What happens when you combine passion, conviction, and a willingness to do the hard things everyone else avoids?

Hey there, Rainmakers!

This week, I’m sitting down with one of my own — Katie Stockert, loan officer on Team Shayla at Guild Mortgage in Fargo, North Dakota. In just four years, Katie has gone from closing 25 deals in her first year to being on pace for $40 million in production. But this story isn’t about luck. It’s about grit, service, and refusing to take shortcuts.

Katie shares how growing up without financial privilege shaped the way she serves clients today. She believes every buyer deserves education, transparency, and a plan. That belief has become her competitive advantage. While others avoid difficult files, Katie built her business on helping people find a way forward, even when the answer wasn't immediate.

If you've ever felt discouraged by the market, frustrated by difficult clients, or unsure how to stand out, this episode will remind you that authenticity, conviction, and service still win.

Key Insights:

• Building trust starts with caring deeply about the outcome for every client.
• The hardest loans often create the strongest referral opportunities.
• People buy conviction, enthusiasm, and certainty before they buy products.
• Showing up to closings creates stronger relationships and more referral opportunities.
• Clients deserve a plan even when they aren't ready to buy today.

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

Guest Links:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-stockert-526718122/

Guild Mortgage:

https://branches.guildmortgage.com/nd/westfargo/katie-stockert-373-apkpo.html

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kstockertmortgage/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/p/Katie-Stockert-Mortgage-Lender-NMLS-2068129-100082371025433/

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!

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!

Over the last 22 years, I've gone from being broke, scared, and trying to survive to building a business that has given me freedom, purpose, impact, and experiences I once couldn't even imagine. But none of it happened because I was special. It happened because I kept finding people who had what I wanted and then did everything I could to learn from them.

In this episode, I'm sharing what I call The Rainmaker Way—the path that has guided every stage of my growth. From getting fired while working two jobs and struggling to pay rent, to building a thriving mortgage business, creating financial freedom, living abroad with my family, coaching loan officers across the country, and continuing to chase bigger visions. This episode is both a roadmap and a challenge: stop focusing on where you are and start focusing on where you're going.

If you're feeling stuck, burned out, frustrated, or wondering what's next, I want you to know there's another level available to you. The key is learning how to expand your vision, develop new skills, and earn the freedoms that make this journey worth it.

Key Insights:

• Success starts when you find someone who has what you want and learn from them.
• Desperation can either hold you back or become the fuel that drives your next breakthrough.
• Financial freedom comes before relational freedom, purpose freedom, and time freedom.
• Goal setting and tracking are the foundation of growth.
• Sales mastery is one of the most valuable skills a Rainmaker can develop.

If you're feeling stuck, burned out, or wondering what your next level looks like, this episode is for you. Remember - your next breakthrough starts with a bigger vision.

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

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!

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!

For years, I thought I was building a business when I was really just chasing transactions. Every time my pipeline got light, I would scramble. Every time it filled up, I'd stop prospecting and focus on closing loans. It felt exhausting, unpredictable, and completely dependent on what happened next.

In this episode, I sit down with my friend and fellow Catalyst coach, Dino Rosetti.

Together, we unpack The Realtor Lighthouse—a powerful system designed to help loan officers uncover their true value, create meaningful conversations with agents, and build relationships that lead to consistent referrals and long-term business growth. This isn't about buying leads, chasing agents, or hoping someone calls you back. It's about becoming the kind of partner agents want to work with.

Key Insights:

• Most loan officers are chasing transactions when they should be building referral partners.
• If you're unclear on your value, you'll struggle to confidently attract referral partners.
• The Realtor Lighthouse helps agents uncover their unique strengths, positioning, and opportunities for growth.
• Loan officers often stay stuck in the friend zone because they stop selling their value.
• A realtor acquisition plan creates consistency and eliminates the feast-or-famine cycle.

You don't need another deal. You need another great referral partner.

PLUS! Catalyst enrollment is now open

But only June 10-19th!

Signup today: https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Catalyst isn’t just another coaching program. It’s where ambition meets action.

Inside you’ll get:

✅ Live coaching

✅ Proven accountability systems

✅ Productivity + growth strategies

✅ A powerhouse community that won’t let you play small

Guest Links

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinorosetti/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dinorosetti/

The Realtor Lighthouse:

https://app.reallighthouse.com

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

What if the life you're chasing isn't built by working harder—but by getting crystal clear on what you're building and why?

Hey there, Rainmakers!

This week, I sit down with Kei Kullberg, a young mortgage leader who's already built an incredible foundation—personally, professionally, and financially. But what impressed me most wasn't his production. It was his vision.

Kei shares how coaching changed everything, how he and his wife have built a portfolio of seven real estate units before age 30, and why he's obsessed with creating wealth that lasts beyond commissions. This conversation is a masterclass in intentional growth, disciplined action, and building a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.

If you've been feeling stuck, plateaued, or unsure about your next level, I hope this episode reminds you that the biggest breakthroughs happen when you stop reacting to life and start leading it.

Key Insights:

• Vision creates discipline.
• Coaching accelerates growth.
• Action builds momentum.
• Simple systems scale.

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

Guest links:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kei-kullberg/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/kei_themortgageguy/?hl=en

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/keithemortgageguy/

PLUS! Catalyst enrollment is now open

But only June 10-19th!

Signup today: https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Catalyst isn’t just another coaching program. It’s where ambition meets action.

Inside you’ll get:

✅ Live coaching

✅ Proven accountability systems

✅ Productivity + growth strategies

✅ A powerhouse community that won’t let you play small

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

What does effective leadership actually look like in a high-pressure, relationship-driven industry?

Hey there, Rainmakers!

In this episode of The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast, I sit down with mortgage industry veteran, coach, speaker, and entrepreneur Chris Vinson for a practical conversation on leadership, growth, customer experience, and what actually separates great professionals in this business.

Chris has worked nearly every angle of the mortgage industry — underwriting, operations, originating, brokerage ownership, banking leadership, coaching, and speaking — and one thing became crystal clear in this conversation: the people who win long term are the ones who stay intentional about the details.

We also unpack the “purple cow” concept, what it really takes to become memorable in today’s market, and the powerful “casino report” exercise leaders can use to evaluate customer experience, identify blind spots, and create the kind of service people never forget.

Key Insights

• Consistency creates trust faster than talent.
• The little details can be the biggest differentiators.
• The two things you can track to boost your team's performance.
• The “casino report” is a powerful tool you can start using today.
• Why it's baskets not hoops that matter.

If you want practical leadership strategies you can immediately apply to your business, team, and client relationships — this episode delivers.

Guest Links:

Coaching with Chris:

https://coachingwithchrisvinson.com/

Chris Vinson LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-vinson-b7195248/

Chris Vinson Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/chrisvinson72/

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

PLUS!

Are you ready to stop just doing the work — and start becoming the loan officer you know you’re capable of being?

Join Shayla’s free Sales Mastery training on June 10th and learn how to sell yourself, organize your business, and show up like a top producer.

Register now:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LhmbR3JDSRGgrgQv7suE5w#/registration

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!

In this episode of The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast, I sit down with Katie Skaggs — a relationship-driven loan officer who’s on track to nearly double her business this year while raising three kids and building almost everything through authentic connection.

Katie shares how she’s creating referral relationships in today’s market without feeling pushy, fake, or transactional. We talk about what modern prospecting really looks like now: social media DMs, coffee meetings, meaningful conversations, and building trust long before the first deal ever closes.

This conversation is full of truth for loan officers who know they need to prospect more… but don’t want to become someone they’re not to do it. Katie breaks down how she tracks conversations, builds credibility, creates a phenomenal client experience, and stays consistent even on the days she doesn’t feel like “putting on the sales hat.”

Key Insights:

• Consistency matters more than motivation in sales.
• The best referral relationships feel personal, not transactional.
• Modern prospecting happens across multiple channels.
• The client experience is the real long-term sales strategy.
• Being meticulous upfront means less stress later.

Guest Links:

Website:

https://practicalmtg.com/

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/cltmortgagematchmaker/

Facebook:

https://facebook.com/katie.medlin.3

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiemedlin/

PLUS!

Are you ready to stop just doing the work — and start becoming the loan officer you know you’re capable of being?

Join Shayla’s free Sales Mastery training on June 10th and learn how to sell yourself, organize your business, and show up like a top producer.

Register now:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LhmbR3JDSRGgrgQv7suE5w#/registration

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

What if you don’t need more agents… just deeper relationships?

Hey there, Rainmakers!

This episode is a straight-up masterclass in realtor referrals, relationship building, and becoming the loan officer agents never want to leave.

I sat down with James Allen, the #1 purchase loan officer in Connecticut, to unpack the exact strategy behind nearly 500 closings a year. And what shocked me most? James isn’t trying to manage hundreds of referral partners. He’s focused on going deep with the right people and building trust so strong they send him everything.

We talk about how he transitioned from internet leads into a referral-based business, why certainty is his greatest value proposition, and how one meaningful one-to-one meeting a day completely transformed his career.

If you’re tired of shallow relationships, chasing business, and trying to “keep up” with every realtor in town, this episode will challenge the way you think about referrals forever.

Key Insights:

• The deeper you go, the fewer referral partners you need.
• Why certainty matters more than speed in mortgage sales.
• How 1 x 1-1 meeting a day can transform your business.
• Why newer agents are often overlooked opportunities.
• How to create loyalty through relationships, not scripts.
• The borrower interview process that separates James from his competitors.

PLUS!

Are you ready to stop just doing the work — and start becoming the loan officer you know you’re capable of being?

Join Shayla’s free Sales Mastery training on June 10th and learn how to sell yourself, organize your business, and show up like a top producer.

Register now:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LhmbR3JDSRGgrgQv7suE5w#/registration

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!

Let me give it to you straight—your success in year one has nothing to do with how much you know. It has everything to do with how fast you take action and where you focus your energy.

I sat down with Cameron Scully, a 27-year-old former Navy mechanic who stepped into this business with zero experience and closed $7.9M in his first year. He didn’t wait to feel confident. He earned it by getting in the room and figuring it out in real time.

This episode comes down to two skills: how you open doors and how you build trust once you’re there. That’s the game. Cameron used his network to create opportunities and showed up with intention to convert them.

If you’re new and stuck in your head, this is your blueprint. Less thinking. More doing.

Key Insights

• You don’t need experience, you need reps.
• Your network is your fastest path to getting in the room.
• A strong hook creates opportunity before you have credibility.
• Trust is what converts relationships into business.
• Momentum is built through action, not perfection.

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

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!

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!

This episode is a masterclass in resilience, sales, and learning how to truly become a Rainmaker.

I sat down with Corey Luckow, a two-time cancer survivor, wife, mom of two, and loan officer from Tucson, Arizona, who found herself standing at one of the hardest crossroads of her career. After years as an in-house lender, she suddenly lost 70% of her business when that relationship ended—and with it, the safety net she had built everything around.

Most people would panic. Corey chose to rebuild.

What followed was the most important skill shift of her career: learning how to go out and get the business herself. We break down exactly how she used realtor meetings, better lead conversion, and intentional follow-up to rebuild her pipeline and grow back to consistent $2–3M months.

If you’re a loan officer trying to create more referrals, build stronger agent relationships, and stop waiting for business to come to you—this episode will hit home.

Key Insights

• Fear can either paralyze you or propel you. You get to choose.
• Health is the foundation. Without it, everything else falls apart.
• You do not need hundreds of referral partners. You need the right ones.
• Realtor meetings are not about pitching. They are about trust and credibility.
• Lead conversion gets better when you stop chasing everyone and start finding your people.

Guest Links

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/coreyanneluck/

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/coreyluckow/

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

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!

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/

Hey there, Rainmakers!

This episode is for the loan officer who is incredible at the work—but trapped by it.

In this episode of The Mortgage Rainmaker Podcast, I sit down with Joel Olson to talk about the trap so many high-performing loan officers fall into: being incredible at the work, but unable to scale because everything depends on them.

Joel built an $88M mortgage business by becoming the go-to lender for the hard files—the messy deals, the overlooked borrowers, and the situations other people gave up on. But the real breakthrough came when he learned how to scale without lowering his standards.

We talk about positioning, Realtor relationships, scripting, delegation, AI, lead generation, and how to stop being the best kept secret in your market.

If you’re a loan officer who knows you’re talented but feels buried by your own business—this episode is for you.

Key Insights

• You have to choose how you will be competitive instead of trying to compete on everything.
• The hard files are often where your greatest trust and referral relationships are built.
• Being excellent at loans does not automatically make you scalable—you need visibility and systems.
• More leads solve more problems than perfection ever will.
• You do not have to lose control to scale—you have to build systems that protect your standards.
• Delegation works when your team is executing your strategy, not inventing their own.

Guest links:

Website

https://www.joelolson.ca

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thejoelolsonmortgageteam/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/joelolsonlendingmax

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-olson-bb5b2917/

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@joelolsonmortgageteam

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!

Submit a question: https://kprpwoltlbp.typeform.com/to/WC24kOIK

Take my Sales Archetype Quiz: https://quiz.shaylagiffordcoaching.com/

Nominate someone to be on the podcast: https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

Connect with Shayla:

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

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

Show Links:

https://shaylagifford.com/

https://shaylagifford.com/podcast/

https://shaylagifford.com/catalyst/

Guild Mortgage:

https://www.guildmortgage.com/