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BUILDER
Perry Homes, LLC (972) 629-3900 perryhomes.com; brittonhomestexas.com
Shaddock Homes (972) 526-7700 ShaddockHomes.com
GENERAL CONTRACTING
T-Rock Roofing & Contracting (704) 449-6033 dallasroofer.com
HOME INSPECTION
Greenworks Inspections and Engineering (832) 209-7199 greenworksinspections.com
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Viking Inspections (469) 209-8130 vikinginspections.com
MOLD SERVICES
Culley Enviro (817) 939-1643 culleyenviro.com
MORTGAGE LENDING
Cherry Creek Mortgage - The Aldredge Team (817) 602-0348 TheJeffersonTeam.com
Guild Mortgage Adams Mortgage Group (817) 393-3636 theadamsmortgagegroup.com
Major Money Matters
Major Singleton (808) 763-6831 majormoneymatters.com
Mortgage Matters (469) 807-1300 mortgagematters.us
Neighborhood Loans
Tanner Graham (817) 527-9670 people.rate.com/ tanner-graham-1916291
Still Waters Lending (214) 518-6513 stillwaterslending.com
MOVING COMPANY
Black Tie Moving Tyler Coleman (512) 605-7328 blacktiemoving.com
PHOTOGRAPHY
DayDream Photography Landon Day (817) 983-1204 daydream photography.net
REAL ESTATE
PHOTOGRAPHY & MEDIA
Signature Real Estate Media (972) 972-9346 signaturerealestatemedia.com RESIDENTIAL/
Hometown Lending (972) 322-4472 hometownlend.com
Meet The Team
Jordan Espeseth Co-Owner/Founder
Katherine Fondren Editor
Landon Day Photographer
Ashley Gentry Agent Liaison
Sarah Consentino Ad Strategist
Rick Davis Videographer
Jessica Espeseth Social Media Director
Lance Dunahoe Co-Owner
Reece Gentry Partner Liaison
Katharine Gann Photographer
A YEAR OF
FIRSTS
feel like. Well, here we are, one year later, and let’s just say… I get it now.
Coffee really has become my best friend. Uninterrupted sleep? A distant memory. But the joy, the laughter, and the love that fill our home now, none of it can be measured. The holidays already carried their own kind of magic, but with Ember’s first birthday landing just before Christmas, this season has taken on a whole new meaning for us.
It’s been a year of firsts—first smiles, first giggles, first words (Mama, then “Meow”, then Dada). Seriously, I was third after the cat. That wasn’t on my 2025 bingo card! And just like parenthood, running a business has its share of new beginnings, too. Each year brings new ideas, challenges, and opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally.
As we look ahead to 2026, I hope you’ll pause long enough to take in what this past year has brought you, the lessons, the laughter, the unexpected blessings, and get excited for what’s next. Because the truth is, every “new beginning” starts with gratitude for where we’ve already been.
Here’s to first birthdays, fresh starts, and another great year ahead.
December is here again, the lights, the music, the cozy chaos, and that familiar question we all ask this time of year: Where did the year go?
It’s funny, because at this time last year, I wrote about “new beginnings.” Jess and I were just days away from meeting our daughter, Ember, and I remember wondering what life as a parent would really
Happy Holidays, Jordan Espeseth Founder DFW Real Producers
$6,502,677,281 14,272 SALES VOLUME TOTAL TRANSACTIONS AVERAGE TRANSACTIONS PER AGENT
AVERAGE SALES VOLUME PER AGENT $13,005,355 28.5
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Kara Bang Kara Bang
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY DESIREE
Real estate is about opening doors. Doors to growth, knowledge, and new beginnings. As Vice President of the Dallas Division and Associate Broker with RJ Williams & Co. RE, LLC, Kara Bang’s career reflects not only her deep commitment to education but also her heart for helping others rise alongside her.
“I’ve always believed knowledge is power,” Kara says. “Education means so much to me—it’s what drives me to keep learning, teaching, and staying involved in our industry.” That drive has shaped every chapter of her 24year career, from guiding first-time buyers through life-changing decisions to mentoring agents toward leadership roles of their own.
Kara’s journey began far from the fast-paced real estate world of North Texas. Born and raised in South Korea, she immigrated to the United States at 12 years old, settling in the Dallas area—a place she’s proudly called home ever since. “Moving here at that age taught me resilience and adaptability,” she recalls. “Those lessons still guide me in business today.”
Kara’s career path didn’t lead straight to real estate. She worked in a variety
of industries, including fulfillment management, telecommunications, and finance—roles that honed both her analytical and creative strengths. But it was her long-standing work as a private tutor that would prove most influential.
“I taught SAT prep and math for 28 years,” Kara says. “Many people still know me as ‘the teacher.’ Teaching taught me patience, discipline, and how to communicate complex ideas clearly—skills that translate perfectly into real estate.”
In 2002, she took her first step into the industry as a loan officer, serving primarily within the Korean community. Many of her earliest clients were parents of her students. “That made my work so personal,” Kara says. “I wasn’t just helping with numbers—I was helping families make their dreams come true.”
It wasn’t long before Kara realized her calling went beyond finance. “I often found myself helping clients connect with REALTORS® and other affiliates,” she recalls. “I realized I could do so much more if I became part of the entire real estate process.” That decision— combined with her role as the primary caretaker for her parents—led her to pursue real estate full time, a career that offered both purpose and flexibility.
Her first transaction became a defining moment. “It was a new home build in a prestigious neighborhood,” Kara remembers. “My client knew it was my first time, but she trusted me completely. I researched, asked questions, and found solutions.” That experience cemented the core principles she still lives by: honesty, trust, and putting the client first. “That client and her family are still
When one of us grows, we all do.”
with me today,” Kara says. “That’s what it’s all about— relationships that last.”
As her career grew, so did her sense of purpose. “Helping people achieve their American dream is my favorite part of being a REALTOR®,” Kara says. “It’s such a privilege to walk beside clients during one of the biggest decisions of their lives.” But her passion extends far beyond her clients—she’s equally devoted to elevating her peers. “I love teaching and mentoring agents,” she adds. “Watching them grow and find confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of my career.”
That commitment to growth and education is visible in every facet of Kara’s work. She serves as a board director for the MetroTex Association of REALTORS®, sits on TREC’s Education Standards Advisory Committee (ESAC), and teaches as a Texas REALTORS® Certified Instructor—in both English and Korean. She also helped launch the North Texas Korean American Realty Association (NTKARA), where she serves as education liaison. “I want to make sure every agent has access to the tools and training they need,” she says. “When one of us grows, we all do.”
For Kara, success has evolved with time. “In the beginning, it was all about proving myself and hitting numbers,” she admits. “Now, success means fulfillment—seeing my clients smile, watching my mentees thrive, and knowing I’ve made an impact.”
Her resilience was tested in ways that reshaped her entirely. Kara faced one of her toughest seasons when she battled cancer and lost her home to foreclosure during treatment. “It was one of the hardest and most humbling experiences of my life,” she shares. “But it gave me a new perspective. I learned empathy, gratitude, and how to rebuild from the ground up.”
That experience forever deepened her compassion for others. “I know what it’s like to lose stability,” Kara says. “That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others find their footing— whether it’s through buying a home or finding confidence in their career.”
Even today, Kara continues to push herself beyond comfort zones. “Public speaking has always scared me,” she admits with a laugh. “But I’ve learned to face it, not avoid it. Every time I teach or lead, I grow a little more confident.” It’s that same vulnerability and authenticity that make her such an approachable leader.
Outside of work, Kara’s adventurous spirit shines— especially when she’s behind the wheel of her Jeep, Mtoda, which means “young leading woman” in Polish. “Offroading gives me freedom and perspective,” she says.
“It reminds me that even bumpy paths can lead to beautiful destinations.”
This year, Kara’s goals center on growth—her own and others’. “The industry changes constantly,” she says. “My goal is to stay ahead, keep learning, and share that knowledge with my peers.” Her advice to new agents reflects that mindset: “Never stop learning. Knowledge is power in this business, and your mindset determines your success.”
Kara credits her mentor, Candy Cook, as the person who helped shape both her purpose and path in real estate. “Candy encouraged me to get my broker’s license and become an instructor, but her influence went far beyond that,” Kara shares. “She opened my eyes to the importance of getting involved with associations and showed me the true meaning of leadership —
serving others with integrity and passion. Candy saw potential in me long before I saw it in myself, and her guidance truly transformed the direction of my career. Because of her, I found not only success but a deep joy in helping others grow and lead.”
Looking back, Kara’s story is one of resilience, education and empowerment—but most of all, it’s one of giving back. “I want to be remembered as someone who cared deeply,” she says. “Someone who shared knowledge freely, helped others rise, and did things the right way.”
Through every class she teaches, every client she guides, and every challenge she overcomes, Kara Bang continues to build not just homes—but people, communities, and a lasting legacy of growth and grace.
Jefferson Aldredge
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
PHOTOS BY KATHARINE GANN, DAYDREAM PHOTOOGRAPHY
Working to Live
For most people, the dream of working remotely sounds like a far-off fantasy— something reserved for those with a flexible schedule or a creative career. But for Jefferson Aldredge, a seasoned sales manager and loan officer with Guild Mortgage, it’s become a way of life. “We spend a lot of time in our RV—at least more than most,” he says with a laugh. “Our story is about working from the road when we can. Life is short, and most people always talk about what they’re going to do when they ‘retire.’ Well, too many people die along the way. Living is for now.”
Those words carry weight when you know Jefferson’s story. Earlier this year, at age 51, he suffered
a major heart attack that nearly ended his life. “I woke up at midnight one night and just didn’t feel right,” he recalls. “No chest pain, no elephant sitting on my chest—just something I’d never felt before.” By the next day, his heart was shutting down. Doctors discovered that his “widow maker” artery was 99% blocked, but his other arteries were completely blocked and triggered the event. “They told me my heart attack actually saved my life,” he says.
Five stents and five days in the ICU later, Jefferson emerged with a new perspective. “When something like that happens, it hits you—you realize how short life really is,” he says. “So now, my wife and I made a decision: We’re going to live. We’ll work hard, but we’ll also take that RV out and see the world while we can.”
Jefferson’s connection to RV life runs deep. “I actually grew up in an Airstream with my grandparents,” he shares. “By
the time I was 16, I’d been to all 50 states.” That early exposure to travel shaped his worldview, meeting new people and experiencing other cultures, and became something he and his wife wanted to pass on to their two daughters. “We grew up RVing, and our kids grew up camping and going to the lake,” he says. “It’s just part of who we are.”
These days, the Aldredges take to the open road as often as possible—one week each month if they can. And with technology like Starlink and mobile work setups, Jefferson has mastered the art of balancing work and wanderlust. “I can be standing at Niagara Falls or walking through the Smithsonian and still take a client call,” he says. “I have a table and screens set up in the RV. I can work from anywhere—and still make sure I’m living, not just working.”
Even while traveling across the country last July, Jefferson had a record month in business. “I’d wake up early, exercise, hike or bike, then sit down and start the day,” he says. “In my business, I always answer the phone. That’s part of what sets me apart—being accessible, wherever I am.”
After 24 years in the mortgage industry, Jefferson’s philosophy is simple but powerful: “We fund families and people, not file numbers.” His approach to lending centers on genuine care and education. “I’m passionate about giving people the right kind of advice for their situation and putting them in the right type of home loan for their future,” he explains. “A home loan is one of the biggest financial decisions a person makes. My job is to make sure they understand it.”
That people-first attitude extends to his professional relationships as well. “Your lender
is a reflection of you,” Jefferson says. “It’s my job to make my REALTOR® partner look like a hero. That’s where the magic— and the referrals—come from.”
Experience is another pillar of his success. “The average loan officer closes about one loan a month,” he notes. “My team and I average nearly 150 a year.” That kind of consistency doesn’t come from luck—it comes from knowing how to navigate the challenges. “Experience is everything in today’s environment. When things go wrong, you have to know how to fix them. That’s what gives us the edge.”
Jefferson’s team plays a huge role in that success. “I’m blessed with incredible people,” he says. “Ashley Basham runs my team— she keeps the train on the tracks. Then there’s Alexandra Bailey, who’s shy but hilarious, and Trisha Brauer, sweet as iced tea on a hot summer day. Everyone
loves talking to her. They’re highly intelligent, funny, and communicative. I couldn’t do this without them.”
His journey into the mortgage world wasn’t planned. “No one wakes up and says, ‘I want to be in the mortgage business,’” Jefferson jokes. After selling a company years ago, his former sales team transitioned into lending and got him a job. “I just lucked into it,” he admits. But the career turned out to be the perfect fit.
His degree in philosophy from UTA—earned after dropping out of high school—gave him the tools to connect with people on a deeper level. “That education taught me how to communicate and see the world through other people’s eyes,” he says. “It’s helped me work with clients from all different backgrounds, especially those new to the U.S. who may not fully understand how the mortgage process works.”
After what I went through, I don’t want to just live to work anymore. I want to work so I can live.”
Through it all, Jefferson defines success not by numbers, but by integrity. “Success is sleeping well at night, knowing you took care of everyone you could that day—and that they knew it too,” he says.
Faith and family remain at the center of his life. “I’m a Christ follower,” he shares. “When I’m not working, I love playing my guitars, hunting, fishing, cycling, or building something in my shop.” He’s also back to cycling 50 to 100 miles a week and hitting the gym six days a week—proof of the resilience that defines him.
Looking ahead, Jefferson hopes to mentor the next generation of loan officers. “I want to find some young professionals to bring up in the business—to show them the ropes,” he says. “I want them to understand that this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about people.”’
For Jefferson, every loan, every trip, and every sunrise on the road serves as a reminder of what matters most. “We’re all so busy chasing success that we forget to live,” he says quietly. “After what I went through, I don’t want to just live to work anymore. I want to work so I can live.”
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Kaci
STRAWN
Curating Dreams
Photo by Jill Johnson
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
hen Kaci Strawn thinks back to her childhood in Atlanta, Texas, she remembers a place where everyone knew everyone—and where hard work and hospitality were a way of life. “Both sides of my family have lived in the area for several generations; it was the kind of place you’d see old men driving down the road in the John Deere,” she recalls with a smile. Her mom owned a salon in town, and Kaci spent countless afternoons there, sweeping floors, chatting with customers, and soaking up lessons that would later shape her career. “I was taught phone etiquette and how to book an appointment for my mom by age six,” she says. “That proved to be valuable later in life.”
Growing up in a small town also meant there were no secrets. “I also knew not to do anything I didn’t want my mom to know about—as the salon owner in a small town, she knew EVERYTHING,” Kaci laughs. Those early experiences taught her not only the importance of communication but also the value of showing up for people, a lesson that would follow her all the way to Fort Worth.
In 2002, Kaci moved to Fort Worth to attend Texas Christian University, and it didn’t take long for her to feel at home. She studied advertising, public relations, Spanish, and history while juggling the social life of a sorority, eventually serving as social chair. “I like to think those early days of helping run a salon helped me balance it all,” she reflects. After earning her degree, she went on to complete a Master’s in History at the University of Texas at Arlington, unsure exactly where it would lead but certain she wanted to keep learning.
wondered why that had never occurred to me. It was a way to marry my love of people with my love of hard work and make a great living for my family.”
Before real estate entered the picture, Kaci spent several years in marketing for a rehabilitation hospital, enjoying the flexible schedule but knowing something was missing. “I knew I didn’t want to live my life in hospitals and nursing homes,” she explains. After going back to school for her master’s, Kaci spent three years teaching college history at Tarrant County College and Weatherford College. But a career-defining conversation in 2014 would soon change everything.
“My husband and I had just bought a new house, and our REALTOR®’s husband suggested I get my real estate license,” Kaci says. “In that moment, I
Her very first sale came from a familiar face—her best friend from college. “She and her fiancé wanted to buy a house, and I had the great privilege of representing them on their and my first home sale,” Kaci recalls. The commission check from that transaction was more than she made in a year as an adjunct professor. “I never looked back,” she says. That same property snowballed into more business when the sellers called her to represent them on their next purchase.
Now, 11 years into her career with Burt Ladner Real Estate, Kaci still lights up at the moments when a client calls to say they’re ready to move. “It’s in some ways a pat on the back, letting you know you’ve done your job well enough that people think of you when they think of having representation,” she explains.
Photo by Anna Christine Photography
Photo by Chrisy Van Dyke
But her favorite part isn’t the accolades—it’s the people. “Helping someone buy a home—one of the largest purchases they’ll ever make—helps you know them on a very intimate level. Getting to know families and clients on a personal level throughout the process is what excites me the most.”
Her commitment to both her clients and her family defines her version of success. “Success for me is being able to contribute to my family in a very material way while still being able to pick my kids up from school,” she says. Over time, that definition has evolved. “The goal is still to grow my business, but making sure I have a work/life balance is what allows me to continue this career without resenting it.”
That balance hasn’t stopped her from excelling. Kaci was named a “Top Producer” in her city’s magazine and earned top producer honors within her office in 2024, achievements that still surprise her. “My jaw nearly dropped,” she admits. “The job can have some serious lows—the big deal falls through or you neglected family time for work that didn’t even pan out, for example—but when those accolades come through, all the work and angst feels justified.” Last year alone, she closed more than $15 million in volume, with this year already on pace to match.
Outside of work, Kaci continues to nurture her love of history, which now plays a unique role in her business. She holds a certificate in historic homes and often works with clients seeking older properties. “I love to see the potential in some of the older homes in and around Fort Worth and help my clients maximize the potential of their investment,” she says. In the frenzied market of 2020, she added “curation” to her services, helping clients envision dream homes in properties that needed a little imagination.
STAY THE COURSE.
Consistency, just doing what you know is the right thing, is what leads to business growth.”
When she’s not helping families find their perfect home, Kaci enjoys quieter moments with her own. She spends time reading historical fiction with her book club—“It’s a real book club, we actually read, although there is a fair amount of wine when we get together,” she jokes—and sharing her love of history with her children. Family outings often involve exploring the outdoors, and she dreams of one day owning a big farm in the country.
For newcomers to real estate, Kaci offers simple but powerful advice: “Stay the course. Consistency, just doing what you know is the right thing, is what leads to business growth.” It’s the same steady mindset that has carried her from a small-town salon to the top of Fort Worth’s real estate market—proof that a love of people and a commitment to hard work never go out of style.
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN PHOTOS BY KATHARINE GANN, DAYDREAM PHOTOGRAPHY
THERE AND BACK AGAIN
Colleen LOVE
Some stories begin with triumph, while others start in the shadows. For Colleen Love, her journey through real estate has been defined not only by professional milestones but by the resilience it took to overcome adversity and rise stronger, more authentic, and more determined than ever.
A native of Fort Worth, Colleen spent the first chapter of her career managing multifamily apartments. For 13 years, she specialized in new construction lease-up properties—her task was to fill communities with residents until they were sold, then move on to the next. It was demanding work, and as the properties she managed moved farther north, the commute stretched to nearly an hour and a half each way. With a toddler at home and a new house in Mansfield, the pace became unsustainable.
In that season of transition, a chance encounter planted a seed. “I met a broker who managed a company called The Apartment Department. I’ll never forget her because we shared the same first name,” Colleen recalled. “I was amazed by how she worked with clients. I remember thinking, That’s what I want to do. I want to help clients. “
When her last property sold, Colleen accepted a severance package and made the leap into real estate. Her first closing took six months—but it was
a $500,000 home, and the victory was unforgettable. “I remember going to Three Forks restaurant to celebrate,” she laughed. Soon after, she closed another milestone sale: a home for former Dallas Maverick Devin Harris. “I knew then that I was on a divine assignment. This is what I was meant to do—serve.”
From the beginning, her business thrived. Ads she placed in local outlets paid off, and Colleen discovered her true joy was walking alongside buyers in one of the biggest moments of their lives. “Helping that single mom or that woman who didn’t think she could do it by herself—that’s priceless,” she said. “Helping a family that is the first in their family to buy a home— that’s spiritual. That’s a blessing.”
But Colleen’s story isn’t just about success in sales. It’s about what it means to lose everything—and find your way back.
After her divorce in 2010, Colleen’s world collapsed. “I lost everything. I almost lost my mind,” she admitted. Prescription pills and alcohol became her escape, but the darkness only deepened, exacerbated by symptoms of menopause. “Depression is an unimaginable pain—a crushing weight that settles over your mind and spirit. It whispers that nothing will ever get better, that you should just give up, lie down, and die.”
EVERY CHALLENGE I FACE IS A chance TO SHOW RESILIENCE, FAITH, AND DETERMINATION.”
psychotherapy and hormone replacement therapy, and pushed forward. “I stopped looking in the rearview mirror, obsessing over what I had lost, and I started putting myself back together,” she said. “God has been rewarding my faith ever since.”
Today, Colleen defines success through the words of Dr. Maya Angelou: “Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.” For her, that means showing up every day as her authentic self. “I couldn’t always say that. But today, I look in the mirror and I love Colleen.” She has been married to her husband for 9 years, and in her free time, she enjoys cooking, dining out with friends, long walks and spending time with her grandchildren.
Her authenticity has shaped the way she serves her clients and her community. Her proudest recognition wasn’t tied to sales volume, but to the Bold Award from Girls Inc., honoring her work with the Butterfly Movement, a ministry she founded to raise awareness about child sexual abuse. “Our struggles are also our strength,” she explained. “I share my testimony openly because it connects me to others and shows them that challenges can be overcome.”
The lessons of her journey now fuel her mission. She mentors others, not withholding wisdom or advice, because of a message she once heard at a conference: “The people God has assigned to them will go to them, and the people God has assigned to you will go to you.” For Colleen, generosity and mentorship only multiply success.
Her goals today center on growth, balance, and impact—expanding her brokerage, nurturing her family, and inspiring others through her story. “Every challenge I face is a chance to show resilience, faith, and determination,” she said. “I celebrate progress, not perfection.”
Yet even in the depths of despair, faith flickered.
“Somehow, I found enough fight to whisper, In Jesus’ name, Lord, I believe You can. And it always seemed like God would send me a blessing or two just when I needed it most—enough to pay my bills or cover my car note.”
It was the beginning of a long climb. Encouraged by a friend who later became her husband, Colleen began to heal. She quit the pills, set aside the alcohol, started
Looking back, she wants her legacy to be clear: “I want to be remembered as someone who overcame all the challenges that were meant to destroy me, inspired others, and made a positive impact— someone who faced adversity with resilience, shared her story openly, and lifted others up along the way.”
Colleen Love’s path is proof that success is not the absence of struggle, but the courage to rise after the fall. From apartment manager to broker, from brokenness to wholeness, her story reminds us that resilience is born in the hardest seasons—and authenticity is the truest form of success.
