When Jesse Durden joined the Epcon network in 2020, he brought more than two decades of experience as a commercial developer and a desire to build something purposeful, scalable and rooted in a lifestyle he believed in.
Today, as founder and co‑owner of Kept Classic Homes, Jesse is shaping a new chapter that blends his business acumen with Epcon’s proven model for active adult living.
A Builder at Heart With an Unexpected Path
Jesse’s construction career began long before his first development.
“Actually, my first construction job was in home building,” he says. “I was a framer in high school and through college.”
After earning a construction science degree from Texas A&M, he built large commercial projects, eventually pursuing an MBA and launching several businesses of his own. But even with that experience, starting a home building company came with a new set of challenges.
“There are mistakes you don’t expect when you start a business,” Jesse reflects. “When we started looking for a scalable model, we loved the stability of the 55‑plus demographic. But what really sold me on Epcon was the playbook. A lot of the mistakes I made in previous businesses — I could avoid those here.”
Why Epcon Was the Right Fit
For Jesse, joining the Epcon network meant gaining deep expertise in a demographic he was not yet familiar with.
“Being under 55, I never think of myself as the ultimate consumer. I didn’t know what that demographic wanted. Epcon was able to provide that incredibly valuable information.”
And then, of course, there were the homes themselves.
“I mean, the floor plans, people rave about the floor plans. The quality, the desirability. This is a quality build and a great plan that you can’t get from another builder.”
Shaping a New Community: Lakeside at Millican Reserve
Kept Classic Homes is now bringing its first Epcon community to life: Lakeside at Millican Reserve.
“Our property is adjacent to a 42‑acre clear‑water lake. The master development has over 40 miles of hiking trails, a community garden and incredible natural amenities. We think that will really draw buyers.”
The team celebrated its official groundbreaking in February 2025, and construction activity is now underway.
“Motors are starting up, we’re getting ready to move dirt and we’re doing all the presale and marketing activities prescribed along with the Epcon collateral. It’s exciting to see it come to life.”
A Network That Exceeded Expectations
Going in, Jesse describes himself as a “constant skeptic,” but that changed when he experienced Epcon’s communities in person.
“Touring a community communicated the lifestyle. It was more than the facades, more than the floor plans. That was a super important part of my decision.”
Looking Ahead
For Kept Classic Homes, the journey is just beginning but the direction is clear.
With Lakeside at Millican Reserve underway and strong momentum behind them, Jesse and his team are excited to introduce a lifestyle-focused home product that doesn’t yet exist in their market. Backed by the support of Epcon’s team and driven by a deep sense of purpose, they’re ready to build something remarkable.