Leading with Dedication and Balancing Life in Credit | EmpowHERed Podcast

Hi everyone, welcome to the next episode of our Empowered by You Mortgage podcast. I am joined by a very special guest today. Amanda Martindale-Aragon is the Business Development Specialist for CIC West. She is one of our biggest supporters in the credit space and is also a total powerhouse and badass in the mortgage industry. She does a ton to really just help and support all of us. So I thought it would be really fun to welcome her to the podcast today and get to know a little bit more about Amanda. Welcome. Thank you so much for having me. Oh, absolutely. Well, it's always fun. I love just bringing women of all walks of life from the mortgage industry, whether inside of you mortgage or outside, because we absolutely none of us can do it without your help and support. It absolutely takes a village. It takes a team. And you have always been one of the best. And we just we really appreciate your contributions. Really, truly. Thank you. Absolutely. One of the things that you do so often that I just noticed, just with your social media, you're really active on social media, is you're always like promoting opportunity for other people in the industry. Like, tell us about that. You know, I was not a big social media fan. And probably until I started watching, like. Anthony Casa, Nicole and Corey, and Nicole would do all those posts where she's like, just got to get on and do it. And I'm like, I don't I mean, do I, though? I really do not want to do that. So for me, I had to find something I was comfortable talking about. And it's education. I mean, after doing this, I think for so long, the questions that come up are so valid and you can't know all of the things. And so, you know, sometimes we'll repeat like right now, you know, there's a lot of streamlined stuff going on. We know a lot of questions about that. So we kind of circle through content, but we're really big on just educating everyone and giving mortgage brokers everywhere, whether the AC or not, just a fair shot. Totally. Well, just serving out there, like going out there, delivering a message that, you know, is important and offering to give without any expectation of receiving anything, but knowing that you're building relationships and supporting people along the way. And that just always comes back to you in droves. So true. Well, and we really appreciate it. It's so funny. I have been doing social media for a long time and, you know, everybody always just thinks that, oh, you're just this is something that you're naturally good at. And you're just not. It's like, no, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Right. People like I know I didn't grow up with social media. You didn't grow up with social media. This isn't something that we're comfortable doing. But until you put yourself out there and you take a risk and you start doing things that you're maybe a little bit uncomfortable with, that is the absolute only way to get comfortable is to try and fail, try and practice, keep practicing, keep trying. And then all of a sudden you're providing value and people are noticing. And just like you said, you're like, hey, Nicole's out there doing this great thing. That's encouraging me to get out of my comfort zone and do it. And I think it's, you know, it's the I really I really enjoy the social media where I get to see like a little bit more intimate view of that person. And, you know, sometimes we post blooper reels that is like a lot more accurate of how it's going. And I have a team of the younger generation who is lovely, who is like, you know, you can't stand there. No, you can't put your hand up. No, you can't put makeup on today. And I'm like, no, no, I got here like 640, but I don't even know what day it is at this point. So did I put makeup on? No. And in fact, right behind here, literally full of makeup that the girl who does our billing, her name is Tabby. She's lovely. She's beautiful. And she used to be a makeup artist. Oh, I love that. Ran in and applied. And that's your own glam Scott, Amanda. Like, I love it because if you saw me in regular life, like if we ran into each other in the grocery store, you would be like, do I? You seem familiar. I have no idea who you are. I do not believe it for one second. I love it. But people want to see your authentically you. And that is so true. We have done a mortgage. We do a lot of coaching with Renee Rodriguez, who I just I respect so deeply that a wonderful person, a great friend and an amazing coach and mentor. One of the key takeaways that he talks about when we're doing amplify training is that your words are congruent with your actions. So if you get up on a stage and you're like nervous and shaking and you're like, I'm so excited to be here, I'm so pumped and jazzed and thrilled and you're shaking and nervous like that is absolutely going to come across as inauthentic. People are not going to believe anything else that comes out of your mouth after that. Conversely, if you get up on that same stage in that same with that same energy and say, hey, I am terrified to be here. Speaking is not my forte. I'm not comfortable with this at all. But I have some really important information to share with you today. So please bear with me while I do my best to get my message out. It's like all of a sudden as that same that same message and action is received totally differently. Yes. And I think that's huge. And I think people can relate. I mean, you know, we all have a fear of something, you know, and we're like in this day and age. I'm not sure how everyone else is raising their kids, but we're we're trying to you can do hard things. You and I'm like, oh, I'm not doing hard things. I don't want to. It's a it's a good lesson to have to say it to your children and turn around and then go do something like you don't want to go do. Totally. It's so true. And that is every single day, because that's like the pursuit, the you know, it's like the journey, not necessarily the destination. And I look back on anything and everything hard that I've ever done that. I mean, I'm here sitting here talking to you. So obviously I lived through it somehow. Right. Those are like the pivotal, poignant moments in my life that I look back on and go, damn, that made me really resilient or really tough or really humbled me or really gave me courage or confidence to go do. About that. Do that next thing. So I think that I've learned in my 40s. Right. That like I don't I'm not as scared of doing hard things because I know that it's going to make me better. And I really do want to get better. Yeah. Just like a level of uncomfort, you know, and that can be really hard to sit with. And, you know, that level and that thing is different for any everyone. But if you I think, you know, it's kind of like the elephant in the room. I just like I don't have room for elephants. If they were some type of smaller, like a quail, like a baby quail, perhaps I think that would be like I would have room for lots of baby quails. But elephants, I'm like, oh, there's no room for this. I might as well just walk in and be like, oh, this is uncomfortable. I don't really want to do this or I'm probably going to stumble and trip. And but we're just we're going to get through it together. We'll not at you and be like, yeah, OK, let's do it. Let's do it. It might not be pretty, but we're going to get there together. And I'm not giving up. You're not giving up. And totally that happens all the time. And I don't know about other industries because I've been in the mortgage industry for 100 years. But that is the second I get comfortable with anything. Yeah. You know, the goalposts moves, the target moves, something changes. And so if there's anything that we have to get comfortable with in this crazy industry, it's change is going to happen every day. You're always going to get hit with something that you weren't expecting. You're going to do, you know, a podcast episode and you're going to get the blue screen of death when you're supposed to be talking to Amanda Martin at Laragon. And your computer is going to make a funky sound, but it's never made before. It's going to take you six minutes to get online with her. I'm going to wait patiently because this is probably happened to her, too. So that is so true. That is so true. How long have you been in the business and how did you find yourself here? I would imagine much like everyone else. I don't really know how I how I ended up here. I come from a long line of salespeople. But how I got into selling credit reports, I mean, I think I started as the receptionist. At some point that this the company that's attached to me, we're just going to say it that way. And and then I just I kind of moved my way through every department. I did collections for them. They do they do business to business credit. So I do the business development for them as well. And it's called NACM, the National Association of Credit Management. And then just I have kind of worked my way all the way through. And then sales was just sales is two things for me. You know, you get to be like an account manager in this case. It's kind of a lot of hats to your clients who become friends. And you get to do a lot of education and training and keep up with the industry and that stuff. I like. And then, you know, there's a competitive edge to it that I enjoy because I'm just one of those people. And I wouldn't say even competitive against other companies. Right. Like for me, it's it's more of a. Why will a company not just talk to me on the phone and tell me why they don't want to use me? I want I want to know, you know, what drives you to that? Like, where is it like to your to your growth or is it like what what's the driver? Because the common theme that I get when I talk with successful professionals is they've got this thing inside that nobody trained them to do. Nobody instilled in them. It's like either there or it's not there. And every high achiever, every top producer has that thing. And I look for that when I'm hiring people. Right. I can train anyone to do a mortgage. I can train anybody to do their sales activities. I can show you how to read program guidelines. I cannot give you work ethic. I cannot give you drive. I cannot give you resourcefulness. I can encourage all of those habits in people. And I certainly do. But you either have it or you don't. In many cases, it seems like I totally agree with you. I mean, I think part of it is I don't wonder if it's people had to struggle. You know, you always see like that meme. I just said meme. Meme. Who knows? That's, you know, like you just don't understand that if it was like handed to you and, you know, things like that. I think if you you know, for me, it's not money. It is. It's stability. And I think the people that I see that have the drive have usually had more difficult situations and are looking for that stability, which a lot of times comes with money, unfortunately. And so the hustle is like there. I'm sure like having parents and grandparents that were salespeople, I'm sure part of it is that. And then I think the other piece for me is like I have a team and, you know, we don't as salespeople, we don't talk about it enough. If you have a team that is as incredible as mine is, you like you have to show up every day. You cannot let these people down. They are looking to you to do your part of the job and then they will perform their part of the job. And for me, relying on you. Yes. First, I feel like I'm not going to be the weak link. I'm not going to show up like that. I am. I'm going to overproduce and then you guys match. But we have been together. I mean, I've been this is twenty six, twenty seven years for me. I'm one of the shortest termed employees at my office. No way. Yeah. And so we are getting into that because that is awesome. That means that you guys are doing a lot of great things from a culture perspective that bonds people to your organization. And that is that is hard to do. And that's really amazing. That's awesome. Well, thank you. But it wasn't it didn't have to do with me. But they are so good around it every day. So you experience it. Yes. Yes. But I think, you know, just for me, it's it was like I just I don't want to be the one to let them down. And I feel really honored because a lot of people, I think, could have taken this sales position. And so in turn, when I am fearful to do something, I often think like, oh, I'm going to have to go back to my girls and face my team and tell them I didn't do it. And I just went like, nope, not going to do that. That is so true. My personal production team, Angela and Tara, have both been with me for years and years. And I mean, we're at the point now where I don't we're just in each other's heads like we are so well. But we have that relationship. We have built up that much trust with each other. And, you know, if they need to tell me, hey, I need you to step it up in this department or I need to have this conversation with you. Like we trust each other so much because we've built up, you know, that relationship over so many years that I want them to come to me with that feedback. Because I can only get better if they're willing to be really honest about that. But I mean, gosh, you know, the last year and a half, two years in the mortgage industry has been challenging. And every single day, whether I wanted to get up and kick butt that day or not, I did. And I never stopped. I never took my foot off the gas pedal because I owe it to them to perform, to produce, to make sure that I am like protecting their livelihoods. And I almost take that more seriously than I do my own, in a sense. And because we all feel that way and have that same attitude and mentality, like no one's given up on anyone. And even if there are hard, hard days or hard weeks or months or years, keep trying because I owe it to them. Like they owe it to me. And it's a pretty amazing feeling when you've got a team around you that you've built up that much trust with. Because you can have the hard conversations, but you can really grow. And, you know, I know that they've got my back and I've got theirs, but it takes time to do that. Yes, it does. It does. And it's, you know, and then I think once you have it, right, we have had some team members retire or had to move. And it's such a big loss when they go. That's hard, too, right? Because you become such this team. And then and then trying to, like, replace them and kind of move forward can be difficult and a struggle just because you're like, I don't know. You know, this person knew me so well and they did it this way and doing it whatever way that is. Then you can be like, oh, you know, I'm the problem. You can do it anyway. It is hard and I really think it's so interesting. We were doing our level of sales coaching this week. So which is one thing I love about e-mortgage. We are we have, you know, an internal coaching program. Like loan officers love it. Everybody that's participating in level up like we track everything and it's very much like these are our top producers. There's growth month over month. And that was one of the conversations that we were having in level up. Actually, this week is talking about building our team, building community. And, you know, one thing that I struggled with when I first, you know, got into the industry and was first like hiring people onto my team is I would look at someone. And I would almost hire like another me. Yeah. Which didn't work because that's I don't need somebody. I don't need more of me. What I need is somebody that can supplement and backfill the things that I'm not great at. So that together we have got this cohesive, well-rounded team. And that I think is I think that was really well received by, you know, the rest of the coaching students was like looking at adding to your team in a very different way. And, you know, if Tara could literally sit in a dark office and knock out free approvals for 12 hours a day, she would be so friggin happy. I would be in an insane asylum within 24 hours. And yet the two of us together are this unbeatable team because it's so different. And instead of trying to, like, me supplement my weaknesses and her supplement hers, it's like we're relying on each other's strengths and together, you know, and then have Angela into the mix. And it's just it's over. We're good. And it makes it you know, it makes you unstoppable. It makes you unbeatable. And I think, you know, when you have that kind of a power, like a superpower behind you, it's it really is like, OK, I can do this. I can do, you know, anything. I think that like when you identify your superpower and lean into that, I don't need to be a Jane of all trades. Like, I need to know what what I can do better than anyone on this planet. And you need to know what you can do better than anyone on this planet. Focus on that and build community and relationships around that. And then then you're happier, too. I mean, to be honest. Yes, I mean, totally. And it's funny because for me, right, like I have kids, I have a daughter going to school and it's like. How old is your daughter? She's ten and a half. So she started fifth grade. And, you know, it's I always tell her, you can't be good at everything. But I, too, do the same thing. Like, I got to do all the things I want to be good at everything. You know, I find myself as I'm getting older, taking the advice that I'm giving to my children. So I know I'm getting older. I also have a stepson and he's 21, but he's like a grown up and doesn't need anything. But all of a sudden I'm like, oh, gosh, like when you have to listen to your mom self, it's like, oh, this is getting sad. The older I get, the smarter I think my mom is. That is seriously for sure. Socks really knows what she's talking about. How do you balance it all? Like, how do you lead a team? You know, as a woman, you've got a family. You've got all these responsibilities. We do. We wear a lot of hats. And one thing that I talk to just women in general about all the time is just balancing it all, finding time to take care of you. I mean, and I don't even know if there is such thing as balance, but how do you get it all done? I don't. I mean, like the truth is I I mean, actually, the truth is I suffer from really bad anxiety and I focus it in the form of like being a workaholic. So my family will tell you, you know, I usually leave my office. I go home. I make dinner. And then I open up my laptop and I start working again, which is like one of those things. Right. I'm really trying to work on for myself. I think it was like the worst and best coping mechanism that's ever existed. But, you know, it's it's hard. And I mean, it is. It's like I don't know. And I think just because, like, you know, the days get long and you're just you know, the emails come and you kind of are like it's just one more thing. Like somebody just needs their account. This will just take me two minutes. And then all of a sudden it's like ten o'clock at night. So I would say I don't have one and you should not follow me. Do not do that at all. It's a bad it's a bad choice. But I think that's also like that's what also makes you great. And then it's just like I've struggled with that. Like, how do I then find time to make sure that I know what is like really making me thrive and grow. Right. And I know that everything that I'm doing professionally is also leading to personal development and vice versa. But making sure that I'm really paying attention to like my level of, you know, happiness and fulfillment and like are the things that I'm doing within the space that I'm in. Are they fulfilling? And that's part of, you know, the Empowered By You mortgage. And part of why we're doing this is I love talking to people and bonding with people and building these relationships and building the community within our ranks. And also externally, because I think that that's so important and something that we don't spend enough time just in general doing. And so I can kind of take two things that are really important to me, sort of marry them together and then feel really good about taking care of, I guess, more pieces of myself, if that makes any sense. It does. And I think, you know, for everyone, that balance is going to be different, right? If your fulfillment, like, you know, for stay-at-home moms, I love that. I shouldn't even say moms. Parents. Yeah. Totally. You know what that is. Like, it is not for me. I am not the type of person, stay-at-home. And I love, like, I love my child. Yes. We have a better relationship when we are not together all day. Yeah. And, like, those people who, you know, work with their spouses, if I call my husband and it's, like, lunch, he thinks somebody has died, right? Like, why are you calling me? Is somebody going to the hospital? I was just trying to say hi or something. So I think for us, you know, we're kind of a family that is fulfilled differently. And luckily we happen to be together. And there's, you know, a lot of people who it's, you know, the mountains, the outdoors, or nature, or travel, education, whatever it is. And I think it is so important for you to find that. Yeah. And it's, you know, I can take full accountability in saying I have not done it for myself. I need to work harder at it. I need to be better at it. Especially because I want to be that, you know, I want to be the person. Yeah. Even if it's not for my own daughter. That's, like, you don't have to work yourself to death. But there is a part of me that, like, loves that. I love that. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that. I think that's really common. And I think that that's a lot of the highly successful women that I talk to have that in common. And I just think that that's okay, too. Like, so many people that I talk with are, like, balanced. There is no such thing as balance. Sometimes you're, like, way overboard in your professional life. Sometimes you're way overboard with something that you're going through with your family. Sometimes you have a health crisis. And then that takes your attention. Like, there is no such thing as balance. Throw that out the window. Get comfortable with being able to handle everything that life comes at you. And, you know, go through it. Move through it as successfully as you can. But, like, throw the balance out the window. And I can totally relate to that. Because it's something that we all go through. And I think that there's maybe even too much of an emphasis on trying to have everything be pristine and serene all the time. Like, your attention is going to go to where your attention needs to go. And that's what's great, is being able to, you know, kind of pivot. It is. You know, and it's ‑‑ I think it very much is just, you know, what kind of person you are. And, you know, as you get older, it becomes ‑‑ I think in our earlier lives, you can be real judgmental. Oh, yeah. You're worried about other people. Oh, my gosh, yeah. And black and white. And, you know, and now, you know, in my 40s, it's like, oh, so everything's a gray area. I see. Like, I get why this, you know, you can just understand things so much better. And it's not just so black and white. So if this is, like, what works for them, and this is what works for you, and this is what works for me. You kind of just sit back and, like, yeah, do your own thing. You're happy and you're not hurting me. Absolutely. What do I care? Like, I probably didn't notice. I was probably here working. Yeah, that's the bottom line truth. I mean, we've talked about this on the podcast before, that people don't think about you nearly as much as you think they do. So, like, give yourself a break. Do you. I mean, I've told this story before. Like, I started doing my car and in the car videos because I was so nervous about doing videos and having people hear me and having people, like, think, you know, feel like make fun of me or any kind of way. So I felt comfortable being in this enclosed environment where I felt like I could be natural and be authentic. And that is literally how it started was because I was so worried about what other people might think or might say. But then I started practicing and I did it more and more. And now I run into people in the grocery store and they're like, car in the car. I mean, it's just like, yes, yes, it's me. That's me. Maybe it's just because I spend a lot of time in my car. I don't I don't really know. But it's what works. And at the end of the day, you know, there's there hasn't been anything, you know, such thing as balance. And that's just kind of that just kind of is what it is. Well, I love and appreciate everything that you do to support us and everything you do to support the mortgage industry as a whole. Like, you really are always trying to bring people together and build relationships and communities. And as you know, that's what we're all about here. I mean, we're doing an empowered retreat with the Women of You Mortgage in Arizona in November. We're working really hard on it. And it's again, like along those lines is bringing us together, like get off of the computer and off of the social media and one on one in person. Have a little fun, you know, get a little sunshine and a little R&R. It's probably going to be pouring down rain in Portland in November. So it'll be nice for me to get to Arizona. But it's just important. It's our core value. And I appreciate everything that you do for all of us that you mortgage and the mortgage industry. Thank you. Thank you so much for also joining us today. That was super fun. I cannot wait to catch up with you. I don't know if it's going to be in Fuse or if it's going to be in Arizona or in Philly one of these days. We've got to get something on the calendar, sister. I know. We do. That is probably my least favorite part, right, is like the jumping around to conferences. And I want to schedule them more like evenly throughout the year instead of like stockpiling them at the same time. This is like Arizona in the winter. Yeah. I mean, I'm just basically a state or two. I mean, if I could do geography state or two over. So I appreciate you having me. Thank you so much. Thank you for being here. Thanks for helping us and everything that you do. Have an awesome rest of your day. Don't worry about the balance. We'll get it all figured out. Talk to you again, Amanda. Take care.