We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sharla Ellis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sharla below.

Sharla, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

The Story Behind My Mission

I grew up in a very loving home — the kind of place where I felt safe, where I could dream big and know I was supported. There was my mom, my dad, and my four sisters — a true “Leave It to Beaver” kind of family. We actually ate breakfast and dinner together every day. We prayed together, laughed around the table, and created memories in a home full of warmth.

There was an apple tree in the neighbor’s yard that became my favorite thinking spot. I’d climb up with a green apple in one hand and a salt shaker from my mom’s kitchen in the other. That’s where I dreamed. I solved all the world’s problems up in that tree — and I truly believed anything was possible.

That’s the environment that shaped me. And it’s what drives me to do what I do today.

For the past 37 years, I’ve been helping people step into homes of their own — not just to close loans, but to open doors. A safe home can be the starting place for confidence, stability, and hope. It’s where families grow, where dreams are nurtured, and where futures are built.

Years ago, my daughter was asked at school what her mom did for a living. She said, “My mom helps little girls get their own bedrooms.” That stopped me in my tracks — and still does. Because that’s exactly what I do. I help create spaces where dreams can begin.

Over the years, I’ve built a team that shares that same heartbeat. We call ourselves “The Sharla Ellis Dream Team,” and we live by the tagline: “Every Dream Deserves a Dream Team–Your Dreams, Our Dedication.” We care. We listen. We bring order to a complex process, helping ease anxiety and build trust. We serve with heart and precision — and yes, we’re Dream-Makers. That’s a title I carry with honor.

This work is precious to me. I know not everyone comes from a home like I did, but I work hard every day to help more people experience the power of having a place to call their own. Because when people feel safe and secure, they’re free to dream — and from there, anything is possible.

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

About Sharla Ellis & The Sharla Ellis Dream Team

For nearly four decades, I’ve had the privilege of helping people step into homes of their own. What began as a receptionist role at a national bank while studying Accounting at the University of Utah quickly grew into a calling. I was introduced to lending through high-net-worth clients and complex financial structures, but what truly sparked my passion wasn’t just the numbers — it was the people. Mortgage lending became the perfect blend of head and heart: puzzle-solving meets life-changing impact.

Today, I lead The Sharla Ellis Dream Team — a high-performing, heart-centered mortgage team known for integrity, precision, and care. We serve clients throughout Utah and across the U.S., helping finance primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. While we’re licensed in many Western states, we also assist clients nationwide through a trusted referral network. Wherever someone is dreaming of home, we’re here to help.

Whether we’re guiding first-time buyers, supporting families during major life transitions, or advising seasoned investors, we bring calm, clarity, and confidence to the process. We offer a full array of residential loan products to meet a wide range of needs, including full documentation and alternative documentation loans, first-time homebuyer programs, government loans, VA loans for veterans, jumbo loans, physician loans, investment loans, and creative strategies for borrowers with unique circumstances.

We don’t just close loans — we open doors. Over the years, we’ve helped more than 10,000 families secure over $3 billion in home loans. But more than the numbers, it’s the lives we’ve touched that mean the most. I’m most proud of the handwritten notes, the long-time clients who return with their grown children, the referral partners whose businesses we’ve helped grow, and the moments when we make the seemingly impossible… possible.

What sets us apart? We listen. We lead with care. We operate with experience, heart, and a well-oiled process that keeps things on track. We’ve earned some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in our industry — and I believe that’s because people feel seen, heard and cared for.

To us, every loan has a name.
Every name has a family.
Every family has a story.
And every story matters.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

The Turning Point That Made Me a Better Leader

Prior to 2006, I was leading one of the top-producing mortgage teams in the country. From the outside, everything looked like a well-oiled machine—we were ranked first overall in the nation for our volume production at a major national bank. But inside the team, things were far from unified. There was tension, backbiting, and a lack of shared purpose. I was doing everything I could to keep it all afloat, working long hours and carrying a lot of the load myself.

That year, I began coaching with Building Champions. When my coach asked what I wanted most to accomplish that year, I told him I just wanted to leave each day by 6 p.m. to get home, have dinner with my family, and be more present. He challenged me to do it. I said no way—I couldn’t possibly step away. There was too much to do and there was no choice but overtime. But he pushed me to delegate, to lead differently, and to trust the process.

So on January 30—my birthday—I did it. I walked through the door of my home at 6:00 p.m. for the first time, and my five-year-old son looked up at me and said, “Mom, why are you home so early? Did you get in trouble at work?” That moment hit me hard. It stopped me in my tracks. I knew I wanted to be home more—and that if I was going to lead differently, I had to be different.

I started delegating more—but I delegated to a team that was already discontent. By summer, one by one, my team staged a walkout. I wasn’t just left without support—I was forced to confront the reality that I hadn’t been the leader they needed.

But that season became one of the greatest blessings of my career.

I took a hard look in the mirror. I also bought every leadership book I could find at Barnes & Noble. I leaned into coaching and asked how to rebuild from scratch and how to be a better leader. And when I began to hire again, I did it differently. I started with a clear vision of the kind of team I wanted to build—one that was aligned, unified, and led with heart and excellence. I articulated how we work, what we wanted to stand for, and how we would serve. And I made it clear: by accepting this position, you’re not just joining a team—you’re committing to being part of the solution. You’re agreeing to help unify, support, and move us forward together. I only hired people who shared that mission.

The proof of that turning point came quickly. That very same year, with a newly hired team—built the right way—I was able to leave by 6:00 p.m. each night, and we also finished first in the nation once again. We kept our title. But this time, we didn’t just have the numbers. We had the heart to match.

That season marked a clear line in the sand: the moment I became a better leader. It taught me that building a world-class team isn’t about perfection—it’s about alignment. It’s about finding people who believe what you believe and who are willing to grow alongside you. Not everyone wants to be a gold medalist—and that’s okay. But the ones who do? They’ve found a home here.

Since then, I’ve continued to let go of what doesn’t serve and fiercely protect the culture we’ve built. That hasn’t always been easy, but it has been worth it. Today, The Sharla Ellis Dream Team is stronger than ever. We’re so very well respected in the industry—not just for our production, but for how we operate: with heart, with excellence, and with unity.

Over the last 20 years, we’ve only gotten better and better. I now run the strongest team of my entire career—and we’re having the time of our lives. It’s fun to be on a winning team. It makes all the difference. And it’s been glorious.

That turning point reshaped everything. It made me a better leader, a better teammate, and a better human.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

For us, the most effective strategy for growing our clientele has always been rooted in delivering exceptional service and creating raving fans. I learned early in my career that a smooth, seamless closing was the cheapest and most powerful form of advertising. When people walk away from a homebuying experience feeling empowered, cared for, and well-informed—they tell their friends, neighbors, and coworkers. And when you do that consistently, referrals become a natural byproduct.

At The Sharla Ellis Dream Team, we’ve built a reputation for being highly responsive, consistent, and trustworthy. We return calls. We follow up. We do what we say we’re going to do. It sounds simple, but doing the basics—really well—is one of the biggest differentiators in our industry. We live by the golden rule, and we work from systems that are designed to keep things moving forward with precision and heart.

We decided long ago that we wanted to be the best—not just in production, but in reputation. We wanted people to be eager to work with us. So we’ve created a culture of excellence and care, where high expectations are met with even higher follow-through. Our client experience is intentional and warm, and we let clients know from the very beginning that we plan to earn their 5-star rating—and their future referrals—by delivering an experience they’ll want to rave about.

That’s why we’ve consistently earned some of the highest customer satisfaction scores in our company and industry. It’s not a fluke. It’s our model.

And our work doesn’t stop at closing. We stay in touch, reach out with value, and continue to earn trust over time. We believe that when you’ve done great work, you’ve earned the right to ask for referrals—and our clients are happy to help us grow.

Our referral partners feel the same. We support their business growth just like we support our clients’ dreams, and the loyalty that creates has been the foundation of our sustained volume year after year.

It’s simple, but not easy—and that’s where the magic is. Few teams are willing to operate at that level of consistency, but we love it. We love raising the bar, delivering at a high level, and building a business based on excellence. That’s been our most effective strategy—and it’s one we’re proud to live by every single day.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sharlaellis.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharlaellismortgages/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharlaEllisMortgages/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharla-ellis-7b50b825/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sharlaellis

Image Credits

Robin Johnson Photography