At Riverside Homebuilders, we take immense pride in the exceptional talent and dedication of our team. This year, two of our very own, Karolyn Shelton and Nikki Lytle, have earned a well-deserved spot on Pro Builder's prestigious 40 Under 40 List for 2024. This recognition highlights the leadership, innovation and energy of 40 young professionals who are making waves in the homebuilding industry—and both Karolyn and Nikki exemplify these qualities every day.

A proud achievement

For Karolyn and Nikki, being recognized as part of this elite group is a true honor and a testament to their hard work and dedication to Riverside Homebuilders. “I feel overwhelmingly grateful to be recognized,” shared Nikki, a Community Sales Manager who’s been with Riverside for three years. “This is an achievement that I thought I could only hope for.”

Karolyn, a Community Sales Manager who has been with Riverside since 2018, echoed this sentiment, saying, “Honestly, I’m in shock. It’s such an honor and achievement that I didn’t know was possible.” Their inclusion on the Pro Builder 40 Under 40 list speaks volumes not just about their personal accomplishments—but also their commitment to excellence and the homebuyers they serve.

Going above and beyond

Karolyn and Nikki both credit their success to a combination of hard work, positivity and an unwavering dedication to Riverside Homebuilders’ mission. Nikki, for instance, believes her ability to go the extra mile for homebuyers played a big role in her recognition. “I think my success can be attributed to going above and beyond for my homebuyers and remembering to put a smile on the faces of those around me,” she explained. Her passion for creating exceptional experiences for customers has been a defining feature of her career at Riverside. Lindsay Kellam, Riverside’s operations analyst, highlighted Nikki’s impact, saying, “She has been given struggling communities and has turned them around... because of the relationships she builds with potential buyers and the knowledge she has about our products.”

For Karolyn, it’s her commitment to detail and her drive to fully understand every aspect of her role that set her apart. “Many salespeople seek to just ‘make the sale,’ but Karolyn meets with our in-house attorneys and development leads to understand the hows and whys of the contracts, closing documents, surveys, and property owner association documents to better inform potential buyers,” said Tim Fleet, founder and president of Riverside Homebuilders. “Her attention to detail and passion for success are the reasons why she is always one of Riverside’s top salespeople.”

Key career moments and Riverside’s support

Both Karolyn and Nikki have had standout moments in their careers at Riverside that have helped shape their success. For Nikki, winning top sales within just three months of being promoted to a manager role was a pivotal achievement. “It was a moment where I proved to myself that I am exactly where I am supposed to be,” she said. Karolyn pointed to her birthday donations initiative as one of her key career highlights, demonstrating her commitment not only to Riverside—but to giving back.

Both women also expressed how deeply they appreciate Riverside Homebuilders’ role in their professional growth. “Riverside Homebuilders has been the most supportive company I have ever worked for,” Nikki shared. “The people I am privileged to work with are kind, helpful and provide the mentorship a young professional like myself needed to get started in this industry.” Karolyn added, “How has Riverside NOT supported me would be an easier question,” with a smile. She credits her success in part to the guidance and encouragement from Todd Greenfield, VP of Sales and Marketing at Riverside, who constantly pushes his team to exceed their own expectations.

Looking to the future

As Karolyn and Nikki reflect on their achievements, they both offer advice for others looking to make their mark in the homebuilding industry. “Work hard, stay humble and always always always be kind,” Karolyn emphasized. “Do these three things daily and you don’t have to worry.” Nikki shared a similarly positive outlook, adding, “If there’s one thing to check off your to-do list every day, it’s to make someone smile, even if it’s to make yourself smile. A positive outlook on life can change everything.”

Additionally, Nikki and Karolyn share a special bond that goes beyond their roles at Riverside Homebuilders. Nikki reflects, "Karolyn has been with me since my very start with Riverside. She has been my mentor, my sales partner, and most of all: my friend. She is truly an inspiration to me, and I am so lucky I have her in my life!" Karolyn feels the same, saying, "Nikki and I got to work directly together for a short period of time, and it truly was a blessing. I love getting to work with her, but most importantly I love that I get to be her friend!" Their mutual respect and friendship have clearly played a key role in their success.

Their accomplishments are not just personal triumphs—but also a reflection of the culture at Riverside Homebuilders, where teamwork, innovation and a commitment to excellence are at the core of everything we do. We are proud to celebrate Karolyn and Nikki’s recognition on the Pro Builder 40 Under 40 List, knowing they will continue to inspire and lead both within Riverside and the broader homebuilding industry. 

For more information about Riverside Homebuilders and why we’re known as one of the best home builders in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, contact us at (817) 601-6230 or fill out our online form today.