We were lucky to catch up with Tyler Kreis recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tyler, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Back in 2014, I took what felt like a leap of faith by partnering with my father-in-law to flip our first house. I didn’t know it at the time, but that single decision would set off a chain of events that changed the entire trajectory of my life. I quickly discovered a real passion for real estate. That drive led me to earn my license in 2018, and within a few years, I became one of the top investor acquisition specialists in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

In 2020, during the uncertainty of COVID, I found myself reevaluating everything. My father-in-law and I decided to invest in two short-term rental cabins in Broken Bow, Oklahoma. It felt like a smart move—a chance to diversify with strong income potential. About a year into owning the cabins, I was sitting around a fire pit at one of them, Twin Creeks, with him and my friend Logan. We were sharing drinks, tossing around business ideas—most of them not great—when someone said, “You know what this place needs? A candy store.”

We laughed, but the more we thought about it, the more it made sense. Broken Bow was booming with tourism, and there was nothing like it in the area. That conversation turned into our next big risk. We sold the cabins and partnered with Logan to build a candy store from the ground up.

The first challenge was finding commercial property. We built a pitch deck, created a financial forecast, and presented our vision to a local landowner. To our surprise, they loved it and gave us the opportunity to purchase 5.8 acres of land for $1.1 million. From there, it took six months and four different banks before we finally secured a loan to purchase the property and construct the store.

But we didn’t stop at just a candy shop. We built over 9,000 square feet of commercial space, now home to Sasquatch’s Candy Den, Namans BBQ, The Cave, Salt Realty, and more. Since opening our candy store on June 9, 2022, we’ve achieved over $1 million in annual sales and grown into one of the top tourist attractions in the area.

If I hadn’t taken that risk in 2014, and again during the pandemic, none of this would exist. I don’t know where I’d be today, but I’m thankful I bet on myself, leaned into what I learned through real estate, and turned that knowledge into something that brings joy and opportunity to others every single day.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Tyler Kreis, and I’m the broker and owner of TK Realty, based in Roanoke, Texas. I got into real estate back in 2014 when I started flipping houses with my father-in-law. That experience lit a fire in me. I realized I didn’t just enjoy the investment side—I loved the process, the negotiation, the strategy, and helping people make smart moves. In 2018, I got my license and quickly became one of the top investor acquisition specialists in DFW. That path eventually led to me launching TK Realty in 2022.

At TK Realty, we’re not your average brokerage. We specialize in investor acquisitions, residential real estate, new construction, and building long-term wealth through smart real estate decisions. We work with everyone—from first-time buyers to seasoned investors, family trusts, and hedge funds. Over the last two years, we’ve closed more than 200 doors, and we’re just getting started.

What sets us apart is that we’re not a volume-based operation—we’re client-first, agent-focused, and community-driven. Our agents are trained to think like business owners, and we’ve created a structure where they can build their own brands within ours. We also host monthly masterminds with agents from all brokerages called “Agents Helping Agents” because we believe in raising the bar for the industry as a whole.

Outside of real estate, I’m also a business owner in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, where I co-founded Sasquatch’s Candy Den and Hochatown Candy. That side of my journey reminds me that great businesses are built with vision, grit, and the right people around you.

What I’m most proud of is the culture we’re building at TK Realty. We’re a family-first brokerage. We care about growth, but we care more about doing things the right way—being transparent, ethical, and consistent. Whether you’re an agent looking to level up or a client trying to make a smart move in this market, we’re here to guide you with clarity and confidence.

At the end of the day, I want people to know that TK Realty exists to help others win—whether that’s buying a home, building a business, or finding freedom through real estate.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

In 2021 and early 2022, my real estate business was running full speed. I was representing a large hedge fund and averaging over 10 closings a month for nearly two years straight. It was fast-paced, high-volume, and extremely structured. My entire business was built around acquisition—finding, negotiating, and closing investment deals at scale.

Then everything changed.

In Q3 of 2022, interest rates spiked and the hedge fund I had been representing paused all buying activity almost overnight. What had been a steady, reliable stream of business came to a complete stop. For the first time in years, I was forced to take a step back and ask, “What’s next?”

That moment was tough, but it ended up being one of the most important turning points in my career. I realized I had been building someone else’s business more than my own. So I decided to pivot—completely. I went all-in on myself. I got my broker’s license and launched TK Realty.

Starting a brokerage during a market shift wasn’t easy. I had to rebuild my pipeline, redefine my goals, and rethink how I wanted to show up in this industry. But it also gave me the opportunity to build something with purpose. TK Realty was born out of that pivot, and we’ve grown steadily ever since. We’re now a team of agents who lead with value, think like business owners, and truly care about serving our clients and our community.

Looking back, the pivot wasn’t just necessary—it was the best thing that could have happened. It pushed me to grow beyond what was comfortable and gave me the foundation to create something that will last.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

Without a doubt, the best source of new clients has been staying consistently present in my sphere, my community, and within the real estate industry. People do business with those they know, like, and trust—and that trust is built by showing up, over and over again, with value.

Whether it’s through local events, social media, or just picking up the phone to check in, I’ve found that being a genuine resource—not just a salesperson—creates lasting relationships that lead to referrals and repeat business. I’ve also made it a priority to support other agents in the industry, even if they’re not with my brokerage. Hosting masterminds, sharing ideas, and helping others grow has expanded my network far beyond just clients.

At the end of the day, real estate is a relationship business. When people see that you’re invested in the community and truly care about helping others succeed, business naturally follows.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.tkrealtytx.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tkrealtytx/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.kreis/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-kreis-listiwithtk/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SellingDallasFortWorth