Monica Castillo
Photos by Peak RES
Monica Castillo's journey into real estate began in an unexpected way.
Originally from Chihuahua, Mexico, Castillo’s path to success was not without challenges. As English is her second language, she initially faced barriers but overcame them through effort and perseverance.
Her early days in the United States began with cleaning tables at a restaurant, where she eventually progressed to being a hostess and waitress for several years. Later, she worked at Ajax Die Casting/Cast Tech in the Broken Arrow area as a human resources coordinator. During this time, she was mentored by a real estate agent and began assisting employees with the home-buying process.
"This experience and motivation sparked an interest in real estate, which eventually led me to obtain my license and pursue a prosperous career in real estate," Castillo said.
TRANSITION TO REAL ESTATE
In 2005, Castillo returned to the Tulsa area after a brief stint in Oklahoma City.
From that point on, she fully immersed herself in the real estate industry. Despite initially not being fluent in English, a critical skill in the business, she credits God with guiding her and giving her the ability to understand and write legal contracts with ease. She also notes the kindness and support of people in Oklahoma, who offered her encouragement and excellent treatment.
Driven by her passion for helping others, especially those from her cultural background, Castillo focused on educating clients about the U.S. real estate market. She showed tenants the benefits of homeownership, emphasizing that the process was not as complex as they might have thought. Many individuals from her community who were unfamiliar with U.S. laws were able to purchase their own homes with her guidance.
"With perseverance and dedication, I was able to establish a solid foundation in the industry, overcome obstacles, and achieve a prosperous career," Castillo said.
EXPANSION INTO COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE
In addition to her work in residential real estate, Castillo expanded into commercial real estate about eight years ago. She now assists clients in purchasing homes and commercial businesses and enjoys working on new construction projects.
"This expansion reflects a versatility and ability to adapt to the changing needs of clients, as I am able to assist them on a case-by-case basis," Castillo said.
20 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE SUCCESS
With two decades of experience, Castillo has established herself as a dedicated and accomplished real estate agent with Chinowth & Cohen, located in Bixby. She has helped clients not only purchase homes but also construct their dream homes, invest in properties, and renovate their houses. Castillo enjoys helping clients integrate into and become involved in the community.
Her steady growth in annual sales has made her one of the top producers in the real estate market. She emphasizes the importance of building close and familiar relationships with her clients.
"All of my clients know my family, and I have clients who have bought and sold homes several times over the years," Castillo said. "They also refer me to family and friends. I would consider joining a team to further scale the business; however, I value the one-on-one connection with each of my clients, as I am able to meet each of their different needs."
A LIFE OF GRATITUDE
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Castillo has been married for 30 years and is a proud wife, mother, and grandmother. She deeply loves her family and is grateful for the supportive environment she has found at home and in the Oklahoma community, both of which have been instrumental in her success. Castillo attributes her achievements to her unwavering faith in God, who has guided her and encouraged her to continue preparing academically to provide the best legal and business assistance to her clients.
She expresses sincere gratitude to her loyal clients for their continued support and to her colleagues for their collaboration.
"I give the honor and all my gratitude to God for giving me wisdom and guiding my way," Castillo said, "and I thank Chinowth & Cohen and all the work team—including inspectors, lenders, title companies, lawyers and construction companies, among others—for always giving us their great support."
