We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katelyn Perry. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katelyn below.

Alright, Katelyn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

When I first stepped into real estate in 2022, my life felt like a loop I couldn’t escape. I had just lost my grandmother, whom I’d cared for during her battle with brain cancer, and I was unsure where to turn next. I’d always been fascinated by real estate and dreamed of investing, but at the time I was making a living only through social media and other online platforms.

One day I decided to stop waiting for “perfect timing” and invest in myself. I enrolled in real estate school, finished the course in just six weeks, and took my licensing exam two days after passing my class finals—passing on the first try. The very next day on July 15th 2022 I signed on with a brokerage. To give this new career my full attention, I shut down all of my social media accounts, effectively cutting off my only source of income. It was terrifying, but I knew this was the direction my life needed to go.

During those first five months—while closing my first ten transactions—I was also moving out of what I thought would be my forever home, ending a long-term relationship, and relocating my two young children. It was an overwhelming season of change, yet it became the most transformative time of my life.

Today, real estate isn’t just my career—it’s my calling. Helping first-time buyers escape rent cycles, assisting investors in scaling their portfolios, and guiding families as they relocate, upsize, or downsize drives me every single day.

My passion for building strong communities doesn’t stop at real estate. I now serve on two nonprofit boards focused on creating a more connected, active community. I help host the McAlester Oktoberfest, one of the city’s largest annual events, and I’m part of the McAlester Activity Coalition, which is developing new family-friendly attractions—including an upcoming drag strip and monster truck track at the SE Expo Center—to give local families more ways to get outside and stay active.

Now I’m taking my next leap of faith: launching my own brokerage. It’s a bold move, but I believe in the vision and have faith that it will thrive. None of this would have been possible without that first risk—investing in the class, shutting down my old income streams, and making that nerve-racking first phone call as a brand-new agent. That single decision, made in the midst of personal upheaval, completely changed the trajectory of my life and showed me that the hardest seasons can hold the greatest rewards.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I love thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions for my clients. Whether it’s structuring unique financing or problem-solving when a deal hits a snag, I enjoy turning challenges into wins. I also draw on my background in social media and drone photography to produce marketing videos that truly showcase each property.

Real estate gives you the freedom to set your own hours, but that freedom requires extreme self-discipline. You can work as little or as much as you want, but if you don’t consistently prospect and nurture relationships—even when you have deals under contract—your business will stall fast. Deadlines, client updates, negotiations, and unexpected hurdles all demand constant attention. Some days I’m a marketer, other days a therapist, handyman, or problem-solver, and I’m there from A to Z.

What I’m most proud of is the way I treat every client like a longtime family friend. Buying a home is often the biggest financial decision of someone’s life, and I never take that trust lightly. I share my own first-time-buyer experiences to ease stress, and I show up for my clients in real, human ways. If they need me to swing by at the last minute, I might arrive in a messy bun, leggings, and house slippers. If they need someone to advocate fiercely on their behalf, I can be that voice. I’ve mowed lawns, patched roofs, and changed light fixtures—whatever it takes to get them to the finish line.

I’ve built my brand on authenticity. I let people see my personality and never hide behind a polished façade. My clients know I’m willing to put in unmatched effort, and that’s why they trust me with one of the most important milestones of their lives.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I built my social media presence by sharing real life—not a highlight reel. I don’t post every detail, but I let people see enough to know I’m a real person with real challenges. I’ve shared glimpses of big life changes like moving several times in a year or working through a breakup, along with the everyday chaos of raising kids and caring for my chickens.

I focus on the silver lining and the positive side of each situation, mixing in humor and personality. I’ll post something funny one day and a motivational goal update the next. My children are my greatest motivators, so they naturally appear in my feed too.

While I have a dedicated business page, most of my activity is on my personal profiles. That’s where people see both sides of me: the driven entrepreneur who sets high goals and the relatable mom who’s figuring life out like everyone else.

My advice for anyone starting to build a presence is simple: be real and be consistent. People, especially the younger generation, are drawn to authenticity. Show them what you’re working toward, share the hobbies and little joys that keep you inspired, and don’t be afraid to let your personality shine. That connection is what keeps people coming back.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

I believe my reputation has grown because I show up for people—no matter the time of day, the situation, or even whether it’s about real estate. If a past client calls with a random question or just needs advice, I’m there. That level of availability has turned into incredible word-of-mouth referrals.

A perfect example: I recently learned I’d been voted third place for Top Real Estate Agent in our town—and I didn’t even know the contest existed. Clients had to write my name in and send it to the newspaper on their own. I only found out a week after the results were published! When I shared the news on social media, countless people reached out to say they’d voted for me, and many others said they would have if they’d known.

Real people are looking for real connections, and that’s exactly what I focus on. I treat every client like family and keep those relationships strong, long after closing. That genuine care is what continues to drive my business forward and gives me confidence that, whatever direction I take, the relationships I’ve built will keep me thriving.