Today we’d like to introduce you to Douglas Smith.
Hi Douglas, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My love for residential real estate started in and around 1988, when I became a Resident Assistant at Southwest Texas State University. I loved the interaction with my residents and sought to march to my own drum and re-invent what a RA was in the dormitory life. To that end I fostered a culture of treating every resident as an end in itself not a means to an end. After I graduated SWTSU in 1991 with an English major and a Philosophy minor I sought a sales position at an investment firm. I was determined to be successful and realized that the only thing that separates me from others is my drive. Grades or education didn’t begin to determine your achievements in sales. I loved that there was no ceiling but I also realized in sales that there was no floor.
I became curious about real estate and resigned from my sales position raising money for joint ventures and a mutual fund company to start to live my passion. Early on, I bought real estate as an investment and began to show a passion for determining my success on my own, succeeding or failing on my own devices. The essence of America.
In 1994 I began my real estate journey at Remax in North Dallas. After working for 4 different brokers and earning over 2 million dollars in net commissions, I decided that I could do better as a broker and started my own brokerage firm, DHS Realty. I imitated Jereme Kleven of The Home Group out of Phoenix as I started my own firm. I’m up at 5am and down at midnight. I pour into my agents, train them up and unleash them to be the best they can without limitation. They can brand themselves, not me. I’m in the trenches with my agents, pitching a tent next to them and will always advocate for them so they can advocate best for their customers and clients.
My side hustle is life. I love it. I am am instructor at Champion’s School of Real Estate and love giving back by living my legacy not leaving it when I die.
After the events of September 11, 2001, I became a volunteer firefighter and went full time in both real estate and firefighting. I believe the business of American is business, but that the business of life is to serve your fellowman. To that end I live my life.
I believe people try to narrowly define others and I don’t believe that. We can do it all. I’m honored to be small business owner and I will succeed with the help of my agents who are family and who I will defend and promote till my dying days.
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?
No life is smooth. We are either in a valley, coming out of one or going into one. I live for my wife and her strength pulls me through the roads that have been less traveled.
When I was 2 years old I fell and broke my skull. I’ve had 5-6 surgeries with bone graphs and that was tough as a young man going through that time of my life. I’ve been told I couldn’t do this or that my whole life. Some by strangers, some by family. I did it anyway and took pictures, twice!!!
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My firm, DHS Realty is a hybrid of many different firms throughout American. It concentrates on the fact that offices aren’t needed anymore in Real Estate. I’m a remote real estate firm. I am available as a mentor from 5am to midnight. I have taken calls as early as 5am and as late as 12 midnight. Again, being told you need to be in a box and just be happy has never been me. I love proving people wrong, The chip on my shoulder is the strength that pulls me through. It’s that old expression, if not me then who; if not now then when!! I am loving creating my own brand. No caps, no splits and no BS. I’m authentic, not a chameleon and have no filter. I’m most proud of taking the leap of faith on January 1st of this year to brand my own firm and start it with my wife and Shawn Ryken. We are currently onboarding almost an agent a day and I’m super excited about the future of real estate in the DFW area. Our agents provide insight into resale in the residential real estate market. From backyards facing west(a big no-no) to masters on the first floor(great resale) to watering your foundation every 3 days throughout the year because of the clay in our soil in North Texas.
How do you define success?
I define success as being your own boss. Not getting a salary which is a drug to keep you sedated. I believe our finest hour is doing our best and the results are our own and the prize is ours as well. I live selflessly at the same time. My best friend once told me to “Make a difference”. That is all I have tried to do all these years.
Contact Info:
- Email: douglas@dhsrealtydfw.com
- Website: www.dhsrealtydfw.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dhsrealtydfw/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/douglas.smith.7509
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglasrealtor
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6p6HnMHX5vo0IaA1KxW4nw
