Kristen and Jon Kennon are the owners of iRealty Arkansas and consider themselves serial entrepreneurs. Their firm, iRealty Arkansas, is 11 years old and has sold more than $2 billion in real estate. It is a part of Leading Real Estate Companies of the World because of its high market share in central Arkansas and is the No. 1 independent real estate company in the region. Jon and Kristen own single family rentals, short- term rentals and commercial retail centers and they are currently working on a development in southwest Little Rock. They teach their agents about building wealth through real estate and enjoy helping others invest in real estate.
How long have you been together?
14 years.
How do your working styles complement each other?
They are similar in that we are both big-picture, visionary-type thinkers, so we have to be intentional about surrounding ourselves with people that are talented in complementary areas such as operations, implementation and tasks that are more tedious. Kristen has taught me a lot when it comes to efficiency and delegation, while I compliment her with patience and long-term future thinking.
What lessons have you learned from working together?
Play off each other’s strengths, and if something is bothering one of us, we don’t let it fester. We will text, email or write a note with the issue, and that allows time for the other to process the issue internally and have a face-to-face discussion when they are ready.
What is the best thing about working as part of a “Dynamic Duo”?
We both are working for the same outcome. That allows us to divide and conquer tasks and responsibilities, which ultimately allows us to spend a lot of time with our boys that I don’t think most couples get. Our kids are 8 and 11, and we will never get these years of their lives back, so being present and involved is a huge priority.
What is your strategy for keeping business and your relationship with each other separate?
Keeping a strict date night schedule. I think anyone who knows us is aware of our weekly Wednesday night date night. We try very hard to minimize any work talk and focus on each other. We are madly in love with each other and work hard to stay that way.
