Meet Kimia Vakili

We recently connected with Kimia Vakili and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimia, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

Growing up, I learned very early that being the ‘only one in the room’ wasn’t a disadvantage, it was my edge. When I started my real estate business fresh out of Chapman University at 23 years old, I was walking into rooms full of agents who were often twice my age, with decades of experience behind them. I didn’t look like them, I didn’t come from their background, and I didn’t have their network, but I had something else: hunger, discipline, and an unwavering commitment to exceed expectations.

In the beginning, I heard every version of ‘you’re too young,’ ‘you don’t have enough experience,’ and ‘this industry takes years to break into.’ Instead of shrinking, I pushed harder. I realized that to thrive, I couldn’t just be good, I had to outperform everyone around me. So I built my brand with intention: white-glove service, research-driven advice, fierce negotiation, top tier marketing skills, and a reputation for delivering results that seasoned agents couldn’t ignore.

My first major milestone came when I secured my first luxury listing priced over $1 million dollars that many thought was impossible to win; several agents had already listed it, and none were able to sell it. I went in prepared beyond expectation: deep market analytics, a full staging and presentation strategy, targeted buyer profiling, and renovation ROI breakdowns. I didn’t just show up; I showed up over-prepared. Afterward, the sellers told me that while others had experience, I brought strategy. That first sale set the tone for the rest of my career.

Being young, being different, and often being the only one in the room who looked like me pushed me to build my own lane. I didn’t wait for opportunities, I created them. Every closed door became motivation to build a door of my own. Today, I’m proud to stand in the top 1% globally, recognized by WSJ and Coldwell Banker, honored as one of fifteen “40 Under 40” youngest power player in OC by Orange Coast Magazine, “30 Under 30” by National Association of Realtors, awarded Orange County “All-Star Status” for selling in the top 1% in my county for several consecutive years and named one of Orange County’s “Women of Impact” in 2025. I’m aligned with the #1 Coldwell Banker office in North America, serving as a top broker in my office and across the globe, all while continuing to expand a luxury portfolio and brand that speaks for itself.

My success didn’t come from fitting in, it came from standing out. And I hope my journey shows others that being ‘the only one in the room’ isn’t something to survive. It’s something to leverage.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m a luxury real estate advisor based in Orange County, specializing in high-end residential sales, relocation, and investment strategy. I launched my business right out of college and what started as a one-woman operation quickly evolved into a full-scale brand recognized in the top 1% of agents globally and nationwide. Today, I represent some of Southern California’s most exclusive properties and serve a diverse clientele, from first-time buyers to Fortune 500 executives, entertainers, professional athletes, and international investors.

What excites me most about what I do is the impact. Homes are emotional, financial, and personal, it’s where people build their lives. Getting to guide clients through major milestones with transparency, strategy, and protection is something I take extremely seriously. I’m known for my data-driven approach, sharp negotiation, and concierge-level service that goes far beyond the transaction. My clients trust me because I fight for them, I advocate for them, and I don’t cut corners.

One thing that’s special about my brand is that it was built on discipline and forward-thinking rather than legacy. When I entered the industry, most agents had decades of experience and long-established networks. I had to build my own lane, so I leaned into innovation, elevated digital marketing, lifestyle-focused branding, global exposure, and a level of preparation that sets me apart. I’ve always believed that luxury is defined by experience, not price point, and that philosophy guides every client relationship.

I also make it a priority to bring clarity to a process that can feel overwhelming. From understanding tax implications to reading city reports, analyzing comps, navigating construction issues, or building long-term wealth through real estate, I want my clients to feel educated and empowered, not confused or rushed.

This year has been particularly exciting. I’m expanding into new luxury markets within Orange County, setting records in many communities, and building a curated network of trusted partners, from architects and contractors to interior designers and financial advisors, so my clients have everything they need in one place. I’m also working on a digital platform that will share market insights, investment guidance, and behind-the-scenes stories from my journey in real estate.

Ultimately, I want people to know that my brand was created with intention, grit, and heart. I built this career from the ground up, and every milestone, every client success, and every new opportunity continues to fuel the passion behind my work.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that shaped my career the most were discipline, emotional intelligence, and the willingness to out-learn everyone around me. Those three things built the foundation of everything I’ve accomplished.

Advice:
Don’t wait for motivation. Build routines that don’t rely on how you feel. Wake up early. Study the market daily. Follow up when others won’t. Discipline is what separates momentum from stagnation.

Real estate is a people business before it’s anything else. Understanding how to read a room, navigate conflict, calm anxiety, and advocate firmly without burning bridges is what allowed me to win listings against agents twice my age. Clients don’t just want an agent, they want someone who can guide them, protect them, and anticipate their needs.

Listen more than you speak. Watch how people react, not just what they say. Practice being calm under pressure. Emotional intelligence is a skill, develop it intentionally and it will elevate every part of your business and personal life.

To anyone early in their journey: your age, background, and lack of connections aren’t obstacles, they’re simply your starting point. You can out-work, out-learn, and out-strategize any limitation. Build discipline and become obsessed with knowledge, and the success will follow.

What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?

My biggest area of growth in the past 12 months has been stepping into a higher level of strategic leadership in my business, both in the types of properties I represent and in the way I choose to show up in the industry.
On the business side, this year marked a major shift.
I expanded beyond residential luxury homes and began taking on significant commercial opportunities, including a $15M winery listing, unique investment assets, and several oceanfront estates that set record prices for their neighborhoods. Hitting #1 highest sales in $6M+ luxury segments for multiple clients was something that even a few years ago felt out of reach, but it became a reality through preparation, intentional branding, and elevating the level of service I deliver.
Representing these high-profile properties required deeper market knowledge, advanced negotiation strategy, and the ability to navigate complex investor-level expectations. That experience pushed me to grow in ways that transformed my business.
But the biggest growth wasn’t just professional, it was personal.
This year, I was approached by several major shows and media outlets for interviews, exposure, and features. A few years ago, I might have felt pressure to say yes to everything. Instead, I chose to protect my brand, my reputation, and my long-term vision by saying no to the noise and yes to the work. That discipline, staying focused on substance instead of attention, has been one of the most important decisions I’ve made.
Overall, the last 12 months have been a turning point.
I’ve leveled up the price points I represent, expanded into commercial and investment-grade inventory, broken records for oceanfront luxury homes, and strengthened a brand that stands on results, not hype. It’s been the kind of growth that feels earned, intentional, and deeply aligned with where I’m headed next.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://KIMIAVAKILI.COM
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimiarealty/?hl=en