North Dallas Real Producers - June 2023

JASON OTTS: THE OTTSOME EXPERIENCE

JEMI KHAN: SHAPED BY HER PAST

ANN SOWIEJA: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE GOLF COURSE

TEXAS DIRECT ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION: THE BEST IN THE BIZ

COLBY LONG & FINESSE MOVERS: A BEST IN CLASS MOVING EXPERIENCE

Benat Brad

FLYING HIGH

EVENT PHOTOS INSIDE!

JUNE 2023

Photo by: Scott Peek Photography LLC

THE REAL PRODUCERS TEAM

NORTH DALLAS

If you are interested in contributing or nominating realtors for certain stories,

Lanie Schaber Ad Strategist

Lance Dunahoe

Cruz Acevedo Photographer

Jessica Nelson Social Media Director

Kareen Delos Reyes Administrative Assistant

Jordan Espeseth Founder/Co-owner

Katherine Fondren Content Coordinator

Missy Kremer Editor

Ilona Gorokhovskiy Photographer

Scott Peek Photographer

Julie Altemus Executive Director

Landon Robinson Director of Client Relations

Mandi Jackson Event Assistant

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!

BLINDS & DRAPERIES

Best Shutters (214) 538-2400

bestshuttersdirect.com

BRANDED MARKETING

MATERIALS

Lovehandle (281) 778-2051

www.lovehandle promo.com

BUILDER

Shaddock Homes (972) 526-7700

ShaddockHomes.com

BUSINESS COACHING

Hero Nation Coaching (469) 500-3642

theheronation.com

CLIENT AND REFERRAL GIFTS

Gifts of Graze

Eileen Torres (214) 814-1216

www.giftsofgraze.com

CLIENT ENGAGEMENT LEADS by Mandi Jackson (801) 598-5767

LEADSbyMandi.com

COFFEE COMPANY

Poo Brew Coffee (469) 430-3443

PooBrewCoffee.com

CREDIT REPAIR

MSI Credit Solutions (866) 217-9841

www.msicredit.com

FLOORING

The Design Group Flooring (682) 234-6930 tdgflooring.com

FOUNDATION REPAIR

DIGG Foundation Repair (214) 307-4060 diggfoundationrepair.com

Elite Foundation Repairs

(214) 856-9634

EliteFoundationRepairs.com

FOUNDATION, CONCRETE & DRAINAGE SERVICES

FCS Foundation and Concrete Services

(877) 554-8284

FoundationAndConcrete.com

HEALTH

Restore Hyperwellness & Cryotherapy

(817) 912-1550

Restore.com

HOME CLEANING

Tidy Up Cleaning

Brandy Bail

(469) 636-8951

tidyupdfw@gmail.com

HOME INSPECTION

Element Inspection

(214) 535-7971

element inspection.com

First Choice Home Inspection

(325) 260-8311

www.firstchoice homesinspection.com

Inspect360 (817) 754-0360 inspect360.com

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

SemperFiHome Inspections.com

HOME REPAIR & RENOVATIONS

Punchlist USA, Inc.

Lora Helt (404) 993-8622

Lora@punchlistusa.com

HOME WARRANTY

Fidelity National Home Warranty

Mike Csanad (469) 590-5733

www.homewarranty.com

Super Home, Inc.

Deb McCandless (817) 240-8021

HelloSuper.com

INSURANCE AGENCY

Paine Insurance Group (972) 387-9217

paineinsurancegroup.com

JUNK REMOVAL

Junkluggers of Collin County

Mark Schneider (469) 344-6659

junkluggersof collincounty.com

MORTGAGE LENDING

First Rate Financial (214) 872-4442

iamfirstrate.com

Highlands Residential Mortgage April Myrick (972) 955-9633

mortgagebymyrick.com

Mortgage Matters (469) 807-1300

mortgagematters.us

Movement Mortgage (469) 202-4195

LoanOfficerMark.com

OriginPoint

Dan Carson (512) 878-3047

PBJ Mortgage, LLC (469) 766-4811

pbjteam.com

Reliant Team of Premier Mortgage (619) 378-3795

MichaelChiodo.com

The Tuttle Group Cross Country Mortgage (469) 319-0660

thetuttlegroup.com

Wesley Mortgage Team (817) 494-1726

wesleymortgage.homes

MOVING SERVICES

All My Sons

Moving & Storage (561) 578-3800 allmysons.com

Black Tie Moving

North Dallas

JC Caldwell (615) 900-2641

Finesse Movers (469) 657-5975

finessemovers.com

Stonebriar Moving Services (469) 734-9000

stonebriarmoving.com

PHOTOGRAPHY

Ilona Jade Photography (253) 632-5155

ilonajade.com

Scott Peek Photography (469) 587-2300

ScottPeekPhotography.com

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

American Real PM (469) 620-0114

americanrealpm.com

Real Property Management Focus (469) 820-0088

realpmfocus.com

REAL ESTATE SCHOOL

Champions School of Real Estate®

Rita Santamaria (281) 893-4484

www.ChampionsSchool.com

REMODELER

Renovation Sells (214) 888-4376

RenovationSells.com/ North-Dallas

ROOFING

Tarrant Roofing (972) 470-9999

TarrantRoofing.com

Texas Direct Roofing

Nathan Lemons (972) 951-3748

nathan@txdroofing.com

Town & Country Roofing (972) 377-8188

townandcountryroofingdfw.com

ROOFING & ROOF WARRANTY

Total Roof Protection (817) 210-6338

totalroofprotection.com

ROOFING / STORM RESTORATION

100% Construction (469) 999-6091

100percent constructiontx.com

Cook DFW Roofing and Restoration (214) 236-2832

cookdfw.com

Swordsmen Roofing and Construction LLC (972) 979-6197

swordsmenroofing.com

SHORT TERM RENTAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

iTrip Vacations North Dallas (972) 649-0454

northdallas.itrip.co/

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT

WAY Social

Jessica Nelson (919) 645-8960

TITLE COMPANY

Alamo Title Company

Ashley Polito (214) 727-7034

Chicago Title DFW (972) 931-1522

ChicagoTitleDFW.com

Fair Texas Title fairtexastitle.com

Lawyers Title (469) 247-8281 dfw.ltic.com

Republic Title

Ken Callahan (214) 793-5979

RepublicTitle.com

VIDEOGRAPHY/ PHOTOGRAPHY

StudioUSA (469) 955-5833

studiousa.live

WEALTH ADVISOR/ FINANCIAL PLANNING

Eighteen Financial Group

Alec Berrey (541) 908-3683

Elijah Cross (NYL) (361) 236-8957

WINDOWS

FoggyWindowRepair.Com (972) 693-6449

FoggyWindowRepair.com

Town & Country Roofing (972) 377-8188

townandcountry roofingdfw.com

Best Coaching Question The of

ALL TIME

Personal Growth has been very important to me, particularly in the last 11 years. In college, I dealt with an enormous amount of anxiety and depression, and after a period of time, I couldn’t take it anymore. I remember a very specific day when I was 22 years old when I was at my breaking point. I prayed to a God (that at the time I wasn’t sure existed), and I made a commitment from that day on that I would never allow myself to feel that way anymore. I didn’t care how long it took, how hard it was, how much it would cost…I would find a way.

I started that journey with books, free online resources, daily meditations, and anything I could get my hands on that might help me get out of my trapped mind and emotions. As I got out of college, I continued that path and kept building on it. I recently did some reflecting and number crunching and realized that I have invested a large sum of money on personal development in that last seven years. Coaching, programs, seminars, trainings… You name it, I have probably done it. I don’t say that as some sort of brag, but I have just always felt deep in my soul that there is no better way to invest my money than into my own growth so I can be the best for myself, for others, and for God.

I wish I could teleport back to my 22-year-old self, so I could feel the massive change that has occurred within me in the last decade. So much growth has happened in that time. I have been blessed with so many amazing mentors and coaches, and I am so grateful for their influence on the trajectory of my life.

This last month, in two separate coaching calls from two different coaches, I got asked the same question relating to two different areas of my life. Both times, it led to an enormous breakthrough. I believe the quality of our life is determined by the quality of the questions we ask ourselves. I have been asked a lot of questions in the last 11 years…This question is by far the best question I have ever been asked:

“What is not being said right now?” Simple, but profound if truly reflected upon. Now, I want you to ask yourself this question regarding one or all areas of your life. You may need to ask yourself this question several times to peel back the onion to get to what truly isn’t being said or addressed in your life that needs to be.

When you discover what needs to be said or addressed…I challenge you to take massive and immediate action on it. It’s time to move forward.

Jordan Espeseth Founder/Co-Owner

REALTOR® on the rise

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Cruz Acevedo, StudioUSA

By the time Jason Otts headed to college in 2006, he was already a business owner, real estate investor, husband, and dad. After dropping out of high school in Las Vegas, Jason put his life back together in Texas, launching a mobile detailing business, finding his life partner, Neysa, and discovering stability. Yet, he still had long-term professional dreams that he had yet to tap into. So, he headed off to Southern Methodist University to study finance.

During his junior year, Jason took a real estate finance class that captured his imagination.

“I could not get enough of it. I had a wife and two kids and worked full-time, so I skipped a lot of classes to work or be with my family. This class, I never missed. I loved it,” Jason reflects.

Jason completed his degree in financial consulting, but real estate never left his mind.

“I did not want to be a REALTOR®, but I loved numbers, and I loved real estate investments,” Jason reflects.

Jason landed with ONEprop, a top local property management firm. He started as an entry-level employee and worked his way into property management.

“I asked, ‘Is there anything else I can do to make some extra income to make ends meet?’ They said, ‘If you get your real estate license, you can get a bonus if you refer people,’” Jason explains. “So, I got my real estate license and started talking to everyone about property management. I started signing people up.”

Jason had found a niche, and he was soon offered the role of Director of Sales and Marketing. Despite his resistance to being a salesperson, he decided to give it a shot. Over the following years, he helped triple the size of the company’s portfolio, becoming the go-to resource for property management.

“I realized sales was where I needed to be.”

A Life by Design

In 2014, Neysa became a REALTOR®, and Jason began supporting her sales business. He soon transitioned into becoming a Team Leader for Keller Williams, leaving the sales arena to become a coach and trainer. Meanwhile, the Ottsome business was thriving.

“We did that for three years. The business was growing so much, and I was doing so much coaching and training. Finally, we realized this wasn’t the life we wanted. We weren’t there for our kids. We wanted to be more involved, and the side business had turned into a big business,” Jason reflects.

In 2018, Jason and Neysa made another significant shift. Jason left his position as a Keller Williams Team Leader to become the Team Leader for Ottsome Realty Team, and Neysa stepped back from the business to focus on family.

“With the addition of Force Multiplier and current President of Ottsome Team, Valerie Morales, we doubled the business, and in the third year, the business tripled. Now, we’re averaging $30 million per year or so,” Jason says proudly.

In 2022, Ottsome Realty Team closed 56 homes for $28 million.

“We don’t want to just stick a sign in the yard. We want to create an Ottsome experience.”

The Ottsome Realty Team. Photo by: Tanner Hobbs, Swivel Interactive

Jason drives the business alongside his business partner, Valerie Morales, and their team, which includes agents Jeremy Benefield and Richard Garner, Director of Marketing and Communications Lorie Valle Wright, and Administrative

Assistant and Transaction Coordinator Ricki Senitz.

Family First

Jason is proud of his team’s success, but his greatest joys remain at home. He and Neysa have four children, Ally (17), Carter (15), Livy (11), and Penelope (8). As a family, they enjoy traveling (they are planning to visit every national park in the US), staying active, and serving at church.

Jason is heavily involved in pickleball, too, playing regularly, serving as the USA Pickleball Mid-South Regional Director, and competing alongside his daughter, Ally, in local tournaments.

“My personal mission statement is to be the best husband, father, and business partner. Every minute I spend, I try to fall within those boxes. I take time to focus on my wife, my kids, and my business.”

With hard work and perseverance, Jason is living the life of his dreams. He’s proving the validity in the advice of Gary Keller, who said that one could be anywhere one wants within five years.

“I truly believe in that. If you are willing to put in the work and be consistent, you can design the life you want to live. That’s what I strive to do every day. I do the small, simple things that add up to

the big results. I’m not perfect, and sometimes I have to push through, but I have big goals for my life. I focus on the small, simple daily tasks and stay consistent,” Jason offers.

Jason is especially passionate about helping others get to where they want to be. That applies to his clients, his family, and his team members.

“I like sharing my journey, especially with youth. I run into people struggling. Man, I was a high school dropout. I was failing. They told me I’d have to repeat my senior year. Life was tough. I tell people — it comes to a moment when you realize you can choose a path. Sometimes the choice is hard, but when you’re making the right choice, it doesn’t matter where you’re coming from. I grew up on the rough side of Vegas, and I decided to change my life.

My dad was an electrician. My mom worked in daycare. We never really had a lot of money, and I wasn’t around business-minded people. We never owned a house and lived in apartments or trailers. Helping others get to where they are going drives me. Helping them achieve more is my passion. It’s all about the journey. I’m constantly asking, ‘How can I be better?’”

Photo by: Vanessa Chavez, Everbloom Photograph

Left

WHICH REAL PRODUCERS TERRITORY ARE YOU A PART OF?

WHICH

REAL

PRODUCERS

REAL PRODUCERS IN THE DFW METROPLEX

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

North Fort Worth Real Producers

Fort Worth Real Producers

Dallas Real Producers

COLBY

Colby has moved around a lot in life, having lived in Louisiana, Arizona, and Kansas before landing in Dallas in 2002. Even as a youngster, Colby was always the one to do the heavy lifting for his family.

“Moving can be stressful,” Colby says. “I know from experience.”

After a year in college, during which he played collegiate football, Colby began working in landscaping, construction, and eventually, moving. The moving business had called to him ever since the days walking his grandfather’s land.

“I was working for another moving company, and I really took a liking to the moving process. Getting people’s treasured items and belongings to their new home and doing it efficiently and safely brought a smile to their faces, and that excited me. Being good at it inspired me to start my own moving business. I knew I could do it.”

The Birth of Finesse Movers

Colby founded Finesse Movers in 2015. From day one, he has been hands-on with his clients, offering the same quality of service he’d give to a family member. He’s transparent, honest, and reliable. He invests in his team, which trickles down to his clients and partners, who ultimately reap the benefits.

“We’re smaller than your big-time moving company and more hands-on with our team and clients. We’re a company that really sweats the small stuff and deliv ers a flawless moving package. The same effort goes into every move,” Colby says proudly. “As a team, we value our culture. We get together, hang out, get to know each other, and that brings us closer together and delivers a better move for our customers.”

Colby values his connection with REALTOR® partners, too. He wants agents to trust their clients will be in good hands with Finesse Movers. His team will go the extra mile to ensure the move is completed with both efficiency and care. Finesse Movers also offers customized packages, ensuring clients pay only for the services they need.

“We really care about our customers, their belongings, and their valuables. It’s a relaxed experience for the customer. We take the whole move on and do it for them. I tell my customers that if they’d like, they can go on vacation. That’s the service we want to deliver. We don’t just provide a move; we provide an experience.”

Growing Into the Future

In addition to leading Finesse Movers, Colby runs All Around the House Construction and Repairs, a con struction company that handles anything from complete remodels to small handyman projects. He’s excited to expand both companies with a focus on bringing on the right people to ensure healthy growth. Finesse Movers is looking to acquire more trucks, add a warehouse space, and start a storage facility in the near future.

“I see us in the next five years or so being in at least three major cities and, eventually, throughout the US,” Colby says. “But Dallas will always be home. Most importantly, I want people to know that I’m the most hardworking, honest, and driven person you’ll proba bly ever meet. I don’t take moving lightly. I take it as a great responsibility that we have people’s lives in our hands. I have great pride and respect for what we do.”

Based in Frisco, Finesse Movers delivers nationwide moving services for homeowners, renters, and companies. For more information, please visit www.finessemovers.com.

We don’t just provide a move; we provide an experience.

YOUR NORTH DALLAS REAL PRODUCERS

BADGES

BADGES

Congrats for being one of the Top 500 real estate agents in North Dallas!

You now have your own badge to use however you’d like to show that you’ve made it a part of this exclusive community of the top 1-2% in real estate! Missing your badge? Email jordan.espeseth@n2co.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 RP-vetted businesses 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 in the top 500 and are some of North Dallas’ most elite businesses. Look for this badge to know that you are working with one of the best, recommended by the best!

Kerry Robertson | Kip Callaghan | Melanie McDaniel | Brian Hazelwood Michael Kearney | Lauren Polley | Je Wolfe | Kelly Milligan

rp vetted business spotlight

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Scott Peek, Scott Peek Photography, LLC

NATHAN LEMONS

& TEXAS DIRECT ROOFING & CONSTRUCTION The Best in the Biz

Before joining Texas Direct Roofing & Construction, Nathan Lemons worked in building supplies sales. Texas Direct was one of his 120 customers and the company he resonated with most deeply. His close business relationship with the company soon turned into much more. “Servicing so many customers, I got to see how everyone ran and operated their business. Texas Direct Roofing & Construction was the industry leader. They were the best of the best. The way they serviced their customers, managed partner relationships with REALTORS®, and reps — everything they did was with integrity and servant leadership. That was something that excited me.”

After years in sales, Nathan was planning to open his own business. But when Texas Direct approached him with the opportunity to become a managing partner of their North Dallas location, he jumped at the chance.

“It was a great situation, a no-brainer. They take a customer-first philosophy, and do things not only for the bottom line, but for the customer’s sake. Having the ability to lead the North Dallas team was just too good to pass up.”

Best in the Business

Texas Direct Roofing & Construction specializes in all things roofing while offering a wide array of other services.

“We are more a full-blown general contractor than a standard roofing company,” Nathan explains. “At any time, we have our profile of residential roofs, but we also do bathroom remodels, kitchens, extravagant outdoor living spaces, and commercial jobs like schools, strip malls, etc. The construction in our name is actually serious. We can handle nearly everything a homeowner wants.”

Texas Direct Roofing & Construction

is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor, meaning they’ve been vetted at the highest level. They are one of only 23 roofers in the DFW metroplex to earn that designation. Platinum Preferred status isn’t just a nice accolade; it has real customer benefits. Texas Direct’s lifetime labor warranty is backed by Owens Corning, one of the roofing industry’s largest and most stable companies.

“We are checked and vetted deeply by their company. That is our biggest pride and joy when it comes to accolades… It shows we are the professionals in our space and keep a standard no one else can match,” Nathan says.

Understanding the Real Estate Business

Texas Direct Roofing & Construction focuses on relationships with partners in addition to client relations. They understand the challenges and needs of the real estate business and have developed their business model specifically with agents in mind.

The most important thing they offer agents is top-quality service and workmanship. Their integrity is second to none. Doing business with honesty and expertise is at the top of their priorities.

Beyond Roofing

Outside work, Nathan is a man devoted to family and God. He and his wife, Carly, have two kids, Kannon (3.5) and Maverick (1.5), and a third on the way. When he’s not working, you’ll find Nathan attending church events or heading to the park with his kids. “I look forward to seeing what God had in store for me in the coming years.”

Secondly, the Texas Direct team understands the needs of REALTORS® and caters to them.

“We treat the REALTOR® as our cus tomer,” Nathan says. “We have an open line of communication with agents. We take our relationship with REALTORS® seriously and do our job in making sure we don’t do anything that has a negative effect on their paycheck. We have a large enough team to service several agents. It’s not just me running the inspections. We’ve built our business model around this.”

Texas Direct is committed to respon siveness, guaranteeing they’ll have someone available to inspect a roof within 72 hours. They also allow clients to pay for repairs at closing.

“We understand the roof is usu ally forgotten about during trans actions, so if you’re calling us, the deal is probably being held up. We don’t want to slow things down any more, so real estate agents are a pri ority to us, even if we are busy.”

For more information, visit https://txdroofing.com.

ABOUT THIS MAGAZINE FAQ

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 MAGAZINE?

A: The top 500 real estate agents in each of the four markets in DFW, based on their annual residential sales production for the previous year, as recorded on the MLS. 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.

It is important to note that Real Producers is not a brag book. To be in the top 1-2% in your field takes a lot of grit, passion, hard work, trials, tribulations, and a strong “why” to keep pushing on. Real Producers is about sharing and honoring those stories and humanizing you and your peers to create a culture of honor and collaboration that propels us all to the next level.

Q: DOES REAL PRODUCERS HAVE EVENTS?

A: Yes! Each year we have several events. Some are specific to each territory, and some are shared events for all four DFW Real Producers markets. We have several different types of events, such as magazine celebration events, partners-only events, social events, mastermind/ educational style events, and of course, the annual black-tie awards gala called The ESPE Awards. 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@n2co.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 RPVETTED 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. When you meet one of them, be sure to thank them for their continued support and for investing in you and your growth.

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@n2co.com.

cover story

Written

by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Scott Peek, Scott Peek Photography, LLC

BRAD

FLYING HIGH

As Brad Benat approached high school graduation, he began to consider what direction he’d like to take in his professional life. He considered his desires and two criteria rose to the surface. He wanted to work for himself and have unlimited income potential.

It was then that Brad realized the answer was under his nose the entire time. Becoming a REALTOR® — his father’s profession — checked all the boxes. Brad long held an affinity for his father’s work, but up until that point, he hadn’t seriously considered becoming a real estate agent himself. As it turns out, it’s been the perfect fit.

A Business is Born

Brad was licensed in 1994, launching his real estate career at the age of 21. He worked alongside his father, sharing ideas and gaining knowledge about the business until his dad’s retirement in 2005. In the meantime, Brad developed a robust investment portfolio by using his license to buy, sell, and flip homes.

By 2008, Brad was flying. He had recently met his wife, Marissa, and his investment business was soaring. And then, it all fell apart. The economy crumbled, and the real estate market fell along with it.

“I got caught holding the bag, and it completely devastated us financially. We were so poor we couldn’t pay attention. It was terrible,” Brad says humbly.

At that point, Brad had a realization: He had been on a real estate island, and it cost him. He wasn’t involved in community activities, engaging with other agents, or attending networking events.

Fun Fact

Brad is a pilot, and he took Marissa on their first date on his airplane. His daughter, Caroline, is following in his footsteps, having recently begun her career as a commercial airline pilot.

“A friend called me and asked to go to lunch. He talked me into going to a Mega Agent Camp for KW. I went, and I was mindblown by how much I didn’t know,” Brad explains. “I came back inspired. I told Marissa I wanted to join Keller Williams and revamp everything.”

Marissa had her doubts, but Brad went ahead with his plan, joining Keller Williams in 2009 and rebuilding his business from scratch. Marissa eventually rejoined him as a REALTOR®, and they began growing a team in 2011. As the market recovered, their business took off.

Built on Values

Today, the Benat Team Family of Realtors with eXp Realty is a small team of four agents and an admin. They closed 47 transactions for $25 million in 2022.

Brad’s team is built on culture and values. They lead with a servant’s heart. They are always trying to learn. Transparency and integrity are non-negotiable. They are humble and coachable. Perhaps most importantly, they enjoy laughing and having fun.

“We care. We care about our clients just like we would family. We treat everyone not as a number but as a person and as our family. We want the best for them,” Brad says.

JEMI

SHAPED BY HER PAST

KHAN

inspirational agent

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Cruz Acevedo, StudioUSA

Before, I didn’t have anything. Now, I own multiple properties. I have a good family, a great husband and kid, and my clients have become like family.

Jemi Khan is a globetrotter of sorts, having lived in Dhaka, Bangladesh, the United States, and Australia. Her global cultural experiences have shaped her into the unique person she is today, allowing her to bring the best of her experiences to her life and career. While Jemi has lived on three different continents in three distinct cultures, she has never felt more at home than she does in Dallas.

Right at Home in Dallas

Jemi has been profoundly shaped by her past. She was born and raised in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh and the sixth-largest city in the world. Her father had a dream of a better life in the US, so he moved to Florida in the mid-’90s to lay the foundation, leaving his two daughters and wife back home in Bangladesh.

Things were looking up for Jemi and her family. Her father’s business was going well, and her immigration

paperwork was nearly processed. And then, tragedy struck. Jemi’s father was killed during a late-night robbery.

“I was really young at the time. I remember his body was brought back home to Bangladesh, and thank god our processing went through,” Jemi reflects. “So me and my sister, who is four years older than me, were able to come [to the United States].”

Jemi, just 12 years old, had never before stepped foot in the US. Her mother stayed back in Bangladesh while Jemi and her sister went to live with family on Long Island.

“I was so young, and I had a vacant brain at the time,” Jemi recalls. “For my sister, she had a bigger grasp of what was happening. We were in a new location, a new culture, but I was just going with the flow. All the bad things didn’t touch me because my sister shielded me. She basically became my guardian.”

Jemi eventually followed her sister to Dallas. She would later spend a five-year stint in Australia, but Dallas became her true home.

“Everything just lined up for me in Dallas. There is so much space here in Texas. My family is here now. My friends are here. It’s become home.”

A Real Estate Success Story

Professionally, Jemi took an early liking to sales. Before launching her real estate career in 2013, she worked in retail sales.

“When the market had a big shift around 2008, everybody was getting laid off. I personally wanted to get a piece of Texas at that time and was able to get a house, the first house I bought in Texas,” Jemi reflects.

“During that process, I realized I wanted to help facilitate home buying and selling for others.”

I appreciate everything.

It took another five years for Jemi to get her license and launch her career. Once she did, she knew she had found her calling.

Fast forward ten years, and she is one of North Dallas’ top agents. As a solo agent with OnDemand Realty, Jemi closed 70 transactions for over $24 million in 2022 (rentals and sales combined).

Jemi’s diverse cultural background is one of her greatest assets, allowing her to connect with people from various walks of life. She also leans into the values she learned growing up in Bangladesh. Her work ethic is second to none.

“I don’t chase transactions. I chase the relationship. I don’t spend a single dollar on marketing. Every client comes in via word of mouth,” Jemi says. “And I work a crazy amount of hours. I have stamina. When my child was born, the day I was in the hospital giving birth, I worked that day. After I was released, I went to a closing. That is one of my strengths. My other strength is my family. I have a massive support system.”

Living in Gratitude

Jemi and her husband, Obaidullah Al Obedi, have a nearly three-yearold son, Tawab Al Obedi. They enjoy taking vacations, traveling back to Bangladesh, and giving back to charity. They spend most of their three weeks per year in Bangladesh serving at a local orphanage. Jemi also has a passion for food and cooking.

From Bangladesh across an ocean to Dallas, Jemi has lived a varied life that has shaped her into the person she’s become. She’s seen and experienced a lot — good and bad — and that’s left her with a sense of deep gratitude for the life she now lives.

“I am so grateful for my current circumstances, everything together — my family, my financial stability,” Jemi says. “Before, I didn’t have anything. Now, I own multiple properties. I have a good family, a great husband and kid, and my clients have become like family. I appreciate everything.”

Written by: Zachary Cohen

Photos by: Cruz Acevedo, StudioUSA

Sowieja Ann agent feature

Lessons Learned from the Golf Course

At first glance, one may not see the connection between professional golf and real estate. However, Ann Sowieja, who has built long and successful careers in each field, sees the similarities. Her role as a golf professional was the perfect first act to what has now become a two-decades long real estate career.

“I’ve been very fortunate to have chosen two careers that have been fulfilling and can be meshed together,” she says. “Both can be extremely rewarding, or painful and agonizing, and frustrating. In golf, it’s you and the course, and in real estate, it’s you and the client. In golf, you hit one good shot, and you come back for more. In real estate, you sell one house and come back for more. Both careers have fundamentals to master — the grip, stance, and alignment in golf. In real estate, we have the fundamentals of building relationships, networking, and goal setting.”

“It is important to learn from the losses, as well as the wins, and focus on the little things that lead to the bigger things. In both, you have to have the passion. Both are a way of life.”

THE GOLF YEARS

Born and raised in Minnesota, Ann found her way to Texas in 1986.

“You can’t really play golf year-round in Minnesota,” she laughs. “I knew I wanted to be in the golf business, and I knew I wanted to be in Dallas.”

After a four-year stint playing professionally on the WPGT and three years in Fort Myers, Florida, where she was mentored by Patty Berg, the cofounder of the LPGA, Ann moved to Dallas.

“I became fascinated with the golf swing and realized I loved teaching. I had more fun watching beginners make their first par than a professional make under par,” she reflects.

Ann landed at Chase Oaks Golf Club, a public course where she spent the next 15 years as the PGA Class A Head Professional and General Manager. She was fortunate to oversee the growth of the course and meet fascinating people from all walks of life, including professional golfers and athletes, movie stars, and businesspeople.

THE SECOND ACT

When the course changed ownership in the early 2000s, Ann sensed it was time for a change. As she considered her next move, real estate rose to the surface.

“My mom was a 28-year REALTOR® in Minnesota. I had a conversation with her, and she said, ‘Why don’t you get your real estate license?’ I saw it made a lot of sense. The two careers are a lot alike, and the lessons I learned in golf have really helped me in real estate.”

As a golf professional, Ann developed a love for connecting with others and hearing their stories. That’s become one of her biggest strengths in real estate, allowing her to become one of Dallas’ top agents.

FUN FACT

Ann played professional golf for four years. She played throughout Southeast Asia and had some amazing (and funny) experiences. “I watched my caddy chase a cobra with a six iron, almost got arrested for pouring orange juice on a curb in Singapore, and played golf with a princess and dined at the palace with the king of Malaysia.”

In 2022, she closed 24 deals for $14.2 million as a solo agent with Monument Realty Group. She attributes much of her success to a mastermind group of seven top-producing Monument agents, who make the time to give support and advice.

“I try to build deep connections with people,” Ann says. “That has always been a passion of mine, and real estate provides me with that opportunity. I want my clients to be treated like people, not a number, and I think my clients see that. There’s nothing that brings me more joy than being a part of people’s journeys through life.”

Twenty years into her real estate career, Ann couldn’t be happier with where she is. She loves the culture of her brokerage, which promotes positivity, productivity, and professionalism. Now that Monument Realty has been named the Title Sponsor of the PGA District at PGA Frisco, her two worlds have truly collided.

Most importantly, Ann loves working with clients. She’s committed to their success, which has in turn led to success for her, too.

“I want my clients to know that I’m always there for them, that I’ll be a person who always makes time to give support and advice. I hope they realize I’m an encourager and a pillar of strength when I need to be.”

IS YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA COSTING YOU CLIENTS?

IS YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA COSTING YOU CLIENTS?

IS YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA COSTING YOU CLIENTS?

ccar: in the know

Written by: By Bri Westbury, Greater Collin County Area REALTORS® Director of Communications

Social media has revolutionized the way real estate professionals connect with potential clients. In today’s digital age, social media has become crucial for real estate professionals to promote their brand, engage with clients, and increase their reach. Social Media Coach Kyle Draper explains:

“It doesn’t matter what we say because, in the snap of my fingers, I can pull my phone out and then be on social. And if you look like you suck online, it doesn’t really matter if you’re awesome in real life.”

Here are some tips for real estate professionals to grow their presence on social media and leverage it for success:

• Show Up: The first step to social media success is to be present. This means having an active profile on the platforms where your audience spends their time. It’s not enough to simply create a profile and forget about it. Consistency is key, so make sure to post regularly and engage with your followers.

• Video: Video content has become increasingly popular on social media platforms. Real estate professionals should get comfortable with creating videos. Videos can be used to showcase products, provide helpful tips, or offer behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business.

• Engage: Social media is a two-way street. It’s not enough to simply post content and hope people engage with it. Instead, prioritize engaging with your audience by commenting on posts, replying to stories, and answering questions. Draper encourages his client to use the 10, 10, 10 principle. The 10-1010 principle is a useful guideline for engaging with your audience: spend 10 minutes daily on your favorite platform, comment on 10 posts, and reply to 10 people’s stories.

• Measure Success: It’s easy to get caught up in vanity metrics like views and likes, but these don’t always translate to real engagement or business success. Instead, businesses should focus on measuring engagement metrics like comments, shares, and clicks. By tracking these metrics, real estate professionals can gain insight into what content resonates with their audience and adjust their strategy accordingly.

• Visual Identity: Finally, businesses should take the time to define their visual identity on social media. This means thinking about who they want to serve. By understanding their target audience, businesses can create content that speaks directly to them and attracts their attention.

In conclusion, social media has become essential for real estate professionals looking to connect with their customers and grow their brand. By following these tips, businesses can increase their presence on social media, engage with their audience, and ultimately achieve greater success. As Kyle Draper said, “It’s so important to have some sort of presence there.”

Listen to Welcome to the Top’s recent episode with Social Media Coach Kyle Draper for more tips to harness the power of social media for the good, not bad, but sometimes ugly.

North Dallas Real Producers First & Only,

EXCLUSIVE SOCIAL EVENT OF 2023 event recap

Our North Dallas Real Producers first, and only, social event of 2023 was highly anticipated and went amazingly! With over 200 of the best real estate agents and most highly recommended businesses in North Dallas in attendance, taking place on the 2nd level of City Works at the Star in Frisco, the event was certainly one to remember.

We have changed up our event structure a bit over the years as we have expanded across DFW. Although this was the only social style event specific to the North Dallas RP Community this

year, there will also be a North Dallas Masterclass coming this September! That event will have education along with the opportunity for networking, as well. We also have some events that are combined between the four Real Producers Markets in DFW. A DFW Real Producers Masterclass is coming up June 16th along with the ESPE Awards this November. So, if you missed this event, there are still a few opportunities for you this year!

I would like to give a huge shout out to all of our RP Vetted Businesses and a special thank you to our event sponsors: Cristi Sliter with iTrip, Scott Winn with DIGG Foundation, and Shaddock Homes.

Thanks to each and every one of you for making Real Producers the most elite real estate community in DFW.

See you at the next event!

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

Want a copy of your article or full magazines that you were featured in?

REPRINTS!

What the heck is a reprint? A reprint is a four-page, magazine-quality-grade paper with your full article and photos featuring 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.

• Send 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 IN 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® who was featured, the broker or family. Anyone who wants to promote you.

HOW DO I ORDER?

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