Jared Russell Kennedy

JANUARY 2022

“My story isn’t a real estate story; it is a love story.”

Jared Russell Kennedy was born in Phoenix, Arizona, but spent most of his youth in the great Northwoods of Wisconsin. These early years, nestled into one of the most beautiful and harsh climates in the continental United States, helped shape Jared’s perspective on the world.

Jared’s family didn’t have much in the way of material wealth, and he remembers the cold Wisconsin winters of his childhood well.

“Growing up in northern Wisconsin, where winters can reach 60 below with wind chill, my family could not afford to keep the gas on. We had no heat. When you are with your family sleeping on the kitchen floor with the oven door open for heat, it puts what is truly important in life into perspective.”

Jared came to understand that “what is truly important in life” is family, acceptance, and a little help.

Jared struggled with a debilitating stutter and bilateral lisp. However, he was a standout athlete; as a teen, he turned down two opportunities to play soccer internationally to pursue higher education. Alongside his educational pursuits, Jared worked with a group of socio-economically challenged teens through a government program that assisted gifted students who did not have the resources to fully realize their potential.

So, with this act of compassion, he began his life in the working world. Two decades later, as owner/broker of LIME Realty, Jared continues to pour into others. The only difference is that now, he’s accomplishing this goal through real estate.

Leading with Compassion

Before becoming a real estate agent, Jared worked for Park Inc., a provider of valet parking, parking management, and shuttle services. Under his supervision, the company was recognized as a top inner-city business in America by INC Magazine for two straight years. He then resigned to travel North America building free-standing steel structures. In 2009, he was offered a unique opportunity in real estate and relocated to Oklahoma City.

“I had the opportunity to mentee under Shel Detrick, one of the nation’s most influential brokers,” Jared explains.

Jared had long held an interest in real estate, and his primary drive was to become a broker. His mother is an executive in the Virginia Beach REALTORS® Association, and his grandfather was a broker.

“I was always intrigued by the work. I found that I loved the entrepreneurism of real estate,” Jared explains.

Jared’s mentor informed him that he could never properly lead REALTORS® if he did not sell. So, for nine years, he sold real estate, learned the business, and honed in on his vision. He became a consistent top producer and had the opportunity to learn the business from the perspective of several companies.

Leading with Love

In 2020, Jared’s long-term dream finally became a reality. That’s the year he founded LIME Realty.

“We are a family,” Jared shares. “Our name stands for our difference: Love, Integrity, Marketing, and Expertise (LIME). I lead with love and genuine care, and concern for my agents, customers, and clients… I wanted to be able to help create an environment where every agent feels like a top producer and every agent has value. That is why my brokerage name begins with Love. It was important to me that not only do I lead with love, but I get to wake up every day and do what I love with the people I love.”

Jared’s personal experiences in life have helped him develop the skills to be a caring, driven, knowledgeable leader. He believes that’s part of what makes him a good broker.

“I have extreme compassion for and patience with other people, especially those who are having difficulties in life,” Jared continues.

Today, LIME Realty is a team of 80+ agents. In the past year, Jared and the LIME Realty team have closed over 520 transactions for over $110 million. He was also named 2021 REALTOR® of the Year by the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Association of REALTORS®.

Lessons Learned

Jared’s story began with family at the focus, and the same is true in his life today. He has two children, ages 7 and 4, and remains extremely close with his siblings and mother. His favorite way to spend time outside real estate is hanging out with his kids.

“Even if it’s just sitting on the couch together watching a movie. A distant second place is watching the Green Bay Packers, also better when done with my kids,” Jared smiles.

As Jared looks ahead, he carries the lessons he’s learned with him. No teaching is closer to his heart than the words of his paternal grandfather: “You win some, you lose some, kid, but what’s important is that I love you.”

“It’s my favorite because it seems really simple, but it's actually extremely profound. In life (in real estate), you will always win some and lose some, but it’s a lot easier when you know someone loves you.”

Written by Zach Cohen, photos by Nested Tours