Working for someone else never really interested Ben and Heather Echevarria; however, they found that it was a necessary evil. Entering the workforce after the 11th grade in order to care for his mother, Ben learned valuable lessons on working hard for your money and supporting your loved ones. Heather endured her own challenges as a pregnant teenager struggling to defy the odds and finish out high school while holding onto her hopes and dreams for the future. When Ben and Heather met in high school, they made a pact to never let go of their dreams. Shortly after Heather’s graduation, the two moved to Nevada, where Ben began working in the underground mines surrounding Elko, pursuing the “good life” in a management role. Heather began diligently working on her accounting degree through the University of Phoenix Online while working full-time at a local CPA firm as she chased her dream of one day owning her own firm.

After 9/11 Ben and Heather saw a tremendous drop in their retirement accounts and decided that it was time for a change. Ben was the first to realize that simply working longer hours would not get them from where they were to where they wanted to be financially in the future, and the hazards of his work along with the realization of being stuck in his position were taking their toll on his health. The couple began looking for a way to spend more time doing what they love most—spending quality time together with their two daughters, Lacey and Whitnee. Luckily, a friend cared enough to share the real estate investing vision that is Nouveau Riche and Ben and Heather decided to jump in with both feet. Thanks to the incredible education they obtained, they realized enormous success in real estate very quickly! They learned first-hand, as many others within Nouveau Riche have learned, that education does not cost money -- it makes money! In their first year marketing the Nouveau Riche products, they earned over six figures as well as promotions to Independent National Senior Advisors.

Ben and Heather have been instrumental in cultivating the Idaho market, sharing their passion for education and real estate investing with many others. They look forward to continuing to share the knowledge and opportunities with the growing Nouveau Riche Community.

Shelley and Jason Andrus
Independent Regional Advisors – Washington, Idaho, Montana, North & South Dakota, and Minnesota

Shelley Andrus
Born and raised in Western New York, with a passion to change the world, Shelley set out for the West to earn a degree in Political Science and Women’s Studies at Brigham Young University. Although her first true passion was international public policy, after meeting her husband Jason and beginning their new life together, she realized the growing need to focus on the home front, emphasizing that “no success in the world can compensate for failure in the home.” After the birth of their first child, Shelley struggled with a desire to continue her efforts to help others and have the flexibility of time for her family. Seeking balance, she began teaching for a virtual public charter school, where she worked from home and over the Internet, educating youth. However, her rapidly expanding family of three children in three years left her desperate for more flexibility and less stress. That’s when she discovered her solution…Nouveau Riche. 

During her first Nouveau Riche College, Shelley gained inspiration from mentoring with INSA Heather Echevarria and learning about Heather and her husband Ben’s real estate accomplishments.  During that College, Shelley also learned strategies from instructor Mark Kohler that helped her obtain an $18,000 tax return!  Now, Shelley and her husband work Nouveau Riche together, enjoying family time, the benefits of an expanding real estate portfolio and a new way to change the world—paying forward the Nouveau Riche opportunity!

Jason Andrus
Growing up in Southeast Idaho, Jason worked hard for his family’s trucking company, hauling coal and grain. He thanks his parents for instilling a strong work ethic in him, but the ups and downs of the family business left him craving the stability of a good job with excellent benefits.  After returning from his two year mission in New York for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Jason began working for UPS, where he spent 10 years working up the seniority ladder, from throwing boxes to driving. Finally he landed his “dream job” as a feeder truck driver of three trailers (triples) from Idaho Falls to Salt Lake City, working four nights a week, 50-60 hours, and driving through horrific conditions during the winter.  The “dream job” quickly became a nightmare with an impending 25 years of the same road and trip.  Recognizing the toll of the job on his co-workers lives—divorced, grumpy, miserable, poor physical health—he sought a new path.

Fascinated by real estate and the booming market of Southeast Idaho, Jason tried his novice hand at real estate.  He coaxed his wife Shelley into making their first home a rental and then doing a land development. They had a plan to buy rentals, pay down mortgages and have the option to retire in 10 years. Luckily, INSA Jason Nedrow, the Andrus’ vacuum salesman at the time, invited them to a presentation on Nouveau Riche. Just five days before Jason’s wife gave birth to their third child, he went to his first Nouveau Riche College. Utilizing the education, Jason and Shelley completed their 10 year plan in only 1 year—owning 4 homes and 1 four-plex—and fired their bosses. Eighteen months after their introduction to Nouveau Riche, Jason and Shelley became certified and have since made over $250K in marketing and another $250K in active real estate transactions—not to mention the passive income and net worth!

In addition to working Nouveau Riche with his wife, Jason and his real estate business partner, Gary Norris, co-host the popular radio show, The Real Estate Rebels, using this show as a platform to introduce listeners to Nouveau Riche Instructors, real estate strategies, and empower others to change their lives with Nouveau Riche. 

Shelley and Jason’s New Life with Nouveau Riche…

Shelley and Jason Andrus are thrilled to be working alongside INSAs Ben and Heather Echevarria and the Synergy Team. They also express gratitude for the amazing path they’ve traveled: “First, thanks to INSA Jason Nedrow for introducing us to Nouveau Riche and the ability to change our lives; to INSA Justin Yates, an incredible mentor who saw potential in Jason long before he saw it himself; to INSAs Ben and Heather Echevarria, amazing leaders who have provided the support, encouragement, and leadership to help take us and our team to achieving our dreams; to Gary Norris, a great friend and business partner; and finally, thanks to Co-founders Jim and Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder for providing this amazing opportunity, and for seeing the potential in us and welcoming us aboard to be a part of the stellar leadership team.  Thank you!” Shelley comments, “This really is the most rewarding thing we’ve ever put our hearts into.” 

DeLynn Nedrow
Independent Regional Advisor – Washington, Idaho, Montana, North & South Dakota, and Minnesota
2007 Winners Circle Champion
Featured in Your Business at Home magazine, January 2008

After many years of hard work as a farmer, over the road truck driver, and other various business opportunities, DeLynn has always been in search of the “American Dream.” With little to lose, he decided to work for Corporate America. They promised the “American Dream,” but he soon found that opportunity wasn’t there. In Y2K his 401K turned into a 201K, and he realized that he would have to work until he died.

That was at least until, at the age of 56, his son, INSA Jason Nedrow introduced him to Nouveau Riche…and the rest was history! He realized he had finally found everything he’d been looking for all of his life and had reached a place he could call “home.” Nouveau Riche not only promised the “American Dream,” but it delivered it! In the back of his mind, DeLynn’s life-long goal was to be retired at age 57. After a little more than one year with Nouveau Riche, in December of 2007, he turned 57 and achieved his definition of “retirement.” DeLynn’s retirement is achieving his dream of always helping and being of service to others, while still being able to provide a nice living for his family and, in turn, having the freedom to do the things he wants to do, when he wants to do them.

DeLynn can’t thank his son enough for persevering in getting him to see the Nouveau Riche opportunity. DeLynn states, “words can’t express my gratitude to Co-founders Jim and Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder for developing Nouveau Riche and for providing this amazing opportunity for all the current and future members of Nouveau Riche across America and around the world to live the ‘American Dream’ now.” DeLynn’s goal as an IRA is to continually strive to not only get as many people to the College as he can, but also to be of service to them in achieving their goals and dreams.  He firmly believes in the Law of Reciprocity, which is, by helping people and being of service to them, you will be blessed and rewarded.    

Larry and DeMerris Lewis
Independent Regional Advisors – Washington, Idaho, Montana, North & South Dakota, and Minnesota

Former flight attendants for a major airline, Larry and DeMerris Lewis met more than 18 years ago while living in Japan. Although their jobs granted them the ability to travel extensively throughout Asia, they lacked the time and financial freedom they desired. During their travels, they met many people from all walks of life and caught a glimpse of the benefits of successful real estate investing.  Luckily for them, in November of 2003, a good friend introduced them to Nouveau Riche and a new world of opportunity to learn more about real estate investing began to unfold.

After flying for more than 27 years, DeMerris decided it was time to do something different to start creating the life she and her husband desired. She saw Nouveau Riche as the “perfect fit.”  Recognizing Nouveau Riche’s educational value, as well as the endless possibilities available through the marketing opportunity, Larry also decided that after 32 years of traveling around the globe, it was time to retire from the airline.

Six months after Larry retiring, the Lewises learned that their airline pensions would be terminated. Needless to say, the two endured some sleepless nights fearing an uncertain future.

Enter Nouveau Riche…. “The couple explains, “When we joined Nouveau Riche, there were no Community Benefit Companies, such as The Real Market Experts®, Inc. It, Inc. or Nouveau Riche Community Mortgage that exist today.  In fact, there wasn’t even a College. More than anything, we whole-heartedly believed in founders Jim and Mary Piccolo and Bob Snyder’s immense vision.” Today, the couple asserts “That decision [to join Nouveau Riche] turned into a huge blessing for us.” Creating a new life together, they’ve fulfilled many of their dreams. “Nouveau Riche not only provides a good education and a good income, it creates a lifestyle many envy,” adds DeMerris.

Making their “home” with Nouveau Riche, Larry and DeMerris share a strong desire to serve others and take great pride in their roles as Independent Regional Advisors. “Our mission is to break the ties of poverty in our family and our community, now and for generations to come. We are honored to serve alongside a great team that is committed to improving the lives of others.”  They are forever grateful to the Nouveau Riche Founders for the discovery of a new way of life and the opportunity to open others’ eyes to a new world of possibility.