Kim Hensley

A Bountiful Serving of Industry Knowledge and Ambition

By Robbyn Moore

Photos by Jacob Harr with harr Creative LLC

After earning a degree in business from Grand Valley State University and a culinary arts degree from the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts — formerly the Western Culinary Institute — in Portland, Oregon, Kim Hensley moved back home to Frankfort, Michigan, to start her first business as a chef and restaurant owner. “My desire to be an entrepreneur was influenced by my dad and supported by my family and wonderful community,” she said. Kim successfully owned and operated her restaurant for four years before meeting her husband, Micah, in 2004. She later sold her restaurant business to build her life — and a family — with Micah in Grand Rapids. After having four kids and taking five years to focus on her family, Kim was ready to continue her adventure … this time, in real estate.

“My dad is a very successful broker in northern Michigan, and I have always looked up to him,” Kim said. “He built so many wonderful relationships while balancing time for our family, which inspired me to want to do the same.”

In 2013, Kim joined the group at RE/MAX United and has since established a name for herself in the real estate community. She is a top-producing agent who is supported by referral-based clients and has a career volume totaling more than $88 million. She is in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame and has earned agency honors at the platinum and chairman levels. She has also been recognized by the Greater Regional Alliance of REALTORS® as a top 100 agent and by Grand Rapids magazine as a Real Estate All-Star.

When Kim first launched her career, her biggest challenge was balancing her schedule with family and work. “When I first started in real estate, I was always a ‘yes, I’m available’ type of agent,” she recalled. “I would schedule appointments with my clients before checking the home calendar, and

I was constantly feeling like I was never enough for everyone, especially myself.”

As time went on, and as her confidence and knowledge of the industry grew, Kim created a schedule that allowed her to equally focus on her clients and family. She also realized the value of having an assistant who could aid in her scheduling and marketing — an all-important investment to her life, business and sanity.

Kim’s high-energy personality is a hallmark among her clients and a perfect fit for the fast-paced industry of real estate. “I love that every day is different,” she said. “I am the type of person who always needs to be doing something — I don’t relax well. I love that this ever-changing business keeps me on my toes.”

However, Kim does balance her spirited disposition with patience and authenticity. “I never want to be thought of as ‘just an agent,’” she explained. “I really want to be remembered for being available when others needed me and for supporting a person during major life decisions.”

Kim has a service-forward approach to her business that pairs well with her relentless ambition to get the job done seamlessly. “It’s about having open communication and developing trust with your clients and other agents,” she said. “Buying or selling a home is a huge event, and making sure everyone is on the same page with every detail is so very important.”

I really want to be remembered for being available when others needed me and for supporting a person during major life decisions.

When Kim is away from work, she and Micah are very involved in their kids’ active lives. Their son Hudson, 15, goes to Rockford High School where he plays football and lacrosse.

Their daughter Lily, 14, is a dancer and recently added volleyball, basketball and lacrosse to her activities. The couple’s third child, Lincoln, 11, is a great athlete who loves to race everyone. He also plays football and lacrosse. The youngest daughter, London, 7, adores her older siblings and is a delight to the family.

Recently, Kim’s family moved to a 28-acre horse farm in Rockford, which was a dream purchase for everyone. “The boys do motocross, and the girls love the animals,” Kim said. “We enjoy spending a lot of time outside together, and this environment has brought us all so close together.” Kim and her family are hoping to use some of the space to host charity events, weddings, school events and other outdoor gatherings. Beyond the farm, Kim loves to cook, travel, ski and spend time with her family on their boat.

As a child who survived cancer, Kim is a longtime supporter of the Children’s Miracle Network. “I had cancer as an infant, and I know my parents would have loved the opportunity to have an organization like this available when they were going through such a difficult time,” she said.

Starting out in the business, Kim said she made many mistakes but realized that it was the best way to learn and grow. “I had a lot of tears, and I have never worked harder in my life to become successful than in real estate,” she shared. “I didn’t expect I’d ever be where I am today, but because of my hard work and the support from my incredible brokers, I have truly found what I was meant to do.”

Success to Kim is happiness. “If you enjoy what you are doing and who you are doing it with, that’s success,” she said. “However, happiness doesn’t just come to you without effort. I believe you have to work extremely hard to accomplish your goals, and that should be celebrated.”

Kim Hensley - Top Producer/COVER