I Love Mortgage Brokering

657: How This Broker Slashed His Hours—Not His Pay - Dominique Gonthier

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-meeting” weeks and time-blocking tactics that give him control over his calendar.
Getting Loyal Clients Without Ads – How contests, reviews, and value-driven advice fuel a 90% referral business.
To connect with Dominique, check out the links below:
FacebookYouTubehttps://www.bonsaisf.com/https://linktr.ee/domgonthier
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

656: Why Giving Your Clients More Choice Is Killing Your Sales

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.
Your job isn’t to offer every option—it’s to narrow choices, guide decisions, and create clarity. Less confusion = more conversions.
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

655: The Hustle Nearly Broke Her—Here’s What Brought Her Back - Jasmine Findlay

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 is for you. Jasmine’s story is a reminder that it's possible to reset, rebuild, and come back stronger—with better priorities and peace of mind.
To connect with Jasmine, you can check out the links below:
Instagram
Facebook
https://www.jfmortgages.ca/
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

654: What The Top 1% Do to Save 10+ Hours A Week On Email

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 endless back-and-forth. Use pre-recorded or custom videos to answer common questions with clarity and context.
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

653: Busy Is A Four-Letter Word - Kishshana Palmer

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.
🔑 Key Takeaways
“Busy” often masks avoidance, fear of failure—or success.
Panic busy and productive busy feel totally different in your body.
Your real values show up in your actions, not your aspirations.To shift your mindset, start by asking: “If every light was green, what would I do?”Use Kishshana’s RETHINK method to get grounded, strategic, and joyful again.
📌 Topics Covered
Redefining productivity and success
Midlife reflection and empty nest transitions
The psychology of fear-driven busyness
Practical mindset frameworks for clarity and action
How to align daily actions with lived values
🛠️ Tools, Frameworks & References
Kishshana’s RETHINK method: Rest, Reassess, Include others, Know your values, Take action, Pause.
“Green light thinking” reframing exercise
“Think-Pair-Share” collaboration model
Busy is a Four-Letter Word — Kishshana’s book (available on Amazon, Audible, indie sellers)
👥 Guest Info
Kishshana Palmer Find her at:
Website: www.busyisafourletterword.com
Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter: @kishshanapalmer
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

652: What If You’re Not Failing—You’re Just in the Wrong Role? - Jason Williams

What if the part of your job you hate is the very thing holding you back?Jason Williams joined the mortgage industry like many do—with big dreams of flexible hours and hefty commissions. But after two years of grinding through cold calls and chasing leads, he was ready to walk away… until he discovered a different lane.
In this episode, Jason shares how he flipped the script, dropped sales altogether, and built a thriving business doing what most brokers dread: backend fulfillment. From rock bottom to $100K on his own terms, this is a story about reinvention, finding your niche, and why the smartest move might be stepping off the front lines.
 
🔑 Key Takeaways
Pivoting isn’t failing—it's often the smartest strategy.
There’s massive demand for back-end support in the mortgage industry.
You can build a six-figure business without being client-facing.
Working in your "zone of genius" can 10x both results and fulfillment.
Being full-time support can be just as entrepreneurial as being front-line.
🧭 Topics Covered
Jason’s transition from truck driving to mortgages
The “sales fantasy” vs. the hard reality
How burnout led him to uncover his sweet spot
Building a business around fulfillment and compliance
The Matchmaker Program and how it helped him launch fast
The freedom of building a career that fits your life (and family)
🧰 Tools, Names, and Resources
BRX Mortgage & Matchmaker Program
Jason's assistant business: Jason@themortgageassistant.ca
Why BRX 
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

651: How 3 Brokers Built a Scalable Business, Together - Jason Small

When the restaurant industry shut down in 2020, Jason Small pivoted—hard. With zero experience and a license freshly printed, he entered the mortgage world during one of the most chaotic economic periods in recent memory. Today, he's on track for 75+ deals this year, has doubled his business two years in a row, and—most impressively—helped co-create a lean, scalable operations model with two other brokers from across the country.
In this episode, Jason breaks down how they built a shared infrastructure, hired a full-time underwriter, and standardized their systems to deliver high-touch service while freeing up time for life (and vacations!). This is a behind-the-scenes blueprint for sustainable growth—and a must-listen for any service-based entrepreneur looking to scale smart, not just fast.
Important Links
Grow your repeat and referral business with Ownwell 
Join Scott’s 3:2:1 Newsletter 
Follow Scott on Instagram 
 
🎯 Key Takeaways
Jason’s transition from restaurant manager to full-time mortgage broker
How he doubled his business year-over-year through disciplined outreach
The strategy behind sharing a full-time underwriter across three brokers
Why mapping a unified client journey was critical to success
How tools like MyBroker Pro and TextExpander drive efficiency and consistency
📚 Topics Covered
Transitioning industries and building a new career from scratch
Realtor lead generation and the power of cold calling
Building systems and scaling a brokerage team
Hiring, onboarding, and collaborating across time zones
Automation tools and CRM customization for client experience
🛠️ Names, Tools & Frameworks Mentioned
MyBroker Pro (CRM system)
TextExpander
The "4 -Slide" Realtor Pitch
BRX 100-Day Challenge
ILMB FB Group
BRX Mortgage
Instagram: @jdemortgageguy
To connect with Jason, check out the links below: 
Instagram
Facebook
https://jaythemortgageguy.ca/
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

650: The Mindset Shift That Ended Burnout

What if the stress you’re feeling in your mortgage business has more to do with how you're thinking than what your clients are doing?
In this episode, I share a mindset shift I picked up during my years as a paramedic that helped me stop carrying my clients’ stress—and start thinking like a true professional. 
When I became a mortgage broker, I found it even more mentally draining than paramedicine. But once I applied this simple idea, everything changed.
If you’re losing sleep over client problems that you didn’t create, this is for you.
What We Cover:
You Didn’t Cause the Mess – Why you need to stop owning problems your clients create.
Put the Responsibility Back – How to respond with clarity and calm when clients make bad decisions.
Stay Professional Under Pressure – What emergency responders know about showing up without burning out.
Don’t Attach to Outcomes – How letting go of what you can’t control frees up your energy and sharpens your focus.
Top Brokers Lose Deals Too – Why your ability to move on is what sets you apart—not your win rate.
Your job is to show up and help—not carry the weight of someone else’s mess. Stay calm. Stay clear. Stay focused on what you can actually control.
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

649: Mortgages, Marriage & Marketing - Erik and Elisha Norcott

What does it take to scale a mortgage business from scratch—with your spouse—and still stay aligned on your mission and your marriage?
In this episode, I chat with Elisha and Erik Norcott from Assurance Mortgages— a husband-and-wife team who’ve not only built a high-performing mortgage business but found a way to stay married while doing it. We talk about how they divide work, built a brand from scratch, and use social media strategically to reach different audiences—without stepping on each other’s toes.
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to work with your partner—or how to build a brand that connects with clients at every life stage—this episode is for you.
We’ll cover:
From Hygiene and Hustle to Mortgage Growth – How Erik’s sales grind and Elisha’s systems mindset built the foundation of their business.
Branding Without a Logo – Why they avoided social media for years and what finally pushed them to build a presence.
Two Voices, One Message – How they use one TikTok account to speak to different client avatars at different life stages.
Dividing the Work – Who does strategy, who does compliance, and how they avoid stepping on each other’s workflows.
Staying Married While Scaling – Real talk about what makes it work (and what doesn’t) when your spouse is also your business partner.
The Bigger Mission – Why helping clients retire comfortably is their driving force—and how it shapes everything they do.
Building a mortgage business is one thing. Building one with your spouse— and still enjoying the ride— is next level. Elisha and Erik are proof that it’s possible when you lead with purpose, play to your strengths, and stay in your lane.
To connect with Elisha & Erik, you can check out the links below:
Instagram
TikTok
https://assurancemortgages.com/
 
Follow me on Instagram: www.instagram.com/scottpeckford/
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
Subscribe to my 3-2-1 Thursday Email
I Love Mortgage Brokering is in partnership with Ownwell. 
To see how top brokers are keeping clients engaged and generating leads from their database, visit ownwell.ca.

648: This Mistake is Costing You Big Time

What if one simple habit could more than double your referrals—but most mortgage brokers completely overlook it? In this short, powerful episode, Scott Peckford breaks down the single biggest (and most common) mistake even seasoned brokers make that’s quietly draining their pipeline. The fix? Surprisingly easy—but only if you know how to spot it.
Scott shares personal stories, proven scripts, and high-leverage techniques to build your “ask muscle” without sounding pushy. Whether you're new to the industry or a veteran broker, this is the reminder and tactical guide you didn’t know you needed to transform casual clients into consistent referrers.
Key Takeaways
Most clients don’t refer you because you don’t ask—plain and simple.
Broad asks open the door; narrow asks close the deal.
The difference between soft and hard asks can drastically impact your referral flow.
Timing matters: know the high-leverage moments to make the ask.
A referral mention is not a done deal—follow up and turn it into a live lead.
Topics Covered
Why experienced brokers fail to ask for referralsBroad vs. narrow ask framework
Hard ask vs. soft ask styles
High-leverage referral moments (approval, signing, thank-you points)
Planting seeds: repetition and mindset
Cultural contrast in asking between Canadian and American brokers
Mentioned
Ownwell (equity monitoring tool) – ownwell.ca/scott
Scott’s Instagram
Join Scott’s Newsletter 
Find out more about BRX Mortgage: www.whybrx.com
I Love Mortgage Brokering: www.ilovemortgagebrokering.com