Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Fernandez.
Hi Kim, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began when I was 20 years old, studying business management and working at Olive Garden. Money was always tight. I watched my mom and siblings struggle, and I knew there had to be more to life than this. I felt closed off from the world, living life on my own.
My manager at the time, Pamela Kennedy, saw something in me. She always told me I was one of the hardest workers she’d ever met. She took a chance on me and sent me to help open a brand-new Olive Garden, training their staff. On that plane ride, all I could think was, this is going to change my life — this is my way out. I was terrified, but determined.
That’s where I learned what hard work really meant — 60+ hours a week while taking full-time online business management classes. I even spent my 21st birthday working a 10-hour shift before going back to my hotel to study for exams. Eventually, I won Employee of the Year and earned a free trip to Italy! After a while, I got promoted to manager and worked even harder.
But success came with loneliness. I was grinding non-stop, with no friends, no life outside the restaurant. One day, I saw a photo of my niece and thought, When did she grow up? How did I miss all of this? I had savings, a 401k, invested in stocks, I was about to buy my first home at 23, and my director of operations was ready to promote me to general manager. That night, I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking, Am I giving up my whole life for this restaurant? There had to be another way — a way to have both success and family.
That’s when I discovered real estate. I’d always been interested in investing, and I wanted a career that would let me be my own boss — to watch my niece grow up, be there for family cookouts, and still break the financial cycle my family had faced for generations. I thought, I sell breadsticks for a living; I can learn to sell houses too!
I knew it would be tough. Most new realtors don’t last two years, and many don’t close their first deal for months. But I believed in myself. I gave my 30-day notice, started studying for my license, and ignored everyone who told me I was crazy — even my boss and my mom that didn’t understand. But I was focused on the future.
Six months in, I still hadn’t closed a deal. I was living off savings, which were running out fast. I joined a team that wasn’t a great fit, but there I met my friend Crystal Bennett, who brought me closer to my faith. She helped me find strength when I felt like giving up. I started going to church, reconnecting with family, and rebuilding my spirit.
When my money was gone, I moved back in with my mom — into her 728 sq. ft. trailer. I slept on the floor in the living room, my clothes in boxes beside me. Some days, I didn’t even have money for food. But my mom cooked dinner every night, and that kept me going. I’d wake up at 5 a.m., go for a run, and get to work by 7. I refused to quit.
Eventually, I got a few closings — then my car broke down. I bought a cheap used one and kept pushing. My team told me to give up church, family, and the gym if I wanted to make it. That’s when I knew it was time to move on. The pressure led to panic attacks so bad my mom had to take me to the hospital. She told me to just get a job, but I said, No, Mom — be patient. I’m almost there.
Then things got worse. My mom got notice that she was being kicked out of her trailer. She had one month to move. I was angry — this couldn’t happen to her. Real estate was supposed to help my family, not fail them. So I prayed and went all in. I used my full commission, negotiated full closing cost covered, negotiated $15K off the price, and got her into a beautiful new home with a pool. I put my all into that whole year, my mom barely saw me. My depression turned into gratitude. I had made it through my first two years.
After that, everything changed. My business took off. Today, I finally have the work-life balance I dreamed of. I get to go to church on Sunday and serve there, volunteer at the homeless shelter in Irving for many helping hands, see my family every Sunday, and coach new realtors that I get to inspire and motivate. Ive tripled my business and even teaching my 16-year-old niece how to run one too.
I had to go through a breakdown to reach my breakthrough. Now, at 28, I’m just getting started on building a legacy for my family, for the world and for my future.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge I faced was not believing in my self-worth and not letting people in. I didn’t realize this until I hired a coach, Matt Gruidl. He approached me in a huge crowd and told me he could see right through me. He said that everyone sees me as a light who glows up the room when I walk in—but he could tell I was screaming for help on the inside. Allowing people to help me has changed my life, which is why I make it such an important mission today to help others who are struggling. You never know who needs help. Sometimes the only help people need is someone to believe in them.
My real estate coach helped me understand that I had to put myself back together before I could truly help others. That’s why I committed to going to church, working out, and staying consistent for myself. I was rebuilding myself—and showing myself that I was worthy of the life I now have.
It wasn’t easy, and the struggle has made the victory that much sweeter. Today I carry that experience with me every day in my business, my relationships, and my family—because the road may have been rough, but it led me exactly where I was supposed to go.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I’m Kim — the face behind @kimdfwrealtor and I help buyers, sellers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area turn life-changing decisions into clear, confident realities. Raised in the DFW Metroplex and now deeply rooted here, I specialize in guiding folks through every step of the journey — from first-time buyers and relocating families to sellers ready to move to their next journey.
What sets me apart?
* My negotiation skills aren’t just talk — they’re built from real-world hustle, from long restaurant shifts to closing big deals in real estate. I fight for your best outcome.
* My tech-and-data mindset + personal touch: You’ll get transparent analyses and someone who genuinely cares about your story, your life, your family.
* My passion for ranches & land: Out here in DFW, I’ve found my favorite niche. If you’ve got acreage, a ranch, or want to own a piece of the Texas lifestyle — I bring that extra zeal.
* My reach and network: I travel to conferences, collaborate with top realtors globally, and bring a wave of marketing power (especially through social media) to support both sellers and buyers — whether staying in DFW or moving across state lines.
What I’m most proud of brand-wise is the moment I helped my mom buy her home — negotiated closing costs, secured a reduction on price, and found her a move-in ready place with a pool. That moment is everything: real transformation, family uplift, and proof that what I do is bigger than property — it’s legacy.
Here’s what you should know:
* If you’re a buyer, I’ll help you step into your next chapter with clarity, strategy, and a complete vision of the lifestyle you want.
* If you’re a seller, I’ll help you move on smoothly, confidently, and with your next goal in mind. I care about what you’re leaving behind and what you’re moving toward.
* And if you’re looking at land, ranches or investment properties, I bring passion + expertise + relentless drive.
* With me, this isn’t just a transaction. It’s your story, your future, your next move — and I take that seriously.
Let’s build something meaningful together. Your home, your investment, your legacy — I’ve got your back.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
It’s all about the small things. Whether I’m helping a complete stranger, supporting a fellow realtor, or celebrating a new client’s win—it fills my cup. I believe God blesses me by over-filling my cup so I can give back to others.
When I help someone achieve a goal—big or small—I feel alive. When I lift someone’s burden, ease their stress, or witness their relief—it reminds me of why I do this. Each connection, each grateful message, each moment someone says, “You made this easier,” reinforces that my purpose isn’t just selling real estate—it’s serving people.
I find joy in everyday victories: a client finally relaxing after the chaos of moving, a seller letting go of what was holding them back, a colleague discovering a new strategy and winning together. These moments matter. They remind me that success isn’t just measured in numbers—it’s in lives changed, weight lifted, futures shaped.
So yes, it’s the little things. The genuine, quiet ones that you might not post about—but that shift someone’s world. That’s what makes me happy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Kimdfwrealtor
- Instagram: @Kimdfwrealtor
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.fernandez.601696
- Youtube: @Kimdfwrealtor
