The Vining Standlee Home Team at Coldwell Banker Select

TEAM SPOTLIGHT

STORY BY KEVIN GREEN | PHOTOS BY TRADEMARK PHOTOS BY TAMI MCKENNEY

THE PROVIDENTIAL PARTNERSHIP

In the world of real estate, success often hinges on the right timing, the right partnerships and, some might say, a touch of divine providence. 

Such is the story of Holly Standlee and Kimberly Vining, two remarkable real estate professionals whose paths converged at just the right moment to create a thriving partnership at Coldwell Banker. Their journey together — marked by career changes, unwavering faith and a passion for service — has culminated in a real estate empire that is making waves in the Tulsa area.

A LEAP OF FAITH

"It just so happens …”

These are words used by Standlee — a mother of two teenage boys and a grown “bonus” son — when reflecting on her transition into a career in real estate. 

Six years ago, she was navigating the challenges of the lab medical sales industry when a casual conversation with a friend, Tiffany Martin, over a glass of wine set her on a new path.

“I was telling her about what was going on in my career field and confiding in her about some issues that were going on,” Standlee recalled. “She then said, ‘Why don't you get your real estate license and join me on my team at Coldwell Banker?’ I was like two glasses of wine in, and I said, ‘Yeah, let's do it.’"

In 2017, she took the bold step into the world of real estate.

Taking a leap of faith, Standlee signed up for the fast-track course at Coldwell Banker the very next day. She pursued her real estate certification while still holding her previous job, eventually quitting right after obtaining her license. 

Standlee’s journey was not just a career change; it was a transformation of her life. As a single mom solely responsibility for her two teenage boys, the decision to dive into real estate full time was not taken lightly considering the financial responsibilities she carried.

Her real estate career, she believes, was guided by a higher power, allowing her to dictate her schedule and never miss a moment with her children, who are actively involved in sports.

"It's been a faith-driven career this entire time," Standlee said. "I had virtually no income … I can count numerous occasions when it's been by God that has made me as successful as I am in a career that typically takes agents years to grow. It's a lot knowing that it's not just me — I'm responsible for three humans. I bought them each a car, and car insurance now for two teenage boys, it's a lot. But again, if I hadn't had that meeting with Tiffany six years ago, I wouldn't have been able to do what I'm doing now. It just so happened to be the perfect moment, and that's why I say I feel like God's hands were on that. I’d had a really crappy day at my profession, and she swooped in and completely changed the course of my life.   

“I'll forever be grateful for her and that meeting.”

TRANSFER OF OPPORTUNITY

While Standlee was finding her footing in real estate, Vining was experiencing her own journey of change. 

A stay-at-home mom from Houston, she moved to Tulsa in 2017 due to a job transfer for her husband. It was here that she ventured into real estate, having dabbled in personal renovations and home improvement projects.

It was a decision that would prove to be more rewarding than she could have imagined.

"I had thought maybe that would be something I'd want to do one day, but I had no idea when I went to real estate school that it would go from a field I didn't know very well to winning ‘Rookie of the Year’ my first year in business," Vining said.

Vining’s entry into real estate was anything but ordinary, her meteoric rise in the industry — from $7 million in sales her first year to a staggering $43 million in 2022 — speaking to her dedication and acumen for the real estate market.

BIRTH OF A POWERFUL PARTNERSHIP

The providence of God continued to work its magic when Standlee and Vining crossed paths at Coldwell Banker.

Despite their different backgrounds, the pair shared a common passion for real estate, service and a desire to make a difference. 

"Anytime that we would see one another at a company function, I feel like we gravitated toward one another," Standlee said. “I'm really big on finding and surrounding myself with like-minded women and like-minded professionals. It sparks my energy, it sparks my creativity and it makes me want to do better. I always try to surround myself with not only like-minded people in general but also people that work hard, take care of their people and are just good people in general.”

The partnership between Standlee and Vining was born out of the desire to create an energetic and supportive team. Vining was searching for a partner to join her team, and Standlee was contemplating a team dynamic. 

Their meeting couldn't have been more fortuitous or advantageous, and they officially joined forces in 2022.

"Everyone on my team is just really upbeat and positive and easygoing and great to work with, and Holly fits that mold,” Vining said. “I was looking to add someone to the team that would come alongside me and support growing the team, and Holly was a really great fit for that. Holly was the only person that I approached about adding as a partner. She felt like she had been searching for that kind of opportunity, and so it just worked out really perfectly."

Together, they form a dynamic team of six REALTORS® — including Amanda Kerstetter, Trina McReynolds, Lauren Volpe and Mackenzie Figler — at Coldwell Banker, each bringing their own strengths and specializations.

Their partnership is rooted in a shared dedication to excellence and unwavering support for one another, combining Standlee’s dynamic energy with Vining’s thoughtful and considerate approach. 

Together, they've formed a real estate team that thrives on delivering exceptional service to their clients. Their shared commitment to customer satisfaction has helped propel their business to new heights.

"Whenever I added her, at one of the first team meetings, she came in and asked for everyone's birthday, anniversary and really sweet things like that,” Vining said. “I thought, ‘These people have worked for me for years, and I've never thought to ask that kind of stuff.’ We definitely have our own dynamic … she likes the culture side of things, and I'm just a rigid sales and numbers girl.”

Together, Standlee and Vining are more than just partners in real estate; they represent a testament to how life's twists and turns can lead to prosperous new beginnings. 

Their journey is a reminder that sometimes, with faith and the right partnerships, the providence of God can guide one's career and lead to remarkable success.

Hard work and unwavering commitment to service have not only forged a powerful partnership between the two, but they’ve also created an enduring legacy in the Tulsa real estate market.

"Our goal as a team is to just take incredible care of our clients," Vining affirmed. "That's what keeps this whole thing growing. If you've worked with any member of the team, you’ve received the highest level of service and you'll never work with anyone else. We've got a model of sticking to what works."