A Small Town Nebraska Entrepreneur Turns Dreams into Reality
There’s a tension many Nebraskans know well: the pull to stay rooted in the place that shaped you, and the lure of possibility calling you somewhere else. For Derek Leininger, that tension lived right under his boots. He grew up in Seward before a unique opportunity to work in film production and videography on the Outdoor Channel sent him chasing whitetails across the Midwest with a camera on his shoulder.
In 2020, Derek traded long travel days for a bold idea. He’d head home, take what he’d learned behind the lens, and build something of his own: a business that went beyond capturing content to help local and regional businesses reach more customers and grow.
That mission became Monster Media, a full-service creative agency offering videography, photography, branding, and social media management. In just a few years, Derek built a team and a reputation for delivering exceptional quality while remaining grounded in Midwest values.
“God, family, and hard work are what drive Monster Media,” he says. Derek has an intensity about him that he balances with channeled curiosity.
Derek capturing footage for one of his clients.
As the business grew, so did Derek’s vision—not just for his company, but for his family’s future in Seward. He wanted to invest in land, build a home, and create the kind of life that reflected his values. But turning that vision into reality would require more than ambition. It would require the right financial partner.
And that’s where the challenges began.
Finding the Right Support
In 2022, Derek and his wife began building their dream home on a piece of land just outside Seward. They pursued financing through a large, national bank offering a loan that combined financing for construction of the house and the final home mortgage. But the process quickly turned into a nightmare.
“The underwriting was rigid, the communication was delayed, and the interest rates kept climbing,” says Derek. He exhales sharply. “It felt like we were just a number in a system.”
The back-and-forth dragged on, until eventually the national bank refused to honor the original interest rate. The lack of diligence and support left Derek and his family feeling stranded.
It was a particularly maddening place to be, especially for a guy who had always been willing to dig in, treat people right, take calculated career risks, and do the hard work to see them through. Frustrated and running out of options, Derek reached out to Jones Bank. One of Nebraska’s leading community banks, Jones Bank serves Seward, Milford, Valparaiso and the surrounding area. Derek met with lenders Derek Tesinsky and Rick Gray, who immediately took a different approach.
“In less than a week, they had the whole thing figured out,” Leininger says. “They locked in a lower rate and made it happen.”
What stood out wasn’t just the efficiency—it was the personal touch. “Derek Tesinsky was texting me morning, noon, and night to reassure me,” he adds. “That kind of support is almost unheard of.”
With the help of Jones Bank, Derek secured financing that allowed him to complete their home’s construction without compromising his family’s goals. Today, that home isn’t just a building—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when a bank sees you as a neighbor, not a number. It’s where his kids play, grow, and create lifelong memories.
“Two of my kids shot their first deer in the backyard,” Derek says. “That’s something special—and it all started with having the right people in our corner.”
Derek Leininger’s three boys.
Pursuing Business Interests
With a solid foundation at home, Derek started getting serious about pursuing other business interests. He saw opportunity in real estate, but he also knew the risks. He wanted to grow smart: to invest in properties that would cashflow without tying up a ton of capital. At the same time, he wanted to protect what he’d already built, and to keep his personal and business finances on steady ground.
He again turned to the team at Jones Bank, financing two local rental properties through the bank’s investor-friendly terms.
“Jones Bank made getting into rental properties much more accessible,” says Derek, who was able to do so without unnecessarily locking up business capital. “Their lower down payment requirements were a game-changer.”
He also leveraged home equity to finance the construction of a personal shop and multipurpose building—again keeping resources accessible as he broadened the scope and scale of personal and business assets.
But ultimately for Derek, it’s not just about great rates or favorable loan terms, though those elements certainly matter. It’s about being known. It’s about digging into the details, treating people right, and doing the hard work to find answers and options.
“Working with Derek Tesinsky feels more like calling a friend than calling a banker,” says Leininger, adding that the two have become close over the years. “It’s never just business—it’s personal. He checks in, follows up, and genuinely cares how things are going.”
“With a big bank, you’re just an account number,” Derek says. “With Jones Bank, I’m a person who’s part of the community, and they’ve always treated me that way.”
Jones Bank, located in Seward, NE
A Legacy in the Making
Today, Derek’s business endeavors are thriving. Monster Media continues to take on new projects and clients, bringing multi-channel marketing campaigns to life and helping businesses across the region grow. In the winter, the kids head out to the property’s outbuilding and practice shooting hoops.
“They took a chance on me when others wouldn’t. That trust means everything,” says Derek.
“Every time I come home, I’m reminded of what we were able to build with Jones Bank’s help. It’s not just our house or business: It’s our dream come true.”
The Leiningers outside of their home.
“If you’re trying to build something meaningful—your home, a business, a legacy—you need a banking partner who’s in it with you,” Derek says. “That’s Jones Bank.”
Build your Future with Jones Bank
Whether you’re dreaming of your first home, breaking ground on something new, or looking for a better lending experience, Jones Bank is here to help. Our local team offers trusted guidance, competitive options, and personal support every step of the way.