Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Gilbert.
Hi Amanda, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
I keep trying to figure out exactly where to begin, but recent beginnings only happened because of something previously that happened in my life. So if we want to start from the very beginning, I guess it goes back to my parents getting divorced. They both remarried and I found myself straddled between two family systems, not feeling like I fit into either. Because of this, I leaned into being different. Thinking back on it, I’m not sure how I had the confidence to do that, but it didn’t feel like confidence at the moment. I was the only girl on a hockey team, or in drumline, and I just… leaned into being myself, which is all I felt I had.
Fast forward to finding myself in the mortgage world, and that mindset is still there. When I bought my first house with my husband seven or so years ago, I felt talked down to by the loan officer in the process. My husband and I were married, made good money, and had a solid down payment, yet, I was made to feel unfit for what should have been a very exciting life milestone. Again, naive confidence took the reins, and I was like – I can be a mortgage loan officer. I want to be relatable and help people understand the process, and feel informed and excited! I know I can provide something different.
Fast forward to becoming a mom, working 5 years in the real estate industry, selling a house, buying a house, going through a pandemic, political turmoil, injustice, and division, I was like – oh my god is anyone else really struggling?
The only thing that got me through the pandemic was connecting with other openhearted individuals also working in the real estate industry. We would talk about our wins and our losses and what was helping us get through the day. From there, I had an idea to start a podcast. But I also felt like everyone else had a podcast, and I’ve never liked being a follower, or doing things other people were doing. I believe in finding your strengths, staying in your lane, and offering your individuality and unique talents to the world. I decided to start a real estate podcast, not about hacks, time-saving techniques, investment strategies, or how to save a deal…
But instead talk about rejection, comparison, struggle, stress, and the real day-to-day of this business. The podcast is called “Win Some Lose Some: Resiliency in Real Estate” and I want people whether they work in real estate or not, to hopefully stumble upon our podcast, give it a listen and feel like they are not alone. I created this podcast selfishly as something that I need and hope that others feel less alone through these conversations as well.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I love new challenges, so every bump usually comes with what I like to call a “growth opportunity” – said with a hint of cynicism and sarcasm. The audio recording is bad, someone’s internet goes out, things like that.
But when the whole podcast is about struggle and winning and/or losing, it’s like – okay, here’s another thing to add to the list. I’m human, and we’re all learning, growing, and trying to figure it out together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Oh man, what a loaded question! I’m a mortgage loan officer. I help people finance residences for themselves or as investments – pretty boring stuff on paper. It’s a lot more fun to go check out a home with a beautiful floor plan and master suite with an agent than it is to talk about your debt, income, and credit history. I get that. However, I try not to take the wind out of people’s sails. Life is short and it should be fun!
I love the education piece of finance and I think that’s one the of defining factors of my business. A lot of top-producing loan officers forget what it’s like to be a buyer. I used to work at an independent pharmacy as a nutrition consultant, and people would walk in so confused, unsure if the doctor was sending in a prescription, or even what the prescription was for. Professionals get into their own world and forget what people need outside of their bubble.
I’m big on communication. Throughout the financing process, clients and agents receive customized videos where I break down options unique to their scenario and explain every next step.
I think how this relates to the podcast is that when you put yourself out there, as your full self, there’s more to lose. I put my heart on the line with every client video, and after months of value, time, and care I’ve put into a client, they might go work with someone else for a 1/8 lower rate, or their dad has a college friend that’s a loan officer. That’s really hard, and for a long time, I took that very personally. You’re taken back to middle school rejection and it hurts.
So I like to talk to other people about how they handle and get through those types of situations that may or may not be unique to our industry. The podcast is technically about real estate, but it’s also about so much more than that.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Just go for it. Whatever it is. Life is too short not to. The very worst thing that could happen is probably not THAT bad. Also, don’t come at me – This isn’t an advice column.
Contact Info
- Website: www.amandalendsahand.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agilbot
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeI8bOyIKNJikTIEAXFgJcw
- Other: www.winsomelosesomepod.com
