Today we’d like to introduce you to Stacy.
Hi Stacy , we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
After college I went into retail management for a couple years and then found myself in Orlando. After a few fragmented jobs where I was licensed as a real estate agent and well versed in the jewelry industry, I found myself putting together networks for real estate offices. This led me to being one of the first Transaction Coordinators for Realtors over 30 years ago. After 1.5 years, I was recruited to do the same for a Mortgage Banker. Within 6 months, that move turned into my career in Mortgage Lending. I learned form 3 different Mortgage originators- hands on experience, which was perfect for my learning style. The variety of the business and the excitement of how I could help people build wealth and change their lives kept my attention and enthusiasm for my career. It was exciting, flexible and lucrative. It spoke to not only my creative side with marketing, but also my logical side which loved solving puzzles. Today after 29 years in the industry, all those things still ring true. I feel very fortunate to love people and love growing and I enjoy working for a company that supports me but also gives me the flexibility to be authentically me. Over the last 29 years I have helped well over 1500 families take steps in creating wealth through homeownership. Whether that was a home to live in, a second home to spend quality off time in, or an investment property to leave a leave a legacy they all share one thing, and that is they all afford Americans to build wealth passively. Today I have a dedicated team that helps clients have amazing mortgage experiences.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
its been a windy road, with learning around every corner. Every year gives us lessons and opportunities to grow, to start again or to keep things that are working the same. One thing in this industry is that it is always changing – even before Ai and cell phones and all the things – it changes but at its core its always the same- helping those who have the dream and who qualify into smart financing decisions.
Struggles.
1. Companies who are led by people who either didn’t see my vision or didn’t see the opportunities I saw. Companies that were ultimately the wrong fit…this isn’t always clear upfront – kind of of like the difference between first dating and a marriage… but you learn, you learn what you will and wont accept, what is important to you and that it is ok to go your separate ways and still remain friends sometimes.
Culture has been all the buzz for the last several years now – but it wasn’t always that way. Funny enough, I studied Behavior Modification in College with the hopes of getting businesses to see that by creating better work environments for their employees -their production would increase. When I graduated, those in HR were losing their jobs so that goal morphed into do whatever I had to do to pay my bills, and sales was the answer. After a successful internship in college I discerned it all had to flow from the top. Now 36 years later after working in multiple companies there is no doubt in my mind that this is true. Which is why I have been here at Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group going on 10 years in September! The culture is what keeps people in the right place for them.
There were other struggles including the housing crash of 2007-2008 -in my highest earrings part of my life i literally lost 75% of my income almost overnight, It was a very dark time but we also had a not quite 2 year old daughter who kept our focus and attention in the brighter side of life!
This industry is amazing but many find it terrifying because it is straight commission. I am fortunate to have grown up an entrepreneur’s daughter. Even so, sometimes I even watch myself look at the situation as if I can’t control it but when I look back I know there are more things we have control of than those we don’t so again that becomes a learning moment.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work has two components
1. Problem solving – this is the part where we take a customer’s info and create options for what they can and cant buy based on their credit, income and assets and also on where they want to be- because sometimes what they want will cost more than they are comfortable spending. This involves research, thinking outside the box (but staying legal and moral), and being objective.
2. Being creative with marketing. Once thing most people may not realize besides the fact that we do not get paid until a loan closes is, we pretty much wear all hats. Effectively we are each our own little company under a large umbrella company. Almost lie a franchise but with even more individuality. That means so long as i stay legal, moral & ethical I can market my business anyway i want.
For me, I’m a people person so I have created systems that i believe deliver a mortgage experience that have our clients walk away saying that was awesome, leaving 5 star reviews and a willingness to refer us to friends and family. I also love events that inspire partners and my sphere. I love public speaking and teaching students and adults on homeownership and what it can do for you!
Life to me is all about connecting to each other and experiences. When I host something or put a system together these two things are at the forefront of my planning.
How do you think about happiness?
Oh, so many things! My husband, daughter, friends, family, pets- animals in general. Sunrises and sunsets, the ocean and the beach. traveling, laughing! brining smiles to people’s faces, the quiet in the morning when no one is awake but me, reading, watching talent, music, slow days, cheesy romcoms, hugs, traveling, these questions your asking forcing me to dig into who i am…all of it and more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.stacyluna.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mygirlstacy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stacy.s.luna
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacyluna/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeamLunaABMG
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/stacylunamortgage/
Image Credits
I believe you mean who took photos so –
the fist two head shots are Tamara Knight-
The Pie Day Event shots are GS Katz
