1. How many years have you been in Private Lending and why did you enter this field?

I have been in Private Lending for over nine years. I love the industry and what it represents: making your own destiny.

2. Where did you get your start?

I got my first job at the age of 15; however, I got my start in private lending at The Mortgage Office (TMO) where I was hired to lead Marketing.

3. What is your current role and how does that affect your company at large?

I am currently the Chief Marketing Officer at The Mortgage Office. My job is to create awareness of how our product simplifies our customers’ lives by providing easy HMDA reporting to our online lenders/borrowers’ portal, ARMs indexes, and everything in between.

4. How have you seen your company grow in spite of or because of current market conditions?

The growth has been off the charts. I was employee number 12 when I started with TMO. We have almost 50 now and I have the pleasure of saying I hired many of the folks that make TMO what it is today.

5. What are some of your goals for 2023 and beyond?

My goal is to drive the marketing strategy and initiatives to achieve the company’s overall objectives. I’d like to focus on solidifying our company’s position as the leader in private lending software for 45 years and counting.

6. What does success look like for you?

Success is being able to sleep at night knowing you did your very best; working at a company that has been around for so long as a leader; and learning from the best in the industry.  Success is seeing happy customers whose portfolios have grown over the years as a direct result of using TMO.

7. What is something most people don’t know about you or your company?

I am a data nerd, and I love cigars! Many people may not know The Mortgage Office is actually a really fun place to work. You can pop into our offices any time for a visit or to challenge us to a foosball game! We also have a kitchen full of goodies for all these great minds to work on the best product in the industry.

8. What steps are you or your company taking today to make an impact on the industry?

The Mortgage Office forever changed the way loans were serviced when it came into the market in the late 70s. Today, we continue our motto of listening to our customers and creating an interface that reflects their requests. We continue to set the bar high, and we never cut corners when simplifying and streamlining the loan management process.

9. What piece of advice did you personally receive early in your career that has helped shape decisions you’ve made?

Your work is the best representation of your persona.

10. Tell us about a person or organization you admire. How have they made an important impact on you, the industry, or the world?

Coincidentally, today I have the words of Dr. Joe Dispenza fresh in my mind. He explores neuroscience, epigenetics, quantum physics, and consciousness and is now known for helping people heal in miraculous ways. He says: “Nobody changes until they change their energy—and when you change your energy, you change your life; and it only takes a decision with such firm intention, that the amplitude of that decision carries a level of energy that is greater than the hardwired programs in your brain, and the emotional conditioning in your body. Your body literally responds to your mind.” How awesome is that?!

11. Are you involved in any associations, networking groups, or the like that have influenced your career path?

In my early 20s, I joined Toastmasters. That helped with speaking. I came to the U.S. from Colombia as a teenager, and I didn’t know how to speak English. I enrolled myself in a Drama class because I knew they would make me talk there! I was willing to do anything to get over the fear of speaking a foreign language with an accent.

12. If you had a clean slate to start over and do anything you wanted to do, what would that be?

Ooh, is that a trick question? I am fascinated, beyond belief, with Quantum Physics.

13. What is the best advice you could give someone thinking about making a leap into Private Lending?

Educate yourself: learn about risk assessment, loan types, legal requirements, and industry best practices. Clearly define your investment goals and strategy. Translation: don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Seek legal advice to help you navigate the complex landscape of private lending. Get software that you can depend on and that will make your life easier and grow your portfolio more quickly by giving your business an edge.