Kevin Rhoades

COVER STORY

COVER PHOTO BY MORGAN GIBSON WITH SERENDIPITY PHOTOGRAPHY

FEATURE PHOTOS BY JJHOMES PHOTOGRAPHY | STORY BY LALEY FREEMAN

A Dream Come True

In 2005, Kevin Rhoades made a big move from Orlando, FL, to Tulsa, OK. Before moving to Tulsa, Kevin worked as a waiter in The Hollywood Brown Derby at Disney's Hollywood Studios. As luck would have it, he would meet his wife, Susan, here – in The Most Magical Place on Earth™.

Susan was working at Disney World as a part of a college program internship, but the place she called home was Oklahoma. Soon after they started dating, Kevin and Susan got married and made the decision to start their life together in the midwest. As he began to navigate his life in a new place, he accepted a job as a waiter for The Polo Grill in Utica Square, a job that would lead to much more than he'd ever expected.

A New Path

Through a casual conversation at work, Kevin learned that one of the other waiters he was on shift with was planning to take real estate classes and get his license. "He told me that he thought I'd be good at it and thought I should do it with him," Kevin remembers. After thinking it over, he decided to give it a shot.

He enrolled in real estate school, obtained his license, and started working as a real estate agent part-time while continuing to work as a waiter. "I was slow to start because I didn't know anyone in Oklahoma when I got here. Over the next few years, I got busier and was able to commit to my real estate career full-time," he said.

"When I was brand new, I was lucky enough to be able to hold many open houses for a builder in my neighborhood. Since I lived in the neighborhood, it helped me seem like an 'expert' in the area. I built a lot of my client base here, from my own neighborhood," he reflected. "I also met another builder there, and we eventually developed a great relationship. Several years later, I started listing his homes and still work with him today."

Today, Kevin is a REALTOR® with Coldwell Banker Select®, where he has been since 2008, and team leader of The Rhoades Team. His wife, Susan, has also obtained her real estate license. "My wife, Susan; her brother, Matt Tramel; her cousin's wife, Polly Beasley; Gunnar Enlow and his wife, Kalie; all work on my team."

The Journey

Kevin contributes a lot of his success in this industry to the years he spent working in hospitality. "Working with the public, I had to learn so many things about customer service, anticipating clients' needs, patience, and solving problems quickly. Working for Disney World was a wonderful experience and will always be a part of who I am."

His ability to be patient, listen, and remain calm in stressful situations has allowed him to excel, even in the midst of hurdles that come hand-in-hand with most real estate transactions. Through this, Kevin has found a passionate and fulfilling career. "For me, finding a career that has allowed me to support myself while helping others has been a major accomplishment," he told us.

Behind the Scenes

Kevin is married to the love of his life, Susan, and together they have two sons. He and Susan enjoy beginning each and every day by going to the gym together to set the tone for the day. "It starts off our day feeling energized," he shared.

As a family, the Rhoades enjoy dining out and traveling to new places, in addition to their shared love of music. "We have one son in the Claremore High School band and another in the band at Oklahoma State University." Kevin and Susan enjoy attending all of their concerts and football game marching shows during the season.