Today we’d like to introduce you to Erin Kline
Erin, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was hired as the receptionist at a mortgage company when I was 19 years old. I was working two less-than full time jobs at the time, unsure of what I wanted to do after college – and neither job provided benefits. Living alone in an apartment, I was making just enough money to pay my rent, my car payment, pay my bills, feed my cats, and feed myself. There were times that I had to choose to subsist on rice packets or SpaghettiOs so that I could afford to pay my bills and feed my pets. While it may have been wise to NOT have pets during this time, I was raised in a home that took in all manner of discarded beings – foster children and animals. I had – and still have – an incredible bond with animals, and could not envision life without them, so as a young adult I had cats as pets. and, as a “parent” or steward to these little beings, I would prioritize their needs over my own. As long as they were fed and cared for, if that meant eating SpaghettiOs, so be it. During this time, I had chosen to stop having federal taxes withheld from my paychecks so I could afford to feed myself and pay my bills. Understandably, my parents were concerned that I had no benefits – this was long before you could keep your children on your insurance through age 26, and I was determined to make it on my own. Then, my stepmom let me know that there was an opening at her mortgage company for a receptionist and encouraged me to apply – it had benefits and paid more than I was earning at my two part time jobs (at a restaurant and a car dealership). Luckily, I was hired – and the manager of that branch became my mentor. I worked my way up from receptionist to loan opener, to loan processor, to in-house loan officer and eventually to retail/street loan officer. I am so grateful for that opportunity – I never entered the mortgage industry with the intention of making it my career, I thought it was a stopping place on my way to figure out my career, and I ended up exactly where I was supposed to be!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I’ve had alot of challenges throughout my life and career, as have almost all of us.
After becoming a loan originator in 1992, I became disillusioned and frustrated with the mortgage industry as a whole, watching clients be taken advantage of and overcharged. Thankfully, I found a coaching group that inspired and encouraged me, and I am still with them today. They taught me to focus on the human beings I was helping, and to drown out the external noise and pressure in the mortgage industry. By focusing on the good I could do for others, it completely transformed my mindset and my business.
During the late 90’s, I was married to a man that was sent to Federal Prison. That experience changed me on so many levels – from seeing inside the legal system, with all of its strengths and shortcomings, to becoming the sole wage earner in a home that was not affordable for one person, to visiting my ex-husband in prison and to forging new paths to earning income to support our family (buying rental property, learning how to invest money, etc). During this time I also had to go through a lawsuit to reconstruct the home we’d purchased that had moisture intrusion, and oversee the reconstruction of the home. My mother and her husband moved in with me, due to their financial struggles. Atop all of this, I also took temporary custody of my twin 11-year old cousins – due to their loss of all family members/relatives, so had to learn how to become a parent. It was an extremely challenging time. I would find myself at my desk at 1pm, crying and trying to figure out how to manage it all.
Thankfully, I had a great group of friends, an amazing coaching group and a network of people who supported and encouraged me. I am so very grateful I was able to find the fortitude to not only survive, but thrive. Every day, I would wake up and tell myself that today was a new day, with new opportunities – and would work my very hardest to do everything I could to move the needle to the positive side of life by the end of the day. I remember telling myself that I could either hide under the bed or be brave and go out and make a difference. I chose to make a difference.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am most proud of my perseverance. As an endurance athlete, I bring the principals of long-distance endurance to my profession. I come to work every day with a passion for helping others. Growing up, I lived in a household that was constantly under duress financially – so I have made it my life’s mission to help others grow and succeed in the financial realm. Building wealth is so important for generational success. I pride myself on having empathy for each client, working to understand their story and how best to help them. I measure my success by the number of people I help, not by my income. I am so very proud of my client reviews and my designation as a “super mortgage professional” by Mpls/St Paul and TC Business magazine, as it is based purely on reviews from clients and peers.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Favorite books:
The Hidden Messages in Water
Multiple Streams of Income
Be Useful
The Four Agreements
The Body Keeps the Score
Greenlights
I have so many more, but we only have so much space. I love to listen to audio books – they’re a great portal to knowledge, expansion and growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://erinklinemortgage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erinklinemortgageconsultant/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ErinKline.PersonalMortgageConsultant
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-kline-5654323/
