During our MLO CE, Matt made a statement during a feedback session that I have heard repeatedly in interviews with prospective Originator Hires. Molly asked Matt to repeat on video.

Southeast Mortgage is the best at promoting Builders and Relators and frankly we increase their sales through social awareness. Other Mortgage Companies talk about Southeast Mortgage in their sales meetings but it comes down to your company having the talent, resources, and commitment to drive sales to their partners and MLOs. Some try to imitate but our four year evolution in capability requires more capital that LLCs or Family owned businesses are willing to pay out of their pocket.

Kathy Gyselinck, Chief Operating Officer & Major Shareholder, discusses The SEM Culture & How We Have Changed The Path For The Future Of Our Employees.

“I have worked with Kathy at two banks and Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc. for 30 years. She shares our passion for fairness and opportunity for all. As one of our largest shareholders, Kathy is an example that belief and dedication to a common goal can fulfill your life’s ambition.” Cal Haupt, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

We have all seen the posts about empowerment and fairness in the workplace.  Southeast Mortgage has shared that belief and made tangible strides towards that relevant outcome since inception.  I believe a picture is worth a thousand words.

Since 1993, we have ensured all employees have the opportunity to be a shareholder (owner of Southeast Mortgage) and a path to earn the privilege of being an Officer of our company.

Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc., SEM, is not owned by a Husband and Wife, LLC with a couple of partners, nor a Family.  Our Family is the Families of our Team.  Our 32 Officers provide the leadership at SEM.  They are a talented cross section of America that creates an opportunity for all employees to become our 34th Shareholder (Owner) or an Officer whether they joined our company last year or 25 years ago.  Skill, Belief, and Creating value for our Shareholders is an equal opportunity reality for all our employees. Ambition, Skill, and Belief is the consistent measure of progression and success at SEM.

Other than being paid on your next loan or the salary you earn in operations, is there anything more than words at your current employer?  Your Sales Leader may have an ulterior motive, but you do not share that check.   What is your next step to accomplishing your goals and preparing for retirement?

Our Officers are tasked with executing the strategy for our Owners (Shareholders).  If you want real equal opportunity and want to join a great group of talented passionate leaders.  This is it.

I truly get excited when competitors copy or mock what we do.  We have always chased the horizon with a mindful eye on sustainability and benefit to our Shareholders.  Every day we find a new island as we voyage forward using innovative and effective tools.

SEM Innovations & Difference:
> 20001- Internal Appraisal Management
> CRM – Image based highly customized art that creates new applications for MLOs at no charge.  Also, capable of targeting market opportunity daily.
> Social Based relationship development (Social MAX Offices)
> Employee Stock Ownership Programs (Not an ESOP! ESOPs cash out an existing Owner)
> Media Studio in house with Partner Image services
> Video based awareness media with proprietary outreach programs
> Powerful Social Media Presence – Simply Drives Traffic & Sales to our Partners
> Life / Work Balance Corporate Center
> Best in Class Builder / Realtor support proven to increase Partner Sales
> Employees that Retire comfortably – who retired from your company?

Lately I have seen videos with our Green Screen Studio, Better Camera Work than the Selfie from a car, Professional Editing, Southeast signage, Announcing a CRM (SEM started its CRM in 2003), Mobile Applications, etc.  Imitation is Flattery.

The problem with Imitation is you have to be able to execute the cool stuff into a monetization strategy.  Its similar to those announcing the next new loan program that they may close one this year.  Its better for your Employees and Owners to focus on better delivery of the 99% of the products you actually sell.

Imitation reinforces our leadership in innovation and ability to disrupt the status quo.  As long as I can remember, the Mortgage Industry in Georgia has been primarily non-risk taking followers that tend to only do what the pack is doing.  The 2008-2009 Implode List filled up quickly due to this herd mentality.

I have found this is a dynamic industry.  You have to steer daily and innovate monthly to stay fresh and relevant.  If you do it well, MLOs, Partners, and Clients all benefit.  The scenery is always better from the front of the pack.

You have to work with those that have attained the success you want.  Look at your manager’s lifestyle?  Have they attained the success you strive for?  Are they moving from company to company?  If not, how can they show you the way if they can’t find sustainable success?  Since 1993, Southeast Mortgage of Georgia, Inc.  25 years of Innovation and Success.

The front of the pack is a better view!  Make your move !

If your company is always talking about Southeast Mortgage, come visit us and learn why.  If your “LLC or Family Owned Company” is not prepared to share ownership or equity, there is a path to ownership at SEM.

This one is vary rare. Probably 15 people have heard how the Club Drive Corporate site was found and developed. Also I explain the decision to relocate to our newest 30,000 sqft Corporate Facility in Duluth is not what most people think. When they get me talking about something I am passionate about, I never hold back.

Our Partners and Clients want Great Service, Competent Advice, and Real Added Value. Our Happy, Empowered, and Collaborative TEAM delivers.

How does a 25-year Old “Employee / Shareholder Owned Common Stock Corporation”

prosper through Two Recessions with the Highest Average Employee Tenure? Culture, TEAM Spirit, Fairness, Unlimited Skill Based Opportunity.

Knowing you matter, knowing you can make a difference, knowing your family time is important, and knowing you are on a team that you can own is a powerful formula for longevity of the TEAM and Empowerment of the American Dream!

Katie is a smart motivated mortgage professional who remained loyal to her prior employer for many years. She only knew one mortgage origination sales group that moved from one out of state parent company to another. We were very fortunate that her friend put Katie in touch with us due to the family sacrifice she had to make at her prior employer. We only needed an hour to learn what a smart, caring, and creative person Katie was. We knew she was a great fit and our Work / Life balance culture was the right thing for her family. I had to share her email to Kathy and the Department Heads. It’s a candid view from inside Southeast Mortgage.

From: Katie Dickens
Date: August 21, 2018 at 9:01:28 PM EDT
To: Kathy Gyselinck, Chief Operating Officer, and SEM Department Heads
Subject: Thank You
Ladies,

I was driving home tonight with a million things in my head and one moment in today popped out at me and it was our time in Kathy’s office today.

I want each of you to know that today is the first time in my career that an incredible group of women were in a room together and sharing a positive purpose and movement towards shared goals.

So often in business and in life women work against each other instead of collaborating and being truly joyful with one another. I know I haven’t been around long but I am so grateful already to be surrounded by like-minded and kind women in business and I just felt led to say that out loud to each of you.

Thank you for welcoming me and making me feel like I’ve been around for a long time and for showing me what a team looks like.

KD

PS…that cake was ridiculously good!!

Since graduating from GA TECH, I always wanted to work with teams. My fondest and best memories were created from being with my football teammates thus I knew the same connections had to be the same in work. Call it my surrogate to Football and team sports that were no longer my focus.

I knew working out early in my teens and speed training prepared me for sports and opened the door to attend Citadel and GA Tech. At Ga Tech, I realized preparing for my future was not going to be weight and speed training but knowledge of finance, organizational management, how the world works, and abstract thinking.

My banking career and Southeast Mortgage helped me better understand how we are all connected and helping others develop their knowledge base and skill set increases opportunity for everyone. During this time, there were always the super stars that only did what was in their best interest and more times than not used sketchy tactics to raise themselves up at the expense of others.

These experiences crafted what I believe to be a common truth in life and to be successful in work and with your family.

My job and responsibility to my TEAM and Shareholders is to ensure Southeast Mortgage is on the right and best sustainable path. The strategy has to be innovative and ahead of the curve, provide my TEAM with a safe and fair workplace, and prudently grow shareholder value through monetization of opportunity that ultimately creates opportunity for the whole TEAM (Village-I wrote this in 2006 Click to Read). For most of my career, competitors never understood what my TEAM understood working close to me. I have a compass that is governed by some general rules that I will not compromise. I want to pay it forward by sharing this brief narrative of what I have learned so far in my career and the personal rules that govern my life.

My personal rules that “I Believe” create a successful future in life and work.

1. Always tell the truth (The truth may be embarrassing but you will sleep better)
2. Do what you say you will do (Be reliable)
3. Be kind to all living things (I save turtles, help hurt animals etc. Good Karma)
4. Take care of your team and they take care of others and the whole team rises
5. Pay it forward (Teach someone something you were taught that helped you)
6. Always do the right thing (Even if its not a policy do what is right for those who have your back)
7. Never worry what others think or say, be yourself (Be you its more interesting)
8. Take Care of Yourself (Eat Well, Have a great bed to get great sleep, exercise)
9. Be bold (Speak up against unjust attacks, bullying, lies)
10. Hug your family every day and tell them you LOVE THEM

Cal

If you had to choose a TEAM to compete with that would give you the best chance to win and share in the rewards of success, what is your logical choice.

Choices (Click for Definition)
A. 2 LLC Members
B. Family Owned Business
C. 33 Shareholders that Share a Common Vision

If it were a basketball game, who would probably win?
If it were a dodge ball game, who would probably win?
If it were a baseball game, who would probably win?
When you have to compete in the Mortgage Industry?

Employee ownership has its benefits. It is hard to compete with a large team that possesses a diverse skill set that has a passion to be the best.

Can you join the LLC? NO
Can you join the Family? NO
If there is no path to ownership or being a part of ownership, what does that say about the value placed on your contribution to the LLC or somebody’s family. Are you really part of the TEAM?

Choose you, Choose your Family, Choose