Cheryl Lister
INSPIRATIONAL AGENT
WRITTEN BY ZACH COHEN | PHOTOS BY NESTED TOURS
THE STRENGTH TO OVERCOME
Cheryl Lister is vibrant, outspoken, colorful — and successful. Although her past is filled with trials and tribulations, she’s overcome life’s obstacles to become a model for those from similar situations. Today, she is the team leader of the Lister Home Team with eXp Realty, one of Oklahoma City’s up-and-coming real estate teams. Cheryl is a leader not only for her team but for her clients and community.
Tough Times
Cheryl’s life began with a challenging upbringing. She grew up poor; her father struggled with substance abuse and addiction, impacting every corner of Cheryl’s life.
As a teenager, Cheryl became bogged down by the limitations of her family and social life.
“I used to be a rebel in high school,” Cheryl remembers. “I was a drug addict [for a] few years post-high school, around 1999 up until I met my hubs in 2002.”
Although drug use was normalized in her familial and social circles, Cheryl somehow found a way to escape a lifetime of addiction.
“In 2002, [I] went on [a] blind date with my now-husband, and to this day, I am convinced he was heaven sent to me. And he would later tell me the same. We both grew up poor, [the] product[s] of single moms and AFDC (Aid to Families with Dependent Children), HUD homes (United States Department of Housing and Urban Development), and food stamps. It would, later on, be our trauma bond and saving grace. We never wanna go back to being poor or getting high.”
Turning it Around
Growing up in such a dire situation has propelled Cheryl to live a life of service.
“I again grew up poor and wanted to help myself and others, and poor people can't help poor people,” Cheryl comments.
So, Cheryl went back to school and obtained a degree in business from The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. She worked in several fields, including escrow, before devoting herself to real estate in 2017.
“Even though I have never done it for the money, I knew if I could excel at real estate, I could change my life and others’ lives,” Cheryl says. “I've always loved helping others, and pursuing a business degree [at] USAO in my hometown propelled me, and I got interested in the soundest investment on the planet, real estate… I again really see real estate as a way to get out, to majorly change my life, the [lives of] others around me… I love helping people, and it's really what motivates me at a high level (seriously, what gets me out of bed). Real talk!”
In it to Give
In the past five years, Cheryl has used real estate to turn her own life around and serve countless others in her community.
“We deal with people, and the most important financial decision they will ever make until they do it again,” Cheryl says. “I wouldn't have known it when I started in real estate, but it's definitely the people I work with that I inspire, and they actually inspire me. I think I am impacting their lives when really it's them investing in me too, and I respect and appreciate it. I mean, also, there is the whole [idea that] we get to give back to our communities and make money while doing it.”
As the team leader of the Lister Home Team with eXp Realty, Cheryl has helped countless clients raise their standard of living. She’s now stepped into a mentorship and training role, which allows her to impact even more people.
“I have brought several people into my world of real estate and helped train and mentored them to be great real estate agents, and it's my calling. I love it.”
Cheryl is “building an empire” with passive income streams while teaching other agents how to follow in her footsteps.
“The best part is I can show others how to also build their own empire, and that's the most fulfilling part to me. 'It ain’t no fun if the homies can't have none.' I don't plan on selling homes forever, and I love that with real estate, I can leverage myself out but still make money, proving itself to be the soundest investment on the planet.”
Be the Change
As Cheryl looks ahead, she hopes to continue to be the change she wants to see in the world. She stands for diversity, inclusion, and excellence in everything she does.
“I help people solve problems [and] entertain people because I am funny and enlighten people by sharing any kind of knowledge I possess. I genuinely care, and I genuinely know they are just as valuable as I [am] — and that's why I get mad respect.”
“I always share my story with people because, first of all, it’s pretty awesome I survived, and I am not all twisted. I always feel like my story helps other people. Being vulnerable and transparent is something I do well … I have lived a very vibrant and colorful life, and this is my time to be, do, and have my time to shine."
“I am the real deal!. Even though I talk a lot of stuff, I am one of the most humble people you will ever meet.”
Giving Thanks
“God is first and foremost,” Cheryl says. “A few people are especially responsible for a portion of my success, and they are so important. One is Don Lorg, my all-time mentor and teacher. My horizontal partner, Vanessa Johnson, lets me steal all her stuff, and she is super influential and supportive. And then there is my assistant, Jenea Heilaman, who is literally my right-hand 'wow-man.'”
