today.

From the very beginning, she understood where success truly lived. “I remember realizing that success would come from building as many relationships as possible,” she says. That clarity paid off quickly. Within her first month, Marsha closed two lease transactions. By September of that same year, she had closed six buyer deals. “It was an incredible feeling to see the hard work pay off so quickly and confirmed for me that this was the right path.”

That people-first philosophy has never changed. “For me, success has always been about building meaningful relationships,” Marsha says.

“It’s a principle I live by and something I strive to instill in both my kids and the agents I lead. When you focus on people first, success naturally follows.” It’s advice she gives freely because it’s advice she lives daily.

As her career evolved, so did her understanding of balance. One of her biggest challenges was learning discipline with time and perspective on priorities.

“Putting God first, family second, and work last has been a game-changer for me,” she shares. That clarity didn’t slow her down; it sharpened her leadership.

Dallas Real Producers • 31

If people look back and say, ‘She helped me believe in myself and reach the next level,’

that’s the legacy I want.”

Over the years, Marsha’s work has been recognized at the highest levels.

While at Keller Williams, she served on the Agent Leadership Council and chaired the Growth Committee. In 2022, her team ranked #1 in closed units, volume sold, and GCI among small teams.

She earned Keller Williams Medallions ranging from Bronze to Platinum and, after joining M&D Real Estate, received the Elite Award—the company’s highest honor. Her career volume now stands at $75 million, with $7.5 million closed last year alone.

Yet one of the most defining moments of her career wasn’t an award; it was a transition. “Being promoted to Residential Director for our Forney office represented years of hard work, growth, and trust from leadership,” Marsha says. Leaving the Royse City office, which she co-directed, was bittersweet, but it reinforced a lesson she holds close. “That moment reminded me that growth often comes with change, and embracing it is what allows us to reach the next level.”

Today, Marsha’s vision is to grow the Forney office to 30 agents while continuing to build a culture rooted in collaboration, accountability, and support.

Personally, she’s focused on long-term financial security and continued leadership growth, without sacrificing what matters most at home.

32 • March 2026

Family remains her anchor. Raising two children while building a demanding career shaped how she leads. “It reminded me that success is about more than sales; it’s about relationships and balance,” she says.

Her son is now raising a family of his own, and her daughter is thriving as a college freshman. Staying present for both continues to fuel her drive.

Outside the office, Marsha’s personality shines just as brightly.

She’s known as the friend who doesn’t just attend parties, she elevates them. Summer is her favorite season; she’s all about sunshine and good vibes, and yes, she’s been skydiving. “A thrill I will never forget,” she laughs.

When asked what she wants to be remembered for, her answer brings everything full circle. “If people look back and say, ‘She helped me believe in myself and reach the next level,’ that’s the legacy I want.” For her children, she hopes to be remembered as “strong, independent, and God-fearing.”

The best advice she ever received still guides her daily: “Focus on relationships, not transactions.” It’s a simple truth, but in Marsha Sikes’ hands, it has become a powerful leadership philosophy, one that’s building more than a successful office. It’s building people.

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INSPIRATIONAL AGENT

DECARLA ANDERSON WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN • PHOTOS BY JIN KIM, URSPECIAL

36 • March 2026

Of

Help

and

Healing

S

ome people find real estate. Others are shaped by it long before they ever hold a license. For DeCarla Anderson, real estate has always been part of her life through family history, neighborhood growth, and a deep love for the people and places that make Dallas home.

Born and raised in Oak Cliff, DeCarla grew up watching her father quite literally help build the city around her. Through his contracting company, he played a role in the early development of Duncanville and De Soto before later becoming a spec home builder in the 1990s.

“He taught me what it means to show up, work hard, and take pride in doing things the right way,” she says. Although he passed away in 2005, the lessons he modeled remain central to how DeCarla approaches both life and business.

Her roots in Dallas run deep. She attended local schools and graduated from Arts Magnet High School—now Booker T. Washington High School of the Performing and Visual Arts—where her appreciation for creativity, design, and community began to take shape. That foundation followed her into her business studies at the University of Phoenix and eventually into a career that would unite structure with creativity in a powerful way. “Dallas raised me, and the roots my family planted here are at the heart of everything I do today,” she shares.

people truly live in their homes. By the time she officially launched her real estate career in 2013, the passion was undeniable.

Those early years required balance and bravery.

For three years, DeCarla worked part-time as an agent while still holding her demanding healthcare role. “My clients would never have known it,” she says, because she treated every transaction with full commitment. Standing in her first listing, she felt the moment click. “It was equal parts excitement and fear, but it lit a spark that told me this was where I was meant to be.”

What excites her most today is still rooted in service. “My favorite part of being a REALTOR® is the privilege of guiding people through one of the most meaningful transitions in their lives,” she says. Whether helping buyers envision their future or strategically negotiating on behalf of sellers, DeCarla brings both heart and precision to every step.

Before stepping fully into real estate, DeCarla built an impressive 23-year career in managed healthcare. Rising from contract negotiator and analyst to a regional director with a national organization, she honed skills that would later set her apart in real estate. Her work required negotiating complex hospital contracts, managing executive-level relationships, and analyzing vast amounts of data. “It taught me how to advocate effectively, communicate clearly, and stay calm and solution-minded in challenging situations,” she explains. Though the industries were different, the heart of the work, protecting people through major decisions, felt strikingly familiar.

Her personal real estate journey began years before her professional one. In 1995, she purchased her first home in Mansfield. Six years later, she returned to Oak Cliff and bought a 1952 ranch in Kessler Plaza, where she discovered a love for rehabbing and restoration. “I fell in love with the process of bringing an older home back to life,” she recalls. Each project deepened her understanding of construction, design, and how

Dallas Real Producers • 37

In October 2022, her life took a profound and unexpected turn. A traumatic incident forced her to step away from her career and focus entirely on healing. “It was an event that shook every part of my life and required me to rebuild my confidence, my stability, and my sense of safety,” she shares. That season demanded resilience she didn’t know she possessed. When she returned to real estate, she did so with renewed clarity and compassion. “It deepened my patience with others who face unseen battles,” she says, and strengthened her resolve to lead with integrity and empathy.

That transformation reshaped her definition of success. Once measured primarily by production, success now reflects alignment, balance, and purpose. “Success now also reflects the strength that comes from overcoming challenges and the confidence that comes from rewriting my own story with intention,” she explains.

Today, DeCarla is a Broker Associate with Compass Real Estate and leads the DeCarla Anderson Real Estate Group. With a career sales volume nearing $100 million and recognition as a D Magazine Top Realtor and one of Oak Cliff Advocate’s Top 25 REALTORS®, her impact is undeniable. Yet her motivation remains deeply personal. “My daughter, my mother, and my family inspire me to keep growing and moving forward,” she says.

My daughter, my mother, and my family inspire me to keep growing and moving forward.

One milestone she’ll never forget is earning her broker’s license in 2017. “It was the moment I realized I was growing into the business I had always envisioned for myself,” she reflects, a turning point that expanded her leadership and elevated the way she serves clients.

Outside of work, DeCarla finds joy in Pilates, travel, discovering new restaurants, and spending time with her daughter and her two Chihuahuas, Olive and Hamlet. A numbers person with a creative streak, she can just as easily get lost in market data as she can in the design potential of a home.

What does she hope to be remembered for?

“The way I showed up for people,” she says simply. After navigating one of the hardest chapters of her life, DeCarla chose growth over retreat and purpose over fear. Her story is one of strength, service, and an enduring love for real estate, not just as a profession, but as a way to help people build stability, healing, and a place to truly call home.

38 • March 2026

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Q: Who receives Real Producers Magazine?

A: The Top 1000 agents in each community will receive the digital magazine for the year. The Top 500 agents will also receive the magazine physically to their mailbox. Our RP Vetted Businesses also receive the magazine physically and digitally.

Q: Can I be featured?

Real Producers

FAQ

Real Producers Magazine is a national franchise that started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 130 markets across the nation and continues to spread rapidly. DFW has four Real Producers Communities: North Dallas, Dallas, North Fort Worth, and Fort Worth Real Producers.

Q: What is the goal of Real Producers?

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 highest producing real estate agents, and RP-vetted businesses in every market, and build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, upcoming events, and educate – really anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.

At Real Producers, we believe we are one person, one conversation, or one idea away from everything in our business and life changing. With this powerhouse community, it happens all the time.

Q: How do you become a Real Producers Top Agent?

A: In all of DFW, there are roughly 60,000 licensed agents, meaning there are ~15,000 agents in each of our four communities. We rank all those agents based off their yearly MLS sales volume. In years past, we congratulated the Top 500 Agents, and we still are, but in 2026, we are adding a other groups to our community… all in the RP Top 1000! These agents are in the top 6%.

40 • March 2026

A: If you are in the Top 1000, you have the opportunity to be featured! We love nominations and take them seriously. If you’d like to be considered for a feature, or if you would like to nominate someone, you can email team@dfwrealproducers.com.

Q: What does it cost to be featured as an RP Top Agent?

A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. How, you ask? Because of the businesses that your peers have recommended, who partner with Real Producers, and invest in this community to support you. These companies have all been recommended by top agents and have been vetted by us to ensure they are of the highest quality. So instead of you paying $5k - $10k for this feature…they cover all those costs for you! Pretty incredible, right?

Q: Does Real Producers host events?

A: Yes, we host many different events throughout the year! Some large 400-800 people, some 75-250 people, and other more intimate events that are 30-50 people. We do Social Events, Magazine Celebration Events, an Awards Gala, and Masterclass Events. You can see quick recaps of some of our events under the “Events” tab on our website.

For our events, we invite the top 1000 real estate agents and our RP-vetted businesses. The Top 1000 agents are allowed to invite agents on their team, as well. These events are an incredible opportunity to connect with the best in DFW real estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connection made at these events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!

Q: Who are the RP Vetted Businesses?

A: They are some of the best businesses in DFW in their category! You can find them listed in our index and their ad in the magazine. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. Each business has come recommended by your peers, the top producing real estate agents in the market. 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: Can I nominate an agent or recommend a business?

A: Absolutely! Email your nominations and recommendations to team@dfwrealproducers.com.

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