Host Justin White sits down with:

• Jeff Flieler – CEO, Secure Choice Mortgage


Why a Finance Executive Left Corporate America to Open a Mortgage Brokerage

After spending most of his career working in finance for Fortune 500 companies, Jeff Flieler pivoted to mortgage loan origination and launched Secure Choice Mortgage. In Episode #135 of Good. Better. Broker., host Justin White sits down with Jeff to discuss how lessons from corporate America, a complementary leadership team and a disciplined approach to strategy have helped him build and grow an independent mortgage brokerage.

Listeners will learn how to build a team with complementary strengths, apply corporate systems and leadership principles to a broker shop and create sustainable growth by managing strategy, expectations and margin.


Key Takeaways for Mortgage Brokers

• The importance of having a complementary leadership team
• Systems and strategies from corporate America
• How to grow and manage margin


In this episode about pivoting from Fortune 500 companies to building a broker shop, we discuss ...

• 1:26 – Jeff’s 360-degree view of the homeownership journey
• 2:33 – Jeff’s decision to start his own independent mortgage brokerage
• 3:55 – Why Jeff chose the broker channel
• 5:40 – Surrounding himself with the right people
• 8:18 – The role Jeff’s leadership team plays
• 9:30 – The growth of Secure Choice Mortgage
• 11:41 – Setting proper expectations for the business
• 13:04 – The difference between business strategy and tactics
• 14:34 – How to get people to be emotionally invested in your company
• 16:15 – What fast CTCs do for a company’s reputation
• 18:46 – Making an impact on clients’ lives
• 20:02 – Comparing his previous career experience with his work in the mortgage industry


Show Contributor:

Jeff Flieler
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About the Host:

Justin White is UWM’s in-house brand journalist and the host of UWM Daily. He creates engaging content across multiple platforms to promote the benefits of the wholesale channel and partnering with UWM. A seven-time Emmy-award winner, Justin is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

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Host Justin White sits down with:

• Reetu Mittal – Sr. Mortgage Advisor, VEMA Mortgage


How Proactive Communication and Consistent Follow-Up Create More Loan Opportunities

Reetu Mittal is building her mortgage business around timely outreach, thoughtful follow-up and genuine client care. In Episode #134 of Good. Better. Broker., host Justin White sits down with Reetu to discuss how anticipating borrowers’ needs, maintaining a consistent presence and finding timely reasons to reconnect can create smoother transactions and lead to more business.

Listeners will learn how to communicate more clearly throughout the loan process, stay top of mind with past clients and use simple, proactive outreach to uncover new loan opportunities.


Key Takeaways for Mortgage Brokers

• How anticipating documentation needs can create a smoother borrower experience
• Why consistent follow-up keeps mortgage brokers top of mind with past clients
• How simple, proactive outreach can uncover new loan opportunities


In this episode about proactive communication creating more loan opportunities, we discuss ...

• 1:17 – Reetu’s time with VEMA Mortgage
• 2:19 – Reetu’s experience before joining the mortgage industry
• 3:31- The advantage of having a technology background
• 4:08 – How Reetu learned the mortgage business
• 6:09 – Why there’s more to being an LO than buying leads
• 7:21 – Clear communication and its impact on client relationships
• 9:21 – Walking clients through the loan process
• 10:24 – The importance of making clients feel comfortable
• 11:42 – Staying in touch with clients
• 12:30 – Texting clients over the weekend
• 13:17 – Social media strategy
• 14:10 – Finding reasons to reach out to clients
• 15:19 – How a casual follow-up led to a loan
• 17:22 – Ensuring clients leave good reviews


Show Contributor:

Reetu Mittal
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About the Host:

Justin White is UWM’s in-house brand journalist and the host of UWM Daily. He creates engaging content across multiple platforms to promote the benefits of the wholesale channel and partnering with UWM. A seven-time Emmy-award winner, Justin is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.


Connect with UWM on Social Media:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

Head to uwm.com to see the latest news and updates.

Host Justin White sits down with:

• Lauren Hale – Brokerowner, LH Lending


How Preparation and Relationship Building Are Fueling a Mortgage Broker’s Growth

Lauren Hale built LH Lending by combining product knowledge, proactive communication and a relationship-first approach to every transaction. In Episode #133 of Good. Better. Broker., host Justin White sits down with her to discuss how preparation helps mortgage brokers create smoother closings, earn the trust of real estate agents and generate more repeat business.

Listeners will learn how to strengthen pre-approvals, use strong systems and processes, and build relationships that keep clients and referral partners coming back.


Key Takeaways for Mortgage Brokers

• Why mortgage brokers never have to say no to a client
• The importance of knowing your guidelines and having a rock-solid pre-approval
• How strong relationships can guide repeat business in any market


In this episode about preparation driving repeat business, we discuss ...

• 1:50 – Lauren’s experience as an economics teacher
• 3:18 – Why Lauren became a mortgage loan originator
• 4:57 – Not being a “one-size-fits-all” LO
• 6:22 – Having multiple loan options as a mortgage broker
• 7:08 – Turning a “no” into a “yes”
• 8:30 – Why Lauren never says no to a client
• 10:03 – The role systems and processes play in Lauren’s business
• 11:26 – Being proactive in communicating with real estate agents
• 12:24 – Why Lauren prioritizes relationships
• 13:23 – The question Lauren asks listing agents that takes them by surprise
• 14:40 – Hiring people to support growth
• 17:08 – Lauren’s “sacred time” and the impact it makes
• 19:44 – Reflecting on progress


Show Contributor:

Lauren Hale
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About the Host:

Justin White is UWM’s in-house brand journalist and the host of UWM Daily. He creates engaging content across multiple platforms to promote the benefits of the wholesale channel and partnering with UWM. A seven-time Emmy-award winner, Justin is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn, Instagram or Twitter.


Connect with UWM on Social Media:

• Facebook
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Twitter
• YouTube

Head to uwm.com to see the latest news and updates.