LAUREN KERSCHEN
Redefining the Agent Experience
TAMI ELLIS
Calm in the Eye of the Storm
MICHELLE LESIKAR
Starting Over. Standing Strong.
KRIS SVENDSEN OF VIKING INSPECTIONS
Clarity Over Uncertainty
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!
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ROOFING
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PROCO
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TITLE COMPANY
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Patten Title Company - Ft. Worth (817) 435-2035 PattenTitle.com
Texas Secure Title (817) 519-8800 texassecuretitle.com
VIDEOGRAPHY/PHOTOGRAPHY
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In conversations with top agents, one theme comes up again and again. When it comes to the businesses they choose to work with, trust is not optional. It is everything.
The right partners do more than help close transactions. They protect relationships. They communicate clearly. They solve problems before they become problems. They understand that every deal carries a client’s finances, future, and reputation with it. That is the standard.
Real estate has never been a solo sport. The strongest agents build strong teams around them, and the strongest
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Every RP Preferred Partner has been intentionally vetted and selected to align with the standards of this community. They are not here by accident. They are here because they meet the level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment expected by top-producing agents.
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Lauren Kerschen did not stumble into real estate by accident. Her path has shaped a career that is as much about people as it is about performance. As the team lead and owner of DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group, Lauren is quickly earning recognition as a rising force in the Fort Worth market, not just for her production, but for the way she is reshaping what it means to be a real estate agent and a leader.
Born and raised in DFW, Lauren’s roots run deep. She attended St. Rita’s Catholic School, Nolan Catholic High School, and later TCU, where she double majored in marketing and supply chain management, graduating in 2008. Her early life was marked by constant movement. “Growing up, we moved a lot,” she says. “We would go to open houses on the weekends just for fun.” That exposure, paired with a father who was a serial entrepreneur, planted an early seed. “I got that business-building bug from him,” she recalls.
Lauren initially followed a corporate path, spending 14 years in supply chain strategy. She earned a Six Sigma Black Belt in Continuous Improvement and worked with companies like E-Z-GO Golf Cars, Bell Helicopter, Pier 1, and Sally’s Beauty Supply. The work sharpened her analytical thinking and taught her how systems, efficiency, and leadership intersect. Yet, despite the success, something was missing.
In July 2021, she made a bold decision: ending her corporate career to step into real estate. The influence was personal and practical. Her motherin-law, a real estate agent of nearly 30 years, offered a front-row seat to what a real estate business could truly become. “I saw what she was doing and thought I would really enjoy building a business like that for myself,” Lauren says.
The early days were humbling. “I remember thinking that getting my license did NOT mean I knew how to do the job at all,” she admits. Mentorship and training became her foundation, and she leaned fully into learning. By her second year, she had become a mentor herself at her brokerage, an early sign of where her heart truly lies. “I am very passionate about helping agents who feel unsure of what to do and isolated with trying to build a business all alone,” she explains. “That is why I started the team after only a few years in the business.”
That passion would become the heartbeat of DFW’s Finest Real Estate Group, founded in December 2023. Lauren has a clear conviction: most agents don’t fail
I want to serve every client with honesty, professionalism, and exceptional communication
because they lack talent; they fail because they lack clarity and consistency. “Solo agents struggle with isolation, vague advice, and months of unpredictable income,” she says. “That is the real reason so many quit. I truly believe that the right team is the solution to that.”
Her vision extends beyond agents to the clients they serve. Lauren is deeply motivated to influence the public perception of real estate agents for the better. “I want to improve the public’s perception of REALTORS® by providing the highest level of transparency throughout the whole process,” she shares. Even in difficult moments, communication is non-negotiable. Her goal is to deliver a consistently elevated experience.
“More than once I have had clients in listing presentations actually say, ‘wow,’” she says. “And that is the level I seek to achieve.”
Her definition of success has evolved alongside that mission. “I want to serve every client with honesty, professionalism, and exceptional communication,” she explains. For Lauren, success now means leading with transparency, even when conversations are tough, and protecting clients’ interests above her own. That philosophy has translated into results: a career volume of almost $25 million, nearly $11.8 million in the last 12 months alone, and a pipeline that reflects steady momentum.
Recognition has followed. Lauren has been named a top 250 agent by Real Producers, an Apple News Top 10 Most Trusted Real Estate Agent in Texas, honored as one of Arlington’s 40 Under 40, received the Arlington Board of REALTORS® Pacesetter Award two years in a row, and been featured across Apple News, CEO Magazine, and Arlington Today. Yet her motivation remains grounded. “Financial security for my team and my family,” she says. “My reputation. Pride of ownership. And providing a better option for agents who feel isolated.”
Her resilience is rooted in lived experience. Within a span of four years, Lauren lost both parents, endured two traumatic pregnancies and births, and confronted her own health challenges. Long before that, she had faced another abrupt pivot: an injury during her first year at TCU that ended her dream of becoming a professional ballet dancer. Each chapter required reinvention. “I realized how unhealthy I was and that we don’t live forever,” she says. One intentional step at a time, she rebuilt her health, losing 70 pounds and reclaiming her longevity. That same discipline shows up in how she leads today.
Outside of real estate, Lauren is a soloist in her church choir, a former ballerina who still dances, a purple belt in Taekwondo alongside her kids, and an avid reader, reading 115 books this year alone. Above all, she wants her children to witness what consistency and integrity look like in action. “I want my kids to see what hard work looks like,” she says.
As a rising star, Lauren Kerschen is not chasing growth for growth’s sake. She is building something intentional, rooted in transparency, elevated service, and the belief that no agent should have to build a career alone. In doing so, she is quietly, confidently redefining what excellence in real estate can look like.
Stephen Reich doesn’t try to dress things up. When asked to sum himself up, his response is “I don’t know… I sell real estate and play with cows.” It’s a line that feels almost too simple for someone whose career volume is approaching the billion-dollar mark, whose name regularly appears among top producers, and whose reputation in the Fort Worth market is built on instinct and an uncanny ability to make deals work when others can’t. But that straightforward honesty is exactly what defines Stephen, both as a person and as a professional.
Growing up south of the small town of Cisco, Texas, Stephen was raised in an environment where work wasn’t optional and effort didn’t have an expiration time. He attended Tarleton State University and carried with him a strong work ethic that would later become the backbone of his real estate career. “A job didn’t end at 5:00,” he explains. “It ended when you completed it.” That mindset would prove invaluable in an industry where no two days—or deals—are ever the same.
Before real estate, Stephen spent 13 years as an insurance agent. But before that, shortly after graduating college while working a retail job, he met a local broker that first sparked his interest in real estate. Conversations turned into curiosity, and curiosity slowly evolved into conviction. “The more I talked with him, the more the industry intrigued me,” Stephen recalls. When he finally asked if the broker would hire him, the answer came with a warning he’s never forgotten: “He said sure, but I needed to be able to live for three years without ever making a dime.”
Stephen took the leap anyway.
Years later, Stephen first began his real estate career in 2008, a time when the industry offered
little forgiveness. His first broker ran what Stephen describes as a true “one-man show.” There were no systems, no support staff, no safety net. “If I had a question, he wouldn’t answer it,” Stephen says. “Instead of answering it, he told me where to go find the answer.” There was no marketing team, no transaction coordinator, no IT help. Just an older man who believed learning meant figuring it out yourself.
That early struggle left a permanent mark. “My start was probably the biggest challenge, but it has made me who I am,” Stephen admits. Being forced to dig for answers, to learn the hard way, created a deep understanding of the business that can’t be replicated in a classroom. Looking back, he wouldn’t change a thing. “I truly believe it shaped me into who I am today.”
What keeps Stephen energized after nearly 18 years in real estate is the challenge of making things work when no one else can. “I love the challenge of figuring out how to make deals work when everyone else has thrown up their hands,” he says. Despite a full calendar, Stephen never knowing what the day will bring is exactly how he likes it. Like the day he got a phone call from Taylor Sheridan, producer of hit television shows like
the deal,” Stephen explains. Strategy, negotiation, instinct, and timing all collide in real estate, and that intersection is where he thrives. Every transaction is different, and that constant variation keeps him engaged year after year.
That one call from Taylor Sheridan, however, still stands out above the rest. “The day he called was the moment that opened doors I never expected,” Stephen says without hesitation, “offering opportunities that reshaped my life and career.”
“BOTH PROFESSIONALLY & PERSONALLY… I AM MOTIVATED BY THE ART OF THE DEAL.”
Yellowstone and 1923, and the small part of a real estate agent that followed in a couple of episodes of Landman. For Stephen, real estate is less about routine and more about the opportunity that’s presented or challenge that needs to be solved.
His definition of success reflects that mindset. “Success to me is getting deals done,” he says plainly. Sometimes it’s the smallest transactions that deliver the greatest satisfaction. While his business has grown to the point where annual volume hovers near $100 million, Stephen admits that the pace can make it harder to pause and celebrate wins the way he once did. Still, the motivation remains unchanged: face the challenge and get the win.
That drive has earned him recognition across the industry. Handling mostly farm and ranch real estate today, Stephen has been named a top producer multiple times and holds membership in the Ebby Halliday 1% Club, an honor he doesn’t take lightly. Even so, he shrugs off accolades with the same humility that defines his approach to life.
At the core of it all is “the deal.” “Both professionally and personally… I am motivated by the art of
Outside the office, Stephen is exactly who he says he is. Farming and ranching aren’t hobbies; they’re a way of life. He still works with cattle and enjoys the anticipation of breeding livestock. “It’s fun when you breed cows and then wait nine months to see what the offspring will look like,” he says. “And baby calves are so much fun to watch!” A friend once summed him up perfectly: “We don’t just watch them Sunday Westerns; we live ’em.”
That authenticity also gives Stephen a unique advantage in real estate. He effortlessly bridges the gap between country-minded sellers and sophisticated city buyers. “You have to be wellrounded,” he explains, “to make the country-minded people trust you, while having the sophisticated, city buyer realize you actually know what you’re doing.”
As he approaches 50, Stephen admits he’s starting to think about things he never did before, like legacy. “I’ve always run full steam ahead never contemplating getting old,” he says. Now, that reflection is beginning to take shape. For this year, his focus is firmly on his team. “My main goal is to give everyone on my team the tools and assistance they need to meet their real estate goals.” Watching others succeed, he says, is deeply rewarding.
And his advice to those coming up behind him? It’s classic Stephen: “Answer your darn telephone!” He’s seen firsthand how missed calls cost deals. “It is not a characteristic of the Real Producers.”
In the end, Stephen Reich isn’t interested in polish or pretense. You get what you see with him, whether it’s a farm and ranch deal or a part on the small screen. But the truth is, there’s nothing to embellish. He sells real estate. He plays with cows. And he’s building a legacy to be proud of.
On any given day in North Texas, a real estate transaction hinges on trust. Not just between buyer and seller, but between the professionals guiding them through one of the largest financial decisions of their lives. For Kris Svendsen, owner of Viking Inspections, that responsibility is personal. After 13 years in the inspection industry, he has built a business rooted in one defining belief: “We don’t just inspect; we illuminate the full picture so our clients can move forward with peace of mind.”
Kris’s path to entrepreneurship didn’t follow a straight line—but every step prepared him for where he is today. Born and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, and proudly half Norwegian, the “Viking” name is more than branding—it’s heritage. Texas, however, has long been home. “I’ve been in
Texas since 1981, so after more than four decades here, I very much consider myself a Texan,” he says.
Early on, Kris realized college wasn’t the right fit. Instead, he found his stride in information technology, where he spent the majority of his professional career.
Alongside IT, he nurtured a love for woodworking— working with his hands, solving problems, and understanding how things are built. That curiosity eventually turned into a small remodeling business, where homes became more than structures; they became systems. “That hands-on experience with homes naturally led me to start Viking Inspections in 2012,” he explains.
From the beginning, Viking Inspections was designed to remove stress from the transaction—not add to it. Serving residential and commercial clients across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the company offers a comprehensive suite of services under one roof. Structural and foundation evaluations, mold and air quality testing,
thermal imaging, sewer line camera inspections, solar panel assessments, termite inspections, pool and spa evaluations—everything designed to answer questions before they become problems.
“What truly sets Viking Inspections apart is our unwavering commitment to removing uncertainty from the real estate transaction,” Kris says. That philosophy is summed up in the company’s guiding principle: Clarity Over Uncertainty. It’s more than a tagline—it’s how the business operates. Reports are clear, visual, and actionable. Communication is straightforward. Education is constant.
That approach has made Viking Inspections a trusted partner for top-producing agents across DFW. Kris is clear about why. “Topproducing agents choose us as their secret weapon because we’re not just inspectors—we’re the seamless extension of their elite sales process,” he says. By delivering client-ready reports that help agents anticipate objections and guide conversations, Viking Inspections doesn’t slow deals down—it helps move them forward with confidence.
That ability to integrate seamlessly into an agent’s workflow didn’t happen by accident. Kris credits mindset and perseverance as the foundation of his success. “Success comes from doing what others won’t—pushing through obstacles and persevering when reality hits hard,” he says. Like many entrepreneurs, he learned early that building something
meaningful requires stamina. Mentors played a critical role, reinforcing the importance of resilience and execution. One quote continues to guide him: “Those who implement, win.”
Momentum is what fuels him. “I’m most passionate about the chase—the constant drive to improve and grow,” Kris shares. Whether it’s launching a new service, refining a process, or expanding systems, forward motion is the goal. That mindset extends beyond Viking Inspections.
Today, Kris owns three businesses—Viking Inspections, Viking Tool Supply, and Bugzilla Pest Control—with a clear vision for each. “My big goal is to bring each of them to the level I’ve always envisioned: stronger systems, broader impact, happier teams, and even greater value for our clients.”
Outside of work, Kris’s curiosity doesn’t slow down—it just shifts focus. Every day includes a game of chess, a mental exercise he enjoys for its strategy and patience. He also spends
“Whenever possible, I spend time in our outdoor kitchen by the pool. IT’S MY HAPPY PLACE.”
time repairing electronics, drawn to the satisfaction of diagnosing and fixing problems. Science and space content fill his downtime as
well, feeding his fascination with how the world—and universe—works.
But his true escape is found closer to home, in his outdoor kitchen.
“Cooking—it’s my true passion and escape,” he says. Smoking briskets, pork, and ribs, reverse-engineering restaurant dishes, and experimenting with flavors is where Kris unwinds.
“Whenever possible, I spend time in our outdoor kitchen by the pool. It’s my happy place and the perfect way to recharge.” That same patience, attention to detail, and love of process show up in his work—whether he’s perfecting a brisket or finetuning an inspection report.
Looking ahead, Kris’s mantra comes from Tony Horton: Keep pushing play. It’s a reminder that progress is built through consistent action.
“There’s so much I want to
uncertainty can derail even the strongest deal, Kris Svendsen has built Viking Inspections as a steady presence—one that supports agents, educates clients, and proves that when clarity leads the way, confidence always follows.
BY LES MCGEHEE
Please read this before you bring another one home.
In real estate, we talk a lot about individuals — hustle, drive, motivation. But real estate agents don’t live in isolation. They live inside an ecosystem. And when ecosystems fail, it’s rarely because the living things inside them didn’t try hard enough. It’s because something essential stopped circulating.
In a brokerage ecosystem, education is nourishment. It’s what turns a license into judgment, effort into income, and experience into stability. When education flows properly, new agents survive long enough to contribute, veteran producers remain strong, and the business generates healthy momentum. When it doesn’t, the ecosystem weakens quietly — until something precious is lost.
Out of respect for the departed, let’s give the frog a name. We’ll call him Hoppy.
Hoppy lived in a terrarium that looked fine at first glance. There was water. There were plants. There was light. And yet, Hoppy didn’t make it. Not because he wasn’t resilient. Not because he didn’t belong there. Hoppy died because the system stopped supporting life the way it needed to.
That’s what happens in brokerages.
Growth follows a simple equation:
Recruitment + Retention = Net Agent Growth. Brokerages want more Realtors. They value new relationships. They welcome growth. But when education becomes thin, generic, or disconnected from real needs, new agents struggle to survive early. Veteran agents feel ignored. Complaints increase. Burnout appears. The system becomes reactive instead of supportive.
The Brokerage Ecosystem
Healthy brokerages treat education as a circulating system, not a calendar of events. Learning flows in, skills strengthen locally, business activity increases, and revenue stays in the ecosystem — reinvested into better support, better education, and better outcomes. When that loop stays intact, everyone benefits.
When it breaks, costs shift. Managers spend time fixing preventable issues. Culture tightens. Momentum slows. And sometimes, a beloved part of the system disappears.
Hoppy didn’t die because he wasn’t wanted.
Hoppy died because the ecosystem no longer supported life. Even then, he lived for a little while, cough, bet then, cough cough, well, you know the rest.
Brokerages don’t need every agent.
Feed the system intentionally Align education to real, local needs through collaboration between brokerages, associations, and MLSs.
Protect early growth
Support new professionals with learning that helps them survive early — not just comply.
Respect maturity
Veteran professionals need education that honors judgment and leadership.
Watch the signals Complaints and burnout are feedback from the ecosystem, not nuisances.
Keep investment local Healthy ecosystems circulate money, skills, and trust where they are created.
They need ecosystems that can support the ones they already have — and the ones they hope to welcome next.
Fix the circulation, and growth becomes sustainable.
Ignore it, and loss becomes predictable.
Les McGehee President & Chief Education Strategist,
Rialto Academy
les@rialtoacademy.com
Author, Plays Well With Others
WRITTEN BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN • PHOTOS BY DESIREE ROBERTS PHOTOGRAPHY
There are moments in life when the path ahead is clear, and others when you step forward simply because standing still isn’t an option. For Michelle Lesikar, real estate has been a journey marked by both. With more than two decades in the industry and nearly 18 years as a licensed real estate agent, Michelle’s story isn’t about overnight success. It’s about the quiet determination to keep moving forward, even when the ground shifts beneath you.
“I don’t know…this feels totally weird talking about myself for this long!” Michelle admits with a laugh. But her story, with years of experience and personal growth, is one worth telling.
Michelle has lived in almost every corner of Texas, from Midland—where she and her husband, Jerry, raised their children for 17 years—to the Fort Worth area, which they’ve proudly called home since early 2021. Married for 36 years, the two are now enjoying life as empty nesters, with one child in Colorado and the other in Dallas. “We are a tight knit family and love to spend time together,” she shares. Their bond, rooted in faith and shared values, has been a constant source of strength throughout Michelle’s career. “We also enjoy attending our church in Grapevine, as God is the main focus in our lives.”
Long before real estate entered the picture, Michelle built a diverse professional background that would quietly prepare her for the industry. She worked everywhere from a district attorney’s office to insurance bonds, and even the fuel department for North and Central Americas at British Airways—an experience she still calls one of her favorites. “I had never flown on a plane when I applied,” she recalls. Soon, she found herself traveling regularly between Houston and London, gaining exposure to oil and gas markets, futures, and the New York Stock Exchange. “This also introduced me to the world of oil and gas, which helped me in my REALTOR® role in Midland, which came several years later.”
Her entry into real estate came unexpectedly in 2004. While shopping for a home due to Jerry’s job transfer, Michelle caught the attention of a high-energy, top-producing agent. “She liked my ‘Type A personality’ and hired me to work with her buyers in the office,” Michelle says. With a threeyear-old at home, flexibility mattered—and the opportunity felt right. Then came the trial by fire. “Right after hiring me, she left town for three weeks. I knew nothing about real estate aside from buying and selling personal homes!” With no safety net, Michelle jumped in and figured it out. Three years later, she was on her own.
When Michelle officially earned her license in 2007, the timing couldn’t have been tougher. “That was a down
time in this industry! Things just seemed to get worse and worse, and I thought, what in the world have I done?!!” Faith became her anchor. “I did a LOT of praying, and a lot of continuing to push through it, and made it.” That season shaped her outlook forever. “It taught me to never give up…If God is in it, it will work out.”
Helping others is what fuels her work today— clients and agents alike. She remembers how overwhelming those early days felt and how one agent stepped in to guide her through the uncertainty. “I like to pass that on,” she says. With clients, the connection runs even deeper. “I feel like they become family, and my family just keeps growing.” Whether it’s guiding a transaction or simply answering questions, Michelle values education and trust above all else.
Perhaps the defining chapter of her career came much later—starting over. After 17 successful years in Midland, where she worked her way up to being one of the top agents in her office, COVID brought challenges unique to the oil-dependent market. Then came a move to Fort Worth. “I was ‘starting over’ at an age that was very difficult, and no contacts, friends, etc.” Still, she and Jerry pressed on. “We fought hard and worked our butts off,” she says, earning top producer recognition and the Top 500 badge for two consecutive years.
Today, Michelle’s impact reaches far beyond the closing table. As a proud agent with Williams Trew Realty, she serves as a Director on the Board of Directors for both the Greater Fort Worth Association of REALTORS® and Texas REALTORS®, sits on the Taxation Committee advocating for lower property taxes, and completed the Texas REALTORS® Leadership Program in 2023. “I love being involved and the opportunity to help at a different level,” she explains.
Her production reflects that commitment, but that’s not what defines her motivation. “I enjoy how this job is different every day. A daily new challenge, and I love a good challenge!” Looking ahead, her focus is balance, growing her business to new heights while protecting what matters most: her family.
Outside of real estate, Michelle’s interests are unexpected. She loves fast cars and dreams of learning to race, a passion sparked by growing up around engines thanks to her dad. And at the heart of her life is the family that changed everything—“When we had our daughter and adopted our son!” Her husband, also a real estate agent, is her “right hand”, and they support each other in business as well as in life.
When asked what she hopes to be remembered for, she says with sincerity, “Helping others for the right reasons…for true, honest intentions. Genuine friendships and relationships.”
Michelle Lesikar’s rise shows that perseverance that pays off. She is not just building a business; she is showing others that sometimes courage is best shown through quiet determination.
BY KATHERINE H. FONDREN
For Tami Ellis, real estate has never been about salesmanship. It has always been about guiding her clients, educating them, and helping them navigate decisions that shape their lives. After 23 years in the industry, that philosophy has remained unchanged. Instead, it has become the foundation of a career defined by trust, precision, and solving problems when things get complicated.
Tami grew up in Fort Worth, Texas, and her path to real estate was a winding one. Early in her career, she worked as a flight attendant for Continental Airlines, an experience that taught her adaptability and the art of caring for people from all walks of life. She later spent a decade working full time at Fort Worth Mortgage Corporation while attending night school at TCU, where she earned her degree in finance real estate. “I wanted to be a real estate attorney,” she recalls, already drawn to the structure, details, and responsibility tied to property and finance.
Before stepping fully into real estate, Tami’s primary role was being a mom to her “miracle daughter,” Elizabeth, and wife to her late husband. During that season, Tami worked at Montessori Children’s House, where Elizabeth attended school, staying close to family while quietly building the foundation for what would come next.
In 2003, everything clicked. Within the span of two months, Tami ran into two friends—Tracey Pritchard and Jane Shryock Adams—both successful real estate agents. Independently, they told her the same thing: “You would be a great REALTOR®.” At the time, it struck a chord. “I knew I LOVE people and my degree is in finance real estate, so maybe I should look into being a REALTOR®,” she says. That simple encouragement sparked a career that now spans more than two decades with Berkshire
Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties.
The early years were not glamorous. Tami spent nearly two years making weekly visits to senior communities, attending meetings with professionals who worked closely with older adults, and educating herself on probate, wills, and estates. She left popcorn with her business card, took countless classes, and waited patiently. Then came the call she still remembers vividly. “Finally, I received a call from a seller saying she wanted to sell her house—could I come by for an interview. I’ll never forget that meeting.” It wasn’t just her first real opportunity; it was confirmation that persistence and preparation matter.
Today, Tami is both a Seniors’ Real Estate Specialist and a supervisor in her office— roles that align perfectly with her strengths. What excites her most hasn’t changed. “Working with people so they understand the process 100%, pricing a home perfectly to sell immediately but receive top dollar, and all of the
challenges along the way that help me learn and build my knowledge to be better.” Education sits at the center of everything she does, especially when it comes to pricing. Her numbers speak for themselves: a 98.7% listprice-to-sold-price average over 23 years.
That expertise has translated into results. Tami closed nearly $9.75 million in volume last year and more than $77 million over her career. She has earned Chairman’s Circle, President’s Circle, Top 10, and Top Producer honors— but the recognition she values most is an award called “Calm in the Eye of the Storm.” It reflects what clients and fellow agents consistently experience: When a transaction becomes challenging, Tami becomes the steady presence who finds a way forward. She treasures handwritten notes from fellow agents and clients alike, thanking her for stepping in, offering clarity, and helping everyone reach the finish line.
All this would not be possible without her business partner, Rachael Mireles, who has supported and encouraged her most of her career. “We have worked together for 19 years, and now she is my branch manager,” says Tami.
One story still brings her to tears. Years ago, she worked with a family relocating from New Jersey who desperately wanted their children in a specific elementary school. They toured countless homes. While Tami was on vacation, they found what they believed was “the PERFECT home.” She wrote the contract from afar. At the closing table, the school zoning came up—and it wasn’t the one they wanted. “I honestly thought I would pass out,” she says. The husband called his wife, expecting panic. Instead, she calmly replied, “It is what it is, we will figure it out.” Tami still keeps in touch with the family today. “Bottom line,” she says, “pay attention to detail even when on vacation.”
When asked to define success, Tami doesn’t give a single answer—she gives three. “Success is making a property active and multiple buyers wanting to purchase. Success is finding the perfect home for a buyer. Success is buyers and sellers walking away at closing and everyone is happy.” It’s a definition rooted not in awards, but in outcomes.
Her motivation today remains deeply personal. “Educating people so they understand everything about buying or selling a house,” she says. “I always want to learn about our industry and listen to all viewpoints, never thinking I know everything.” As a supervisor,
she thrives on helping others find solutions. “Solving a problem or an issue makes us all smarter.”
That mindset extends to her goals. This year, Tami is focused on educating homeowners, especially seniors, about property tax exemptions. “I witness too many people that are not aware of the 65+ exemption,” she explains, determined to close that knowledge gap.
Perhaps the most telling insight into Tami’s career comes from her late husband. When she first said she wanted to be a real estate agent, he told her, “You are not a salesperson, you are too nice.” She smiles at the memory. “I never thought of myself as a salesperson. I am an educator and a person to help you find the perfect house or make top dollar on the sale of your home.” He has remained her balance ever since.
Outside of work, Tami finds joy in family—daughter Elizabeth and her husband, Jason Stading—travel, hiking, animals, and working in her yard. But when asked what she wants to be remembered for, her answer returns to the same themes that have defined her career. “My clients and REALTORS® enjoyed working with me because I was honest and fun to work with. I’m always positive—no matter the problem, there is always a solution.”
After 23 years, Tami Ellis continues to prove that real estate done right isn’t loud. It’s thoughtful, steady, and built on education—calmly guiding people through the storm until they’re safely home.
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Real Producers Magazine is a national franchise that started in Indianapolis in 2015 and is now in over 130 markets across the nation and continues to spread rapidly. DFW has four Real Producers Communities: North Dallas, Dallas, North Fort Worth, and Fort Worth Real Producers.
Q: What is the goal of Real Producers?
A: We believe that we are better together. When we surround ourselves with other successful, like-minded people, we grow to new heights. Real Producers is a platform that brings together the most elite individuals in DFW real estate. We take the highest producing real estate agents, and RP-vetted businesses in every market, and build an exclusive community around that group. We share their stories, successes, upcoming events, and educate –really anything that will connect, inform and inspire, we put in our monthly publication.
At Real Producers, we believe we are one person, one conversation, or one idea away from everything in our business and life changing. With this powerhouse community, it happens all the time.
Q: How do you become a Real Producers Top Agent?
A: In all of DFW, there are roughly 60,000 licensed agents, meaning there are ~15,000 agents in each of our four communities. Agents are ranked by yearly MLS sales volume, and only the Top 1,000 earn Real Producers Top Agent status, placing them among the top 6 percent in their market.
Q: Who receives Real Producers Magazine?
A: The Top 1000 agents in each community will receive the digital magazine for the year. The Top 500 agents will also receive the magazine physically to their mailbox. Our RP Preferred Partners also receive the magazine physically and digitally.
Q: Can I be featured?
A: If you are in the Top 1000, you have the opportunity to be featured! We love nominations and take them seriously. If you’d like to be considered for a feature, or if you would like to nominate someone, you can email team@dfwrealproducers.com.
Q: What does it cost to be featured as an RP Top Agent?
A: Zero, zilch, zippo, nada, nil. How, you ask? Because of the businesses that your peers have recommended, who partner with Real Producers, and invest in this community to support you. These companies have all been recommended by top agents and have been vetted by us to ensure they are of the highest quality. So instead of you paying $5k - $10k for this feature…they cover all those costs for you! Pretty incredible, right?
Q: Does Real Producers host events?
A: Yes, we host many different events throughout the year! Some large 400-800 people, some 75-250 people, and other more intimate events that are 30-50 people. We do Social Events, Masterclass Events, and an Awards Gala. You can see quick recaps of some of our events under the “Events” tab on our website.
For our events, we invite the top 1000 real estate agents and our RP-Preferred Partners. The Top 1000 agents are allowed to invite agents on their team, as well. These events are an incredible opportunity to connect with the best in DFW real estate. It is amazing to see the power in the connection made at these events. Be on the lookout for your exclusive invites!
Q: Who are the RP Preferred Partners?
A: They are some of the best businesses in DFW in their category! You can find them listed in our index and their ad in the magazine. We don’t just find these businesses off the street, nor do we work with all businesses that approach us. Each business has come recommended by your peers, the top producing real estate agents in the market. Our team will further vet every business to make sure they are a good fit and bring value to our community. Our goal is to create a powerhouse network, not only for the best real estate agents in the area but the best businesses, as well, so we can grow stronger together.
Q: Can I nominate an agent or recommend a business?
A: Absolutely! Email your nominations and recommendations to team@dfwrealproducers.com.
