When you have many hands and minds working in the same direction, the possibilities can be astounding.

That’s the kind of powerful teamwork that’s present with the 417 Sister Team of Sturdy Real Estate.

Led by real-life sisters and founders Dana Johnston and Doneen Kaunley, the 417 Sister Team is proud to be surrounded by a dynamic group of seven other individual agents, including Stephanie Fletcher, Melissa Bertalott, Taylor Beason, Amber Anderson, Dana’s son, Peyton Johnston, Jeremy Ray and Mikayla McAdoo.

“It’s more of a collaboration that we have. Stephanie Fletcher was the first person who joined us. She is a seasoned agent,” Dana says. “We have a great type of family support. We have newer agents who we mentor. And we all work well together and jump in to help each other out.”

As Doneen says, the experience of leading the team with Dana is definitely rewarding. Both earned their real estate licenses in 2014.

“She thinks more analytically and I think more creatively. We work for each other. What helps each of us helps the other one and our families,” Doneen says. “We split everything 50-50 because it’s for both our families.”

As Dana adds, “It’s fun to hang out with your sister. There is an ease to it. We have a total trust factor. I know her character and integrity.”

It’s true that some events in life seem to be pre-ordained. That was the experience as Dana and Doneen each made the decision to pursue real estate. Their father always had a love of real estate and had talked about doing it himself after he retired. However, he battled cancer for his last 14 years of life and never had the opportunity.

“A year and a half before he died, we had a family get-together on New Year’s Eve,” Doneen remembers. “That night, Dana and I both surprised each other. Each of us had independently decided that we were going to go into the business.”

As Dana remembers with a smile, “It was amazing how neither of us had discussed it with anyone else and how we both planned on telling each other at the same time.”

Through time, both Dana and Doneen had homeschooled their children and been engaged in helping their community. In fact, they were the co-administrators for an area educational co-op that served the interests of more than 300 children.

Before their father passed, he was able to see the start of his daughters’ real estate careers.

“He was so excited for us because it was something he had always wanted to do,” Doneen remembers. “He lived vicariously through us and wanted to hear how our inspections and day-to-day businesses were going. He got to see us start that before he passed away. Both of our parents helped us get started and supported our dreams.”

Their passion for their work comes from helping those they serve navigate the challenges they face to reach their dreams.

“There are hardships in real estate, but the joy comes from the fact that you are helping them find a home for their family. Real estate and owning property is the American dream,” Dana says. “And I think helping first-time buyers is our favorite. It’s rewarding to be part of their journey.”

Life for Doneen and Dana is made truly fulfilling by their families, including their mother, Earlene Schaffer, and the memory of their father, Donald Schaffer.

Dana cherishes time with her husband, Shawn, and their children — daughter, Kylee (and her husband, Kyle Colvard); daughter, Lexie, and their son, Peyton (and his fiancé, Katie Mayes); and daughter, Shashonie Pippin (and her husband, Allen, and their children, Jaiden and Declan). 

In their free time, Dana and her family look forward to time spent together at the lake, as well as camping together.

Doneen treasures moments with her husband, Rex, and their children — daughter, Alyssa Ingle (and granddaughter Ivy); son, Michael; son Benjamin (and granddaughters, Hazel and Coral); and son, Cole. 

Away from work, Doneen looks forward to making memories with her family. She also serves on the board of the local chapter of the Dream Factory of SWMO, a group that grants dreams to children with chronic illnesses.

For those who have had the chance to know and work with Dana and Doneen through time, it’s no surprise that the two formed a team together and are teaming up with others to deliver a warm, service-oriented experience.

“We go above and beyond and treat our clients like family. Our relationship with them goes beyond the sale or purchase of a home,” Doneen says. “They know they can call us with any issues with their home. We are there after the deal.”

Faith plays a central role in their lives and work, as well.

“Both of us believe in God, and that motivates everything we do,” Dana explains. “Our hope is that people trust us and that they know we will do what’s right by them.”

Mission accomplished. Day by day, they make a lasting difference for those around them. And it all begins by pulling together.