I have something to confess… this is the first time I’ve talked publicly about this.

The big question everyone has been asking is: why did we move to South Carolina?

It wasn’t the beaches.
It wasn’t the booming Charleston real estate market.
It wasn’t a high-powered team we wanted to join.

It was something much, much simpler.

Back in late March of 2025, we were doing all the things real estate agents do. We listed homes, advertised properties, talked to sellers, and waited for buyers to call. But nothing was happening. The phone didn’t ring, deals weren’t closing, and the market shifted. Sellers were frustrated because homes weren’t selling for what they used to—or in the fast, frenzied way they once did.

I thought the solution was to start over in a new market.

To hang up our spurs in North Texas and Southern Oklahoma and build something new in South Carolina.

So we sold most of our stuff, wrapped up the business here in Texoma, and headed for the Palmetto State. South Carolina isn’t a reciprocal state, so we literally started at day one of real estate classes again. It felt like the ultimate fresh start.

And yet… we quickly realized we were out of our element.

South Carolina has charm, Summerville and Charleston have incredible culture, and the beaches are breathtaking. But it wasn’t us. We were used to wide open spaces, chasing sunsets, and zig-zagging hundreds of miles across Texoma—not traffic, crowds, and being far from family.

We toughed it out for as long as we could, but eventually we hit the point of no return. It didn’t make financial sense, and more importantly, it didn’t make emotional sense.

So, we did something that felt like failure at the time: we came home.

Grateful for the People Along the Way

Before I move forward, I want to pause and say thank you.

Kevin Richter and all the incredible agents at Richter & Co.—you welcomed us with open arms. We learned so much from watching the way you operate, the passion you put into your clients, and the culture you’ve built. Though South Carolina wasn’t ultimately our place, we left deeply grateful for the people we got to cross paths with. You’ll always have our respect.

Rebuilding on the Interstate

I’ll never forget the drive back from South Carolina, camper in tow. Somewhere between those long stretches of interstate and endless cups of gas station coffee, Jonelle and I started talking about what went wrong—and more importantly, what needed to change.

We literally rebuilt our business plan on the highway. While that camper rattled behind us, we mapped out how we would simplify, restructure, and refocus our real estate business. We stripped away the noise and decided, once and for all, that our company would be about one thing: serving people the way we’d want to be served.

That trip home was more than just a drive. It was a turning point. By the time we crossed back into Texas, we weren’t just coming home physically—we were coming home to who we really were as REALTORS®.

But here’s the truth—we didn’t fail. We learned. And that’s why Jesse Bounds’ story about Lego’s comeback hit so deeply for us.

Just like Lego, we stripped things down to the studs. We cut away the noise, the shiny distractions, the promises of “bigger and better,” and got back to what mattered most:

• We love real estate and we love people.

• We thrive on being enthusiastic and excited for every client.

• We love Texoma—this is home, and it’s where we belong.

• Buyers and sellers are the same everywhere—it doesn’t matter if it’s Charleston or Durant.

• The grass isn’t greener. Trust us.

• Being a REALTOR® is emotional. Stay positive, keep showing up, and don’t let temporary storms define your future.

• The simplest things are usually the best.

• And yes—camper life sucks.

So what does all this have to do with Lego?

When Lego turned things around, they went back to their core: making bricks that sparked joy, imagination, and creativity.

We’re doing the same thing. We’ve realigned our goals with our clients’ needs. We stopped bowing to corporate structures, chasing recruitment numbers, or trying to look like the flashiest brokerage on the block.

Instead, we wake up each day and ask ourselves: how can we serve our clients better today?

And you know what? It’s working.

The market is responding. Our vision feels clear. Our joy is back.

If you’ve been feeling burned out, please hear this: Don’t give up on yourself. Simplify. Recalibrate. Believe that you are still loved and valuable. Sometimes the only thing you need is a fresh perspective.

Just like Lego rebuilt, you can too.

Because sometimes, the comeback is better than the first build.

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