At Riverside Homebuilders, we aren’t just proud of our remarkable new homes in DFW throughout desirable communities—above all, we’re proud of the incredible talent and dedication of our employees, who are the driving force behind our success. This month, we are excited to feature Nicole DuBois, our Starts Designer. With over 17 years of experience in the home building industry and a journey marked by growth and transformation, Nicole plays a pivotal role in ensuring that every new home we build in DFW meets the highest standards of quality and design. Read below as we talk with Nicole, highlighting her journey, expertise and the critical role she plays in bringing our homes to life.

From Sales to Starts: Nicole's Journey to Riverside

Nicole’s path to Riverside Homebuilders began in 2006 when she embarked on her new home construction career with a national home builder. Starting as a Community Sales Manager, Nicole quickly made her mark in the industry. “I worked there for a couple of years and then decided to obtain my real estate license in 2008 to experience the existing side of the home market. While at my Real Estate brokerage, I also became an Assistant Team Leader, training new hires on how to get their business started by working with new home builders,” Nicole recalls.

Her career took a significant turn when the national homebuilder she had worked for invited her to join their corporate office as the Director of Marketing for the West Division. This role allowed Nicole to gain a wealth of experience in marketing, a skill set she later brought to Riverside. “Todd Greenfield, VP of Sales & Marketing here at Riverside, and I worked together at our previous builder. When Mr. Greenfield reached out and asked if I would come and work with him to get the home builder side of things up and running, I was intrigued,” Nicole shares.

In 2013, Nicole joined our team as the Marketing Director, helping transition Longtide Homes into what we now proudly know as Riverside Homebuilders. Over the past 11 years, she has worn many hats—ultimately leading her to her current role as Starts Designer.

A Day in the Life of a Starts Designer

As the Starts Designer, Nicole is at the heart of our homebuilding operations. Her responsibilities are diverse, ranging from managing start dates and builder capacities to ensuring all plans and documents align perfectly with our construction standards. “I start all inventory homes for Riverside, and support sales with the build job process,” Nicole explains.

Her typical day is meticulously structured to ensure each project starts smoothly. “Once a new project is onboarded, I begin designing a layout for the overall project. I review multiple documents, including Civil Plans, Plats, CCRs and communicate with our land department for additional insight on topography and easements,” she details. This thorough approach ensures that every single one of our new homes in DFW meets our rigorous standards from the outset.

Nicole also plays a crucial role in customizing homes to meet the specific needs of each community. “When requesting an address-specific plan set, I methodically choose the structural options and elevation for each plan to accommodate the level standards of each subdivision,” she says. This attention to detail ensures that every home is perfectly suited to its environment—reflecting both our commitment to quality and our understanding of what our buyers are looking for.

Navigating Challenges with Precision and Expertise

Despite Nicole's swiftness and efficiency each day, the role of a Starts Designer is not without its challenges. One of the biggest hurdles Nicole faces is the complexity of designing projects that adhere to a wide range of regulations and community guidelines. “Designing the project can be very tedious as there are many factors that go into selecting which plan is best for a specific lot,” she notes.

To navigate these challenges, Nicole relies on a combination of detailed planning and effective communication. “I overcome this by creating a file per community, a color-coded/labeled plat map, an abundance of note-taking and communicating with sales for feedback to make sure I am starting homes and selecting options that their customers are looking for in that area,” she explains. Her ability to multitask and adapt to changes quickly is essential in keeping our production on track.

The Joy of Learning and Growing with Riverside

For Nicole, the most rewarding aspect of her role at Riverside Homebuilders is the opportunity to continually expand her knowledge and expertise. “Working for Riverside Homebuilders has given me the opportunity to learn more about the other components of the new home construction industry in depth,” she shares. She particularly values the insights she’s gained into land development, an area she finds both challenging and fascinating. Our team couldn’t be more honored to have her—her passion for learning, dedication to excellence and deep understanding of the intricacies of home building make her an invaluable asset to our company. Nicole’s commitment to growing both personally and professionally is a testament to the culture we strive to create at Riverside—a culture where every team member is empowered to excel and contribute meaningfully to the success of our projects.

One of the most memorable milestones in Nicole's career at Riverside was when Riverside Homebuilders made the 2020 Builder 100 list of the country’s biggest homebuilders. “This was extremely exciting because those of us here who started as Longtide Homes, and were key in the start-up of Riverside, knew the efforts and hurdles we overcame to make the top 100 Builder list. Very proud moment,” Nicole recalls with pride.

Outside of her role at Riverside Homebuilders, Nicole finds joy in spending time with her family and indulging in her hobbies. “My most passionate hobby is being a mom to my amazing children, Dallas (who’s 15) and Savannah (who’s 10),” she says with pride. Whether it’s enjoying evening sunset walks, lounging by the pool or spending time with loved ones at Lake Weatherford—Nicole makes the most of her time outside of work. As both a person and a professional, Nicole’s dedication, expertise and passion are second to none. Her role as Starts Designer is integral to our operations—ensuring that all of our new construction homes in DFW are designed and constructed to the highest standards. We are beyond grateful to have Nicole on our team, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of her work as we grow and innovate together.

To learn more about Riverside Homebuilders and connect with our incredible team members like Nicole, contact us at (817) 601-6230 or fill out our online form today!