Natalie Richardson

For Natalie Richardson, real estate wasn’t about houses when she got started—it was about time. Specifically, time with her young kids. “I was coming back into the workforce after having babies and looking for something that would allow me to work part-time,” she recalls with a laugh. “It never was part-time—but it did allow me to control my own schedule.”

That decision, made 20 years ago, launched a thriving career built on relationships, reliability, and heartfelt service. This October, Natalie celebrates two decades as a full-time realtor with Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, a locally owned brokerage in Tulsa. “It’s hard to believe it’s been that long,” she says. “But I’m so thankful.”

Inspired by a Trailblazer
Natalie’s journey began with a spark of inspiration. “I kept seeing this woman’s marketing everywhere in Tulsa—her name was Sheryl Chinowth,” Natalie says. “She had started her own company and was just everywhere. I thought, ‘She’s brilliant. That’s the kind of leadership I want to work under.’”

She joined Chinowth & Cohen Realtors, a firm known for its strong marketing and community presence, and has been there ever since. The company, which she describes as “innovative and personal,” has been the perfect place to grow a career grounded in service.

Building a Business Through Life’s Moments
With her children in elementary school at the time, Natalie found herself constantly in the community—at school pick-ups, extracurriculars, and events. “We were going in a million directions and seeing people everywhere we went,” she remembers. “That’s how my business built up so quickly. It’s all about being present and available.”

Today, that personal approach remains the cornerstone of her work. “My whole business is built on referrals,” she says. “I’d say 99% of my sales come from someone’s kid, someone’s parent, or a friend. For me, it’s not about houses—it’s about the people.”

320 Closings, $110 Million, and Still Just “One Client at a Time”
Despite never focusing on the numbers, Natalie recently did a little math in honor of her 20-year milestone. “I’ve had about 320 transactions and $110 million in sales,” she says. “But I’ve never been a team—it’s just me. I’ve had help here and there, but I’ve always been hands-on.”

Each client, she says, receives her full attention and care. “I just take care of one client at a time. That’s the only way I’ve ever known how to do it.”

Why the Work Matters So Much
To Natalie, real estate isn’t just a transaction. It’s a transition. “Most of the time when someone’s buying or selling a home, something in their life is changing,” she explains. “It could be something joyful—maybe they’ve had a new baby or gotten a great job offer. But it can also be something really hard, like a divorce or the loss of a spouse.”

She views her role as part real estate expert, part life supporter. “It’s a service business,” she says. “And I take seriously the trust people put in me when they’re making their biggest financial decision—often during one of the most emotional times of their lives.”

Advice for New Agents: Keep It Personal
For those just getting started in the business, Natalie offers timeless advice: “Be personal. I learned a lot from another agent I admire, Frankie Harkey. She believed in handwritten notes, real phone calls, and genuine connection—and I still believe in all of that.”

In an era of automated messages and flashy social media posts, Natalie says a personal touch makes all the difference. “Write the card. Put the stamp on the letter. Call the client. Go have coffee. It seems small, but it matters—and it works.”

A Life Well Lived in Tulsa
Outside of real estate, Natalie and her husband Andy love to travel and spend time at their family cabin in southern Colorado. Back home, they’re active members of Christ Church Episcopal, a community that means a great deal to them. “We’re fairly social,” she says with a smile. “We love Tulsa—the restaurants, the music scene, all of it. It’s a great place to live.”

She also works from home with two beloved dogs—her unofficial “associates” now that her four children are grown. “They’ve been my companions for a long time,” she laughs.

How She Hopes to Be Remembered
When asked how she’d like clients to describe her, Natalie pauses. “I hope they’d say I’m genuine and available,” she says. “That I answer the phone. That I take their questions seriously. And that if I don’t know something, I’ll find out. I just want to be someone they can rely on.”

In a business built on trust and change, that’s the kind of legacy that lasts.