“My mother's career in real estate spoke to me when I was younger. I would play dress up and attend all of her open houses with her. I vividly remember baking cookies with her during an open house and how much people enjoyed them while we were hosting. I was only nine or ten, but I knew real estate was in my blood. It was just a matter of ‘when,’” says REALTOR® Olivia Laos-Stutz with Realty Executives.

When she got home from open houses, Olivia would play “broker” and use her mom’s MLS sheet in the early ‘90s and 2000s. “It was so cool,” she laughs with delight. “This job seemed awesome.”

After graduating high school, Olivia decided to go into the service industry. “I started as a server and then bartended for five years. The service industry is what opened me up,” she smiles. An extrovert, Olivia learned a lot of people skills and honed her ability to connect with others. 

Her journey into real estate all came down to sitting at her family’s lake cottage in Michigan. While on the porch talking on a summer’s day, her family asked her, “Why haven’t you thought about real estate?” Olivia realized it was a “confidence thing.” With time came a newfound confidence. “Once I hit 26, I realized, ‘I got this.’” 

After that, she wasted no time getting her real estate license. She credits her mom, Beth Anne Laos, for giving her the courage to start. “My mom is the reason I do what I do,” she says with gratitude. Olivia also credits the rodeo for giving her the competitive edge that she needs to succeed. “I barrel raced growing up and that is a big part of who I am.” 

Now Olivia loves what she does and it shows with her enthusiasm. This fifth-generation Tucsonan has a rewarding career helping many different people. “It’s a no-brainer,” she says, “You also make a living doing it.” However, it’s not about profit, but people to Olivia. 

“It’s an emotional business,” she points out. “Every family is different, but you go home and everyone has a smile on their face. It feels so great.” However, real estate isn’t for the faint of heart. “It's tough,” admits Olivia. “It’s all about how much work you put into it. It’s well worth it if you are willing to do the work.” 

One reason that Olivia has been so successful is because she knows Tucson very well. Her family has lived in Tucson for centuries and has seen the area evolve. 

A Rich Tucson History 

“My family history is super important to me,” she raves. “It’s a huge part of me and made me the Tucsonan that I am.” 

Olivia’s roots run deep in Tucson. Her great-grandfather started the first transit system in Tucson, Old Pueblo Transit, which later became Sun Tran. In honor of his contributions, the Laos Center downtown bears his name. Her grandfather, Roy Laos, was one of the few pharmacists in downtown Tucson. To this day, Roy’s Arizona Pharmacy, now Roy’s Liquor Shop, stands at the corner of South 6th Avenue, operated by Olivia’s uncle and cousins.

“My mom, Beth Anne, and my father, Enrico, are both highly educated and were excellent role models for how I wanted to shape my life. Especially my mom—her work ethic and dedication to her craft is what I strive for in my business every day,” Olivia reflects.

Olivia is happily married to her husband of two years, Thomas Stutz, though the couple has been together for nearly 11 years. “We met back in my service industry days, and he didn’t leave me alone after that,” she laughs. The couple is looking forward to growing their family, alongside their two beloved cats, Mila and Darla. "Everyone who knows me, knows my cats are my current children and I have no shame in saying that.”

Beyond real estate, Olivia has a lot of hobbies. “I love hiking, camping, skiing, riding horses, going to concerts—really anything that involves the outdoors! I’m a country gal at heart, living and working within the city,” she says. 

Olivia and Thomas also spend their summers in Michigan, dreaming of one day owning a home on the lake where they can escape for a few months each year. “It’s the perfect summer escape—no sharks, no salt, no worries!”

Olivia always knew that real estate was on the radar. It's worth every ounce of effort to this Tucson native, and she can't imagine doing anything else. With her enthusiasm, deep Tucson roots, and commitment to her craft, Olivia Laos-Stutz is paving her own path in the real estate world, leaving a trail for others to follow.