The Savvy Brokers Club: Recent Episodes
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Making the right financial decisions takes time, skill, and effort.
The Savvy Brokers club podcast delivers strategies from today's thought leaders that help you build and maintain your financial freedom.
In this episode of The Savvy Brokers Club Podcast, Jose Baeza, CEO of eFunding Expert, takes us on an inspiring journey from his humble beginnings to his current success.
Raised in Palatine, Illinois, after moving from Mexico at age six, Jose’s dream of becoming a chef morphed into a passion for entrepreneurship. Despite financial obstacles and the challenge of funding a college education, he navigated his path with resilience and determination.
Jose’s story emphasizes the importance of integrity, mentorship, and a relentless belief in oneself. He shares valuable insights on protecting credit, seeking the right funding, and the crucial role of having a supportive network.
Jose's philosophy of "ask and it is given" serves as a powerful reminder that opportunities are abundant if you know where to look and have the courage to ask. Tune in to hear how Jose’s experiences can inspire and guide you on your entrepreneurial journey.
Devontae Brooks' journey is a testament to resilience and determination. Growing up in the Quad Cities, Illinois, Devontae faced numerous challenges, but he always saw a bigger world beyond his circumstances. From his early days in low-income housing to earning a finance degree from Northern Illinois University, Devontae's path was paved with hard work and unwavering focus.
His story of becoming a regional underwriting manager at Wells Fargo and transitioning to a successful mortgage loan officer is a beacon of hope for many. Devontae emphasizes the importance of investing in oneself, continuous learning, and building authentic relationships. His nonprofit, Roman's Wish, born out of personal tragedy, supports families experiencing infant loss, showcasing his deep commitment to community and empathy.
Devontae's journey is a powerful reminder that with perseverance and vision, one can overcome any adversity. Listen to his full story on the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast and be inspired to pursue your own dreams with relentless determination.
In the latest episode of The Savvy Brokers Club Podcast, we dive deep into the life of Alex Filin, whose story is not just one of success, but a testament to the power of resilience, hard work, and the essential human need for community. Alex, a mortgage advisor with a knack for transforming lives through financial wisdom, shares his journey from the humble beginnings in Riga, Latvia, to making his mark in the mortgage world.
Born in the Soviet Union, Alex's narrative is one of sacrifice and the pursuit of the American dream—a dream that his family chased with a mere $600 to their name. This sum, though modest, was the seed from which Alex's future would sprout, nurtured by his parents' unyielding dedication to providing a better life for their family in the United States. "My parents sacrificed a lot," Alex reflects. "I don’t think there’s a day that goes by that I don’t think about that because I’m truly grateful for it."
Alex's story resonates with listeners not just for its themes of sacrifice and success, but for the relatable struggles he faced along the way. From being bullied for his accent upon arriving in the U.S. to finding acceptance and self-worth through sports, Alex's early experiences shaped his resilient character and his understanding of community and belonging. He brings these values into his professional life, emphasizing the importance of inclusion, empathy, and the power of uplifting others. "I never wanted to be... arrogant. Because I remember the feelings I had when I was verbally bullied," he shares, highlighting the profound impact of his childhood experiences on his approach to leadership and relationship-building.
Transitioning from life insurance to the mortgage industry was a leap of faith for Alex, driven by a desire for change and guided by mentors who believed in his potential. This move wasn't just about a career shift; it was a bet on himself and his ability to make a meaningful impact. "What I did was bet on myself, but I also bet on the leadership I had that were true friends," he explains, underscoring the importance of trust, mentorship, and community in achieving success.
Alex's journey is a powerful reminder that success is not solely about financial gain but about finding fulfillment and purpose through service to others. His involvement in coaching and mentorship, inspired by his mentors Amir and Justin, is a testament to his commitment to giving back and fostering growth in others. "It’s been a blessing to be a coach... I learn so much from them," he says, highlighting the reciprocal nature of teaching and learning.
For those navigating their paths, Alex offers timeless advice: surround yourself with people who uplift you, embrace challenges as opportunities for growth, and never lose sight of where you came from. His story is a beacon of hope and a guide for anyone striving to achieve their dreams against all odds.
In sharing his journey, Alex Filin not only inspires us to pursue our aspirations with tenacity and grace but also reminds us of the importance of community, mentorship, and the power of a positive outlook. His story is not just one of achieving the American dream but of redefining it for himself and others, proving that with grit, gratitude, and the right people by your side, anything is possible.
In the latest episode of The Savvy Brokers’ Club Podcast, we sit down with Ward Powell, a wealth strategist whose journey from the deep South to the financial forefront embodies a narrative of resilience, discipline, and unconventional wisdom. This isn't just another financial advice session; it's a masterclass in life, investments, and the art of genuine success.
Ward's story begins in Mississippi, a state known for its blues but also for birthing individuals with grit and determination. Moving to Chicago as a baby, Ward was raised in a family where hard work and entrepreneurship were not just values but a way of life.
His grandfather's bus company and his own stint as a teacher before diving into the world of finance paint a picture of a man who's not afraid to pivot in pursuit of his passions.
The essence of Ward's message lies in the discipline he applies to every aspect of his life, a discipline that has its roots in his upbringing and was honed through personal challenges and professional experiences. His transition from teaching to financial advising wasn't just a career change; it was a leap into understanding the broader implications of financial decisions on one's life.
Ward's approach to finance is refreshingly straightforward and deeply insightful. He emphasizes the importance of being aware of where you're losing money before making any investment decisions.
According to Ward, the average household could be losing between one to four million dollars over a lifetime due to unnoticed financial leaks. His strategy focuses on identifying these leaks and redirecting funds towards more fruitful investments, thereby transforming potential losses into gains.
One of the most striking aspects of Ward's philosophy is his view on investment, not just as a financial concept but as a holistic approach to life. "You're never too young to lose money," he remarks, challenging the common misconception that youth is a safety net for risky financial decisions. This principle is a testament to his belief in the power of informed, disciplined investing as a tool for building a secure future.
Ward's narrative is not just about financial success; it's about living a life of purpose, health, and well-being. His personal journey includes a remarkable 40-day fast, a testament to his extraordinary discipline and commitment to health. This discipline extends to his professional life, where he advocates for slow, steady growth over the allure of quick gains.
Listeners are left with invaluable lessons on the importance of discipline, the wisdom of cautious investing, and the power of personal health. Ward Powell's life story is a beacon for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of finance with integrity and purpose.
Emma Butler, a renowned mortgage lender, joined the Savvy Brokers Club to share her insights on the mortgage lending industry and her approach to building relationships.
Emma started her career as a loan officer and over the years, she has worked with different companies, which gave her a unique perspective on the industry.
Emma shared the importance of understanding her client's financial goals and how it is essential to make sure that her clients are aware of all the available options. She emphasized that the mortgage lender's role is to guide their clients through the entire process, not just to sell them a mortgage.
Emma believes that transparency and communication are the key components in the mortgage lending industry. She shared how communication breakdowns can cause delays, which can cost the clients more money.
Therefore, it is vital for the mortgage lender to establish clear communication channels with the clients and respond to their queries promptly.
Another aspect that Emma highlighted was the importance of building relationships with her clients. She mentioned that building a rapport with her clients is essential for her business, and it helps to create trust and confidence with them.
Emma's insights provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to invest in real estate or take out a mortgage. Her advice emphasizes the importance of transparency, communication, and building relationships with clients, which can benefit anyone in any industry.
Emma Butler's interview sheds light on how the mortgage lending industry can be revolutionized by changing the traditional ways of selling a mortgage to guiding clients through the entire process while building a relationship of trust and transparency.
Her insights provide valuable lessons that can be applied to any industry, making her a leader in the field.
In this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast, Javier Garcia, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending at The Federal Savings Bank, shares his journey in the mortgage industry and the lessons he has learned along the way.
Garcia speaks about his fearless approach to sales and how he was able to refine his skillset and gain confidence by hearing "no" countless times. He also talks about the importance of simplifying the mortgage process for consumers, particularly those in the minority community, and demystifying certain aspects of it such as VA loans for veterans.
Garcia's story is one of hard work, perseverance, and a deep commitment to educating and empowering consumers. As a first-generation Latino in America, he understands the challenges that many in his community face when it comes to navigating the complex world of mortgages and real estate.
But through his work, he has been able to help countless families achieve their dreams of homeownership and financial stability.
One of the key takeaways from Garcia's interview is the importance of taking a long-term view when it comes to mortgages and real estate. He emphasizes that the first loan is just the beginning, and that there are many options available to consumers depending on their goals and circumstances.
By educating consumers and empowering them to make informed decisions, Garcia is helping to create a more equitable and accessible mortgage industry for all.
Another key theme that emerges from Garcia's story is the power of faith and connection. He believes that God is working among us, connecting us with other people who are in alignment with our values and goals. And through these connections, he has been able to find success and fulfillment in his work.
Overall, Javier Garcia's interview on the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast is a powerful reminder of the importance of hard work, perseverance, and a deep commitment to serving others.
As the mortgage industry continues to evolve and change, it is leaders like Garcia who will help to ensure that it remains accessible and equitable for all.
Dean Vlamis joins us on this episode of The Savvy Brokers Club Podcast to share his story and the keys to his success in the mortgage industry.
With a background rooted in finance and economics, Dean Vlamis is a seasoned expert in the mortgage lending industry. Born in Chicago and raised in Kansas, Vlamis started his career as a runner on the trading floor at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange.
Over the next 11 years, he honed his skills in the fast-paced world of financial futures and commodities, eventually transitioning to computerized trading.
Despite initial setbacks, Vlamis eventually found his true calling as a mortgage lender, where he now serves as Senior Vice President at Guaranteed.
Henry Gomez, VP of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate, shares his journey of traveling the world and connecting with people on a deeper level.
In 2020, Henry left the industry at its peak, sold his house, paid off debt and traveled for a year. Through his travels, he learned to connect with people remotely, in a way that's efficient and gets the job done, just as effectively as in-person meetings.
He believes that we can use technology smarter and more efficiently to conduct business, even in the face of adversity. Henry's experience highlights the importance of self-discovery and being in tune with who you are and what works for you, both personally and professionally.
Insurance Broker Dan Kaleel shares his journey to success in this episode of The Savvy Brokers Club Podcast.
Originally studying nutrition, Dan pivoted to IT before eventually finding his passion in insurance brokering. He attributes his success to building relationships and offering value to clients. The drive behind his work is personal, inspired by the loss of his father who was unable to fully utilize his life insurance policy.
Dan believes that protecting oneself with a life insurance policy is crucial and strives to help others protect their biggest asset - themselves.
Arielle Villamar, a mortgage lender, shares her fascinating journey into real estate in this episode of The Savvy Brokers Club Podcast.
Born and raised in Chicago, Villamar was pushed into the world of real estate by her mother, a real estate agent of 20 years. Villamar recounts a memorable moment from her childhood where she helped her mother sell a 1.5 million dollar home on the water and ended up closing the deal with a cash buyer.
This experience hooked Villamar into the world of real estate, and she went on to obtain her license and pursue a career in loan origination. Villamar's story is a testament to the power of passion and mentorship in finding one's career path.
On this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast, we have Andrea Lopez Bartoszewicz, a mortgage lender with a unique perspective on the industry.
Growing up, Andrea's family moved around a lot due to her father's job in the military. She spent time in Chicago and the Houston area, and these different experiences shaped her in many ways.
Growing up in Chicago, Andrea felt that the city was diverse and accepting, and she felt free to be herself. However, when her family moved to Texas, she was exposed to racism and discrimination at a young age. These experiences were difficult for her, but she learned to persevere and not let the negativity get to her.
Despite these challenges, Andrea has always been driven to help others and be of service. She has always been interested in the medical field, but was told that it was not something a young girl should aspire to. Instead, she was encouraged to become a nurse.
She never let this discourage her and has always been determined to make a difference in people's lives.
In her career as a mortgage lender, Andrea has always focused on serving her clients and educating them about the process. She has always been driven by a desire to help people, rather than just making money or building her own empire. This approach has served her well in the industry, and she has built a reputation as reliable and trustworthy.
One of the things that sets Andrea apart is her ability to process and understand her experiences on her own. Despite not having a strong support system to lean on, she was able to form her own perceptions and ideas about how things should be from a very young age. This independence and drive have helped her to be successful in the mortgage industry and in life.
Andrea is a prime example of how personal experiences can shape a person and drive them to make a difference in the world. Her story is an inspiration to all of us to find our passion and pursue it with determination, despite the obstacles we may face.
Before becoming a mortgage loan originator with Key Mortgage Services, Jason Finn spent 16 years as a Real Estate Broker, Poker Color Commentator for NBC sports and owner of a marketing company. He joins us to share his story and how he's found success in the mortgage industry leveraging his past experiences.
Originally from Detroit, Jason graduated from the University of Michigan and spent the better part of a decade traveling for work. As a way to spend more time at home in Chicago,
“I had an opportunity to stay in Detroit, go to New York or come to Chicago. I always loved Chicago and now I've been here for 25 years. I was traveling for the first 10 years or so, in consulting, and I was almost always on the road. I wanted to be home in Chicago and I asked myself ‘What can I do to ensure that I'm always in Chicago, or that at least I have an excuse to be here work-wise?’
I got my real estate license and for about 16 years I practiced real estate as an agent, as a broker, and I really enjoyed it a lot.”
It’s through those experiences that Jason found his passion for helping others from the financial aspect of real estate. He shares how the insights he shares with his broker clients not only adds value, but also saves invaluable time.
“I've worked with a couple hundred buyers, so I know what it's like to be of service to them, to add value to consumers who are looking to buy a home. I understand the energy and the emotion that they go through and how that comes back to the agent.
I understand, on behalf of the agents, what some of their challenges are and how to make them feel comfortable that they're not wasting their time with buyers who aren't ready to go or aren't pre-approved.”
Tune in to hear more on Jason’s career in real estate, poker commentating and a background in digital marketing has put him on a path of success in mortgage lending.
Early in Abby Torres’s career, she found her niche as a Mortgage Lender specializing in home renovation loans. Now, a VP of Mortgage Lending at Guaranteed Rate, she discusses ways she helps both her clients and Real Estate Broker partners alike. Born in Los Angeles, but raised in Kansas City, MO, Abby always had dreams of moving to Chicago. When she finally made the move to attend college, she found an opportunity in the mortgage business. She recalls the conversation that got her interested in mortgage lending.
“When the mortgage business came along I was going to school, went to college the first year and then I went to a small business community college to learn more about business. I remember telling this mortgage broker at the time ‘I'm going to school and he's like, you know, we can teach you here, we'll teach you.’’
Though her path to becoming a mortgage broker wasn’t immediate, Abby would find her niche early thanks to the help of a mentor. Wanting to differentiate herself, it wasn’t enough to be a bilingual broker. She discusses that conversation which pushed here to become known for originating home renovation loans. “I speak Spanish and I like talking to people; and he's like, ‘No, there's gotta be a specialty, because knowledge is power. You have to know what you want do.’
So when I started to learn that program, I was very involved and loved it. To this day I'm still doing them and during COVID, there were so many mortgage lenders that had to stop doing them, because they couldn't originate them.
Despite what was going on with the market, Guaranteed Rate never stopped. I was just getting calls from brokers, other lenders, and it was great. My mentor, whom I still talk to this day, every time I see him, I give him a big hug.”
Tune in to hear more on Abby’s story and how she’s helped her clients through her knowledge and experience originating home renovation loans.
Antonio Lugo, President of Smart Wealth Strategies, shares his story and passion for helping people with their financial planning for retirement.
Jonathan Mayotte, Commercial Insurance Advisor with Thornton Powell, joins us to discuss ways to avoid potential pitfalls in business by surrounding yourself with trusted advisors. Focused on protecting his clients businesses and assets, while reducing their liabilities, Jonathan works with Employment Practices Liability for businesses anywhere between the independent contractor, all the way up to 50 million and beyond in revenue. He’s even taken on some independent contractors who eventually became the $25 million revenue generating businesses. The biggest advice he gives his smaller business client, when making the leap towards a midsized business is to plan smartly. “The best investment that you're going to make up front is get yourself a quality business attorney; to be able to know how to properly set up your business from a legal standpoint and put some good contracts in place to protect you, your clients and your employees.
Make sure you have a good CPA, a good accountant to be able to handle the tax element. And also make sure that you have a good insurance advisor who can sit there and say, okay. Here's what you should do based on the nature of your business.”
Speaking from experience, Jonathan goes on to share a personal story of how a lapse in judgment changed the way he viewed insurance to this day.
“I was totally single and I needed health insurance and I'm like, ‘I'm a healthy 31 year old. I've never had any problems. I've never been in the hospital. I'll go with the high deductible.’ Then it was literally like a couple of months later that I ended up in the hospital.
All of a sudden I'm like Man, I've got $5,000 that I owe the hospital. Now had I gone with the lower deductible I wouldn't have had to worry about that.’”
Tune in to hear more of Jonathan’s story and how he’s protecting his clients from malicious cyber attacks through ransomware, with cyber liability policies.
Sandra Keys, loan consultant with Loan Depot, sits down on this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast to share her story. Sandra has been in the mortgage loan industry for 30 years. Originally from the Chicago-land area, she pursued a bachelor's degree in Florida in mortgage banking but after getting pregnant with her daughter, decided to leave school and move back home. “It's not like I was super focused in school but I had one class focused on the truth about lending and about the banking world. That was the class that I was so interested in, but I didn't realize that that was going to turn into a career and I didn't finish.” After encouragement from a friend, Sandra found a job in the mortgage industry starting out in what she refers to as “the farm.” “It was the shipping department. We would go super early and work overtime. It was crazy. We were working all these hours and I literally started in the shipping department with my girlfriend.”
Before she knew it, someone at the company needed a person who spoke Spanish to help translate for loan applications.
“Then I went from the shipping department to processing, closing. He asked me to be his assistant, doing everything I was doing. It was like one step, one step. The part that I loved the most was with the people.”
Sinec building her career in the mortgage industry, Sandra has become passionate about helping others, especially those that are easily taken advantage of. She tells how a realtor she worked with saw many people waiting on line to get their taxes done, many of them Hispanic, and they were being taken advantage of or no one was explaining things to them.
“She asked me, Sandra, what do you think? What if you came in and you actually gave a seminar and started talking and just trying to help and educate people?”
Sandra did her first seminar three years ago and she’s still going strong. People are engaged and curious and she spends a lot of time answering all of the questions they have.
“The internet sometimes gives you a lot of information, but it's confusing. It's not personal either. You can't ask questions, you can't do anything. So I love it. I will spend a whole Saturday there. I love the people and when they're asking questions it truly fills my heart.”
A large portion of what she tries to educate adults on is how to educate and help their children and to help set them up with credit early. As far as her day to day job, Sandra is focused on working with people who have the same energy. It’s that work ethic that has led her to be so successful in her business and build lasing relationships.
“We're trying to help people. They have the same values. It’s not about the transaction. It's about the person. You cannot think about a buyer as a transaction. That is a borrower. That is somebody who we're helping them to get their home.”
Hear more about Sandra’s story, her advice, and more on this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast.
On this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club, Andrew Hartell, a Senior Loan Officer with Cornerstone First Mortgage, sits down with us to talk about all things mortgage. Andrew’s original passion was selling cars. He thought he was going to own his own car dealerships so he started selling cars after one semester of school. Throughout that journey, he became a finance manager and had an epiphany that he really didn’t like selling cars. Looking for something different and harboring a long-time love for real estate, he decided to make a move. At the time it was between going down the real estate agent path or become a mortgage guy. Given his love of numbers and finance, the latter seemed like a natural fit. Out of the gate, Andrew focused on first-time buyers. “I was 26 years old and I was just hustling for people my age. And now as I've evolved and grown up a little bit, I'm focusing a lot on investors because that's what I love. I love when people are just taking big pieces of the market and really diving in themselves.I love being a part of that process.”
Throughout his career trajectory, he’s noticed similarities between selling cars and helping people buy homes. He talks about how when he sold cars, he always did better with Audio than he did with the cheaper cars.
“People tend to just not care much about the decisions on that process, but the bigger cars they really think it through. I got to consult and I really like educating and consulting. Sales is to me, it's not something I'm ever pushing anything on someone. If I have something that's a worthwhile product, they're going to buy it and buy it themselves. All I have to do is educate them. So the real estate and mortgage process has been great because I get to explain one of the most complicated things for someone, to me, it's simple. So just break it down in layman's terms so that someone can understand. And then they know how to make their decision. They feel good about it.”
Guiding his clients through education is only a portion of what makes Andrew so successful. A large part of his accomplishments come from the valuable relationships he cultivates.
“My first several years, I built real long lasting relationships. I started finding the realtors that I've made friends with. And now some of those realtors and agents are some of my best friends.
I find people I connect with and then I try to find what sort of values I can give to them, look at their business and try to give them what I know how to improve, which recently has been social media. So it's a big value addition.”
Tune into this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club Podcast to hear more about Andrew’s story, how he treats the “competition” and more.
Sterling Jackson, Insurance Agent extraordinaire, sits down with us on this episode of the Savvy Brokers Club to share his story of growing up in the family business of insurance. Born in Chicago, Sterling had the opposite geographical trajectory than most people growing up and going to college in Florida and then deciding to move back home to Chicago.
The Savvy Brokers Club Podcast is about having conversations around how to make your money work for you. Luntadila Paulo sits down on this inaugural episode of the podcast to talk about his passion for helping people through finance and how the human element is the key to success.