Laura Bryant

Written by Zachary Cohen | Photos by Lily Chris Photography

Laura Bryant’s real estate journey began when she purchased her first home shortly after graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in nutritional sciences in 2005. Luckily, Laura had a positive experience with her agents, Larry and Ann Harral, at McGraw Realtors. 

“It was great,” Laura reflects. “They always kept in touch and remained a resource. When we needed to sell, they were the natural choice. We were able to buy a new house with them around 2011. That was when I really understood real estate was more than just a service provider. I realized it was a relationship business and more long-term than transactional.”

Meanwhile, Laura built a successful career as a pediatric dietician at Saint Francis Children's Hospital. During her nearly decade-long stint at the hospital, she helped countless families. She enjoyed the high-paced, client-focused environment, but when she decided to start a family, she began thinking about a career change. As she considered her options, real estate sales rose to the surface as a possibility. 

“I was pregnant in 2013 and trying to decide what I wanted to do with work. I was going to become a mom, and I had a really great experience when I bought my first house,” Laura explains. “I was considering staying home full-time with my daughter, but then I realized how much I loved real estate. I thought I'd get my license and just see what happened. I didn't really know what would happen, but I decided to give it a shot.”

Laura’s real estate success far exceeded her expectations. She quickly rose to the top of the local real estate rankings while finding joy and passion in her work. She closed an impressive $32.5 million in 2023, a testament to her success and expertise. 

From Pediatrics to Real Estate

Although Laura left the healthcare industry over a decade ago, she continues to use the skills she sharpened during that time.

“I found I really enjoy the relationship aspect of real estate,” she explains. “Working with pediatrics, I saw the same patients over and over. There were many kids with chronic challenges. I'd see them year after year, and I developed relationships with those families. That prepared me for real estate.”

Laura also liked the high-paced environment of working at the hospital. She was constantly asked to pivot and be creative.

“I’m at my best when I'm busiest, and I thrive in that intense environment,” Laura continues. “Real estate, while not life-threatening or life-saving, is so complex. There are so many moving parts, and it's one of the biggest and most stressful life decisions people make. There is a lot on the line. There is a great deal of crossover between the two positions. It was just a different subset of juggling. Being really type A and incredibly detailed, it was a really easy transition to this job.”

In It for the Long Haul

Today, Laura is a highly successful individual agent with McGraw Realtors. She runs a primarily referral-based business, leaning on her Oklahoma roots and steadfast commitment to service. Expertise is another of her strengths; she’s continually focused on education, growth, and best-in-class service.

“That’s what I thrive off of—the relationship building. This is a people business, not a house business,” Laura says.

Outside work, you’ll find Laura with her husband, Todd, and their daughter, Clara, who is in fifth grade. Laura also enjoys traveling, volunteering at local nonprofits and community organizations, and running; she typically runs a marathon yearly and is a marathon coach for the local running group Fleet Feet.

“Whether at home or work, I’m doing things for the long haul,” Laura closes. “Life is about relationships for me. When I’m selecting a house for someone, I'm also selecting a house I want to resell. I want them to love this house and serve them really well, but I also want to help them make a good, sound investment because I plan on helping them sell that house again in however many years it is. I want to help them make a good choice for now and when we're on the other side.”