Kyle Waldrep
Kyle Waldrep started transforming the commercial real estate industry from his childhood bedroom in Preston Hollow.
While at SMU, Waldrep realized that the commercial leasing business was wrought with inefficiency. He turned down a job in brokerage and got to work on an idea that became the real estate technology platform Dottid.
Today, the company has been acquired by JLL. Waldrep runs Dottid inside JLL, working with its team to grow and execute Dottid’s vision of enabling brokers, landlords, and tenants to close deals faster and with greater efficiency.
Outside of the cloud, Waldrep has spent a decade as a volunteer Young Life leader at St. Mark’s School of Texas. For more than five years, he has hosted different young men at a weekly Bible study in his home.
Growing up in Dallas is great for learning about “achiever culture.” But, Waldrep said, “Young Life taught me that my life is not my own; there is so much freedom in this.”
Waldrep is on the board of The Episcopal School of Dallas’ EagleSpark venture program, and helped found the men’s side of Ascent Mentors, which matches local high schoolers with young adults who help them walk through life and come to know Jesus.
Since college, Waldrep has been active in Council for Life, which advocates on behalf of an issue close to his heart. His mother, Kathryn, is an Ob-Gyn who has spent 43 years running her medical practice.
“She is called to serve the women that see her every day, and she gets to use her gifts to be a blessing to others,” Waldrep said. “My career path is not medicine, but I still get the opportunity to utilize my gifts for the flourishing of other people.”
What (or who) motivated you to get involved in the community?
The North Dallas community and specifically Preston Hollow has given me so much. At SMU, I knew I wanted to get involved in Dallas post-college; one of my friends (who became Dottid’s CFO) encouraged me to jump into Young Life my senior year. This encouragement allowed for the next 10 years of shaping, refinement, and growth. My parents played another crucial role. Growing up, I saw them serve on various non-profit boards, in church leadership, and my mom helped raise money for the new Parkland Hospital. I remember coming home to our house consistently filled with people for meetings and fundraisers. Our time and our treasure are God ordained. I believe that we cannot add another day to our life or another dollar to our account without the Lord. Thus, I view my time and treasure as God’s and there is no better way to honor the Lord than to be a great steward of what you have been given.
What was your first job and what did you learn from it?
In high school, I worked for my mom’s medical practice at their off-site storage facility organizing charts and other records. Everything was in boxes and with no air-conditioning at the facility, the days became long and hot. I learned early on, hard work is tough. I also saw that I didn’t want to spend my days in the hot summer moving files and thus needed to take my academic pursuits seriously.
Where do you see yourself and/or your career 10 years from now?
Ideally, I want to be in Dallas with a family and run a real estate investment firm. But all of that is pre-mature as I am so excited to see the doors that will open and close the next few years. My 20’s were clear, Dottid and Young Life. My 30’s will have their own challenges and opportunities and I want to honor this season. I am trying really hard to not latch on to the next thing; it’s a challenge for a founder!
What’s on your bucket list?
Golf at The Alotian Club and Pine Valley.
What accomplishment are you the proudest of and why?
My time doing Young Life. While I learned so much through Dottid, I learned more about myself through Young Life and getting to mentor the boys at St. Marks. For 5+ years, I have had different young men in a Bible Study at my house on Monday nights. One of my mentors continually calls me to be “steadfast and faithful” where the Lord has me. Clearly, Young Life is where I was planted. Thus, I chose to be steadfast and faithful to multiple grades of boys at St. Mark’s, and I am so thankful I did!
What was your toughest business or personal challenge?
I awakened the first day of my freshman year at SMU with what would be diagnosed as West Nile Virus. At the time, I did not know what I had but I knew I was very sick. The next two years would change how I viewed the world, viruses, and my faith. I learned perseverance in a totally different context as I battled the illness intensely for six months and then began a long road to recovery that took another 18 months. Amazingly, I carried on with school and never missed a semester; my parents were influential in keeping me motivated and on task. West Nile was a setback and provided an incredible foundation for the rest of my life. This illness took many things from me but also gave me an outlook on life that I would not trade.
What was your “lightbulb moment” that led you to your career?
Undeniably the trajectory changer was going with a leasing agent to watch him show a commercial office space to a prospective tenant. I definitely over-stepped my bounds that day by asking the prospective tenants numerous questions, but their answers confirmed that my idea was on the right track and needed to be pursued. That day, I fully committed to what would become Dottid.
What’s a fun fact that someone wouldn’t know about you?
I was once auctioned off for a date in college to raise money for charity.
What would you tell an 18-year-old you?
Keep running. Persevere at every turn. God’s got it.
If you could buy a book (or rent a movie) for your neighbor, what would it be and why?
Portraits of Courage by George W. Bush. This book tells the story of so many heroes while clearly showing President Bush’s heart to honor their legacy. What I love most is that President Bush took up painting post-Presidency and utilized his time and talent to then honor others. He took the time to honor men and women that most people don’t know — how cool!
What advice do you have for other young professionals?
Your worth is not in your career. Work hard; use your gifts but know that you are a steward; get involved in something that pushes you outside of your comfort zone.
Is there anything else you think we should know about you?
Dottid afforded the opportunity to build an incredible network. I am thankful for the friends, mentors, and colleagues that pushed me to this point. Without these people, I would not be where I am today.
