Recorded live at our Kerosene event, where they keynoted alongside Tommy Ahlquist, Glenn and Mindy Stearns share their extraordinary journey from adversity to impact.

Glenn’s path was anything but easy. Growing up in Maryland with alcoholic parents, he failed fourth grade due to dyslexia and became a father at just 14 years old. After a moment of clarity in a bar, he drove to California, where a chance encounter with a gardener sparked his interest in real estate—a moment that set him on the path to entrepreneurship.

Together, Glenn and Mindy built their first company, Stearns Lending, with a philosophy of treating every person equally and listening to employees at all levels. After selling to Blackstone in 2014, they launched Kind Lending, which has since grown to 1,000 employees and become the fastest-growing mortgage company in America. But their road wasn’t without struggle. Launching just before COVID, they endured 33 consecutive months of losses, yet refused to make excuses—choosing instead to lean into their culture of perseverance and kindness.

Glenn also faced a life-threatening battle with throat cancer, now receiving all of his nutrition through a feeding tube. Despite this, he never complains, embodying the resilience that has defined both his personal and professional life.

Beyond business, the Stearns devote themselves to mentoring disadvantaged youth through the Horatio Alger Association, planting seeds of possibility for the next generation. Their story proves that when relationships are built on honesty, kindness, and respect, extraordinary outcomes follow.

As Glenn and Mindy put it: “Our cell phone numbers are available to every employee at Kind Lending because we believe in servant leadership. When people feel heard and valued, they’ll help your company achieve extraordinary results.”

This episode is a powerful reminder that kindness is more than a value—it’s a strategy for building both successful companies and meaningful lives.

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