Welcome to another installment of Inside the Lenders’ Studio, where we get to know top-producing lenders from their start in the industry through their rise to the top.
Our latest guest is Miriam Aiazzi, a Salt Lake City, Utah-based loan officer at Network Funding. For the past 20 years Network Funding has provided reliable customer service to homebuyers, processing over $20 billion in home loans.
Top of Mind Networks:
How did you get started in mortgage banking?
I had a friend that was in the mortgage banking industry who helped me get involved. I first got in on the marketing side, and was never really intending to be a loan officer. I transitioned to a loan originator role 16 years ago by default.
Top of Mind Networks:
What motivates me is making a difference in people’s lives and creating relationships. My job is about more than just the loan transaction. It’s also about establishing rapport and friendship that guarantees homebuyers will keep coming back to you over the years.
Top of Mind Networks:
Who is your digital mentor?
Kristin Crowley is my digital mentor. She’s a media coach and a wizard with Instagram.
Top of Mind Networks:
What is your top marketing trick?
My top marketing trick is to be diversified and use streams of social media as well as conventional forms of marketing. If you only use social media, you’re shooting yourself in the foot because not everybody likes social media. You’ll miss opportunities if you’re not also using other methods, like sending letters or calling people. Diversification is key in marketing.
Top of Mind Networks:
What is an on-the-job experience that made you especially proud?
I feel most proud of situations where I received feedback from my clients about how good a job I’ve done. I get instant gratification from knowing that I’m doing the right thing and I’m on the right track. That’s what gives me my kicks.
Top of Mind Networks:
Where would you go on your dream vacation?
For my ideal vacation I would go somewhere where there’s a white sand beach and clothing is optional.
Top of Mind Networks:
Show us your most treasured possession.
My most treasured possession right now is my book Windy’s Big Adventure. It’s a children’s book that I recently wrote and illustrated, and I am extremely proud of it.
Top of Mind Networks:
Who’s the most famous or interesting person you’ve ever met?
The most interesting person I’ve ever met is a Holocaust survivor that I was fortunate enough to have a conversation with. I am generally drawn to older people who have had colorful experiences and can share them with you. I don’t really care about the rich and famous. I’m more interested in people that have had real life experiences.
Top of Mind Networks:
If you weren’t a mortgage banker, what other profession would you like to attempt?
If I was not a mortgage banker, I would be a Rockstar and play the electric guitar. I’d be so good at it. My shows would be awesome.
Top of Mind Networks:
Rapidfire: You’ve just won an Oscar. Give us your top-3 acceptance speech shout-outs.
I would shout-out my mother, my sister Sandy and Mother May. Those have been my three female, rockstar role models in my life.