Forty Under 40: Nicky Dou

As the top residential real estate agent in Northwest Arkansas in 2014 and 2015, Nicky Dou is up at 5 a.m. blogging, pushing listings and refreshing social media content.

Dou sold $40 million in residential real estate last year and loves challenges such as solidifying a negotiation and finding a buyer for a difficult-to-sell home. She has a sharp memory and manages time carefully. Her business is largely web based; her husband (a computer engineer) works with her and created processes to streamline tasks and data.

Dou’s parents owned businesses as she grew up.

“Mom was a very hard worker and instilled that in me. I’m competitive by nature,” she explained. “They taught me to always do the right thing, as best I can.”

Dou earned a communications degree from the University of Arkansas and knew her career path should incorporate business, marketing and graphic design while honoring her independent streak. “I’ve never made a cold call in my life. People chase things that traditionally have worked, but I follow myself,” she said.

Dou is known as loyal, creative and hard working. She is now enjoying adding agents to her team and encourages them to maintain their own identities.

“I don’t plan on staying No. 1 forever, and I find that coaching others can be as rewarding as being No. 1.”

Dou is an artist and donates artwork to benefit charities such as the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter and Women’s Shelter.

For each real estate closing, she also donates $100 to Dress For Success on behalf of her clients.