Cherie A. French
Written by Katherine H. Fondren | Photos by Peak RES
Through her work, Cherie A. French brings something deeply personal to the table: a passion for people, a reverence for history, and a love of lifelong learning.
As a Realtor-Associate with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Cherie has spent more than three decades guiding clients through one of life’s most transformative experiences—buying or selling a home. But to Cherie, it’s about far more than closing deals. It’s about helping people turn their dreams into reality.
The Spark That Started It All
Cherie’s love for real estate began with a life-changing experience at the age of 21. She was renting a home that happened to be on the market for sale. As she says, "I still remember the Listing Agent's name, Mickey Tarwater... God rest his soul."
The agreement she had with the Seller was that she could rent the home until the property sold and closed—and that exposure to the process of home showing and financing options opened her eyes to the possibilities of homeownership as well as what it's like being a real estate agent. That's where the intrigue began.
“I remember leaving the house for showings, and wondering if the Buyers liked the house. I remember the Seller telling me the loan was assumable which was a term I hadn't heard before, and that intrigued me. Even though I couldn't afford to assume the loan at the time, it moved my thoughts to owing real estate and selling real estate!”
The house itself left an impression too. “The home was in Lewiston Gardens Addition. A neighborhood still dear to my heart today! It had an enclosed patio with big windows hidden behind old, unattractive curtains, and the walls were painted a dark burnt orange” Cherie recalls. “I took down the curtains and started painting the space a light color. Not long after, the house sold.” That was my first real estate lesson: presentation matters. I felt like I made a positive impact on that sale, and it’s something I still aim to do with every home I list.”
During that time, she was working as a bartender at a local hot spot, The Hoffbrau at 18th & Boston, and soon after attended real estate school while being a server. “I was juggling both for about six months before I took the leap of faith into real estate full time. It was the scariest—and most exciting—step I’d ever taken.”
What she quickly learned was that real estate is a dynamic, full-time profession. “The market shifts like the stock market—you need to read it every day. To truly understand it, you need to be immersed in it.”
Building a Foundation
Cherie earned her real estate license in 1992 and began her career with boutique firms in Tulsa’s Brookside neighborhood. After 24 years in that close-knit community, she transitioned to the Midtown branch of Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, located at 1441 East 41st Street, where she continues to serve clients with dedication and enthusiasm.
Living Vicariously Through Others
What does Cherie love most about her work? “I feel like I get to live vicariously through others,” she says. “Most people work with peers in the same profession. But I work with such a variety of people in different careers—nurses, engineers, artists, teachers. I hear their stories, learn from them, and get to be part of their journeys. It’s really special.”
One story that stands out is of a woman who had a vivid vision for her dream home. “She described it all—renovations, additions, a complete transformation,” Cherie remembers. “Months later, she invited me back, and she had done every bit of it. That’s the power of thought. I’ve heard the saying, ‘Thoughts become things.’ I get to see that happen every day. I live and enjoy life through that experience.”
A Front-Row Seat to Real Estate Evolution
Cherie has witnessed dramatic changes in the industry over the decades. “When I started, we had these massive MLS books printed every two weeks,” she says. “Then came hot sheets, dot-matrix printers—and eventually, the fax machine.”
She laughs at the memory: “We would drive to our clients’ homes at all hours to get signatures for offers and counteroffers. The fax machine changed everything—it truly impacted our lives in a positive way. Today, we use digital lockboxes, smartphone apps, and cloud-based tools. The industry has evolved, and I’ve evolved with it.”
And it’s that constant change that keeps her energized. “You never stop learning in this business. There’s always a new tool, a new regulation, a new trend to understand.”
Whole Living and Joyful Movement
Outside of real estate, Cherie embraces her passions with the same curiosity that defines her work. “I love holistic health and learning how whole foods interact with the body,” she says. “And I grew up in a dance studio—so I have a deep appreciation for all forms of dance and the music that moves us.”
These days, her dancing takes place on her front porch or driveway in the evenings—moments of personal joy that reflect her lifelong love of rhythm and movement. She also enjoys bird watching.
Humor, Heart, and Home Tours
Cherie’s clients often tell her she could have been a comedian. “I like to have fun while I work,” she laughs. “Since I work nearly every day in some capacity—except for federal holidays—it’s important to bring some laughter into it.”
She also strives to be highly informative. “I go into detail when explaining each step of the transaction because I want my clients to walk away with knowledge they can use for the rest of their lives—even if they buy another home in another state with a different agent. I always want to make a positive impact.”
Her latest endeavor? The Midtown Real Estate Trolley Tour, a free 1-hour-and-40-minute experience that helps educate homebuyers on the subtle factors affecting price per square foot in the Midtown area. “These are insights no app can provide,” she says. “I did my first tour last week, and I’m planning more this fall. It’s just another way to share what I’ve learned with the community I love.”
A Career Built on Connection
More than 30 years in, Cherie A. French still sees every day in real estate as an opportunity—an opportunity to connect, to grow, and to make dreams a reality.
“In this career, you witness so many meaningful moments,” she says. “It’s not just business—it’s life. And I feel honored to be part of it.”
