Jake Bradshaw
Written by Zachary Cohen | Photos by Peak RES
Jake Bradshaw’s voice wavered as he recounted a pivotal moment from his childhood, his eyes welling with emotion.
At just 12 years old, Jake found himself staring up at the final stretch of Yosemite’s Half Dome, the daunting final ascent lined with cables. Exhausted from the grueling climb, he watched his father, brother, uncle, and cousin tackle the last section while he waited at the base.
“I sat there alone,” Jake recalls. “Then, I had this moment of clarity—like a voice telling me, ‘Get up, grab your gloves, and climb.’”
With renewed resolve, Jake started up the cables. Fear gripped him as he slid on the slick rock, but he pressed on. Reaching the summit, he saw his father’s astonished face. “He couldn’t believe his 12-year-old son had just climbed a mountain by himself,” Jake says. “And although I was climbing alone, I didn’t feel alone.”
That climb became a metaphor for Jake’s life and career. “The last few years, I’ve been climbing my own mountain with an abundance of faith. But when I get to the top, I see all the people who helped me get there.”
Jake lives by a mantra that encapsulates his approach to life: “In this big life, we’re all climbing our mountains. We can choose to sing as we climb or complain about our sore feet. I decided a long time ago that singing just makes more sense.”
Real Estate: A Family Legacy
Jake’s journey into real estate began in 2016, but the seeds were planted long before. Born in Virginia, Jake and his family moved to Oklahoma at age four when his father’s career brought the family to Tulsa.
Jake's father, Mark Bradshaw—a former news anchor and a strong pillar in the Tulsa community—humbly delivered the news to Tulsans for nearly 30 years. “He set a high standard for professionalism and always demonstrated how to treat others with respect,” Jake says.
Real estate was already a part of Jake’s life. His mother, Michelle, has been a REALTOR® since 2000, and her relentless work ethic shaped Jake’s understanding of what it takes to succeed.
“She was always there for us, but she was also always on her phone,” Jake says with a chuckle. “As kids, we’d literally take her phone and throw it out the car window. But as I got older, I realized she was working hard for us, and when it mattered, she’d put it away and be fully present.”
Michelle also put Jake and his siblings to work. “One of my earliest memories is rollerblading around the neighborhood, passing out flyers for her business,” he says. “She’s the ultimate hustler, and she trained us well. She’s still my best coach to this day.”
After graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2015 with a bachelor's degree in advertising, marketing, and entrepreneurship, Jake briefly worked as a project manager in the fast-paced advertising world. But the desire to build something lasting for his future family led him to follow in his mother’s footsteps.
“It was like destiny,” Jake says. “Real estate is in my blood.”
Building a Thriving Business
Over the years, Jake has steadily grown his business. Today, he leads a team at McGraw Realtors with plans for continued expansion.
“We’ve grown every year in production and volume,” Jake says. “In 2024, we closed $18 million in sales, and this year, our goal is to continue to improve those numbers by helping that next person. I’ve brought in agents with no prior real estate sales experience but with great potential and unique talents. I’ve taught them how to build a real career, with some earning over six figures. No matter the economic environment, we’re always moving onward and upward.”
Jake credits his success to a combination of optimism, resilience, and a genuine love for helping people. “We’re problem-solvers. It’s not just about closing deals,” he says.
As a Tulsa native, Jake’s deep roots in the community give him a unique edge. “I know the area, the people, and the history. My parents raised me with strong relationships, and those connections have helped me build my business.”
A Vision for the Future
When he’s not guiding clients through their home-buying journeys, Jake treasures time with his wife, Mandi, and their two children, Ava Jean (4) and Jack Neil (1).
“Family time is everything,” Jake says. “In the summer, we’re swimming, playing with our dog, or taking family vacations.”
Jake’s creative side also finds expression in his hobbies. He drums at his church, Foundations Church, and moonlights as a DJ for weddings, private events, and concerts.
Looking ahead, Jake is focused on growth—both personally and professionally. “Every year, I’m surprised at what we’ve accomplished and excited for what’s next,” he says.
But for Jake, success isn’t just about numbers. It’s about leaving a legacy.
“I want to leave this world better than I found it,” he says. “Whatever I do, I want to make a positive impact on someone or something… My personal slogan is ‘Do it Big.’ To me, that means focusing on the small moments and making them magical. The little things often have the biggest impact.”
