Meet Melissa Leon | The Mortgage Doll
We had the good fortune of connecting with Melissa Leon and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Melissa, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?
I am a true believer that we never stop learning and that there is something to learn from everyone. The most important lesson I have learned so far in business is to take advice and mentorship only from someone you’d choose to trade places with. In order to scale you should only be focusing on people and business models you align with or want to align with. Many people will get near you on your journey to grow – Some for good, some for bad. Take everything with a grain of salt. I used to take people’s actions and words so personally until one day I realized the only one affected was me. This business has emphasized the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals and not taking things personally, instead learning from all of it.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I am a Florida mortgage loan originator! I started in this business when I was 18 years old, as a front desk receptionist for a company who focused on real estate, title and mortgage. Quickly I became a loan officer assistant and then began processing loans. Two years in, I got my license and thats what I’ve been doing ever since. I met multiple challenges when I decided to leave my full time salary job and go full on commission but I knew it was necessary if I wanted to grow. I had many people tell me ” don’t do it, you’re too young, you don’t have enough clients…” but I had people who also cheered me on “do it, do it now that you’re young, you’ll figure it out”. Life happens in funny ways. I went from retail to wholesale, four months after I went full commission and from then on it’s been a rollercoaster, but one I don’t plan on getting off any time soon. Financial planning has become a priority. Knowing your numbers and analyzing them every month is non-negotiable. Communication with clients has to be constant to create connections and assure an excellent client experience. Nobody wants a loan officer you can’t speak to. Adaptability to programs and platforms. Technology is evolving and we need to utilize it to our best advantage. I have expanded my team and I am proud to say we’re going to keep growing. I seriously love what I do, so much that I talk in my sleep about mortgages!
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend and I are Miami locals so it really depends on the weather or the week we’ve experienced! Let’s say its a Saturday, you can find us having brunch at Cafe Bastille (If you go I recommend the matcha latte and the turkey eggs benedict) after brunch we would walk to Bayfront park and watch the boats pass by while we chitchat about our latest life events. Once the night comes around it’s time to have the real fun! You can visit Mayami in Wynwood if you want to eat and enjoy music afterwards, it becomes a dinner party with club vibes by night. You can spend the night in wynwood bar hopping and enjoying the music with your friends! If your more of a lounge person, you can find a speakeasy bar and enjoy food, drinks, and music. On Sunday, it’s time to rewind and set up for the following week. Breakfast at First Watch and the rest of the day home-cooked meals. I spend Sundays planning, researching or reading articles on Mortgage, News, or Culture. Cuddling at home with my fur-babies is how I end my day.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my mom, Maiken Diaz, for being a young, single, hardworking mom who always made it happen for us. Growing up, I never missed out on anything because my mom worked so hard to make sure of it. She always put me first and I grew up with love and values. She missed out on work opportunities if it interfered with family. The reason I got into finance to learn and teach those who don’t have the knowledge or guide just like my mom. To help hispanics just like my mom, accomplish their homeownership dreams.
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-leon-558b10221/
Image Credits
Credits to: AJ Caballero & Randy Espino
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