17: The Gift of Perspective from a “Cancer Thriver” with Collective Mortgage Group's Christine Buemann

21: Lessons Learned From Rocket Mortgage Canada’s Journey with Rocket Mortgage Canada's Chris Colasanti

WATCH ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/UvvFAtA_03k] ***   EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Bekim is again joined by Chris Colasanti. Chris is a founding team member of Rocket Mortgage Canada and the VP of Strategy & Analytics and Rocket Pro at Rocket Mortgage Canada from Windsor, Ontario. A graduate of the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, Chris has brought an innovative and energetic demeanor as well as a passion for technology and data driven decision making to Rocket Mortgage Canada since 2020.   Chris is here to discuss: → Why it's so hard to start a lender in Canada, including: Canada's oligopolistic banking structure, the "big six", creating barriers for new entrants, slow regulatory changes, and the difficulty of scaling with high capital requirements & tighter margins. → The differences between the Canada and US lending industries like technology and unit economics, and how Canada's risk-averse culture is becoming detrimental to innovation and economic growth. → The lessons learned from Rocket Mortgage Canada's journey, the enduing spirit of the team and building a strong culture, and the importance of innovators carrying the torch forward.   Chris's 1st Lending Thoughts Appearance: www.lendingthoughts.com/e/11-chris-colasanti [https://www.lendingthoughts.com/e/11-chris-colasanti/]   Chris Colasanti's LinkedIn: @ChrisColasanti [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-colasanti/] ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts [https://lendingthoughts.podbean.com/] 📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod [https://www.youtube.com/@LendingThoughtsPod] 📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.instagram.com/lendingthoughtspod] ⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@lendingthoughtspod] 👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lending-Thoughts-Podcast/61565982590699/?sk=about] ***   CONNECT WITH BEKIM 📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita [https://www.instagram.com/bekim_merdita/] 📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekim-merdita-475b6788/] ***   CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA 🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca [https://www.rocketpro.ca/] 📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada [https://www.instagram.com/rocketprocanada/] 📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-pro-canada] 👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559727274459] ***

20: Building a Culture of Continuous Improvements with Rocket Mortgage Canada's Kyle Dionne

WATCH ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/58gxwMWjbRQ] ***   EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Bekim is joined by Kyle Dionne. Kyle is the Senior Director of Brokerage & Lender Operations at Rocket Mortgage Canada. Born and raised in Windsor, Ontario, he also attended the University of Windsor, where he achieved an honours degree in Labour Studies & Sociology, and eventually got a Bachelor of Education. Kyle and his family then moved to England, where he spent a decade teaching, before returning home to Windsor in the summer of 2020. Kyle is a dynamic and results-driven senior leader, specializing in process optimization, strategic leadership, and talent development, with a history of success in developing teams and consistently achieving key business results.   Kyle is here to discuss: → The need for speed & certainty in the mortgage process, what "blackjack deals" are, and how they're the key to a higher completion rate & funding more files. → Building trust & accountability with a new team, creating a culture of continuous incremental improvements, and the lynchpin of communication in bringing teams together. → Improving the future of the lending industry, what motivates Kyle, and leaving a legacy & lasting impact.   Kyle Dionne's LinkedIn: @KyleDionne [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-dionne-81312a221/] ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts [https://lendingthoughts.podbean.com/] 📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod [https://www.youtube.com/@LendingThoughtsPod] 📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.instagram.com/lendingthoughtspod] ⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@lendingthoughtspod] 👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lending-Thoughts-Podcast/61565982590699/?sk=about] ***   CONNECT WITH BEKIM 📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita [https://www.instagram.com/bekim_merdita/] 📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekim-merdita-475b6788/] ***   CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA 🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca [https://www.rocketpro.ca/] 📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada [https://www.instagram.com/rocketprocanada/] 📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-pro-canada] 👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559727274459] ***

19: Turning Family Values Into Business Success with Pineapple's Shubha Dasgupta

WATCH ▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube [https://youtu.be/7TIlKg2t0ug] ***   EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Bekim is joined by Shubha Dasgupta. Shubha is the Co-Founder, President, & CEO of Toronto-based Pineapple, a leading mortgage industry disruptor. Since joining the mortgage industry in 2008, Shubha has focused on leveraging technology while prioritizing customer experience to transform the sector. As an award-winning executive, his unique vision and expertise have been instrumental in building and growing Pineapple, which boasts over 700 brokers in its network today. Shubha is also a philanthropic leader who actively engages with various non-profit organizations in the Toronto community, and his reputation as a mortgage industry thought leader makes him a highly sought-after public speaker and media expert.   Shubha is here to discuss: → How his family values have shaped his business values, how there's more than one right way to get to a destination, and why they took Pineapple public. → If regulators or brokerages are responsible for a broker's mortgage education, why brokers should think like athletes, and his overall vision for elevating Canadian brokers. → The fundamental impact brokers have on the lives of Canadians, multiple ways brokers positively impact the Canadian economy, and how the broker community should be measuring success.   Pineapple Mortgage Website: www.gopineapple.com [https://gopineapple.com/] Pineapple Mortgage LinkedIn: @PineappleMortgage [https://www.linkedin.com/company/pineapplemortgage/] Pineapple Mortgage Instagram: @pineapplemortgage [https://www.instagram.com/pineapplemortgage/] Pineapple Mortgage YouTube: @PineappleMortgage [https://www.youtube.com/@PineappleMortgage] Shubha Dasgupta's LinkedIn: @ShubhaDasgupta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/shubhadasgupta/] Shubha Dasgupta's Instagram: @shubs88 [https://www.instagram.com/shubs88/] ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts [https://lendingthoughts.podbean.com/] 📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod [https://www.youtube.com/@LendingThoughtsPod] 📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.instagram.com/lendingthoughtspod] ⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@lendingthoughtspod] 👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lending-Thoughts-Podcast/61565982590699/?sk=about] ***   CONNECT WITH BEKIM 📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita [https://www.instagram.com/bekim_merdita/] 📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekim-merdita-475b6788/] ***   CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA 🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca [https://www.rocketpro.ca/] 📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada [https://www.instagram.com/rocketprocanada/] 📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-pro-canada] 👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559727274459] ***

18: Living Life By Design, Not Default with MCAP's Megan McDonald

WATCH ▶️ Watch this episode on Youtube [https://youtu.be/AwwDVkV0JKY] ***   EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Bekim is joined by Megan McDonald. An industry legend, Megan is the Sr. Vice-President of Single Family Sales at MCAP from Vancouver,  BC. MCAP is Canada’s largest independent mortgage financing company, with annual sales exceeding $20 billion and over $150 billion in Mortgages Under Administration (MUA). Since joining MCAP in 2006, Megan’s transformative leadership has led to innovations in coaching, culture, and customer experience.   Currently, Megan is charged with driving the growth of the flagship brands through regional and new market penetration, and is also responsible for the national sales mandate for both MCAP and Eclipse brands, as well as the Broker Intelligent and Engagement (BEI) for product and channel development. Megan is also an acclaimed professional development speaker and is often called to speak at conferences nationwide.   Megan is here to discuss: → Her journey at MCAP and building a culture of growth and ambition, helping others achieve success, and evolving from being the biggest to becoming the best. → Rethinking sales & sales culture, how people work with people, not companies, the value of the broker/lender partnership, and what brokers should be paying attention to right now. → Entrepreneurial thinking & freedom of choice, living life by design, not default, structuring a purposeful life through systems, and owning your day.   MCAP Website: www.mcap.com [https://www.mcap.com/] MCAP LinkedIn: @MCAP [https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcap/] Megan McDonald's LinkedIn: @MeganMcDonald [https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-mcdonald-ba-679b8417/] ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts [https://lendingthoughts.podbean.com/] 📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod [https://www.youtube.com/@LendingThoughtsPod] 📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.instagram.com/lendingthoughtspod] ⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@lendingthoughtspod] 👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lending-Thoughts-Podcast/61565982590699/?sk=about] ***   CONNECT WITH BEKIM 📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita [https://www.instagram.com/bekim_merdita/] 📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekim-merdita-475b6788/] ***   CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA 🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca [https://www.rocketpro.ca/] 📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada [https://www.instagram.com/rocketprocanada/] 📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-pro-canada] 👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559727274459] ***

17: The Gift of Perspective from a “Cancer Thriver” with Collective Mortgage Group's Christine Buemann

WATCH ▶️ Watch this episode on Youtube [https://youtu.be/sXKC9WVPcqQ] ***   EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this episode, Bekim is joined by Christine Buemann. Christine is a Mortgage Broker and also a Co-Founder & Co-Owner of The Collective Mortgage Group from Prince George, BC. Christine started her mortgage journey in 2010 at 24-years-old, priding herself on making her clients' well-being her utmost priority. Since 2022, Christine has also been a "cancer thriver", and candidly shares her courageous journey with the world. The Collective Mortgage Group is a boutique brokerage designed for experienced Brokers to maintain their autonomy.    Christine is here to discuss: → Becoming a broker and her current role in her business, how to run a boutique brokerage, and cultivating the correct company culture. → Process and design mapping to build the business you want, creating structure with action-based goals, and why you must have an avatar client. → Compassion over self-criticism, contentment over happiness, and fulfillment in the everyday. → Redefining what it means to be successful, embracing community, and the gift of perspective.   Collective Mortgage Group Website: www.thecollectivemortgage.ca [https://www.thecollectivemortgage.ca/] Collective Mortgage Group LinkedIn: @CollectiveMortgageGroup [https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-collective-mortgage-group/] Christine Buemann Mortgage Team Website: www.christinebuemann.ca [https://www.christinebuemann.ca/] Christine Buemann Mortgage Team Instagram: @christinebuemannmortgage [https://www.instagram.com/christinebuemannmortgage/] Christine Buemann's LinkedIn: @ChristineBuemann [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-buemann-8a440a25/] Christine Buemann's Instagram: @christinebuemann [https://www.instagram.com/christinebuemann/] ***   CONNECT WITH THE SHOW 🎙️ Lending Thoughts Podcast: @lendingthoughts [https://lendingthoughts.podbean.com/] 📺 Lending Thoughts Podcast YouTube: @LendingThoughtsPod [https://www.youtube.com/@LendingThoughtsPod] 📸 Lending Thoughts Podcast Instagram: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.instagram.com/lendingthoughtspod] ⏰ Lending Thoughts Podcast TikTok: @lendingthoughtspod [https://www.tiktok.com/@lendingthoughtspod] 👥 Lending Thoughts Podcast Facebook: @LendingThoughtsPodcast [https://www.facebook.com/people/Lending-Thoughts-Podcast/61565982590699/?sk=about] ***   CONNECT WITH BEKIM 📸 Bekim Merdita's Instagram: @bekim_merdita [https://www.instagram.com/bekim_merdita/] 📋 Bekim Merdita's LinkedIn: @BekimMerdita [https://www.linkedin.com/in/bekim-merdita-475b6788/] ***   CONNECT WITH ROCKET PRO CANADA 🔗 Rocket Pro Canada Website: www.rocketpro.ca [https://www.rocketpro.ca/] 📸 Rocket Pro Canada Instagram: @rocketprocanada [https://www.instagram.com/rocketprocanada/] 📋 Rocket Pro Canada LinkedIn: @RocketProCanada [https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-pro-canada] 👥 Rocket Pro Canada Facebook: @RocketProCanada [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61559727274459] ***