Amanda Kirkpatrick-Lawler
CELEBRATING LEADERS
PHOTOS BY PEAK RES | STORY WRITTEN BY ZACH COHEN
“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”
- Anne Sweeney
Amanda Kirkpatrick-Lawler’s life began on a cold January morning in Oklahoma City. She was raised in a joyous, stucco home with a Mediterranean-style roof and a circle driveway — perfect for chalking and riding bikes. Amanda recalls her childhood with a sense of fondness; she remembers her parents as loving and supportive and is grateful to have still their support today.
From an early age, Amanda displayed an affinity for service work. She joined various volunteer organizations through her teenage years and graduated from Heritage Hall with a service award for holding the most hours of community service in the school’s history.
Amanda went on to graduate from Oklahoma State University with a degree in journalism and broadcasting. She considered moving to New York, where she had spent time during college, but instead returned to her alma mater, Heritage Hall, to become the Director of Annual Giving and Alumni Relations. Alongside her work at Heritage Hall, Amanda dove deeper into community service.
“I joined various organizations with service on my heart. I enjoyed time working on committees and boards and learned so much,” she says.
Changing with the Times
In 2011, Amanda’s life began to shift. That year, she met her now-husband, Travis, and they married in 2013. After the honeymoon, Amanda began to explore a career path that she had long dreamed about.
“I met with a mentor of mine and began to explore a career change into selling real estate, which had been an interest of mine since childhood. I joined Metro Mark Realtors, sold my first listing in 2014, and have been learning, working, and growing ever since,” Amanda says.
In real estate, Amanda found success with a familiar recipe; she simply served the people directly in front of her. Amanda follows the advice of her great uncle, John E. Kirkpatrick, who once said, “We have never been ambitious. I just do my job from day to day as best I can, as long as I’m helping others.”
In 2015, Amanda faced another major shift. That year, she welcomed her twin boys, Kirk and Jennings, into the world.
“The transition from non-profit development and party planning to becoming a producing and respected REALTOR®, as well as transitioning from a single lady to a married mom of three boys, took time, energy, and skills that were so new to me.”
With perseverance and adaptability, Amanda found a way to thrive through the transition.
Becoming a Leader
In real estate, Amanda continues to dedicate her time and energy to serving others. She’s also learned a handful of new skills, like negotiating, holding boundaries, and selling herself. By 2016, she became a top producer. She welcomed her third child, Emerson, in 2017.
In 2019, Amanda obtained her broker’s license, and she was soon presented with the opportunity to purchase Metro Mark Real Estate. In 2020, she became the new majority owner and Managing Broker, while her partner, Cole Strickland, took over as the minority owner. Amanda simultaneously expanded her personal real estate business into a team with the addition of her good friends, Julie Keller (real estate agent), Elizabeth Atkinson (Administrative Assistant), and Crystal Hardberger (stager).
“Becoming broker and a leader, motivator, teacher, and confidant of the 30+ agents at Metro Mark has made me a stronger leader overall,” Amanda says. “I strive to be a broker that is in touch with the needs of her agents so that I can help provide the tools, information, and structure that will help them thrive. To me, there is no better place to start and/or grow your business than with the group of people I call my colleagues and friends at Metro Mark.”
Leaving a Legacy
Amanda continues to volunteer in the Oklahoma City Community; the two organizations most dear to her heart are Allied Arts and The Junior League of Oklahoma City. She is also an advisor with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber and a member of Leadership OKC. But, her most important title remains “Mom.”
“As all parents understand, my children have brought me unthinkable joy… I kiss, heal, color, puzzle, play, bathe, clean hands, clean mouths, clean dishes, clean laundry, clean up, give and receive snuggles, sing songs, go on adventures, say ‘no,’ say ‘stop,’ say prayers, protect, laugh, and love 100+ times a day, and at the same time work to build my business.”
Amanda hopes to inspire her three boys to become relational and community leaders.
“As the only female in the household, my achievements, actions, and behavior define the roles of women and mom, wife, daughter, and sister, and also the strength, intelligence, and limitless abilities of all girls and women,” Amanda says.
“I also have a duty to show my boys what service looks like, and I want my service leadership to motivate and teach my boys that helping people ultimately blesses the helper. They need to understand that relationships matter because everyone we meet has a story. I set expectations for treating everyone with kindness, starting within our family and extending into our community. I teach them that all people are valuable and deserving of respect and dignity.
“As my sons’ role model, my achievements matter. I transparently lead my life with love, learning, and a heart to make a change.”
