I Love Mortgage Brokering

How do inflation trends south of the border shape the mortgage rates your clients get here in Canada? In this episode, I sit down with mortgage expert Dave Larock to unpack how U.S. inflation is impacting Canadian fixed rates—and what brokers should be watching as we head into a volatile rate environment. Dave’s insight helps you make sense of the data, explain it clearly to clients, and offer advice that stands out in a sea of speculation. What We Cover: Why Fixed Rates Are Rising – Even as central banks talk about cutting. US Inflation Spillover – How the American economy quietly influences Canadian borrowing costs. BoC Rate Cut Outlook – Why Dave still thinks we’ll see more cuts in 2024. Fixed vs. Variable Strategy – What he recommends in today’s market and why. Two Bold Housing Solutions – Dave’s ideas to make Canadian housing more affordable. Rates move fast—but your advice doesn’t have to. When you understand what’s driving the changes, you can lead with clarity and confidence. To connect with Dave,

Are you building your mortgage business on solid systems—or flying blind? In this episode, I share a simple 4-question test that reveals exactly how organized (or disorganized) you are—and what that means for your business. Inspired by a private lender’s “French Fry Test,” I break down the broker equivalent. If you can’t answer these questions in under 60 seconds, you’re leaving money on the table and working way harder than you should. What We Cover: The French Fry Test – How one lender predicted financial struggles by counting fries—and why that matters for your files. The 4 Broker Questions – The simple questions that expose gaps in your business organization. Why Organization = Scale – Why you’ll never scale a leaky bucket—and how to fix it fast. Past Client Blind Spot – Why most brokers don’t know how many clients they’ve served—or when they last reached out. Real Talk – How a failed business venture taught me just how widespread this problem really is. You can’t fix what you’re not tracking. Get organ

What if you could eliminate discovery calls, attract ideal clients, and build trust—before you ever pick up the phone? In this episode, I sit down with Taylor Atkinson, a former helicopter mechanic turned mortgage broker, who’s built a $5M pipeline by doing things differently. Taylor shares how launching a local podcast helped him skip the discovery call phase, attract high-quality clients, and filter out rate shoppers. He also explains why saying no to renewals and yes to early hiring gave him more time, more margin, and more referrals. What We Cover: Ditching Discovery Calls – How a podcast helps Taylor pre-qualify and build trust before a single conversation. Return on Energy – The simple framework Taylor uses to decide what gets his time and what doesn’t. Saying No to Say Yes – Why he turns down renewals—and how it actually grows referrals. Hire Before You’re Ready – How getting help early helped him scale with less stress. Health + Business Alignment – Why Taylor tracks metrics like HRV and sleep to mak

What if your biggest growth strategy is actually the thing that’s holding your business back? In this episode, I break down the most common mistake new (and even seasoned) brokers make: saying yes to every deal, every partner, and every opportunity. It’s a fast track to burnout—and a slow road to profitability. I’ll show you what top producers do differently: how they get clear on who they serve, what they say no to, and how that focus leads to more volume, more referrals, and less stress. What We Cover: Why Being for Everyone is a Trap – How generalist brokers hit a ceiling fast. The Power of Positioning – Why top producers pick a niche—and get paid more for it. Profit Killers to Avoid – Files, partners, and platforms that drain your time and energy. No-Go List Strategy – How writing down what you won’t do can unlock better deals. Say No, Grow Fast – The mindset shift that turns “less” into “more.” Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/ I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokerin

How does an introverted ex-underwriter become a top-producing broker doing 300 deals a year—without spending a dime on advertising? Farhan Mahmood went from sleeping in coffee shops to building a thriving mortgage business purely by referral. In this episode, he opens up about the hard-won lessons behind his quiet rise, including how he built trust, set boundaries, and learned to say no—without sacrificing growth. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by client demands or discouraged by slow early results, this conversation will reset your perspective. We’ll cover: Introvert Advantage – Why Farhan’s quiet nature helped him build deep trust and long-term referrals. Saying No to Say Yes – How learning to decline unprofitable files gave him back his time—and sanity. Boundary Breakthroughs – The 3 rules he put in place to finally take weekends, evenings, and even a vacation off. Surviving the Banks – How he competes with major banks offering lower rates by leading with service and relationships. From the Streets to Su

If you moved to a new city with no clients, no contacts, and no brand—how fast could you build a six-figure mortgage business? In this episode, I walk you through exactly what I’d do to build a six-figure mortgage business from scratch—starting today. No leads, no partners, no past clients—just a clear plan, a laptop, and a willingness to work. Whether you’re new, switching markets, or stuck and need a reset, this is a simple, tactical blueprint to grow fast without burning out. We’ll cover: Hire Before You Hustle – Why the first move is getting an assistant to protect your focus from day one. Podcast as a Power Tool – How launching a local podcast builds instant credibility and opens doors. No Cold Calling Needed – How content creates inbound interest and positions you as the go-to expert. Partner Webinars That Work – A proven strategy to grow your list and attract qualified leads without ads. The Authority Shortcut – How to become known fast—even in a city where nobody knows your name. You don’t need 10 y

What if the most scalable way to grow your mortgage business isn’t more partners—but more ownership? In this episode, I sit down with Greg Williamson—a broker, entrepreneur, and former tech exec—who’s building a mortgage business from scratch after selling multiple companies. Greg is making a $150K bet on a new model that’s less reliant on realtors and more focused on long-term client relationships and inbound lead generation.  If you want more control, more leverage, and fewer bottlenecks in your business, this one’s for you. We’ll cover: Leaving Tech to Start Fresh – Why Greg walked away from Finmo and Lendesk to return to full-time brokering. The Ownwell Math – How he plans to turn a $150K ad spend into a scalable mortgage business. The “No Bank Penalties” Hook – The message that’s winning client trust before they ever talk to their bank. Database-Driven Deals – Why Greg is building a 25,000-person database—and how he’s nurturing it with content. Realtor Value Without Begging – A strategy to get agents re

What if the best way to grow your mortgage business was sitting in your Facebook friends list? Jim Pearson didn’t need ads or fancy automation to generate leads—just a spreadsheet, some well-written DMs, and a little courage. In this episode, he breaks down exactly how he turned 500 direct messages into 20 legit mortgage leads, and how he’s using tools like TextExpander to scale his communication without burning out. If you’re hesitant to reach out to your network, this episode is your playbook for doing it right—and doing it consistently. We’ll cover: No List? No Problem. – How copying his Facebook friends into a spreadsheet became a 20-lead strategy. DM with Intention – Why personalized messaging beats mass outreach—and what to say to get replies. The Birthday Bump – A simple follow-up trick that reactivates cold DMs without feeling pushy. TextExpander Tactics – How Jim uses this tool to send polished, high-impact emails in seconds. Micro-Branding Moves – From gym swag to Wi-Fi names, the small touches tha

What if the secret to unforgettable client and partner relationships is how (and when) you give—not what you spend? In this episode, I break down how to give referral and client gifts that actually land. Not the generic gift basket or logo mug—but thoughtful, timely gestures that create real emotional impact. Inspired by a story of one realtor’s donut drop that led to a $1M+ client, we dive into how to make your gifts hit different—plus what to avoid if you want your gesture to be remembered, not ignored. What We Will Cover: Specific, Unexpected, and Timely – The 3 rules that turn a generic gift into a powerful impression. The Donut Story – How one agent used a podcast, a donut shop, and perfect timing to win a dream client. Giftology Principles – What the best givers do differently—and why it’s not about spending more. What Not to Do – The 3 most common gift mistakes brokers make (and how to avoid them). Real Broker Examples – A $20 Hawaii book and a pair of fuzzy handcuffs—why they worked, and what they te

How do you go from zero to $10 million in funded mortgages in your first year—without a database, brand, or past clients? Thom Brow left a successful career in craft beer sales and started fresh as a mortgage broker. One year later, he’s built a $10M business from scratch— powered by focused prospecting, referral presentations, and his own custom-built AI tools. If you're early in your career or need to get traction fast, Thom’s approach will give you a clear roadmap (and a reality check). We’ll cover: Turning Cold into Closed – How 50 referral presentations led to 25 active partners and $10M in volume. Winning with Focus – Why Thom breaks his day into quarters—and always protects a dedicated prospecting block. Practicing Like a Pro – The AI “driving range” that helped him conquer cold calling. Scaling Smart – Why action beats perfection, and busy work always comes last. Building Better Tools – How Thom created his own GPTs to write emails, sharpen messaging, and train for live calls. To connect with Thom,

What would happen if you stopped building someone else’s brand—and started building your own? Justin Chausse went from running a landscaping business, to funding 185 files a year at a bank, to building a thriving mortgage business as a broker. In this episode, he shares why he left the bank (despite a six-figure signing bonus offer), how he overcame the fear of going independent, and what he learned about earning more by doing less. If you're a bank specialist or self-sourcing mortgage pro thinking about the broker world, this one’s a must-listen. What We Cover: Self-Sourcing Success – Why Justin's 70% self-sourced business made him realize he didn’t need the bank. Doing Less, Earning More – How he replaced 185 bank files with 60 broker files—and made more money. Profit for Clients, Not Shareholders – The freedom to put clients first without red tape or handcuffs. Choosing Your Own Tools – How being a broker gave him control over the client experience and back-end tech. Keep It Simple – Why most new brokers

What if your 15-page business plan is doing more harm than good? In this episode, I break down why traditional business plans fail—and what to do instead. I share the “Plan Like Bezos” approach we teach in our workshops, including how to build a flexible, focused 12-month strategy that fits on a single sticky note. If you’ve ever written a business plan and never looked at it again, this episode will show you a smarter way to plan, act, and grow. In this episode, we’ll cover: Why Most Business Plans Fail – The flaw in trying to plan 12 months out with incomplete info. The Flywheel Model – How high-performing companies (like Amazon) use this approach to create real momentum. My Personal Flywheel – A behind-the-scenes look at how we use content, coaching, and client stories to drive growth. Sticky Note Simplicity – Why a clear, focused plan beats a bloated one every time. The Debt Monkey Mistake – A story about building a business on spreadsheets instead of systems—and what I learned from it. The world change

What if there’s a better way to grow your mortgage career—one that fits your strengths, not just what others are doing?   In this episode, I break down the five distinct paths I’ve seen brokers use to build successful mortgage businesses. Each path comes with its own pros, cons, and hidden traps, and choosing the right one can save you years of wasted effort. We’ll cover: Banker to Broker – Why learning at the bank can be a great start, and what challenges arise when you finally have a full “golf bag” of lenders. Sales-Only Lead Gen Shops – How high-volume sales roles sharpen your closing skills, but why you’ll need to learn marketing to succeed solo. Assistant to Broker – The pros of deep underwriting knowledge, and the big hurdle: building sales skills to generate your own business. Ad-Based Entry – The rarest (and toughest) path, requiring mastery of paid ads and conversion systems to create a scalable lead flow. Referral-Based Business – The most sustainable and scalable path, leveraging your net

What if the smartest way to grow your mortgage business isn’t hiring more people—but building better tools and better habits? In this episode, I talk with Richard De Chevigny—a mortgage broker who built his own AI-powered systems to automate follow-ups, generate content, and show clients smarter mortgage comparisons. But this isn’t just a tech story. Richard also shares his personal transformation—from burnout, divorce, and job-hopping to building a life and business with clarity, resilience, and impact. Whether you’re struggling with time, tech, or mental bandwidth, this conversation shows what’s possible when you take ownership and build intentionally. We’ll cover: Custom Mortgage Tools That Sell – How Richard built his own calculator to help clients compare total cost, not just rate. Automated Follow-Up Systems – How AI agents help him trigger timely check-ins and uncover new savings opportunities. AI-Driven Content That Converts – His workflow using ChatGPT and Trello to batch, repurpose, and schedule co

What if being new to the business is actually your biggest advantage? In this episode, I share four key insights from coaching some of the most motivated rookies in our brokerage. These brokers are finding ways to win—even in a tough market—not because they know everything, but because they take action and stay coachable. From beating out seasoned brokers, to booking realtor meetings that actually convert, to using AI to level up faster—this episode is packed with tactical plays you can use right now. What We Cover: Don’t Let Experience Intimidate You – Why being newer sometimes means you see solutions seasoned brokers miss. Business Over Friendship – How a 15-minute value-driven conversation turned “I’ve got 6 brokers” into a deal. Open House Prospecting That Works – A tweak to the goody-bag strategy that gets you two realtor contacts, not one. AI as a Force Multiplier – Tools like Fyxer.ai and Plaud.ai that help you close more deals and prep smarter. ChatGPT as Your Scripting Coach – How one broker uses it

What if the real power move in your mortgage business isn’t scaling up—but stepping back? In this episode, I sit down with Dominique Gonthier—a former military officer turned mortgage broker who built a business funding 250 deals a year, then deliberately cut that number in half to focus on family, fitness, and freedom. We dive into how he transitioned from realtor to broker, built an efficient team, and now takes entire weeks off to work on his business instead of always in it. If you’re grinding nonstop and feel like growth comes at the cost of your personal life, Dominique’s story will give you a new model. In this episode, we’ll cover: Starting Strong – How Dominique hit 85 files in his first year after transitioning from real estate and military service. Scaling Back to Move Forward – Why he chose to drop from 250 to 100 files annually—and is happier and more profitable. Running Lean with Tech – How he uses Zoho CRM and a focused team to stay efficient without burnout. Owning His Time – The “no-m

What if offering more options is actually hurting your conversions? In this episode, I dive into the psychology of choice overload—and how it’s quietly costing mortgage brokers deals every week. We love to say we offer clients choice. But when people are overwhelmed, they freeze. I’ll walk through the science behind it, plus three ways this shows up in your business (and how to fix it). If you’ve ever lost a client who seemed “interested but unsure,” this is probably why. We’ll cover: Too Many Options, No Decisions – Why clients don’t want a menu—they want a clear recommendation. Creating Choices Where None Exist – How to reframe hard conversations so clients feel empowered, not confused. Clarity in Communication – Why having too many contact channels leads to dropped balls and frustrated clients. The Power of a Smart Discovery Call – How asking the right questions early prevents lost deals later. Set Expectations, Own the Process – How to guide your client through a decision—without overwhelming them. Yo

What happens when you hit burnout in a business you used to love? In this raw and honest episode, Scott talks with Jasmine Findlay, a mortgage broker who rebuilt her business—and herself—after hitting a wall in 2023. Jasmine opens up about her journey through burnout, sobriety, and rediscovering what success truly means. You’ll learn: Sobriety & Self-Awareness – Why Jasmine quit drinking and how it opened the door to deeper personal growth. The Crash After the Climb – How burnout followed her biggest growth year and what it actually looked like behind the scenes. Rebuilding from Zero – The tiny steps she took (literally five minutes a day) to get back to work and momentum. A New Definition of Success – Why she let go of top producer pressure and now defines success by nervous system peace. Accountability That Works – How simple structures and peer support helped her stay consistent and rebuild confidence. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels or questioning your path, this episode

Drowning in email?   In this episode, Scott shares 5 powerful tactics to reduce your email load by up to 15 hours a week—without losing control or dropping the ball with clients.   If email is eating your productivity, these tactics will help you win back time and improve client experience—all without working longer hours.   You’ll learn: Centralize with One Inbox - Combine your team’s communication into a single email inbox to cut back on missed messages, unnecessary forwarding, and confusion. Flag What Matters - Have your assistant—or yourself, if you’re solo—screen and flag only the emails that truly need your attention. Use AI to Draft Replies -  Tools like Fixer.ai can read full threads and generate smart drafts that match your tone and style. It’s easier to edit than create from scratch. Record and Summarize Meetings Automatically - Let tools like Fixer join your Zoom or Teams calls, take notes, and create summary emails—saving time on handoffs and follow-ups. Kill Feedback Loops with Video - Stop the

What if your packed schedule is actually robbing you of the life you’re working so hard to build? In this energizing and soul-stirring episode, speaker, author, and leadership coach Kishshana Palmer returns to share hard-earned wisdom from her new book Busy is a Four-Letter Word. With humor, vulnerability, and firecracker insight, she peels back the layers of what it really means to be “busy”—and why we keep wearing burnout like a badge of honor. From the moment her back literally gave out mid-suitcase-pack to the “green light” mindset that can reboot your ambition and your joy, Kishshana breaks down how to exit panic-mode productivity and embrace a more intentional, powerful way of living and working. This conversation is a masterclass in values-based decision-making, self-leadership, and how to build success that doesn’t cost you your soul.