Kristee Barlow
Story by Zach Cohen
Photos: Lily Chris Photography
Growing up, Kristee Barlow dreamed of being a writer. She studied journalism in college and discovered a love for poetry slams and stand-up comedy.. But as her life progressed, Kristee lost touch with her passion for storytelling for many years. Life took her to various cities along the West Coast, where she primarily worked in the restaurant industry, and then to Tulsa, where she began her real estate career.
In recent years, Kristee has rediscovered her love for storytelling. Now, she uses it to inspire, bring levity, and express her authenticity.
“I’ve always loved making people laugh,” Kristee smiles. “That’s what makes me tick.”
Kristee participated in her first local Story Slam after a fellow real estate agent dared her to participate. Despite her stage fright, Kristee accepted and won the competition. She began participating more often, even winning the Ok, So 2023 Grand Slam storytelling competition for the entire city. It was clear to everyone that Kristee had a knack for this art form.
Kristee enjoys pushing the edges, sharing about some of the more unrefined, personal — and laughable — parts of her life, including addiction, recovery, marriage, parenthood, and growing up in Alaska, where even the moose are drunk. The first story she told was about how she met her husband at a detox center and how they've beaten the odds and gone on to overcome their struggles and thrive, encouraging others to do the same. She told another about taking mushrooms and seeing a horror movie when she was 16. Her winning story for 2023 was about asking to speak to the manager at a drug store after her first grader read the packaging of the "adult" products in the pharmacy and asked her to explain them.
“So, what makes storytelling so compelling for Kristee? She says it's all about finding humor amid the more tragic notes.
“I love knowing about people, hearing other people's stories, and art that fleshes people out. I want to know everything about everybody. I love language, and I want to understand people.”
Bringing it Home
Kristee’s love for storytelling fits perfectly with a real estate career, where a desire to hear others’ stories is a pathway to connection and success. Kristee understands that everyone has a story to tell, and she’s ready to hear it.
Kristee was born in Alaska and spent years living on the West Coast, spending time in Seattle and San Francisco. She moved to Tulsa in 2012 to be closer to family and enjoy a slower pace of life.
“Tulsa was a culture shock at first, but it was the best thing that's happened to me,” Kristee shares. “I am married now. I have a son. If you would have told me 15 years ago that I would be a soccer mom in Broken Arrow OK, I wouldn't have believed you. But I'm living my best life.”
Kristee began her real estate career in 2017 at the urging of her husband. She didn’t know what to expect at first, but it turned out to be a natural fit. Now, she’s one of Oklahoma’s best.
Light & Professional
Kristee closed $12.1 million as a solo agent with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors in 2023. The majority of her business is repeat and referral-based, a testament to her commitment to her clients, many of whom are working-class families or young professionals.
Whether she’s selling real estate or telling a story on stage, Kristee is authentic and genuine. She prides herself on being herself, and the people around her appreciate her for it.
“Real estate can be an intimidating job. You're tasked with something huge. I don't want to be a part of a mistake for anyone, so I work as hard as I can. I connect with people easily, and I make it fun for them. So what’s led to my success is a combo: making people laugh and working my tail off.
“I want to make people laugh. In my family, that’s our love language. If someone’s not teasing you, they don’t care. I want to be someone who makes people laugh and gives them even just temporary levity.”
Beyond the Office
Kristee and her husband, Aaron, have an eight-year-old son, Murphy. Kristee also enjoys cooking, thrifting, true crime shows, and supporting the recovery community.
