Lauren Ashley
Written by Elizabeth McCabe | Photos by Ezekiel E. Photography
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take!” – Wayne Gretzky
Live life with passion and purpose. Lauren Ashley, a real estate agent with Chinowth & Cohen REALTORS®, understands how important it is to embrace every opportunity in life. One such opportunity was real estate.
Twelve years ago she said yes to real estate and hasn’t looked back since.
“Before real estate, I was in the service industry for most of my life,” explains Lauren. This experience gave her the opportunity to hone her customer service skills. “I worked at a country club for a while and then started working for a lighting and furniture company.” Little did she know that this would spark an interest in homes.
“I mainly worked with builders and people who were building. They would come in with their electrical plans, and I would help them pick out the lighting for their whole house,” explains Lauren. Following that, she worked as an assistant for an interior decorator for several years. “It led me to real estate,” Lauren smiles, “which I am thankful for.”
At the advice of her friend, she made the leap to real estate. “He told me, ‘You should get into real estate,’” she shares. “I thought about it. My grandmother was in real estate and I felt like it was in my genes and in my blood,” she points out. “I was destined for it.” Although her grandmother passed away when Lauren was 7, the impact on her life was profound.
“I decided to go for real estate,” she shares. “It turned out to be really good for me.” Her background in interior decorating gave her an edge in the industry, where Instagram-worthy photos get people’s attention long before they step foot in a listing.
“I love design and helping people, and it goes hand in hand,” she smiles. Lauren also uses her creative eye to help her clients. “If a listing needs staging, I will help with that,” she shares. With her expertise, she knows how to make properties pop. “It’s the little things,” she comments. Adding greenery in the bathroom can make a world of difference when it comes to creating the right first impression with potential buyers.
One thing that sets Lauren apart from many other agents is her focus on leasing. “While many agents concentrate solely on buying and selling, I offer leasing services, which provides my clients with more options and flexibility. This additional expertise allows me to help people in a variety of situations, whether they’re looking for a rental property or considering leasing before making a long-term commitment. I believe in offering a well-rounded approach to real estate, ensuring my clients have the support they need at every stage of their journey,’ she says.
Finding Her Niche
Originally from Broken Arrow, Lauren graduated from Broken Arrow High School. She knows the area well and is happy to help people put down roots in the community.
“I like helping first-time homebuyers,” she smiles. “They are probably my happiest clients.” Seeing their smiles at the closing tables and watching their excitement throughout the process means the world to Lauren. It makes her career fulfilling. It also leads to referrals. “The majority of my business is through referrals,” she points out. That speaks volumes about the trust and relationship that she has built over the years.
Secrets to Success
Lauren attributes her success to her social nature, strong network, and unwavering integrity. “I’m fun to work with, and I genuinely care about my clients,” she says. “Doing the right thing is important to me.”
Her work ethic is another driving force. “I’ve always worked multiple jobs—I’m a hustler and a go-getter,” she shares. “I’ve been working since I was 13, and I don’t like sitting still. I prefer knowing that I have money coming in from multiple streams of income.”
Another secret to her success is relaxing and recharging, which is key to work-life balance.
“When I’m not busy with real estate, I love to spend my free time doing things that bring me joy and help me unwind,” she shares. When she’s not selling homes, Lauren immerses herself in Tulsa’s vibrant music scene.
“Music is a big part of my life—I enjoy going to festivals, discovering new artists, and always looking for the next great show to attend.” She enjoys collecting vinyl records. She has turntables at home and plays records all the time.
“At home, I also love cooking and experimenting with new recipes,” she smiles.
Her appreciation for Tulsa extends to its architecture, particularly the Art Deco buildings downtown, which continue to inspire her real estate career.
Endless Potential
As Tulsa’s market continues to grow, fueled by incentives like the Tulsa Remote program, Lauren sees endless potential. “More and more people are moving here, bringing fresh creativity and diverse perspectives,” she says. “It makes me even more excited to be in real estate. Tulsa is a city on the rise with endless potential for growth.”
With her passion, perseverance, and dedication to doing right by her clients, Lauren Ashley has turned every shot she’s taken into a winning move.
