North Fort Worth Real Producers - January 2023

Mena

Wahbaa THE FIGHTER

Photo by: Brent Tinsley and Joe Tinsley, Headshot Professional

PREFERRED PARTNERS

BUILDER

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!

Shaddock Homes (972) 526-7700 ShaddockHomes.com

BUSINESS COACHING

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CLIENT AND REFERRAL GIFTS

Board + Brie (817) 693-1908 boardbriedfw.com

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CLIENT ENGAGEMENT

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COMMERCIAL ROOFING PROCO (817) 975-5948 procoroof.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR

DW Foundation Repair (817) 706-3430

HEALTH

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

HEALTH CARE COVERAGE

Impact Health Stephanie Ziemann (817) 682-1356

HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING

AGES Services Company (817) 851-8155 agesservicescompany.com

HOME INSPECTION Endeavor Real Estate Inspections

Chris Carathers (817) 726-5333 endeavorinspect.com

HomeTeam Inspection Service (972) 400-7034 HomeTeam-DFW.com

Inspect360 (817) 754-0360 inspect360.com

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

HOME WARRANTY

Achosa Home Warranty (817) 933-8707 www.achosahw.com

Tarrant Home Warranty (817) 554-2196 tarranthws.com

Tarrant Roofing (972) 470-9999 TarrantRoofing.com

INSURANCE

Duren Jenkins Agency (817) 445-0120 insurinwithduren.com

Jason Ridley Agency (817) 281-4500 jasonridleyagency.com

JUNK REMOVAL

Junkluggers of Grapevine, Irving & Denton Rajagopal Ramanujam (630) 470-8307 junkluggersofgid.com

MORTGAGE LENDING

Ameridream Mortgage Group, LLC AmeriDreamMtg.com

Cardinal Financial Company, LP (972) 777-5626 (LOAN) TheBryanConnatser Team.com

Cherry Creek Mortgage (817) 709-4683 NunisLending.com

Cross Country Mortgage Corey Kastler (817) 715-5637 crosscountrymortgage. com/THE-KASTLER-TEAM/

Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp (817) 812-2276 AnginetteHomeLoans.com

First United Mortgage Group (469) 629-0776 firstunitedbank.com

Gracie Morrow Mortgage Group (972) 757-2132 GMMG-MTG.com

Movement Mortgage (469) 202-4195 LoanOfficerMark.com

Neighborhood Loans (817) 501-4255 mikeprotono.com

NEO Home Loans (817) 754-1498 PadronLoans.com

Titan Lending, LLC (817) 290-3464 titanlending.com

MOVING SERVICES

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

Firehouse Movers Inc (972) 412-6033 firehousemovers.com

The Perfect Move Don Hall (682) 206-9132 theperfectmove.net

PEST CONTROL PROCO (817) 975-5948 procoroof.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Desiree Roberts Photography (972) 998-3133 DesireeRoberts.com

Katie Wallace Studios, LLC (817) 688-8557 katiewallacestudios.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

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

RESIDENTIAL ROOFING

PROCO (817) 975-5948 procoroof.com

ROOFING

Alpha Roofing & Restoration (817) 330-9250 roofbyalpha.com

K&M Services, Roofing & Construction (817) 918-3940 kmservicepro.com

Tarrant Roofing (817) 571-7809 TarrantRoofing.com

Texas Direct Roofing & Construction (682) 408-8551 txdroofing.com

ROOFING & SOLAR

Rankin Roofing & Solar LLC (469) 952-9151 rankinroofingandsolar.com

SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING/ MANAGEMENT

Content Compounding (405) 888-9119 contentcompounding.io

STAGE & DESIGN

Evergreen Staging & Design Sherwood Wilson (817) 513-3141 x1 evergreenstaging.com

TITLE COMPANY

Alamo Title CompanySouthlake (817) 896-8686 AlamoDFW.com

Boston National Title of Texas (972) 584-9660 bnttexas.com

Juniper Title, Inc. Julia Mitchell (817) 358-9500 junipertitle.com

Texas Excel Title LLC (817) 980-1018 TexasExcelTitle.com

Texas Premier Title (817) 577-5111 www.TXPrem.com

VIDEOGRAPHER

Flux Media Productions (469) 955-5833 fluxmediaproductions.com

WEBSITE DESIGN

MPC Studios Inc. (956) 423-2233 mpcstudios.com

WINDOWS

Glass Guru Southlake (817) 424-3500 theglassguru.com/southlake

WINDOWS & SIDING

Tarrant Windows & Siding (817) 987-1210 TarrantWindows.com

Southlake Team

Amy Mayes

VP, Branch Manager

Jessica Bays Escrow Officer

Ashley Gingras Sales Executive

Member FDIC.

MEET THE NORTH FT. WORTH REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

lance.dunahoe@realproducersmag.com.

Lance Dunahoe Co-Owner

Julie Altemus Executive Director

Jordan Espeseth Co-Owner

Dave Danielson Writer

Renee Hart

Kareen Delos Reyes

Katherine Fondren

Landon Robinson Director of Client Relations

Desiree Roberts Photographer

Lanie Schaber Ad Strategist

publisher’s note

THE ESPE AWARDS & WELCOMING

On Nov. 17, 2022, we had the Second Annual ESPE Awards. And the verdict?

It was AMAZING! We had almost 700 people in attendance, the room was set up beautifully, the people all looked dazzling, connections were being made, smiles were on people’s faces, and awards were given to well-deserving people … it truly was a fantastic evening. Something my team and I are very proud of.

Now, don’t get me wrong — there’s absolutely room for improvement, and we learned a lot of valuable lessons from this year’s event. Luckily, nothing too major, but lots of relatively simple things that we can put into place for next year to take this event to the next level. Lessons such as testing the presentation clicker from the stage (… come on, Jordan), finding a way to speed up valet, having even MORE bars and bartenders, including healthier food options, trying out your new shoes before the event (my heels have never been so torn up from shoes), and other small things that would make the awards ceremony flow more smoothly.

I am certainly not a perfectionist by any stretch of the imagination; however, I have come to learn I am pretty hard on myself and always

strive for excellence, which can be good at times … but also not so good if I don’t keep myself in check. Where I beat myself up is that these things mentioned above could have been so easily fixed with a little extra attention to detail and awareness. Where I get excited is that the things mentioned above will be so easily corrected that I know next year we will nail them, and the event will go from great to incredible!

It is crazy to me that it is already 2023! I say it every year, so I will say it again … where does the time go? Our January issue is the last magazine that those who made the Top 500 for 2022 will receive. We have pulled the new numbers based on your MLS sales production volume from all of 2022, and those of you who made the Top 500 again will continue to get the publication moving forward for the next 12 months, receive our new “2023 Top 500” logo, get access to the events, and have the possibility of being featured at no cost to you. Exciting!

I want to thank all of you for helping make 2022 the best year of my life. Truly, from the bottom of my heart … thank you! It is an honor to lead this organization and to spend time with such incredible people daily.

My team and I are extremely excited to take the lessons we learned from last year to make 2023 the next best year of our lives!

Happy New Year!

JORDAN ESPESETH Owner jordan.espeseth@n2co.com

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE

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

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

Q: WHO RECEIVES REAL PRODUCERS MAGAZINES?

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

Q: WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THIS MAGAZINE?

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

We take the top 500 real estate agents and RP-vetted businesses in every market, and we build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, market trends, and upcoming events — really, anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.

Q: DOES REAL PRODUCERS HAVE EVENTS?

A: Yes! Each community will have two 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 of their team as well. These

events are an incredible opportunity to connect with the best of the best in DFW real estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connections made at these events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!

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

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

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

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

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

Q: WHO ARE THE 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 for 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.

CAWYER CAWYER

rising star

Written by: Mark Fadden

Photos

by: Matt Ross

Location: Providential Custom Homes model home, 2648 Park Grove, Southlake, Stony Brook Addition

ONCE A TEACHER...

BEFORE KELLY CAWYER WAS A REAL ESTATE AGENT, SHE TAUGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL FOR 36 YEARS. SHE USES THE TEACHING SKILLS SHE HONED OVER A LIFETIME TO SHOW HER CLIENTS HOW THE JOB CAN BE DONE WHEN IT COMES TO REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS.

If you selected Kelly Cawyer as the agent to help you buy your first house, chances are you’d have paperwork filled with bright colors. “Before we even go looking at houses, we sit down and have a study session,” said Cawyer, who leverages her 36-year career as a middle school science teacher to help educate her clients on the various components of a real estate transaction. “I have a practice contract that I have highlighted with different colors,” Cawyer said. “Blue is seller expenses, green is buyer costs, and orange means that they are buyer’s choices like warranties and option periods. If it’s highlighted yellow, that means it’s property information and contract dates. Some things have dual colors, depending on that particular property. I have conducted seminars for first-time home buyers, and I pass out copies of the practice contract to talk through. It seems to help them understand how the process works.”

Growing up in Abilene, more than a few in Cawyer’s life would be surprised at just how successful she’s become. “In the 1960s, learning differences were not identified yet. My second-grade teacher would have me stand in a trash can and call me a piece of trash. She didn’t want

to deal with me since my learning style did not fit her teaching style. One day my mom saw me standing in that trash can and asked the teacher why I was there. The teacher replied, ‘She is just so stupid. She should be in a special school.’ My mom put her hands over my ears and said, ‘There may be something wrong, but she isn’t stupid.’”

From that day forward, Cawyer’s mother helped her to learn. She realized that Cawyer needed a different style, so she would work with her on a daily basis. Her dad encouraged her to be a fighter who never gives up. “I was told I would never finish high school, but I beat the odds,” Cawyer said.

Cawyer not only graduated high school, but she also went on to attend Abilene Christian University, got a degree in education, and found out that her learning difference had a name: dyslexia. During her 36 years of teaching at Fort Worth Christian School, she had more than a few students with learning differences like her own. She never wanted a student to be told they couldn’t accomplish a task because they were different. In fact, she flipped the script and turned the negative into a positive. “When I encountered a student with learning differences, I told them, ‘You are so blessed. You are going to know how to overcome challenges early in your life that will make you stronger. When you run into obstacles, you’re going to know how to get through those barriers and come out stronger on the other side.’”

Over the years, Cawyer has helped thousands of students — she has even taught the children of her former students — to become equipped with creative methods to learn and realize that to become a better learner or a better anything in life, it will be challenging. “When you see a butterfly struggling out of its cocoon, the last thing it needs is help. It needs the struggle to become a butterfly,” Cawyer said. “It is ok to let your kids struggle if you have them safe and protected. It’s the struggle that will make them stronger. It’s the struggle that will allow them to soar.”

In May 2018, Cawyer decided that it was time to pack up the beakers and the graduated cylinders and blaze a new trail in life. “A listing agent for one of our houses planted a seed. She told me that I had what it takes to be in real estate. I never forgot those words; they simmered in the back burner of my brain for over ten years,” Cawyer said. She took real estate school classes in June of that year, studied for the test in July, and passed the test by the beginning of August. She went to work for a local brokerage, where she met with a small group of women who would become her teachers. “We met at a coffee house every week, and they taught me so much. Three of them now hold a broker’s license. I realized that I wouldn’t stop just being an agent. Their influence has inspired me to work to achieve that same goal. I, too, want to acquire my broker’s license,” said Cawyer.

It could have been easy for Cawyer to listen to her second-grade teacher. It could have been easy to become an angry, bitter person because of the words that were used to describe her all those years ago. But Kelly Cawyer made a choice. She didn’t choose the sad path but chose the happy one instead. “That has made all the difference,” as found in the last line from “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost. Something else that’s made all the difference is how Cawyer chooses to think about her former teacher. “I wanted to find her and thank her because what she said to me and what she did to me shaped my life,” Cawyer said. “I feel like I am a flicker of light in a world that can sometimes be dark. I’ve had the privilege of helping people not to give up and to help them see that there’s always a way and there’s always a solution. You may just have to work a little harder to find it.”

print me more!

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

REPRINTS!

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

WHY DO I NEED THOSE?

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

• Use on listing appointments

• Send out to friends and family

• Sent to clients with your holiday greetings

• Brokers, use as recruiting tools for capturing new talent

• Use when farming your favorite neighborhood

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

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

WHO CAN BUY THESE?

The REALTOR® that was featured, the Broker or family. Anyone that wants to promote you.

HOW DO I ORDER?

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

event recap

ESPE

THE SECOND ANNUAL AWARDS GALA

Presented by DFW Real Producers

The Second Annual ESPE Awards did not disappoint! Wow. What another incredible event to remember! We had nearly 700 people in attendance, celebrating at the Plano Event Center on Nov. 17. And we had over 12,000 people vote on the ESPE Awards this year! The entire event was such a blast!

The Winners:

Rising Star of the Year — Chase Duran Spirit Award — Holly Oestereich Most Inspirational Story — Matt and Renee Beaver Rise and Grind — Travis Hitt Ultimate Connector — Pam Heinrich Social Media Superstar — Kaitlin Lindley Best Cover of the Year — Brian and Tisha White World Changer Shannon Patterson Icon Award — Josh Harley Leader of the Year Russell Berry Team of the Year — Nick Good and The Good Home Team RP Vetted Business of the Year — Shaddock Homes Remmy Award — Heidi Marsh The Groomsman Award — Ben and Jason Espeseth

Huge congratulations to our ESPE winners! You are all very deserving of these awards.

I want to thank all of our RP Vetted Businesses that make Real Producers what it is today. A special shout out to those of our partners that went above and beyond by sponsoring this event — it wouldn’t have been able to happen without you!

To the endless real estate agents who continue to love and support Real Producers … my team and I are forever grateful to you all. You are the lifeblood of this community, and we appreciate each and every one of you so much.

I don’t know about you, but I am counting down the days to the Third Annual ESPE Awards!

Thank you all, Jordan Espeseth Owner

Photos by: Scott Peek, Scott Peek Photography LLC and Jin Kim, URSPECIAL

rp vetted business spotlight

Written by: Zach Cohen

Photos by: Scott Peek, Scott Peek Photography LLC

MARK KARETSKIY COMING FROM CONTRIBUTION WITH MOVEMENT MORTGAGE

“One of my core values comes from my fraternity: Give expecting nothing thereof. That’s how I try to live my life.”

When Mark Karetskiy arrived in Texas in 2018, he set off to build a referral-based mortgage lending business.

“My ex and I were considering the Carolinas, Florida, or Georgia. Nowhere in my mind was Texas, but then her job offered to pay for us to move out here … I looked around and realized how much opportunity there is here. I realized the lifestyle is better, the cost of living is lower, and it became a no-brainer.”

By that time, Mark had been in the mortgage business for several years and his mortgage knowledge was sharp, but he had yet to grow a referral business. In Dallas, he faced a new challenge, finding himself in an unfamiliar place with no sphere of influence.

Mark believed in his ability to problem solve. He knew he was a hard worker. He already had experience in mortgage lending. The stars seemed to be aligned for success, but in a new environment, he struggled.

“I fell flat on my face,” Mark says humbly. “I realized that if I was going to make this work, it was on me, 100%.”

Coming from Contribution

Over the next few years, Mark matured greatly. He came to understand that in order to succeed, he was going to have to provide value.

“What I eventually realized was the majority of loan officers are out there with their hands out. I chose to be the opposite. I come from a place of how I can add value, and that’s what made me be able to go from $0 to an $82 million business, all by referral.”

Early on, Mark devoted himself to educating agents on creative marketing strategies, from video marketing to SEO to content creation. He offered a CRM that helps agents streamline their systems. He offered strategies to help agents provide value to their clients.

The results were telling. Mark’s business steadily grew, and he solidified his reputation as one of Dallas/Fort Worth’s top loan officers.

“I’ve gone from, ‘How do I get value?’ to ‘How do I give it back?’”

Expanding His Reach

Mark’s most recent project is the Metroplex Podcast, which is fast developing into a full-blown media company. Mark’s idea for the Metroplex Podcast comes directly from his experience landing in Dallas in 2018.

Mark noticed that Dallas/Fort Worth has different “bubbles” or communities. Each bubble has a unique culture, character, and hidden gems. The Metroplex Podcast seeks to highlight those hidden gems and the business owners behind them.

“The difficulty for people new to the area is there are really no resources that identify what these bubbles are and why one would want to live in one or the other,” Mark says. “We’re going to be showcasing the different bubbles and putting a spotlight on the local brick and mortar businesses, the young professionals, community leaders, and influencers — giving them a spotlight and telling the public why they choose to call their bubble home.”

Mark’s primary intent is to create a community resource, and he plans to add a community meetup element to the project. Real estate will be a theme explored on the podcast but not its primary focus.

“The primary goal is to get these young professionals that are on an island in their bubble into a community. We want to be that community,” Mark says. “The exciting thing is that I know for a fact the community needs this, because nothing

like it truly exists here locally. What’s really exciting for me is being able to bring attention to local business owners, the brick and mortars.”

As Mark looks ahead, he intends to continue improving his industry knowledge, honing his marketing expertise, and giving back to the community he has come to call home.

“The idea with the media company is not to put money in my pocket but to really provide value. I want to continue coaching and giving back to my industry, finding new creative ways to offer value. It’s more than just saying it, but tangibly, asking myself every day, ‘What can I do?’”

For more information, please visit https://www. loanofficermark.com.

cover story

by: Mark Fadden

Written

Photos by: Brent Tinsley and Joe Tinsley, Headshot Professional

MENA

WAHBAA

THE FIGHTER

“You aren’t going to believe this.”

That’s how Mena Wahbaa started off each significant event as he told me his life story. And every time, he delivered a tale more unbelievable than the last.

Born and raised in El-Minya, a city in southern Egypt, Wahbaa always had an interest in real estate. However, due to the way that the educational system is designed in Egypt, he couldn’t study his passion. “Students do not get the privilege to choose the school they want to attend or the field they want to study since everything is determined by their high school grades,” said Wahbaa. “A certain grade percentage will allow you to get into certain schools and into certain fields, and other grade percentages don’t allow you to be in the same fields. Therefore, I was by default assigned to go to a college in El-Minya to get a degree in Health Studies.”

After graduating as the valedictorian of his class, Wahbaa was set to get a job in the Ministry of Health, a position reserved for those who graduated with top honors. However, because he was a Christian, he was instead sent to work in the rural villages on the outskirts of the city. Reeling from what he felt was religious persecution, Wahbaa decided that the only way for him to live a life of freedom was in America.

There was only one problem, or actually, two problems: He could go to America, but he would be leaving his wife and child behind. “It was a rough decision to leave my family behind and come to the U.S. to be able to provide them a life that I did not fully get to have. I had to learn everything on my own such as language, traditions, and how to fit in properly,” Wahbaa said. Wahbaa immigrated to California in 2015. He was able to share an apartment with the only person he knew in the U.S., an old friend from Egypt.

While he didn’t know the language or the customs of his new home, Wahbaa did know that he would need to work hard to save up enough money to bring his wife and daughter over to join him. “Back in Egypt, I was a food inspector for ten years, and my wife and I ran a business renting wedding dresses. I knew I would need at least two jobs: one for my living expenses and one to pay for the immigration lawyer fees and save up for our new lives together,” he said. He found work in a smoke shop and as a security guard but missed his family terribly. “I worked full-time at both jobs, so it wasn’t easy,” said Wahbaa.

“I often slept in my car between shifts. When I would call home and talk to my daughter, she would ask me why I left them. Whenever I saw girls that looked like her, I would cry. I missed them so much.” His angst only heightened when he talked to immigration lawyers who informed him of the long delays that plagued the California immigration process. “I was told that it would take up to seven years to get them here. I was already torn apart by not having them with me. There was no way I could make it another seven years without them,” Wahbaa said. He began researching other options and found that the immigration process was much quicker, not to mention the cost of living quite lower, in Texas.

When Wahbaa moved to Texas, he used what he learned growing up watching his father to help himself land a job. “My father was a driver for the government. He would pick up VIPs and take them where they needed to go,” he said. “But he also knew how to talk to them and take care of their needs.” Once again, knowing that he would need as much money as possible to get his family to the U.S., Wahbaa got not one but two full-time jobs at the DFW Airport. He worked as a concierge for celebrities and drove a shuttle bus. “As a concierge, I would make sure that celebrities were taken care of and escort them through the private TSA screenings before they got on their planes,” said Wahbaa. “I met a lot of famous people, from Matthew McConaughey to Gary Busey to Jerry Jones.”

During that time, he also made enough to pay for an immigration lawyer to help him get his wife and daughter to Texas. As soon as they were together and living in an apartment in Grapevine, Wahbaa started working on the next part of their American dream. “I hired a real estate agent, and we started looking for houses,” Wahbaa said. “I couldn’t wait to find a home where my wife and I could raise a family.” Then the pandemic hit.

TO BE SUCCESSFUL, YOU HAVE TO BE A FIGHTER.

YOU’VE GOT TO STAY FOCUSED ON THE SUCCESS AT THE END WHILE YOU’RE GOING THROUGH THE FIGHT.

While Wahbaa was furloughed from both of his jobs and had to stop his house search, he couldn’t stop thinking about the real estate agent, or rather, the money that he could make from real estate deals. “So, I decided to get my real estate license,” he said. He eventually started back on both jobs from being furloughed while he prepared to take the test. That meant studying whenever he had small chunks of time before work, during his lunch breaks, and even listening to real estate podcasts on his commute home. “To be successful, you have to be a fighter,” Wahbaa said. “You’ve got to stay focused on the success at the end while you’re going through the fight.”

While that story of beating the odds ended with Wahbaa getting his license, he had an even better one about how he got a job with Keller Williams in Southlake. And, of course, he started it off with, “You’re not going to believe this.”

“I helped a friend buy a house with 33 other offers on it,” Wahbaa said. “So, I drove up to the Keller Williams office and spoke to one of the agents about working there. While they started telling me about how the process typically works, I let them know that I already had my license and, oh, by the way, I’ve got two properties I’m representing: my friend who I helped win the contract for a house, and my house, which I bought the next day.”

While having an American success story seems like a dream come true for Wahbaa, he is mostly overjoyed that he can experience it with his wife and now three children. “People get so busy working and planning for their future that they sometimes forget to pause and check on each other and give a moment to not lose the strong family bond,” said Wahbaa. “My wife and I enjoy nothing more than playing together at home or at playgrounds with our kids. It brings them comfort, and it makes me feel more connected and involved with them.”

WHICH REAL PRODUCERS TERRITORY ARE YOU A PART OF?

REAL PRODUCERS IN THE DFW METROPLEX

WHICH REAL PRODUCERS TERRITORY ARE YOU A PART OF?

A Quick Look at the Different DFW Real Producers Markets

Real Producers in the DFW Metroplex

Real Producers has 100+ franchises nationwide and there are four in DFW alone. In each of these markets, we pull the top 500 agents based off annual residential MLS sales volume. Where your broker address is located will determine which publication is for you. This map shows the territories for each of the four DFW franchises. If you are a top-500 agent in any of these markets, you will be receiving a publication every month and have the possibility of being featured at no cost to you!

A Quick Look at the Different DFW Real Producers Markets

Real Producers has 100+ franchises nationwide and there are four in DFW alone. In each of these markets, we pull the top 500 agents based off annual residential MLS sales volume. Where your broker address is located will determine which publication is for you. This map shows the territories for each of the four DFW franchises. If you are a top-500 agent in any of these markets, you will be receiving a publication every month and have the possibility of being featured at no cost to you!

North Dallas Real Producers

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Real Producers tells the stories of the top real estate agents in this market.

community connector

Written by: Mark Fadden Photos by: Katharine Gann, DayDream Photography

STEPHANIE

WILSON

THINKING INSIDE THE BOX

As Argyle’s ultimate insider, Stephanie Wilson wants to help spread the message of how her town, and the real estate in it, can truly change lives.

Growing up in Arlington, Stephanie Wilson never knew a place like Argyle existed. “We went to a high school football game, and it was like something out of the movie Friday Night Lights. It felt like the entire community was out, showing their support for the team. There was this energy, this sense of togetherness. I had never felt something like that before,” Wilson said. Wilson and her husband Lance not only knew that Argyle was a special place that would be perfect for raising their family, but Wilson also wanted to help keep that strong sense of community.

Leveraging her degree in marketing from Texas Tech, along with a career prior to real estate in sales, Wilson created a Facebook page called The Argyle Insider back in 2017. The page initially focused on highlighting local business owners, churches, and school personnel through business spotlights and video interviews, including a weekly segment called “What’s the Deal Wednesday” that took a more in-depth look at the people behind Argyle’s long-existing businesses and ones just opening. “My stomach hurt for the entire first year doing those interviews because I was so nervous,” Wilson said.

The Facebook page has evolved over the years to include a weekly real estate update on Tuesdays and a two-pronged approach to highlight local businesses, one being a static post that includes 8 to 10 high-quality photos and second by producing Reels, which are short videos designed to entertain fans and help introduce new content to new audiences. “Producing these new marketing segments has really taken off. Our new local meat market reached more than 30,000 people with just one post!” Wilson said. “People in Argyle love their meat!”

While Argyle Insider has changed over the years, what hasn’t changed is that Wilson produces the content and manages the site all for free. “It’s my love letter back to the community,” she said. “I go to the football games, and I see all these faces in the crowd of people that I’ve helped with either buying or selling a house. I see their kids in the band and on the field or the parents volunteering at the concession stand, and I get choked up. Argyle changed our lives. I feel so blessed that my family can be part of such a wonderful community and that I get to help others find the same.”

Speaking of being a part of great things, Wilson wouldn’t be where she is today without her team at Magnolia Realty and, specifically, her mentor Will Woods. “I got my start at Keller Williams Dallas Metro North, where I gained a solid foundation and met some incredible agents who were very generous with their time and knowledge. Then I worked at a local brokerage in Argyle that helped me really understand the nuances of my town and how to sell raw land. A few years later, I crossed paths with Will, who became the owner of the Magnolia Realty Argyle office. I credit him with much of my success. He believed I could do so much more than I ever believed for myself,” said Wilson.

One of the ways that Woods inspired Wilson was to help her create goals that scared her. “Both Lance and I are entrepreneurs, so we’ve had our share of good times and bad in our professional lives.

At one point during the hard times, we had debt collectors calling the house and telling me that I was a loser for not paying my bills on time,” Wilson said. “Will not only helped me see past that, but he also set goals for me that I would never have set for myself. But by being on our Magnolia team, I was able to emulate what the other agents did and learned how to sharpen my skills.”

When Wilson isn’t working, you’ll probably find her in a rocking chair on her front porch in Argyle, reading a good book. What you will never find her doing is mowing the lawn. “I’m proud to say that I’ve never mowed a yard in my life, and I don’t plan on starting now,” she said. “Lance takes care of the outside, and I take care of the inside. That’s our deal, and I’m sticking to it.”

Wilson is also proud to say that she doesn’t look at real estate as a simple transaction. “A lot of agents will tell people that it’s a transaction and to try to take emotion out of it,” said Wilson.

“When people buy or sell real estate, they are typically going through a life-changing event. Maybe they’re first-time home buyers or downsizing, or perhaps they got divorced or a spouse died. Whatever the event, they are changing their environment and starting over. I recognize that it isn’t just a transaction. It’s a transition. And I’m so thankful I get to help my clients go through it and become a part of their lives.”

REJEANI

CAMPBELL

CAN’T HURT ME

inspirational agent

Written by :Mark Fadden Photos by: Magillicutty’s

IT HASN’T BEEN EASY FOR REJEANI CAMPBELL TO GET WHERE SHE IS TODAY. SHE HOPES HER STORY CAN INSPIRE OTHERS TO NEVER, EVER, EVER GIVE UP.

If you’ve heard of David Goggins or read his bestselling memoir, Can’t Hurt Me, you know his amazing life story. Goggins conquered poverty, prejudice, learning disabilities, even a hole in his heart, to become a U.S. Armed Forces legend and ultra-endurance athlete named “The Fittest Man in America.” Like Goggins, Rejeani Campbell’s life story is one rooted in remarkable transformation, and, like Goggins, she hopes to inspire those who have seemingly monumental hurdles in their lives that truly anything is possible.

“I grew up on a cattle ranch in a small town outside of Broken Bow, OK, called Valliant. When you see movies or TV shows of kids running around barefoot and coming home when their mom rang the bell … well, that was me,” Campbell said. “There were some mornings when I would pack up some snacks, saddle my horse, and take off.” Other times, when she had to work on the ranch with the other ranch hands, she wouldn’t be shy about giving it her all. “I would gather and work the cattle, basically handle the entire ranch better than any of our ranch hands,” she said. “Sometimes cows would break away from the herd and run into the thickest part of the woods. I would be the only one to run after them. I came out with cuts all over me and tree branches stuck in my hair, but the cow was back in the herd!”

School was another challenge for Campbell early on. “I always knew something was wrong,” Campbell recalled. “I knew as early as the third grade that I couldn’t read or comprehend like the other kids. In my generation, par ents didn’t want to consider their children different or acknowledge they had a learn ing disability. Everyone just looked at us like we were lazy and didn’t care. I did every thing I could to avoid getting called on in class to read out loud because of the crippling fear that I would mess up words. How I graduated is by the grace of God … and the kind people that let me cheat off their papers!”

Despite her school strug gles, Campbell was accepted to Southeastern Oklahoma

State University and graduated with a degree in computer science. But it wouldn’t be until she was 27 that she would finally discover the names of her lifelong learning disabilities. “I was diagnosed with ADD and dyslexia. Not the greatest news, but to me, it was awesome. I knew now that I was not being lazy or didn’t care about my schooling. I had two learning disorders. Now, I knew how to continue in life and in my education,” she said.

Campbell got her real estate license in 2007 and used it to become an apartment locator. Married with two young daughters, she found it to be the perfect job to work from home and still be a full-time mom. In 2010, Campbell decided to take the next step in real estate and go after her broker’s license. So, armed with her new knowledge about her learning disabilities, she hatched a plan to study for the exam. “My grandmother and my mom read the entire study book and recorded themselves, so I could listen as I read,” said Campbell. “Although … it took me a few times to pass my exam.”

Rejeani with her husband, Jason, and their daughters, Matyson, Maleia and Lyrik

The next few years held more strife for Campbell. After a long and emotional divorce in 2011, she realized that she wouldn’t be able to raise two kids on her apartment locator salary, so she knew that it was time to take the leap and become a full-fledged real estate agent. “I jumped in full force and joined Keller Williams. From 2013 to February 2020, I got to work with some of the best agents in DFW and also

to learn from them. That’s why I decided in February of 2020 it was time for me to become my own brokerage, so R Campbell Realty LLC came to life,” Campbell said. “This small-town, barefooted, dyslexic, ADD, divorced woman took one of the biggest risks ever, and it turned out to be the best decision I’ve ever made.”

As a broker, Campbell is hands-on with her agents and lets them know they aren’t there just to make a transaction. “Most of my agents are brand new, so I have been

blessed to get to teach them what I have learned over the years,” Campbell said. “I help them understand that when you help someone either purchase or sell a home, you basically become part of their everyday life as well. At our brokerage, real estate isn’t about simply putting in the work. It’s about being on a path to help people get home.”

“THIS SMALL-TOWN, BAREFOOTED, DYSLEXIC, ADD, DIVORCED WOMAN TOOK ONE OF THE BIGGEST RISKS EVER, AND IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE BEST DECISION I’VE EVER MADE.”

When Campbell is not working, you will probably find her and her husband at a sporting event supporting one of their daughters, with their family, friends, and four dogs, Luka, Razorback, Tusk, and Tank, at home hanging out, probably watching the Razorbacks on TV or in Arkansas visiting their oldest daughter who is a freshman at the University of Arkansas. “To say we are big Razorback fans is an understatement,” Campbell said.

Today, Campbell is a happily married woman and truly living her best life. She and her husband, Jason, added one more girl to their tribe, and he couldn’t be happier being a girl dad to Matyson, Maleia, and Lyrik.

Rejeani and her dog, Tusk

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