Mortgage Women Magazine January 2020

J A NUA RY/ F E BRUA RY 2020

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LOO KI N G A H E A D TO TH E N E W D E CA D E L E O R A R U Z IN N A M E D N E W M A N A GIN G E DI T O R

PLUS!

C RE AT ING S U P E RFA N S W I T H B RI T TAY HODA K

WA K E UP A ND T HRI V E W I T H C E N T E RE D L E A DE R S H IP

Published every other month

by Twelve 11 Media, LLC 9720 Royal Lamb Drive Las Vegas, NV 89145 Phone: 512.879.4363 Email: INFO@MortgageWOMENMagazine.com www.MortgageWOMENMagazine.com

OUR MISSION The mission of this publication is to empower women professionals working in the mortgage industry. The publication seeks to provide education and knowledge to give each professional woman key tools to achieve their highest potential possible and to enable them to take advantage of the opportunities before them. Through the magazine's networking and connection from readership, each woman has the opportunity to be inspired and extend that through mentorship-furthering achievements to the highest level positions possible in the mortgage industry.

SUBSCRIPTIONS This publication is for the benefit of professional women in the mortgage industry, including those professional mortgage women who own and/ or who are employed by the vendors who support the mortgage industry, and all professional mortgage women in the mortgage divisions of the State- and Federally-chartered banks and credit unions. If you do not currently receive Mortgage WOMEN Magazine, please go to www.

MORTGAGEWOMENMagazine.com and subscribe.

Mortgage WOMEN Magazine is a digital, bi-monthly magazine that is emailed to the subscribers. The subscription is FREE. For additional copies for your colleagues and co-workers, please visit our website at www.MORTGAGEWOMENMagazine.com and complete the online subscription form. To opt-out of receiving Mortgage WOMEN Magazine, please send your request along with your name, company name, and email address to: SUBSCRIPTIONS@MortgageWOMENMagazine.com.

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EDITORIALS / ARTICLES To submit an article for consideration in Mortgage WOMEN Magazine, please send an email to ARTICLES@MortgageWOMENMagazine.com.

We are interested in original writings relevant to the mortgage industry as it relates to Legal, Regulatory Compliance, Risk Management, and Quality Assurance issues. If you have a comment or question about an article or editorial published in Mortgage WOMEN Magazine, or if you have a suggestion for a topic you would like to see featured in a future issue, please send an email to ARTICLES@MortgageWOMENMagazine.com.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE POLICY The information and opinions expressed by contributing authors and advertisers within Mortgage WOMEN Magazine do not necessarily reflect those of Twelve 11 Media, LLC’s management and /or employees and should not be considered as endorsed or recommended by Twelve 11 Media, LLC.

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F ROM T HE E DI T OR PUBLISHER | Ben Slayton BSlayton@Twelve11Media.com

Dear Mortgage Women,

MANAGING EDITOR | Kristin Messerli KMesserli@Twelve11Media.com

This will be my final letter to you through this publication, as my time with the magazine has come to a close. I am so grateful for the time I spent with this community over the last three years. It was always a dream to edit and develop a publication, and an honor to watch that unfold.

ASSISTANT EDITOR | Sarah Vita SVita@Twelve11Media.com SENIOR EDITOR | Jill Emerson JEmerson@Twelve11Media.com OPERATIONS DIRECTOR | Dawn Slayton Dawn@Twelve11Media.com DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING David Hoierman Hoierman@Twelve11Media.com NATIONWIDE ADVERTISING Vanessa Williams Vanessa@Twelve11Media.com

As I move on to pursue other ventures, I am happy to announce Leora Ruzin will be taking my position. Leora is the first person I thought of when considering a replacement, and I believe she is the perfect person to lead our community to a

COLUMNISTS & CONTRIBUTING AUTHORS

new level of growth. Leora has extensive mortgage experience in a variety of areas, demonstrates consistent leadership in the industry, and is a powerful writer.

In the last year, she was named in the 30 Most Powerful Women in Fintech by Progress in Lending and was a Women with Vision award winner. Leora’s writing has been published countless times in this publication and has made the cover of HousingWire’s May 2019 issue. Watch my interview with Leora for more insight into her background and vision for the future of the publication.

MWM ADVISORY BOARD KRISTIN MESSERLI MANAGING EDITOR MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE

I want to thank the community of women who have read and contributed during my tenure, and to mPower and other industry leaders for their ongoing support and involvement. I am excited to pass the baton to such a wonderful replacement, and I look forward to watching the publication evolve. You can continue to follow me on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/KristinMesserli, and I hope to remain in touch with you through social media and various industry channels.

PRODUCTION | Henry Suchman HSuchman@Twelve11Media.com DIGITAL MEDIA | Eric Souza Eric@Twelve11Media.com

Meg Daily Jessica Nagatani Roberta Ravella

Leora Ruzin Cindy Smith Sue Woddard

LISA KILKA CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER, SVP GUILD MORTGAGE

Cheers to a new decade!

MELISSA KOUPAL VICE PRESIDENT LOAN INTEGRITY LOAN DEPOT REGINA LOWRIE PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER RML ADVISORS SARAH BOWERS, CRCM, CMB, CAMS COMPLIANCE ADVISOR COMMERCE BANK DEBRA STILL PRESIDENT & CEO PLUTE MORTGAGE BECKY WALZAK PRESIDENT & CEO RJB WALZAK CONSULTING SUE WOODARD PRESIDENT & CEO VANTAGE PRODUCTION, LLC JILL EMERSON SENIOR EDITOR MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE

Visit us at www.MortgageWOMENMagazine.com

Kristin Messerli Managing Editor

Mortgage WOMEN Magazine welcomes your feedback. If you have comments, questions, criticisms, praise, or information to share with us and our readers, please write us at info@Twelve11Media.Com.

Our New Editor

To watch the full interview, click here.

Leora Ruzin Leora Ruzin has extensive mortgage experience and a passion for the industry. Watch the interview to hear about her new vision for Mortgage Women Magazine.

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COV E R S TO RY

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2019

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F E ATU R E S IN EVERY ISSUE

8 Wake up and THRIVE M EG DA I LY

12 20 1 9: TH E YE AR O F M E R E VI STE D LEORA RUZIN

16 Unsplitting Your Personality

RO B E RTA R AV E LL A

4 EDITOR'S FOREWARD 20 MOVERS & SHAKERS 22 #BOSSBABE BRITTANY HODAK 24 ASK THE EXPERTS 28 MORTGAGE MOMS 30 CAUSE OF THE MONTH 32 HOLISTIC WELLNESS 35 BOOK OF THE MONTH 37 WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS 42 HER WORDS

STRONGER TOGETHER Lindsey LaCoste QLMS Account Executive

Amanda Stevenson Loan Officer Answer Home Loans Granite Bay, CA

Call (888) 762-5035 QLMortgageServices.com/StrongerTogether Equal Housing Lender. Licensed in all 50 states. NMLS #3030

WA K E U P A N D T H R I V E

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WA K E U P A N D T H R I V E

WAKE U P AN D

e v i r Th

WITH CE NTE RE D LE ADE RS H I P

BY M E G DA I LY

Recently a friend messaged me “Meg! My boss is hiring speakers for an upcoming women’s leadership conference and I gave her your information.” A few weeks later her boss says to me, “Our theme this year is Centered Leadership…are you familiar with it?”

Years ago, I would have stalled with small talk while frantically consulting Professor Google. Now, I now choose authenticity!

I learned Centered Leadership (CL) was born out of the McKinsey Institute and brought to life

by Joanna Barsh and Johanna Lavoie’s book titled Centered Leadership: Leading With Purpose, Clarity, and Impact. It’s composed of five practical tools for living and working in a more mindful manner. In preparation for the keynote, I spoke with various members of the leadership organization. They all harbored a common desire: to feel more grounded.

I always ask clients two questions: 1. What do you want more of in your life?

2. What do you want less of?

Not surprisingly, the most common responses are “peace” and “stress.” The thing is, creating a more “high vibe” life personally and professionally isn’t always as easy as it sounds. The feelings you want to feel, the goals you strive to reach, and the life you desire may sometimes feel unattainable.

As a coach, I’ve facilitated corporate workshops, launched self- love summits, worked privately with clients, and ran courses on the power of intuition. What I’ve learned is people simply want practical tools to rise above the noise of conflict and away from feeling triggered. In other words, we

all just want to FEEL better.

CL is an effective strategy to establish more meaning, connection, and balance in your life. It’s a way out of the chaos and into flow. Here’s a brief overview of the elements along with my some of my own tools…

CL Element #1: Meaning Years ago, a woman I knew contacted me about my services. To me, she was the epitome of genuine elegance. The way she dressed, spoke, ran her business, treated others, and showed up to life. As we sipped tea while settling into her luxurious couch, she took a breath and said, “I don’t know who I am, what I want, or why I’m here.”

Who knew?!

As humans, we have the universal desire to discover our purpose. CL invites you into meaning by identifying what you value and creating a life around it. When you begin to feel the way you want to feel and give freely of your gifts, you find yourself living your purpose naturally.

Practical Tool: The Calendar Trick 1. Create two columns on a sheet of paper and label them “highlights” and “lowlights.”

2. Look through the past 12 months of your calendar identifying key activities, people, and choices and place them in either column.

3. Next, schedule the top 3-5 highlights into your calendar immediately.

4. Finally, place the lowlights list where it’s visible as a reminder not to do those things again!

P.S.There will be lowlights you are required to

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do as we all have responsibilities with work, etc. In these instances, list out ways in which you can shift your mindset around them.

CL Element #2: Positive Framing Framing is self-awareness, looking for the silver lining, and letting things go after the learning has occurred. It’s having the grace to pause when triggered and deciding how you want to experience that moment. My therapist is full of tough love and powerful reminders. My favorites?

• You have little control over your feelings.

• You have some control over your thinking.

• You possess a massive amount of control over your behavior.

I refer to the conflicting parts of myself as “Elegant Evelyn” and “Frantic Franny.” The former thinks before she speaks, resists the urge to react, and stays in her business. Franny becomes impatient, overwhelmed, and works herself into a tizzy.

The magic of Elegant Evelyn is she realizes her reaction creates her reality. Here’s one of my favorite tools…

Practical Tool: PCC (Pause. Challenge. Choice.)

1. Pause: Before you speak, click “join” for the virtual meeting, or open the door to the coffee shop, stop and take a breath.

2. Challenge: Next, challenge yourself with a question, such as “What do I want to accomplish?”

“Who do I want to be right now?” “How do I want to feel after this is over?”

3. Choice: Finally, make a choice on how to show up. Your present-day choices predict your experiences tomorrow. With this kind of power, who needs a psychic?!

CL Element #3: Connection During a recent workshop, we discussed road-

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blocks to happiness. A participant raised her hand and quietly said, “I just think as a society we’ve become so isolated.” Heads nodded and murmurs of “oh yes” resounded.

Are you searching to belong? For years as a divorced woman without children living in the suburbs, I felt like a fish out of water. Guess what I discovered? So do a lot of people even if they “fit the mold!” Immersing yourself in the energy of trust has the power to create community. CL invites you to build it by staying open, practicing acceptance, courageously practicing vulnerability, and creating alignment with what you think, say, and do.

When you trust yourself, people feel it and are attracted to you. You feel their reaction and your confidence grows.

Practical Tool: Your Divine Team 1. Find a pencil and piece of paper. In the center, draw a circle and within it a picture of you or a vision statement.

2. Next, draw four circles around the edges of the paper titled finances, relationships, well-being, and environment. In each circle list the people you have or would want on your team.

3. Finally, examine how these relationships are being nurtured by drawing arrows between your vision and each person. Do the arrows go both ways signifying reciprocity? If not, how can you create more of it?

CL Element #4: Engaging Someone once asked, “Meg, what are you getting from refusing to forgive yourself?” It took awhile but eventually what came through was it’s a crutch allowing me to hide on the sidelines of life.

Engaging invites you into presence. It asks you to find your voice (literally and figuratively!) by taking ownership of your life. I love how vision boards help you consciously create your ideal life. What I love even more is the next exercise…

WA K E U P A N D T H R I V E

Practical Tool: Embodiment What do you truly desire? Write it down.

Next, craft a story around it. Think of it as the movie of your life.Where do you live? What clothes do you wear? What foods do you eat? What does your office and home look like? Who are your costars? How do you spend your time? How do you nurture yourself? How do you treat others?

How do you feel when you wake up and go to bed?

Embodiment takes your vision from “out there” or “one day” into your body, mind, and spirit right now. It’s a powerful tool you can do in five seconds or on a long daydreaming walk.

Better yet, write new chapters and scenes in your journal every day. Use your imagination as you breathe in and out your vision. Become that person and see what happens. My best days are always when I choose to embody Elegant Evelyn!

CL Element #5: Energizing Overwhelm. Stress. Anxiety. All the things holding you back from your purpose and potential. What would your experience as a leader within your community, home, or organization with more self-care and ease?

Without managing your energy, it’s difficult to activate the previous elements. Refining the clutter within your heart, mind, and environment builds your energy versus burning it. Your power is immense. Quit giving it away to people, situations, and drama. Reclaiming your energy is the ultimate expression of self-love.

How do you do it?

• Quality sleep • Paying attention to your “intake” (food, beverages, social media, other people’s energy) • Setting and maintaining healthy boundaries • Decreasing physical and mental clutter • Moving your body • Incorporating rituals into your day • Listening to your gut

Easier said than done? This next tool is essential before any type of breakthrough can occur.

Practical Tool: Permission Slip What are you resisting? Forgiveness? Fun? Adventure? Speaking your truth? Saying yes? Saying no? Give yourself permission to let go of what is holding you back in order to have the energy to create the life you claim to desire.

Recently, I wrote myself an extensive permission slip. Here’s an excerpt:

I give myself permission to not always say or do the right thing.

I give myself permission to quit performing.

I give myself permission to stop making myself digestible to others.

I give myself permission to not always “make things right.”

I give myself permission to set and maintain healthy and loving boundaries.

I give myself permission to take a nap.

Take a few minutes to write your own. Post it on your bathroom mirror as a daily reminder that you are in charge of you. Intentionally incorporating Centered Leadership in your everyday supports your vision and elevates your joy. Your light shines brighter and magically opportunities and people show up right when you need them most. In fact, your illumination not only supports you, but inspires others to do so as well. So, go ahead… shine on!

Interested in learning more? Click HERE.

Meg is passionate about helping each individual, no matter what their organizational role, to discover their unique gifts so they can create a more effective life at work and at home. By cultivating true self-acceptance and self-possession, Meg’s clients are able to shift powerfully from “I want” all the way over to “I am.”

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2019

S U C C E S S F U L M A N A G E M E N T T H R O U G H E M P L O Y E E M O T I VAT I O N

THE YEAR OF ME

d e t i s i v e R

BY LE O R A R UZ I N

In November 2018, I penned an article for Mortgage Women Magazine entitled “2019: The Year of Me,� with simple intentions. I wanted to share my story of overcoming failure with others, but I also wanted to make a public declaration of my goals for the upcoming year.

By broadcasting my goals for all to see, my hope was that others would hold me accountable to those goals and would call me out if I started to make excuses as to why I had to give up. Little did I know that one simple article would set me on a path that would not only change my life but would also open up doors that I never even knew existed.

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As I look towards 2020, I also want to look back at what “The Year of Me” truly meant and how it has defined one of the most critical years of my life, both personally and professionally.

My idea behind coining 2019 “The Year of Me” was simple.

I knew that if I was going to achieve my long-term goals in this business, I had to invest in myself. I needed to educate myself on how to be a better leader, but I also needed to

expand my knowledge on what makes the mortgage industry operate. With that, I set out on finishing a goal that had been on my bucket list for three years: obtaining my Certified Mortgage Banker designation from the Mortgage Bankers Association. I also enlisted in the services of a professional coach, who helped me not only have a better understanding on what makes me “me,” but also gave me the tools to better advocate for myself.

I continued writing for a few publications, in addition to engaging with as many people as I could, in an effort to grow my network. With every connection I made, I learned something new about this business, but an unintended outcome also came out of my expanding network: an outcome that would later serve as a needed outlet for me during a time when I was at my lowest.

One of the key nuggets of knowledge I acquired from my

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coach that I applied right away was how important it would be for me to utilize social media in order to ensure my network could hold me accountable for reaching my goals. While using social media to expand my reach was not a foreign concept to me, what was foreign was me sharing my achievements with people with whom I may not have even met. I honestly did not understand why anyone would care about my story, or I would worry that people would think that I was bragging.

Sharing my progress throughout the year on social media was not easy for me, as it meant I was opening myself up to rejection or ridicule.

What ended up happening was that I got to meet people who have already made such a positive impact in my life, and I would learn that I am not alone in my journey. With every award I won, with every accomplishment I unlocked, more people reached out to me with praise and accolades. It still blows my mind that some of the most powerful professionals in this industry took time out of their day to offer me words of kindness and gratitude over the course of the year. The more I put myself out there, more opportunities came my way, and I was finding myself experiencing a level of success I had never even thought was possible.

While 2019 was one of the most successful years I have ever had during my professional career, it was not without moments of difficulty, doubt, loss, or pain. I continued to struggle with finding my own identity and voice, especially when I was in meetings or in group settings. I would often find myself hunkered in the back of a room, away from where all the action was, because I still felt like I did not belong at the big table. It did not help when I was once told that I was too ambitious, which further fueled the “Imposter Monster” inside of me. I started to retreat from the activities that brought me joy because I was worried I would upset people, and the depression reared its ugly head again.

The low point of the year came when my mother passed away suddenly in September at only 64 years of age. It is no secret to my closest

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confidants that I had a very strained relationship with my mom, and her passing brought many feelings to the surface that I had buried for years. I was overwhelmed with regret when I started to play every “what if” scenario in my head, but instead of sitting in my feelings, all alone, I did something I was not used to doing: I reached out to my network for help.

As a result of me sharing so much of my year with my connections on LinkedIn and Facebook, I ended up developing my own little safety net of sorts. As I shared the news of my mother’s death, and how I was not dealing with it very well, I was flooded with love and support from this network of people I had created. When I realized that I was not forced to be alone with my grief, I was able to work through the grief with others who have gone through similar experiences. This support system of friends and colleagues has truly been my saving grace through the most difficult time in my life. With their help, I have been able to find my joy again.

The year 2020 will bring new challenges and exciting opportunities for me, and my love for this business has never been stronger. I am truly blessed to where I am today, and I know that my mother will be with me as I navigate through this chapter and beyond. The most valuable lesson I have learned is that “The Year of Me” does not have to end when 2019 comes to a close.

Continually putting myself first makes me a better mortgage professional, a better wife, a better mother, and a better friend.

I would be remiss if I didn’t give a special “thank you” to my amazing husband, Gabriel.

He has been by my side at every turn, often at the expense of his own needs, and continues to be at my side today. He saw me at my absolute best and my absolute worst in 2019, and not once did he waver in his support. I am grateful and lucky to have him in my corner.

Leora Ruzin, CMB is proud to be the new Managing Editor of Mortgage Women Magazine. She currently lives in Chicago with her husband, daughter, and two cats.

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R AISING YOUR VOICE W ITH GR ACE AND CONFIDENCE

ty i l a n o s r e P r u o Y g Unsplittin

F I N D I N G TH E M E NTA L TOUG H N E SS TO D E F I N E YOU RS E LF B E YO N D SOC I ETA L M E SSAG E S

BY RO B E R TA R AV E LL A

Sometimes I ask myself: “Hey lady, what are you hiding? Who are you hiding from?”

It’s a minefield. At work I am a mild mannered, fun loving, smile at your stupid jokes loan officer.

Yes, I can figure out your DTI problem, just give me the loan.

At home I am the perfect Pinterest wife, complete with keto dinner and Peloton bike. Work accomplishments lightly discussed, I don’t want anyone to feel unimportant because of me.

With my girlfriends, I am Joan of Arc, transforming the world one anti-mansplaining venting wine session at a time!

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It’s exhausting maintaining the mental toughness to bring all of these people into one person: In charge, but not bossy and don’t hurt anyone’s feelings. Fit and well dressed, but not too pretty, don’t want to be threatening. Set boundaries and lead!

But still do everything, not too important to do the hard work.

Women have made so much progress in the workplace, and in the mortgage business. Why then, does it feel at times we still fight society, our companies, and even our families?

Societal narratives for who women should be and how they should act are strong.

The assumptions from when I was not married were that the men in the office needed referrals more than I did. They were providers. Once I married it was “Oh you don’t need my business, you are married.”

More times than I like to count in my 20 years of mortgage loan sales, my shoe collection was noted as the reason for me to earn more commissions.

“Roberta, your co-worker Bob wants more deals so he can put his kids through college. I guess you can buy more shoes . . .”

How to win this game? Can I quit playing?

I did stop trying to be perfect. I stopped playing nice when they asked me if they were offensive.

I stopped playing the cool chick, and, most of all, I stopped working with people (realtors, vendors, clients) and at places (mortgage branches and corporate offices) that diminished women.

Once I had put an end to all of that, the question became what do I actually do now? There has to be a replacement for those pleasing, perfectionist,

YOU CANNOT PLEASE EVERYONE. IN FACT, YOU CANNOT PLEASE MOST PEOPLE. KNOWING WHOSE APPROVAL REALLY MATTERS WILL SAFEGUARD YOU egg-shell walking behaviors.

Self-talk was a great place to start. Why was I in these environments to begin with? I had held onto the belief that this was just the way it was and always going to be. That speaking up would cause harm to my career. That I had to work with whoever wanted to work with me. I was WRONG! I changed that thinking, and here’s how.

Know Whose Approval is Important to You

Know whose approval you care about. It is tough for women to break out of pleaser mode, thus the split personality. You cannot please everyone. In fact, you cannot please most people. Knowing whose approval really matters will safeguard you from trying to please everyone; and, therefore, no one, especially yourself.

FROM TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE; AND, THEREFORE, NO ONE, ESPECIALLY YOURSELF.

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How do we pick who really matters?

Who is signing your check is a good indicator. Who would you invite into your home? Who would cry at your funeral? It’s probably only a handful of people. When I really thought this one through, there have been about five people in my life whose approval really mattered. I spent so much time working for gold stars from people who only wanted to make money from me. We need to be real with ourselves. There are plenty of business owners and branch managers that say they want a family culture and that they are there to make our lives better. This may all be true, but at the end of the day, they are there to make money and their family is at home. Hanging hopes of approval on these people can be misplaced, leading to bad decisions and disappointment.

Work in Alignment with Your Values

We think of values as something on a corporate plaque, but it is imperative that we, as individuals, know what we value. It will be the armor you need to keep going when you are pushing away from the status quo. There will be people there to try to pull you back in. It’s human nature. But when you know what you value, and why you are doing what you are doing, you have the strength to push past and keep moving forward, despite the “who does she think she is” that you are sure to get from some men and women alike.

Know Who You Want to be in the Marketplace

Develop an identity that is yours. I copied other peoples’ identities, not sure who

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I wanted to be. If they were successful, I thought, just copy them. That works fine for sales techniques but not for your identity. Knowing what you value, who your clients are, and what you bring to them will help. You have a unique set of DNA and experiences that you bring to those who need your help. Self-awareness is key for mental toughness.

Develop Self-confidence Independent of the Approval of Others

The first thing was to value myself and what I have to offer as much as other people. Looking at those individuals that seemed more successful and trying to copy their efforts was the surface.

What is your why? Or, who is your why?

It’s a popular question. I believe, like losing weight or quitting smoking, your success needs to first be for you. Would you do this if no one was looking? If there was no one to be proud of or to learn from you? Would you do the work you are doing if it was only for you?

If the answer is yes, then keep going.

You can add the other “whys” of wanting your family to be debt free, or wanting your kids to see what honest success looks like, or whatever else motivates you.

The confidence it takes to push past the crowd must come from within.

Choose Your Crowd Wisely Clinical research confirms that far more than our immediate circumstances, the people around us influence our emotional state and our mental health. Venting about problems can be fun and seems productive, but in the end our tribe needs to be solution oriented. Your “wine with

UNSPL IT TING YOUR PERSONAL IT Y

friends” folks should encourage you, be honest, and help lead you where your intuition is already taking you. They don’t need to be Pollyanna level positive, just more empathetic than negative emotional contagions.

Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

Setting boundaries is about more than just what you say no to. It is also about how we let people talk to us and treat us. Practice asking people to speak to you with respect and move conversations out of sexist tropes and jokes. It’s hard to be the one setting those boundaries, but good people will respect them. If your boundaries are constantly being challenged or disrespected, then it may be time to change crowds or companies.

This is not the same as being “difficult.” I fell into the trap of being the “cool chick,” thinking I would be excluded from the top producer group if I said something about the jokes or the sexist undertones, not dealing with it unless it was overt. I later found out that they had excluded me anyway. Being the cool chick kept me from being left out of a few things, but, in the end, it only hurt my self-confidence and integrity.

Change What You Can Control

We do not have control over much in life. We sometimes have more than for which we give ourselves credit. We can have an effect on culture, even though it comes from the top. Nobody wants to be an activist at work, but we have the opportunity to change language and show approval or disapproval for behaviors.

There is always the option to vote with

our feet. If a company has poor culture toward women, or in general, LEAVE. I stayed places for longer than I should have because I thought it was the same everywhere. That may have been true at one point, but it is not now.

There are companies out there that promote women’s success, that do not tolerate harassment, and where you don’t have to worry about avoiding the locker room jokes. If you can’t find one where you are, there is always the option of creating one.

Queen Latifah and Reese Witherspoon created their own production companies because they were tired of people making choices that did not benefit women and women-centered projects. We can do the same for the mortgage business.

Healthy workplace environment is a must. You can find it, I promise.

By working in your values, knowing whose approval you care about, and setting boundaries, we can maintain self-confidence and define our own success.

When we hide to make others comfortable, we cheat them out of what we have to offer. Being open and vulnerable allows us to help the people we were meant to help and fulfill our meaningful work.

Women not only shine best here, but this is where we can change the narrative of success from power and money, to using our power and money to fulfill our life’s purpose.

With 20 years sales experience, Roberta is a Master Business Coach. She helps business professionals skyrocket their income by leveraging proven strategies, bedrock principles and by being who they truly are. When not coaching, Roberta and her husband love to travel, eat well, and relax over a good book.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

19

MOVERS

s r e k & Sha

TD Bank has added Stephanie Arcelay to its Medical Professional Mortgage team

Guild Mortgage Announces Promotions of Terry Schmidt and Amber Elwell

Guild Mortgage’s Terry Schmidt and Amber Elwell has been promoted to key positions within the organization. Terry, who was the chief operating officer, has been promoted to president, and Amber, who had been SVP, Finance has been promoted to "When we launched our Chief Financial Officer. Terry has been with Guild since 1985 and Medical Professional has been a member of the company’s board of directors since Mortgage earlier this 2006. In addition to her former role as COO, she led efforts to year, we built out a establish Guild’s first nonprofit organization, the Guild Giving Founrobust program that dation, designed to encourage volunteerism, support financial literacy & provide included a dedicated shelter for those in need. Terry is a graduate of the University of San Diego with operations team a BA Accounting; she’s also a Certified Financial Professional and in 2005 she expressly trained received her CMB from the Mortgage Bankers Association. to process, underwrite and close Amber, who previously served as Guild’s senior vice president of these loans," said Scott Lindner, finance, has 15 years of mortgage industry experience. She started National Sales Director for TD Bank with the company in 2004 and advanced to financial analyst and vice Mortgage. Stephanie has decades president before being promoted to senior vice president in 2015. of experience and true expertise Her many accomplishments at Guild include managing the implemenin helping medical professionals tation and adoption of two company-wide business intelligence sysachieve homeownership. tems, a new accounting system, a paperless invoice and an expense Stephanie joins TD from SunTrust reimbursement system. Amber is a graduate of UC Irvine’s Paul Merage Mortgage in Nashville, Tenn.

School of Business, and holds a B.B.A. in finance from the Texas Christian University. where she most recently acted as Vice President of Mortgage Lending and Doctor Loan Specialist. She has served the mortgage needs of medical professionals for more than Megan M. Johnson has been promoted to vice president at Potestivo & a decade, working closely Associates PC, a law firm serving the mortgage industry. Megan joined the with realtors, financial advifirm in February 2004 as a junior foreclosure coordinator and quickly moved sors and partners to deliver up the ranks. During her time at the company, she has served in various positions that have specialized loan programs provided her with well-rounded experience and given her a firm understanding of the ins and to physicians and dentists. outs of the real estate finance and credit industry. Among those positions are director of foreHer prior experience inclosure operations, quality control/client relations manager, and director of business developcludes roles at BB&T and ment. In her new role as vice president, Megan will oversee firm management and operations.

Bank of America.

Brian Potestivo, president and managing attorney for Potestivo & Associates, says Johnson’s “unique combination of knowledge, commitment and hard work she has proven time and again that she has the skills and attitude necessary to help guide the firm forward by utilizing our key strengths in the production of high quality work, effective practices and procedures, and proven solutions for our clients.”

Potestivo & Associates Promotes Megan Johnson to Vice President

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#BOSSBABE

To watch the full interview, click here.

An Interview with Brittany Hodak This issue’s Boss Babe is Brittany Hodak, Co-Founder of The Superfan Company. We sat down with her to discusswhat it takes to create “super fans”. Brittany is one of the most sought after speakers in the industry right now and her insight on creating loyal fans for your brand is a sure fire way to start the new year off right.

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MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

23

ASK THE E XPERTS

24

The start of a New Year is always the perfect op-

a group of exceptional experts that I consistently

portunity for a fresh start and a new beginning,

look to myself for wisdom and inspiration – and

where we take the time to reflect on the past,

here are their words of wisdom about tackling the

prepare for the future, and look for ways to make

New Year, and having your best year yet. (Spoiler

changes for the better in our personal and pro-

alert, and one more reason I love this crew –

fessional lives. So as the year begins, I turned to

there’s no advice about diets or exercise!)

www.MortgageWOMENMagazine.com

ASK THE E XPERTS

A bit of advice for the workplace - and maybe life - Assume Positive Intent. When you approach each interaction believing that every person involved has good intentions - you can solve anything.

Beth Keckley, Chief Marketing Officer, CrossCountry Mortgage

M Y A DV I C E M OV I N G I NTO 2020 I S TO B E B R AV E A N D TA K E A CHANCE. TA K E TH E LE A P A N D S E E W H E R E IT LE A DS YO U.

2019 was a year of growth for me, and reading Brave, Not Perfect

by Reshma Saujani set the tone.

After reading this book (twice!), I decided to define success from here on out as the moments where I would go beyond my comfort zone. Stepping outside of the box that I created was doing me no favors. I carry this book, this quote,

and this idea with me because the moments where we find success are the moments we decide to stop playing it safe. My advice moving into 2020 is to be brave and take a chance. Take the leap and see where it leads you. “I'm not alone in having spent my adult life only pursuing positions or projects I knew I'd ace. So many women stick to doing only the things at which they excel, rarely going beyond what makes them feel confident and comfortable.”

Reshma Saujani, Brave, Not Perfect: Fear Less, Fail More, and Live Bolder

Jelaire Grillo, Customer Relationship Manager, Prosperity Home Mortgage, LLC Have a plan; hopefully you spent some time in this past quarter planning what Q1-Q2 tactics look like and how they ladder up to an overarching plan for the year.

Know what, and most importantly, why you’re doing what you’re doing. What’s the main objective?

What do you want to achieve? Are you sure you haven’t mixed up Demand Gen (Leads/Accounts) with Brand Awareness campaigns? Do you have the right measurements in place? If not, what’s your plan for the gaps? Document and communicate your assumptions. Does your leadership agree with your direction? Yes? Go forth with valor and intensity and rock it! Happy

Holidays everyone. Here’s to an amazing New Year for all of us!

Melanie Marsh, Director of Digital & Sales Marketing, Movement Mortgage I think 2020 demands we continue to focus on the customer experience through driving efficiencies and realizing technology investments. As a company, we are focused on simplifying the process.

Less is more. Quality is better than quantity. It’s how many employees you can count on, rather than how many you can count! Simplify and your profits will multiply.

Laura Escobar, President, Eagle Home Mortgage

LE S S I S M O R E .

Q UA LIT Y I S B E T TE R TH A N Q UA NTIT Y. IT ’ S H OW M A N Y E M PLOY E E S YO U C A N CO U NT O N , R ATH E R TH A N H OW M A N Y YOU C A N CO U NT!

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

25

ASK THE E XPERTS

I F YOU A R E N OT A S H A PPY O R FU LFI LLE D A S YOU WOU LD LI K E TO B E DO I N G W H AT YOU A R E DO I N G , TH E B E S T WAY TO C H A N G E TH AT I S TO DO SO M E TH I N G A BOUT IT. Always trust your gut.

Megan Chastain, AVP of Marketing, First Community Mortgage “The best way to predict the future is to create it.” I am not certain where this quote originated from but it’s a good one. If you are not as happy or fulfilled as you would like to be doing what you are doing, the best way to change that is to do something about it. Take chances, make moves and only look back to reflect on the happier and more successful life you are committed to creating for yourself!

Kristen Brabants, SVP, Marketing, Guaranteed Rate One of my favorite books is The Sun & Her Flowers by Rupi Kaur.

Specifically, this quote: “You do not just wake up and become the

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butterfly. Growth is a process.” In the mortgage industry today, it seems we're always looking for that instant fix and expected to make things happen at the push of a button. I love this quote as a mantra for 2020 because the biggest changes don't happen overnight and that project you're most proud of can't be done right in a couple hours. It's a reminder that the little things you do well consistently and commit to every day make the biggest impact over time. Taking a little time every day to make yourself better, invest in your career or take the time to stop and help someone who needs it is where the real growth and change happens. Here's to hoping you accomplish all your goals in 2020!

Rachael Keshishian, Assistant Vice President & Mortgage Senior Market Strategist, Townebank Mortgage

As we build the technology roadmap of success, we can learn a lot from other industries. From construction we have learned to “Measure twice, cut once.” This is a great philosophy for double checking our analytics before sending out a custom message. From the education profession, we can “Remember the Golden Rule”, and treat our customers exactly how we want to be treated. And, from the movie world, we learn to “Fake it ‘til you make it!” Because we should never forget to try! You know, “If at first you don’t succeed....” - what industry is that from? The point is, we are not the first industry to forge a new path, but let’s collaborate to find the quote of success in 2020 to stand the test of time and inspire future mortgage industry leaders. It’s the year to get this right!

Katherine Campbell, Marketing Director, Assurance Financial “Spoil her with consistency.” – Unknown. Consistency. Marketing for 2020 is all about bringing a specific feeling to your customers through your messaging that remains the same across all your channels and assets. Offer consistent and personalized touch points that resonate with your audience as you lead them through the buying process.

Karla Clark, VP, Product Engagement, Guaranteed Rate

ASK THE E XPERTS

Take care of your team, take care of your borrowers, and great success will be yours in 2020.

Change is on the horizon for next year, so we will be staying close to the fundamentals of supporting our team members to achieve maximum success and providing exceptional service to our valued clients.

Robin Clayton, Vice President, Marketing, ClosingMark Home Loans “Say Yes Every Day”!

I met Laura Brandao, President of American Financial Resources this year and she gave an amazing talk, “say yes everyday”. If you’ve ever met Laura, you know her passion and enthusiasm to be off the charts! So, I began saying “yes” more this year and it’s my 2020 strategy! This very simple approach has opened doors to meeting the most amazing women this year. I’ve had opportunities to speak on panels, (including one recently in Bangalore, India), discussing Diversity and Inclusion on behalf of Tavant, chairing the “Women in Technology” event at the Digital Conference in Las Vegas and others - all because Laura planted a seed that led me to say yes!

We’re all busy and I think we naturally yield to the reasons why not vs. why… “I have a project deadline”, “projections to meet”,

I CO M M IT TO Y E S A N D TH E N WO R K TH ROUG H TH E D E TA I L S . TH I S ‘ SAY Y E S’ M E NTA LIT Y H A S O PE N E D U P N E W O PP O RTU N ITI E S TH AT I WOU LD N ’ T H AV E H A D OTH E RW I S E .

“I’m not sure I know enough to speak on that”, and so on.

Now I commit to yes and then work through the details. This ‘say yes’ mentality has opened up new opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise – such as serving on Freddie Mac’s Lender Advisory Committee in 2020! Saying yes, seems to remove all the roadblocks and noise in my head and sets me on the path of how to.

Once you move to ‘yes’… you’re automatically formulating the plan to make it happen.

The second thought for 2020…

Expand your network! The mortgage industry is filled with the most amazing people, it’s a complicated business thus the people you find are incredibly smart, passionate and collaborative. Expanding your network in 2020 is one of the most significant ways in which you can ensure you are never navigating the challenges alone! Typically, when

a situation occurs in mortgage, we’re all thinking about it, why not tap your network and colleagues see how they’re thinking about? There is true power in the many vs. the one!

Kim Hoffman, Chief Operations Officer, Envoy Mortgage And with all that inspiration, I will leave you with one of my own favorite quotes from Socrates—“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” Here we go, 2020!

Sue Woodard is the Chief Customer Officer at Total Expert. She can be reached at sue.woodard@totalexpert.com.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

27

MORTGAGE MOMS

MORTGAGE MOMS

BY J E S S I C A RO C H O N AG ATA N I

I

was joking with my sister the other day, and mumbled under my breath while looking through our stack of holiday cards, “‘Tis the season for over spending, overeating, and perfection.”

Have you ever noticed how perfect everyone’s family photos look on their holiday cards? Hence my comment. I am no different.

Our holiday cards show the most beautiful kids with two parents that look even more in love than the day they met, all while standing in front of America’s most lethal weapon, the F-22 Raptor.

The perfect family, with perfect jobs, perfect children, and perfect parents who have it all together.

But let’s be honest; I have shared all but perfection this past year. I have spent most of 2019 sharing my frustrations and challenges but tonight, well tonight, I want to share a win. So here it goes. In standard fashion, I RSVP’d two days prior to a party day for a six year old’s birthday.

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The party was from 6:30-9:00pm on a Sunday during the holiday break. I hesitated to accept the invite, given the time of year and the time of day of the party, but when I asked my daughter if she wanted to attend, she was emphatic about going. So we showed up early and noticed 12 place settings. As we waited for others to show, we met the family, sat next to the birthday boy then grabbed our tokens and headed to play games. That’s when I looked up and realized not one other kid was there for the birthday boy. I am not sure who was invited or the reasons for people not being able to make it.

But, I can tell you, the family was amazing, the mom was so happy we were there, and the party was so fun. I don’t know that I have ever enjoyed a birthday more.

I learned so much from my daughter that night. I learned my daughter is not only fun, but she is funny and kind. But most of all, she taught me to just “show up”.

On our ride home from one of the

most exciting birthday parties I have ever been to, my daughter reminded me why this time of year is so special. It is about Fun, Family and Friends and how important it is to show up for people!

Just show up! When life is busy and you feel as though you are barely staying afloat, showing up is a win. That is all your friends and family want. Someone to be there when they need you. Your family doesn’t expect wonder woman and neither do your friends. You never know, you may be the only one there! Happy New Year!

After some 15 years in the mortgage industry, Jessica is spending some downtime with her two children before she starts her new adventure in the mortgage industry.

Jessica lives in Kailua with her husband, children and three dogs.

STRONGER TOGETHER Tem Schimley QLMS Account Executive

Erika Araujo Executive Assistant NestMade Mortgage Monrovia, CA

Call (888) 762-5035 QLMortgageServices.com/StrongerTogether Equal Housing Lender. Licensed in all 50 states. NMLS #3030

C AUSE OF T HE MON T H Zulu Time for Veterans Jan/Feb 2020 https://zulutimenow.com/about/

WH AT IT I S

Zulu Time focuses on providing the modern veteran a livelihood and a purpose in a nonthreatening environment implementing a holistic approach to the military transition process by addressing personal, professional and rehabilitation needs at a grassroots level.

VISION

The company was created by Erica Courtney, a former military veteran who saw a need to create something that will help members of the military have a successful transition back into the civilian world. Our new Managing Editor, Leora Ruzin, is a former vet herself who experienced the difficulty of adapting to civilian life after serving.

WH AT TH E Y DO

Zulu Time provides community connection, health and wellness, career development, and shelter through peer-peer interactions and local support ensuring veterans are not passed around and oversight is achieved.

WH AT YOU C A N DO • Donate - Support through sponsorship, events, initiatives, in-kind philanthropic donations are critical to their mission to provide our veterans with a livelihood and purpose through local, consistent and inclusive programs. • Volunteer - Get involved at any level from customer service (event meet and greet) to barista to peer-to-peer counselor!

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Moving Beyond Quality Control QMS delivers on all of your mortgage QC and audit technology needs.

An industry standard, Quality Mortgage Services (QMS), continues to evolve as you do. Offering a robust line of quality control and audit services, delivered through the innovative MARS, Mortgage Analyst Review Software, QMS provides solutions that are designed to meet your individual needs, as well as those of the industry. QMS prides itself on being a genuine partner, with a demonstrated track record of commitment to providing an exemplary customer experience, in addition to proven workflow, process automation, analytical tools, reporting, and audits for QC. QMS is THE MORTGAGE QUALITY CONTROL AND AUDIT TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS COMPANY, extending professional results and flexible solutions to assist you and your team in navigating mortgage compliance. Whether you’re looking for a partner in QC, or considering outsourced processes, we are here to help.

QMS covers the full cycle of QC.

• QUALITY CONTROL AGENCY AUDITS • POST-CLOSING • PRE-FUNDING • MERS® • OTHER UNIQUE AUDITS

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Contact us today to learn more.

615-591-2528 ext. 124 or info@qcmortgage.com

For more information, visit qcmortgage.com

HOLISTIC WELLNESS

Post Holiday

BLUES

BY C I N DY S M ITH

A

fter the hustle & bustle of Christmas, the ringing in of the New Year, and the last ornament is neatly tucked away for another year, all the world goes back to the way it was before the excitement of the holidays. Or does it?

Thinking back through the year, we have the excitement of days getting longer & green beginning to appear in Spring, the long days of Summer fun and family vacations, the anticipation of back to school, pumpkin spice, and the beautiful colors of Fall leading us into the excitement of the holidays coming earlier every year. January escorts in darker, shorter days, more time inside with cold winds and winter storms. Although I love sitting next to the fire on a cold winter day with a good book and my favorite cup of tea, our moods naturally tend to reflect the gloomier days.

Along with the joy of the holidays, there are also an array of different emotions. There is the stress of shopping, wrapping, and cooking done on time.

Gathering with family and friends can leave a feeling of euphoria, sadness or disappointment. If it has been a diffi-

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HOLISTIC WELLNESS

cult year, you may be approaching the new year with anxiety and uncertainty. Grief is heightened during the holidays as well, and we miss those we have lost or relationships that have ended. Remember, you are not alone. Studies show as many as 25 percent of Americans suffer from low-grade to fullblown depression after the holidays So, when we say everything goes back to normal in January, the normal for January is

actually a bit gloomy and uncertain. But there is hope!

January is also a time for new beginnings, setting the tone for the rest of our year. January offers a blank canvas to illustrate your life with infinite possibilities ahead.

Here are some tips for making the new normal for January a time of setting goals for the coming year and laying the groundwork to make this our best year yet!

·

·

PLAN FUN. Plan at least one thing in every week you look forward to.

- Game night with friends - Movie night - Local theater - Try a new restaurant - Take a dance class

·

START A NEW HOBBY. Having a creative outlet helps improve focus and has calming effects on the brain, reducing stress and increasing joy. This could be a craft, learning to play a musical instrument, or try growing an indoor herb garden.

·

BUY A PLANT. With the darker skies, barren trees, and shorter days of winter, green plants help freshen the air & add life to a room.

SET GOALS. Setting personal and professional goals for the year gives a sense of purpose and direction, providing motivation and focus.

· FIND MEANING. Involvement with family or work that one finds meaningful and purposeful is one of the most significant contributing factors of happiness. Studies show that people that are involved in their communities and churches tend to experience more positive emotions and be more satisfied with their lives. ·

·

GET ACTIVE. Find ways to incorporate movement in your day regardless of the weather outside. Sitting for long periods of time is detrimental to our health and exercise is one of nature’s best antidepressants. · Stand when talking on the phone. · Set a reminder once per hour to get up from your desk. · Go bowling with your team or clients. · Join an exercise group. · Bundle up and take a walk.

GO OUTSIDE. At least once per day, go outside and take a few deep breaths of fresh air. If the sun is shining, stand or walk around where the sun is on you to get a dose of vitamin D, nature’s antidepressant.

· DRINK MORE WATER. Water is shown to boost mood, improve focus, and increase cognitive function. Try drinking it warm with a slice of lemon or orange and a dash of cinnamon. · START WITH GRATITUDE. Oprah Winfrey says when she opens her eyes every morning, she says thank you. Take a minute and think of three things you are grateful for. It sets the tone for the day and reminds us of the good around us.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019

33

HOLISTIC WELLNESS

·

TAKE CARE OF YOU. Once per week, do something to let yourself know you value you. Get a manicure, pedicure, or massage, soak in a tub with lavender and Epson salts, journal, go to a yoga class. As women, we tend to forget to value ourselves. If we take ourselves for granted, so will others.

· DECLUTTER. Opening space and getting rid of clutter, can help us feel refreshed. When you’ve finished, you can clear your space with white sage, a Native American tradition that helps to clear any negative energy from an object or place. This can also be done by diffusing white sage essential oil. · INCORPORATE ROUTINE. Start by setting a wake-up time and a time to go to bed every single day and stick to it.

Studies show a daily routine can help reduce stress and help us feel more grounded. · HEALTHY DIET. January is traditionally a time for starting a new diet. Instead of adding stress to an already stressful time by radically changing your diet, start with the basics. Eat whole foods. If it has an ingredient list, it is processed in some form. Eating whole foods helps boost your immune system and resets your body’s natural rhythm with nature. · MEDITATION. 2018 holidays were especially difficult for me. The number one thing I did that made a radical difference in my 2019 was adding meditation to my daily routine. Once or twice daily,

set a timer for just 10 minutes and quiet your mind. If you tend to drift, listen to the sounds around you. Birds chirping, your breath, the ticking of a clock, honking horn. Then be thankful for each one. This will bring you into the present moment and wash away all the outside noise and clutter of your mind.

It can truly have a miraculous affect. · ESSENTIAL OILS. In a 10 ml bottle with rollerball top, add 3-4 drops of three of the following oils and top off with Fractionated Coconut or Sesame oil. Apply to the back of the neck and over your heart. Roll on hands, cup and inhale.

Clary Sage • Lavender Lemongrass • Marjoram Orange • Rosemary It is also important to acknowledge and embrace the let-down after the holidays.

Take a few moments to journal about your feelings and jot down your favorite memories. Then turn your attention to the start of a new year. January can become one of your favorite times of the year filled with promise and excitement for the days to come.

After trying a few of the tips above, if you feel you are feeling depressed or having thoughts of hurting yourself or someone else, call a mental health professional to get some help. The National Suicide Helpline number is 1-800-273-8255. There are also online mental health resources like betterhelp.com or talkspace.com.

Cindy is a Certified Integrative Wellness Coach and Personal Trainer for professional women. She has been helping women achieve their health and fitness goals local and abroad for the past 15 years. For a free consultation, contact Cindy at cindy@whollydesigned.com.

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BOOK OF THE MONTH

BOOK OF T HE MON T H WOMAN OF INFLUENCE: 9 Steps to Build Your Brand, Establish Your Legacy, and Thrive

BY J O M I LLE R

“Reinvent yourself as a woman of influence--and be the leader you aspire to be.”

We wanted to bring something refreshing, inspirational, and powerful to the readers of Mortgage Women Magazine for the New Year (and new decade!) Author Jo Miller invites you to “reinvent yourself as a woman of influence--and be the leader you aspire to be.”

To step into the leadership pipeline, you need to "boss up your brand"--to present yourself as the emerging leader you know you are and ensure others perceive you in that capacity, too. You'll hear their stories (the good and the bad!) and glean important insights from the 12 most common career missteps even the most streetwise emerging leaders have made--so instead of getting derailed, you'll make the "leaderly move" every time. With this book to guide you, you'll learn how to define your unique leadership niche, create career-defining moments, recruit the five people you need on your squad, and more.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

35

WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

Audrey Acquisti

MSource Training & Consulting, Inc.

Kim Estep

Branig Capital Markets offers financial placement services for HUD and USDA Multifamily lenders across the US. We bridge the information gap between your underwriting team and your rate lock team. With an esteemed client list of the most successful MAP lenders in the business, Branig is counted on to help clients achieve the best interest rates on their loans.

Maria Seidman

Create a mobile app for your next conference - event - meeting.

Customize and instantly publish apps in minutes with no design skills or coding required.

Karen Deis

Over 55% (or more) of employees in the mortgage industry are women, yet when they attend annual sales meetings, rallies, or mortgage-related events, they may be only one of two women who have been hired to speak to your attendees.However, we also understand that it has been difficult to find and hire successful mortgage women, who walk their talk, who are awesome speakers, to inspire your attendees. Up until now‌where you can find most of the mortgage women speakers all on one website.

Branig Capital Markets

Yapp

Mortgage Women Speakers Bureau

36

We have 3 divisions; Post Closing and Pre Funding Audit Reviews, NMLS approved education provider for mortgage loan originators, and a Consulting Division that assists clients in state licensing, Policies & Procedures, Mortgage Call Reports, State Audits, Annual NMLS Reports and general mortgage company consulting.

www.MortgageWOMENMagazine.com

WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

Tammy Butler

Mortgage Currentcy is a content subscription company used by mortgage originators, underwriters, and processors. Subscribers receive reference guides, monthly interpretations of agency guidelines in plain English, and field experts in the areas of underwriting and compliance that answer loan scenario questions.

Thousands of mortgage practitioners rely on this information daily to make originating a mortgage easier.

Corey Trujillo

Boutique Marketing & Creative Agency with a Niche in Mortgage Branching. Your Goals + Our Experience = Desired Results.

Trackable Results. Increased Adoption. Agency & Creative Stuff.

Social Media Management. Vendor Selection. The Right Team.

Conferences & Events.

Nuria Rivera

We believe in making an impact and having purpose within our community. Whether we are protecting Real Estate investments, giving back to our surroundings, or creating opportunity and growth for others. We are here to redefine the experience.

Mortgage Currentcy

Synergy Maven

Novation Title Insurance Agency

Toni Moss

AmeriCatalyst LLC

Adriana Luchechko The Quality Control Center

Housing finance advisory firm and event/think tank producer. Certified govt contractor.

The Quality Control Center provides secondary mortgage market lending services, delivering Quality Control and Compliance outsource solutions to lenders and financial institutions. Our services include QC Audits for Post-Closing, Pre-Funding, Home Equity, Adverse Action, Appraisals, and AVM products. We also assist in QC Policy Development, Repurchase Negotiation, WorkFlow Analysis and Streamlining, Training, Consulting, and more.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

Carolyn Calhoun

Mortgage Broker in Michigan. Most closings in 15 days or less and low rates!

Calhoun Mortgage, INC

Ebony Murphy Blessed Budgets LLC

Jillayne Schlicke

CE Forward, Inc. DBA NAMF

Tamala Stewart

100% woman-owned business specializing in LIVE, interactive, high-energy delivery of education for the mortgage lending industry including on-board training for new hires, LO Pre-licensing, Exam Prep, and live Loan Originator CE. - Continuing Education Classes for Realtors - Instructor Development: Train the Trainer - Ethics and Compliance Consulting- Expert Witness: License defense, wrongful termination, fraud - Keynote speaker for your event- 30+ years experience - NMLS Approved Course Provider C-1400068

New Season Mortgage, LLC

New Season Mortgage offers Nationwide Commercial loans and Wholesale Residential Loans in Colorado. The President, Tamala Stewart, has worked in the industry for 15 years.

Donna Schmidt

Loss Mitigation, Servicing Consulting, WaterfallCalc.com, Training, Procedures, Audit Prep & Answer

DLS Servicing Consultants, LLC

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Financial planning organization that works with individuals, couples and/or current or pursuing business owners to examine current financial health based on each individual goal. Creating financial forecasts, budgets and showing cash flow for analysis.

www.MortgageWOMENMagazine.com

WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

Symmetry Blockchain Advisors, Inc.

Symmetry Blockchain Advisors, Inc. is leading the way in collaborating with companies in the establishment, strategy, and implementation of blockchain, crypto-currency and initial coin offering (ICO) ecosystems. One of the primary goals of the company is to revolutionize the mortgage loan lifecycle utilizing blockchain. The variety of experts at Symmetry have the depth of knowledge and expertise to help navigate the way in a space which is revolutionizing industries across the globe.

Sandra Gainsforth

Advanced software for Lien Release and Assignment preparation, and document management and tracking.

Debbie Hoffman

Rekon Technologies

Karen Geisel

Designer of exclusive jewelry line for women of influence in real estate, home staging, and mortgage lending.

Tiana Uribe

Boutique mortgage company with over 15 years in the mortgage and real estate industry with competitive wholesale loan programs and pricing to serve our customers.

Atrina Kouroshnia

Independent Mortgage Broker providing clients with their best financing solutions. Part of Dominion Lending Centres- City Wide Mortgage Services

MESA Jewelry

TRU Financial Services

Mortgage By Atrina

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES

Deb Jensen

Deborahkjensen.com

Deborahkjensen.com, LLC is a training company for real estate professionals. Beyond Results Coaching is the core product and trains lenders on how to identify, approach, and meet with key referral sources.

I have twenty-five years of experience in mortgage lending and have trained both new and seasoned lenders.

Summer Kim-Davis

IKON Mortgage Inc. is a residential mortgage company. IKON stands for Integrity, Knowledge of the market and products, Outstanding service, and New and better ways of helping our clientele. The company was founded with the core value of giving, honesty, efficiency, humanity, and doing business with integrity.

Samar Nohra

Women owned Appraisal Management Company providing professional, accurate and quality reports on all residential appraisal products performed by certified appraisers and fast turn-times throughout the US. You’ll receive quick updates on orders and 24-hour on-line access to order information. When you’re ready to receive the attention you deserve, contact AAA-AMC.

Robin Auerbach

Since 2008, EdgeMAC has been a provider of Due Diligence, Document Management, and Business Process Outsourcing services to the financial services industry.

IKON Mortgage, Inc.

AAA Appraisal Management Company

EdgeMac

Elizabeth Tronieri Martha E. Von Rosenstiel, PC

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MVRLAW is a law firm that handles end to end default and collection services in Pennsylvania. We have been in operation since 1988 and are a100% woman owned and woman managed firm.

We are well respected in the default community for the services we provide to all our clients.

MORTGAGE WOMEN MAGAZINE • JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

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HERWORDS

HE R

Words

BLUES BRAND BUSINESS CENTERED ESTABLISH EXPECTATIONS INFLUENCE INTEGRATE LEADERSHIP LEGACY ME MENTAL

NAVIGATE NINE ROARING SOCIAL STEPS SUPERFANS THRIVE TOUGHNESS TRANSITION WAKE WELLNESS WOMEN

Solution to last issue's puzzle

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PROMOTE AND ADVERTISE with

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Covering the Entire Mortgage Lending Process and Everything In Between

MAGAZINE

GEARING UP

January 2020

FOR

Achieving Operational Excellence in Mortgage Lending pg. 46

Down Payment Assistance: Does it Hurt Loan Performance? pg. 58