COVER STORY / / Laura Eklund
“Longevity in real estate is never accidental.” For over two decades, Laura Eklund has built her business on something deeper than transactions—rooted in relationships, trust, and a commitment to showing up for people in life’s biggest moments. What began with a challenging first home-buying experience became the foundation for a career defined by advocacy, connection, and purpose.
Today, alongside her son Preston, The Eklund Group reflects both legacy and evolution—where experience meets fresh perspective and “there were no shortcuts, no excuses” still rings true. Through every season of growth, Laura’s focus has remained the same: guiding clients with intention, care, and a belief that success is measured far beyond numbers.
Grounded in faith and driven by service, her journey is a reminder that “being trusted with those moments is something she never takes lightly”—and that the most meaningful businesses are built to last.
Read Laura’s full story in the May edition of Sacramento Real Producers 📖
Beyond the Pages 🎙️✨
Our April episode is live!
This month, Katie is sitting down with some incredible voices in our market—agents and partners who are making a big impact and showing what it really takes to grow and succeed in this industry.
Featuring:
Taylor Scigliano (April Cover Feature),
Tyler Chicourrat (Agent Profile),
and our Partner Spotlight, Collin Roe and Jen Vicari with Fidelity National Title.
It’s real, it’s honest, and full of perspective—from building momentum and navigating challenges to what’s working right now in today’s market.
Make sure to tune in each month for a new episode of Beyond the Pages featuring Sacramento Real Producers standouts. You can watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
A huge thank you to Big Valley Mortgage for helping us bring this podcast to life, and to Housecat Marketing for capturing all of the behind-the-scenes fun.
Go listen. Go watch. And let us know your favorite takeaway.
Still thinking about Monday night 🥂
It was so special to see so many familiar faces and so many new ones as we kicked off our celebration honoring the 2026 Top 500 agents. Nights like that are such a reminder of how strong, connected, and impactful this community truly is.
It also feels like the perfect time to reintroduce myself, especially as we release our March issue highlighting our Industry Icons.
Six years ago, I stepped into this role during a season of transition in my life. I believed deeply in the mission of Sacramento Real Producers, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous. Like many of you, I was stepping into something new, uncertain, and a little intimidating.
What I’ve learned since then is that confidence doesn’t just show up, it’s built. Through time, consistency, and through the relationships we create along the way.
That’s why this community means so much to me. Real Producers has never just been about production, it’s about the people behind it. The stories, the relationships, and the shared understanding that while we’re all building something individually, we’re also part of something bigger together.
I truly love what I get to do. I love getting to know you, sharing your stories, and creating a space where connection comes naturally.
To our Top 500 agents, thank you for your dedication, your consistency, and for continuing to raise the standard in this industry. And to our Preferred Partner network, thank you for your support, your partnership, and the role you play in making this community what it is.
Thank you for being part of this community. Thank you for showing up, for staying in the game, and for building something that lasts 🤍
📸 @olhaphotography
I am incredibly grateful and HONORED for the opportunity to be on the front page of @sacrealproducers #Magazine.
They did an AMAZING three page article on Preston and I, and the pictures turned out absolutely incredible. I am beyond grateful for this moment.
Get this… years ago I actually put “front cover of this magazine” on my vision board. Not just in my head… I wrote it down, claimed it, and truly believed it would happen.
I’m so thankful for every client, every referral, and every single person who has supported me along the way. This business has always been about people for me, and moments like this just hit different ❤️
I also want to say THANK YOU to everyone who called me, texted me, emailed me, and even sent pictures of the cover with the kindest words. I appreciate you more than you know. That meant EVERYTHING to me. Thanks for lifting a girl up!! :)
#eklundrealestategroup #realtyonegroup #rocklinrealestate #visionboard @sacrealproducers
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT // Fidelity National Title
38 years. Countless milestones. One unwavering standard: integrity. ✨
Donna Marie Nowlin’s journey is proof that sometimes the most powerful careers begin with a simple yes—and evolve into something extraordinary.
From stepping into an industry she “had no idea” about, to leading across nine counties, her story is built on growth, resilience, and heart. Along the way, she’s embraced every challenge, sharing that “each challenge taught me lessons I might never have learned otherwise,” and using those lessons to shape her leadership today.
For Donna Marie, success goes far beyond titles. It’s rooted in people, purpose, and perseverance—guided by the belief that “success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” And at the center of it all? A deep commitment to relationships, integrity, and showing up the right way, every time.
Because in her world, leadership isn’t about authority—it’s about impact. It’s about creating space where others can thrive and remembering that “whenever we can get together and simply relax, it’s the most rewarding experience for me.”
This is just a glimpse into a legacy still in motion.
Read the full story in our April edition. 📖
STAR ON THE RISE // Sylvia Nguyen ✨
In just four years, Sylvia Nguyen has transformed grit into momentum—building a nearly $26M career from the ground up with no prior experience and no built-in network. Rooted in discipline and heart, she’s driven by a mission to serve at a higher level, sharing, “I’m most passionate about educating and empowering my clients so they feel confident at every stage of the real estate process.”
From her early days of uncertainty to a breakthrough first year, Sylvia leaned into consistency and belief, proving that “with focus, hard work, and determination, I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.” Today, she continues to stand out by combining strategy with authenticity, always prioritizing relationships and impact. As she puts it, “It’s not just about transactions; it’s about growth, relationships, and feeling proud of the work I do every day.”
At her core, Sylvia’s purpose goes beyond sales—“real estate, for me, is about people first.” It’s that mindset that continues to fuel her rapid rise and lasting influence in the Sacramento community.
Read the full story in this month’s issue of Sacramento Real Producers.
AGENT PROFILE // Tyler Chicourrat
For Tyler Chicourrat, real estate has always been about more than deals—it’s about people, connection, and creating experiences that last. Rooted in small-town values and guided by the belief that “Family is first,” Tyler has built a business centered on authenticity, service, and community.
From traveling the world to taking a leap of faith back home in Auburn, his journey is anything but conventional. Today, as the founder of The Chicourrat Team, Tyler leads with purpose, sharing that “What I find most fulfilling is the relationships we get to build.” That mindset continues to shape his growing success and strong referral-based business.
With a background in hospitality, Tyler approaches every client interaction with care and intention, grounded in his belief that “I truly believe our business is more about service than sales.” It’s this philosophy that drives both his leadership and the experience he creates for every client he serves.
Through the highs, the risks, and even moments of self-doubt, Tyler has remained committed to growth, guided by the idea to “Explore. Dream. Discover.” His story is one of resilience, heart, and staying true to what matters most—family, relationships, and impact.
Read the full story in this month’s edition!
INDUSTRY EXPERT // Jamie Furlong, Legacy Investments & Real Estate
A Q&A with Jamie Furlong, Managing Partner at Legacy Investments & Real Estate and a recognized leader in the passive real estate space.
In today’s market, investor conversations are shifting fast—and according to Jamie, “the investor landscape has changed.”
With more clients exploring 1031 Exchanges, tax deferral strategies, and Delaware Statutory Trusts (DSTs), education is becoming a key differentiator for agents who want to operate at a higher level.
As Jamie explains, “we’re seeing more landlords who are tired of active management,” along with long-term owners looking for “cleaner estate planning solutions” and investors concerned about capital gains exposure. “These clients feel stuck and are waiting to be presented with a solution.”
That’s where DST University comes in. Designed to equip agents with practical, high-level knowledge, Jamie shares that the program helps professionals “think like investors, elevate listing conversations, and expand opportunities within their existing databases.”
Beyond education, the impact is immediate. Graduates walk away with the ability to confidently navigate tax deferral conversations, identify investor opportunities, and position themselves as true strategic advisors in their market.
As Jamie puts it, “the ability to discuss multiple exit strategies with your client immediately elevates the conversation and builds trust.”
Read the full Q&A with Jamie Furlong in this month’s edition of Sacramento Real Producers to learn how DST education is reshaping the way top agents serve clients and grow their business.
Taylor Scigliano’s path into real estate is rooted in something deeper—an entrepreneurial drive shaped early on.
In this clip, our April cover feature shares how his grandpa was full of incredible ideas… but struggled with execution—and how that inspired Taylor to become someone who actually brings ideas to life.
And that’s just the start of his story.
Catch the full conversation on our monthly podcast, Beyond the Pages 🎙️
Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify, head to the link in our bio to tune in.
You’ll want to hear the rest 👀
One month later and we’re still not over this one 🥂✨
Toast to the Top was such a fun night—so many good conversations, familiar faces, and new connections all in one room.
If you were there, you know 🤍
Save the date: June 15th ⚾️
We’re switching things up and heading to an A’s game—invites will be going out soon, so keep an eye on your inbox. You won’t want to miss this one.
Thank you to our sponsors who made the night possible:
Host: @matiroseville
Gold Sponsors: @premierehomedesignstudio | @finleyhomeandtermite | Cross Country Mortgage – The Anaya Group @taraanaya24
Silver Sponsors: @goodlifeinspections | @nighthawkinspections
Supporting Sponsors: @clip.docs | American Pacific Retirement Lending @lizzshoelover
Media Sponsor: @housecatmarketing
Special thanks to @bigvalleymortgage for bringing their podcast setup and creating such a fun space for conversations throughout the night 🥂
Y’all. The reality is not all inspectors are created equal. And that’s okay, but you need to know what to expect from a good one.
Save this and share it with anyone home-searching - no matter where they’re located. Knowledge is power 🧡
Any buyers in the Northern California area? DM us anytime. We’ll answer every one of these, guaranteed.
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Hey 👋🏻 we’re @nighthawkinspections and we’re glad you’re here. We’re a local team serving NorCal, and we’ve spent over a decade helping buyers, sellers, and agents navigate the inspection process without the stress and confusion that usually comes with it.
We inspect homes like our own family is the client.. because that’s the standard we’d want for ourselves. 4.9 stars, thousands of inspections, and a team that genuinely loves what they do. Whether you’re a first-time buyer who doesn’t know where to start, or a seasoned buyer who just wants it done right, we’d love to be your people. DM us anytime.
