What if the struggle is actually the shortcut?

Hey there, rainmakers!

This one’s close to my heart. I sat down with my sister and sales manager, Katie Besso, for one of the most raw, real, and revealing conversations I've had on the mic.

Katie didn’t just fall into this industry — she fought her way to the top. From dialing 200+ leads a month in a cubicle to running a $60M+ team by 30, her rise is nothing short of extraordinary.

But what really sets Katie apart? It's not just her grit or her grind. It’s how she brings her whole self to the business — the heartbreaks, the healing, the hunger. In this episode, we talk about the mindset shifts, the sacrifices, and the systems that helped her leap from $28M to $60M+ in just one year.

Whether you’re a new LO or a team leader looking for your next breakthrough, this episode will light a fire in your belly.

Are you ready to make it rain? Let’s do this!

What we talked about:

💡 How Katie built $60M+ in production by 30

💡 Why early roles like LP1 are a crash course in real-world mastery

💡 The system that turned Katie into a process-obsessed lead converter

💡 How personal pain and resilience fuel her performance

💡 Why her rawest moment with a builder partner was a business breakthrough

💡 The mindset shift that changed everything: “This isn’t hard — it’s just the next thing.”

💡 How daily routines, early mornings, and handwritten notes became her secret weapons

Guest Links:

At Guild Mortgage:

https://branches.guildmortgage.com/nv/reno/katie-besso-473-rrkra.html

On Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/katie.besso/

If you liked what you heard, leave me a five-star review and tell me what hit home for you!

PLUS—if you’re done chasing the next shiny idea and want real, proven strategies that actually move the needle, then it’s time to join my free weekly newsletter, Rainmaker Insider.

Every week, I share one key lesson from my billion-dollar career in mortgage lending—from sales psychology and leadership to mindset and systems that create true freedom. No fluff. Just real-world insights that help you close more deals and lead with confidence.

Subscribe now at shaylagifford.com and start leading like the Rainmaker you’re meant to be!

Connect with Shayla:

Shayla on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/shaygiff/

Shayla on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayla-gifford-3019396/

Show Links:

Shayla's Website:

https://shaylagifford.com/

The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast:

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

The Catalyst Coaching Community:

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/