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

Neena, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My parents taught me about sales and being in business for myself and pass on positive traits to develop other leaders and teach borrowers about building wealth. Although I originally wanted to be an English professor and only had 12 hrs left to get my master’s, the mortgage industry has run in the family in a sense. Growing up, my mother worked in the mortgage industry and my father, an immigrant from India, owned properties. I helped my father manage rental properties on the weekends throughout junior high which showed me the value of hard work and building wealth. I saw my father’s passion and caught that fever. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was hooked! My husband, Dean, also works in the mortgage industry and just joined A and N last year. We are teaching our three kids about smart financial decisions to give them a strong foundation for their future. Outside of the office, we spend time with our extended family and enjoy doing things with our kids and our two dogs.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am the Founder, Owner, and CEO of  A and N Mortgage, which I am happy to say is a 100% Woman-Owned mortgage company based in Chicago. We are licensed across 19 states and continuing to grow into new markets every year! A and N is celebrating 22 years in business this year. We are built on a foundation of security, trust, and relationship building which has helped us rank as both a Top 100 Mortgage Company and a Best Mortgage Company to work for several times. I have been ranked in the Top 200 in Scotsman Guide and have won the Five Star Award for the last thirteen consecutive years. I believe a smile is the most important gift anyone can give, and I love guiding my clients, partners, and team throughout the mortgage journey. I am open- minded and willing to ask questions, continue to learn, and grow myself and others around me. I look at obstacles as opportunities and frame my thinking to avoid ‘having to do something’ and instead think of it as a privilege. I learn every day and don’t dwell on negativity. I chose to see the light and keep moving forward. I want to be the change I hope to see in this world.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Until 1975, a woman couldn’t even sign a lease on a car or get a credit card without a male co-signer.  And today, I’ve built a company with a billion-dollar book of business across 19 states. Women have come a long way, and we have a long way to go. During one of the many busy seasons, I was pregnant with my youngest. I was told I had to be on bed rest. I had a bed installed in the office, worked from home too, gave birth, and closed more loans. You figure it out, you face a challenge head-on and always come out stronger for it. When I encounter sexism or racism - blatant or microaggressions - I move forward. I stay focused, I do the work, and I make the change I want to see in this world through the work. When I trust too much or don’t see the situation as it is, I rely on my core group to let me know. It always helps to have other female leaders in your corner. Simply to talk about issues and realize you’re not alone.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

With our loans, you are not alone. We are not a company that is looking to make deals, we are looking to build relationships. Buying a home is very personal, very intimate and can feel overwhelming. A and N Mortgage has created a team of dedicated, talented people who will help homeowners through the entire process.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.anmtg.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aandnmtg/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AandNMortgage
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/a-and-n-mortgage-services
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ANMtg
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/AandNMortgage
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-and-n-mortgage-services-chicago-4