David K. Jouett | Black Felt Groups
REALTOR® ON THE RISE
STORY BY KEVIN GREEN | PHOTOS BY PEAK RES
A JOURNEY OF TRANSITION
David Jouett, known affectionately as the "Ranching REALTOR®," is more than just a seasoned real estate agent and team lead of Black Felt Groups.
He is a man with a rich history of military service and a deep-rooted passion for land. Before delving into the world of real estate, Jouett's journey took him through the corridors of the Air Force, where he honed his management skills while working on fighter jets like the F-16s when stationed at Hahn Air Force Base in Germany and Luke Air Force Base in Phoenix during the mid-to-late 80s.
After his brief stint in Arizona, Jouett began working for Lockheed Martin when it took over Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas. His success in this role led him to Tulsa at the Air National Guard, where he once again worked on the F-16 fighter jet as a back shop avionics and electronics technician.
Transitioning from the military to the civilian realm, Jouett found himself negotiating contracts in the aircraft industry for Fortune 500 company Deloitte & Touche, leveraging his expertise in aviation and electronics gained from his Air Force days. His career took him across continents, from Asia to North America and Europe.
A WIFE’S PERSUASION
It was his wife, Sabra Jouett, a veteran loan officer with over two decades of experience, who saw the potential for David Jouett in the real estate world.
She recognized his innate ability to connect with clients and urged him to consider a career shift. After a stint as a consultant for American Airlines ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sabra Jouett’s encouragement led him to pursue real estate seriously.
“Whenever I was consulting from my home, she heard me on the phone speaking with clients, and she felt like I'd be a good fit for the real estate world,” David Jouett said. “It took a while for her to convince me to get into the real estate world. Once I met with a few clients and realized the potential, I was all in. I've enjoyed it ever since. She's been a great influence and mentor for me.
“I couldn't do it without her relationships," he added. “If I don't know a REALTOR® when I prepare to negotiate for a sale or a buy for a client, then she probably knows that person. It's all about these relationships that help us win contracts in this business.”
Under the tutelage of Steve Oliver at the Oklahoma Real Estate Academy, David Jouett embarked on his real estate journey, quickly making strides in the industry.
His first year saw him produce close to $2 million in sales, followed by a remarkable jump to over $10 million in his third year. Currently eyeing a target of $20 million in sales, David Jouett's portfolio boasts listings spanning hundreds of acres across Oklahoma, a testament to his love for land and ranching.
Black Felt Groups maintains three groups — Black Felt Land, Black Felt Luxury and Black Felt Lake.
“We have acreage listed all over Oklahoma,” David Jouett said. “I’ve been down in Southwest Oklahoma and to Northeast Oklahoma all the way over to Sallisaw. Black Felt Groups is presently working on putting together a development on the deep waters of Eufaula Lake, and we have an additional 270 acres on the southwest end of the lake. We are also negotiating with a landowner to list a nearly 1,000-acre ranch.
“I'm a rancher — Sabra and I own a ranch,” he added. “I love land, and I’ve been around agricultural land since the 70s, from chopping cotton to tromping cotton, wheat harvest, to cattle ranching. The clients of the Black Felt Land Groups like the fact that the team members and myself are true land owners, ranchers and horse trainers and have worked the land — we know dirt.”
RANCHER BY HEART, REALTOR® BY TRADE
Despite his thriving real estate career, David Jouett remains deeply committed to his ranching roots.
Alongside his wife, he manages a commercial cattle operation, meticulously selecting and breeding cattle for improved genetics and beef production. Employing a ranch foreman Jerry Schuber Jr. to assist with day-to-day operations, David Jouett ensures that both his real estate ventures and agricultural pursuits receive the attention they deserve.
“It's a hard mix,” David Jouett said. “I'm pretty much known as the ‘Ranching REALTOR®’. With my real estate business gaining traction and the successful growth of the Black Felt Groups, I decided to hire a ranch foreman Jerry Schuber Jr. He pretty much helps run that operation, enabling me to focus on the real estate side. I couldn’t do it without him, and I couldn’t do it without my wife Sabra.”
The real estate industry is a life passion for the Jouetts.
Sabra Jouett is a veteran of 22-plus years as a home loan officer and is one of the team leads of Team 918 of Flat Branch Home Loans. Her involvement in the industry is a contributing factor to David Jouett’s success due to the fact he has seen that part of the real estate sector for so long.
A PARTNERSHIP OF INFLUENCE
David Jouett's professional journey began under the leadership skills and his professional relationship with Amy McReynolds, a figure pivotal in his career trajectory.
Acknowledging Mrs. McReynolds' honor and dedication to her clients, he joined her as she embarked on a journey to form her brokerage, Thunder Ridge Realty LLC. Their collaboration underscores David Jouett's belief in the importance of relationships in the real estate industry, a sentiment echoed in his approach to client interactions.
With her leadership, Thunder Ridge Realty is thriving with more than 20 professionals and is growing to become one of the leading brokerage firms in Oklahoma.
“I work exceptionally hard, and my team works very hard as well,” David Jouett said. “The Black Felt Groups team members are just amazing. We did a little bit of a restructure when we moved into Thunder Ridge Realty. I did not bring everybody over, so we are still a growing and developing group.”
WINNING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS
For David Jouett, success in real estate hinges on effective communication, mutual respect and the cultivation of lasting relationships.
He emphasizes the significance of referrals and the role of personal connections in winning contracts. Acknowledging the need for support as his workload increases, David Jouett is on the lookout for a personal assistant to ensure that his clients receive nothing short of exceptional service.
“I notice and I recognize that I'm at a pivotal point to move to the next level, so I'm trying to find a personal assistant,” David Jouett said. “The goal with this personal assistant is to help revitalize and maintain a sharp point of production for our clients. The goal is to have this person use their abilities to help everyone within the Black Felt Groups and develop personally and professionally.”
As David Jouett navigates the dynamic landscape of real estate, his unwavering dedication to his clients, coupled with his passion for ranching, continues to define his journey.
With each transaction and every acre of land he oversees, his commitment to excellence serves as a guiding beacon in the competitive world of real estate.
“If an agent would take the time to build a personal relationship with the other side — the other side being the listing side or the buying side — it's an easier and stronger win for your clients,” David Jouett said. “That's what it's all about, winning or obtaining the goals for your clients. You can't do it by yourself; it takes all of us together.
“It's not a one-sided event, it's everybody.”
