Never at the center of a sale, Holly Martin says she figured out early on what type of REALTORⓇ she was going to be.

Approaching her second full year in the business at Giving Realty with The Matt Kirkland Group, Holly has enjoyed success in a remarkably short time frame thanks to her calm, friendly demeanor and an ability to quickly establish trust.

“I decided that my business will be run the same way I want to run my life, which is to be fully authentic,” Holly notes. “I don’t try to be anyone else.”

 

Born and raised in nearby Waverly, Holly attended Doane University, earning her degree in communications. Post-college, she ventured into the corporate world, working as an analyst for an insurance company and also did some title work. However, her entrepreneurial spirit beckoned, leading her to co-found a food truck and a thriving commercial cleaning company, which is still in operation.

Despite the success in these ventures, Holly felt a calling to something more personal, a career where she could directly impact people's lives. As her oldest daughters became more independent, Holly knew it was time to seek her own fulfillment.

“I had seen the backend of real estate working at a local title company and had always been drawn to it since my early 20s,” she recalls. “I was really driven to make a life where I could build my own success, make my own schedule, while being the best parent I could be.”

Holly obtained her real estate license in early 2022 and initially thought she would go part-time as a Realtor while continuing to operate her commercial cleaning company.

“Of course that didn’t happen,” Holly laughs. “I think I had a naive confidence working in title for a few years, but you don’t realize until you’re in the industry how much time is actually involved with prospecting and showing clients homes. I showed my first client almost 100 homes because it was a crazy market … but eventually we found a home and it was love at first sale.”

 

After making the leap, Holly has gone full steam ahead and points out that “growth is no accident.” Her statistics last year certainly testify to her natural ability to forge genuine connections. As a rookie, Holly closed over $5.3 million in volume and projects close to $8 million in sales in 2024. She credits her amazing team at Giving Realty for creating a supportive, collaborative environment that allows her to continue to thrive.

“When I interviewed with the owners, Miriah, Josie, and Matt of Giving Realty, I knew I wanted to be part of it and ultimately joined Matt Kirkland’s team,” Holly shares. “I’ve known Matt for many years.  He’s a great person, he’s genuine, and he knows relationships are the most important part of this career. I love my entire team. We have a lot of fun working together!”

As her broker, Miriah Zajic, will avow, what truly sets Holly apart is her ability to adapt and remain calm in any situation. She brings a sense of peace and assurance to her clients, guiding them through what can often be a stressful process.

"People have to disclose information that can make them feel vulnerable," Holly explains. "I want my clients to know they can trust me.”

"I also get a lot of satisfaction from helping people do something that they may only do a couple of times in their life," she adds. "There's something about the word 'home' that makes people feel safe, and I love being a part of that."

 

Outside of her professional endeavors, family remains Holly's top priority. As a single mother of three, including two children with epilepsy, one of which also has a genetic disorder, Holly navigates life with resilience and appreciation. Hiking adventures, cooking in the kitchen, and quality time with her children and large extended family are cherished moments in her downtime.

Despite her busy schedule, Holly is deeply committed to giving back. Giving Realty has donated over $100,000 to local nonprofit organizations since its inception in 2021, while Holly personally supports charities that aid individuals with special needs and their families given her own loved ones’ medical issues.

“I donate to Mosaic and sponsor a table for their annual fundraiser,” Holly offers. “I am also part of a fundraising team for this year's Women's Build for Habitat for Humanity. I am involved with the Epilepsy Foundation of Nebraska as well, which was a great support to me when I was learning how to parent a child with epilepsy.”

Looking to the future, Holly's aspirations extend beyond her career as a Realtor. While she aims to achieve higher production goals and expand her philanthropic efforts, her ultimate goal is to live a life filled with happiness, connection, and continual self-improvement.

“What I’ve learned over the past few years is to really enjoy what I have and who I have in my life,” Holly concludes. “My personal goal is to continue to foster relationships with the people who are important to me, live a little more, take more risks, travel more, and be happy with myself in the process. I want to improve a little every day.”