Nations Network Joins PLACE to Scale Growth and Expand Opportunities
“For the past three years, we’ve been at the same production level, and we knew we needed to do something different to break through that ceiling. PLACE is gasoline on the fire of what we’ve already built. Their proven models, systems, and support give us the leverage to scale efficiently and reach our goals faster.”
ST. LOUIS, Mo., May 2025 — PLACE, the real estate industry’s only all-in-one business services and technology platform for top teams at any brokerage, announced today that Dave Nations and his team, Nations Network, are now powered by PLACE. PLACE improves profitability and production to make running a real estate business easier.
Dave Nations, owner and operator of Nations Network, leads a high-performing team serving the St. Louis metro area. With 232 transactions in 2024 alone, their track record now exceeds 2,000 lifetime transactions and $535 million in total sales volume. Their expertise, commitment to clients, and results-driven approach have made them a trusted name in the St. Louis real estate market.
Dave’s journey in real estate began in 2004 when he purchased and flipped his first investment property, sparking a passion for the industry. By 2007, he had earned his real estate license and spent the next several years immersing himself in the business. Attending Keller Williams events like Mega Camp introduced him to the models of top teams, inspiring him to shift from solo agent to business owner. “I saw that you could build a thriving real estate business—not just sell houses here and there—and that completely changed my mindset,” Dave shared. “I didn’t just want a side business, I wanted to create something that could grow, scale, and provide real opportunities for myself and those around me.”
In 2012, Dave took the first step toward that vision by hiring Katherine Aeilts, who has since become an integral part of Nations Network as Director of Operations. Together, they have built a thriving business focused on creating opportunities for agents, providing exceptional client experiences, and growing ancillary services to better serve their market. The team also recently launched Realty Resilience, a podcast dedicated to sharing insights and strategies for success in real estate. Beyond sales, Dave and his brother operate Nations Brothers Renovations, a house-flipping and investment business, while he and Katherine also run Heartwood Coaching, an organization focused on professional and personal growth for agents.
“Our vision is to grow to 500 transactions a year with 20+ agents and create a true one-stop shop for our clients, with mortgage, title, insurance, and other services,” Dave shared. “PLACE is already doing that at a high level, and now we get to plug into a model that works instead of testing things out on our own. The healthcare, stock options, revenue share, and high-level training provide a level of value to our team members that we simply couldn’t offer on our own.”
“Dave and Katherine have built a strong foundation, and their decision to partner with PLACE reflects their commitment to growth,” said Ben Kinney, co-founder of PLACE. “They’ve already created something incredible, and now they have the resources and systems to scale faster, recruit stronger, and create even more opportunities for their agents and clients.”
“Nations Network is positioned for incredible expansion, and PLACE is here to help them take that next step,” said Chris Suarez, co-founder of PLACE. “By leveraging proven systems and mentorship, Dave and Katherine can focus on what they do best—leading, innovating, and providing an outstanding experience for both their agents and their clients.”
Through this partnership, Nations Network is set to expand its impact, create new opportunities for agents, and scale for long-term success. “We’ve always focused on learning from the best and implementing proven models,” Dave said. “PLACE gives us the blueprint to do that at the highest level, and we’re ready to push forward, grow faster, and provide even more value to our agents and clients.”
