We were lucky to catch up with Dean Vlamis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Dean thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We love asking folks what they would do differently if they were starting today – how they would speed up the process, etc. We’d love to hear how you would set everything up if you were to start from step 1 today
When starting from nothing, I worked incredibly hard and was relentless. I found early success in reaching many referral sources. From early on what would have been ideal was to realize that I was becoming successful right away and that my method or model was working. I should have built a support team to promote this brand, this model which would have allowed me to grow even faster and stronger. As my business was growing, I found myself barely able to keep up with the volume, and should have realized that finding and rewarding the right people to put them in support roles would have been beneficial.
Today, I have implemented this strategy, incorporating people in all aspects of my business, processing, business development and marketing. They are better at these tasks than I am and the key is that they can implement any new ideas we come up with effeciantly.
Dean, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I have been in the mortgage business since the simmer of 2000. From 1987 to 1998 I was a trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, trading Eurodollar Futures, short term interest rates. The Chicago trading floors were booming and the trading floor was recession proof. You didn’t rely on the market to go up all the time, you simply needed volatility. However the industry was not technology proof. The trading floors were transitioning to computerized trading and I knew my days were numbered. In 2000 I walked into a mortgage company and asked for a job, starting a new career at 35, with no training and my back against the wall.
I worked, hard, read everything, worked hard, learned, worked hard, attended seminars and worked harder, and within a year was the top producer in my company. By 2007, and since then, I have been consistently ranked as one of the Top producers in the country by Scotsman Guide Magazine.
What I have learned early on was the importance of communication, always being available, follow up right away and be yourself. My new clients don’t care about my accolades and how big my pipeline is. Their financing is of utmost importance to them and they should be treated accordingly.
To this day I work diligently for my clients and referral sources, striving to make the process as smooth and seamless as possible.
Any advice for managing a team?
In growing my business, I had to expand my team, not only on the processing side, but on the marketing and branding side. I’ve learned long ago that people need a reason tom work for you, be it motivation or ample compensation. More importantly, don’t be afraid to hire people who may eventually move on. The people who aspire for more is where I always learn the most from. I want those people working for me as they strive for more and my association with them only benefits me, regardless if it is for a year, two or so as they may move on.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I left the trading floor in 1998, I tried trading from a computer for a few years. I lost money consistently, and eventually had to sell my condo and actually moved back in with family. I was in dire straits when I started in the mortgage business. No experience or knowledge other than my assurance that I would succeed and failure was not an option. I can truly attest to the fact that anything is possible as long ass you put your mind to it. Hard work, acquiring knowledge and persistence are key.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.deanvlamis.com
- Instagram: @mortgagewithDeanVlamis
- Linkedin: linkedIN.com/in/DeanVlamis