We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ellen Frazier a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Ellen, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the early days of establishing your own firm. What can you share?

As we start our collegiate careers, we are faced with a world of possibility and the freedom to choose our highest passion. Many change majors along the way. I too took a similar path, starting in business only to be swept away by the fine arts. I had a creative spirit and a drive for business, how will these two align? Post college, I started as a showroom designer for a tile distributorship. I got to play with beautiful natural stone design and work on new construction projects daily. I saw myself becoming a high end interior designer until a networking meeting swept me away to the world of finance.

It’s 2004, I am eager to take a new career by storm, and landed at a national bank. I am so grateful for this starting point in my career because if you want to learn how to do something compliantly, start at a large bank! Thank you for this crash course into the world of mortgage finance. In 2008, I am blessed again with another opportunity in management. It’s clear now that God always had a plan if I had the courage to walk through the door.

After accepting a management position, during the housing crisis of 2008, allowed me to stay in an industry that I had grown to love. Now I had the Big Bank Management training too. I had learned in a few short years what I needed to succeed in this role and yet I still envisioned more for myself. I wanted to grow a team that I could pour into the way I wanted to. So I left the bank world and jumped out on my own. My first attempt, I failed miserably, no longer did I have the support parachute of the bank. I had to figure this out on my own. It took time and a few bumps along the way but a few years later I had the courage to do it again!

Fast forward to 2022, I obtained a Mortgage Broker license, allowing me to work on behalf of the client as a liaison for multiple lenders. I felt like I had found the newest, latest invention. In actuality, I found a new way to do what I love! In early 2024, I took the leap of faith and joined a platform that would allow me to run my own business. This time was different, I had grown as a person. I am a firm believer that you cannot work on your business success without addressing the noise between the ears. This time around I have a lifetime of achievements behind me and the knowledge to create the branch and brand that matched my vision.

So here we are again, jumping off into the unknown, building something from the ground up and I could not be more excited to show you how and what I am capable of creating,, so stay tuned!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

With over two decades of unwavering dedication to the mortgage industry, I am a seasoned mortgage professional and entrepreneur, fearlessly navigating the ever-evolving landscape of finance. Recently adorned with the title of a Mortgage Broker, I am on a mission to redefine the narrative around home financing while weaving mindfulness and balance into both my professional and personal realms.

Having honed my skills for over 20 years in the mortgage industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to every transaction. From traditional lending practices to pioneering innovative solutions, I have been an advocate for transforming challenges into opportunities, ensuring my clients achieve their homeownership dreams.

As a female entrepreneur, I’ve embraced the spirit of innovation, founding and leading ventures that transcend the conventional boundaries of the mortgage sector. My commitment to excellence has not only fueled my professional success but has also allowed me to create spaces where creativity and client-centric solutions thrive.

Recently adorned with the prestigious title of Mortgage Broker, I am excited to amplify my impact and further tailor solutions that resonate with the unique needs of my clients. This designation empowers me to bring a personalized touch to the mortgage experience, creating a bridge between dreams and reality.

Beyond the boardroom, my journey transcends numbers and interest rates. A proud advocate of mindfulness, yoga, and meditation, I’ve discovered the profound impact these practices have on both my professional acumen and personal well-being. As someone celebrating over a year of sobriety, I believe in the power of balance, not only in finances but in life as a whole.

I am passionate about weaving mindfulness into the fabric of finance. By combining the precision of numbers with the serenity of mindfulness, I aim to guide my clients towards not just a mortgage, but a holistic financial experience that nurtures stability and growth.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I am so honored and grateful for being able to sustain a career in an environment that is ever changing and fluctuating to current market trends, demands, and constraints. You have to be flexible and disciplined, two adjectives that you may not associate w/ mortgage professionals. Flexible to pivot when markets shift and discipline in your spending habits so that you can adjust to the ebb and flow of the markets.

Real Estate investing has allowed me to have additional income in the event of market adjustment. Now I have a more well rounded approach to investing and money in general. Passive income is the goal and the more of it that one has the more flexibility and freedom one may have to pursue their dreams and passions.

And that is what we want, right? The freedom to explore and dream big!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Coping Mechanisms! Where do they come from and how do we Unlearn them? I had a laundry list of unhealthy coping mechanisms, some learned at an early age, others learned over time. Either way, I knew that I had to make a change if I wanted to achieve the life I always dreamed. And to do that I had to get over myself, yes, that is correct! Surviving a childhood riddled w/ poverty, addiction and abuse, I had acquired some coping mechanisms that no longer served me. Recognizing this was the first step, the second was the courage to make a change. As I am typing this, I am celebrating 16 months sobriety and that is a gift that I gave myself and probably the most significant one for my career and personal growth.

I will spare the “backstory”, the best part of the story is the Glow Up anyway!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ellenfrazier.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenthemortgagechic/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrazierMortgage/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellen-frazier/
• Other: Please update my email address to [email protected] The email address you have on file is no longer valid.

Image Credits
Stephanie Selby Headshots George Brown