Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharla Ellis.
Hi Sharla, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for this opportunity to share a little bit about me. I’m a mother to two amazing children, Judd (almost 24) and Lexi (18, and a senior in High School). Judd is married to a wonderful young woman, Sarah. I’ve been married to the love of my life, Steve, for thirty-eight years, and we are new grandparents as of this past year to the most precious little guy ever! These are some of the titles that I cherish the most, and I love spending time with my family! I have also had the privilege of being a residential mortgage lender for over thirty years and helping to make homeownership dreams come true! And I’ve realized over the years that what I do is so much more than mortgages! When Lexi, was about seven years old, she told her elementary school class that her mom’s job was to help little girls get their own bedrooms — and she was right!
I started in the financial sector years ago as a receptionist at a large bank (Chase). I was there for two years and got to help in the “back” with some loan processing. I was attending the University of Utah at the same time and ended up leaving Chase to work at a law firm for a little higher pay in order to take more classes and finish my degree sooner. I graduated with a Bachelor’s in Accounting and immediately returned to Chase and started my career as a loan officer.
The mortgage world just seemed to “click” for me, and I loved using my accounting background to help with solutions for our clients. For many years, Chase offered only “jumbo loans,” and so I cut my teeth on the affluent borrower and learned how to take care of clients who were purchasing luxury properties. I understood well the ofttimes-sophisticated financial profiles of the self-employed borrower, entrepreneurs, and trust beneficiaries. I not only developed a positive reputation for doing complex loans, but I became known for serving clients in an excellent way.
When the credit crises occurred in 2009, Chase closed all independent offices and kept open only bank branches. My team and I left at that time and moved from the banking world to the mortgage company world. We worked for a smaller mortgage company until 2019 and then moved over to our current employer, Fairway Independent Mortgage Corp. I have loved being with both the bank and mortgage company sectors, and my team and I are so happy being with Fairway.
I have always been a consistent top 1% industry producer, having received many awards and accolades, including being named numerous times as “Chase Elite,” while I was there, which was an award given at Chase each year for the highest production in a specific lending category. For me, that was having the overall highest volume, construction volume, and purchase volume of any single originator. I have been a President’s Club top-originator qualifier at each of my workplaces for my closed loan volume, back since my first year in the business. In 2022, I was Fairway’s top originating loan officer for highest client satisfaction survey scores, company-wide, out of just under three-thousand originators. None of this — especially the trusting relationships of those I work with each day — is taken lightly. I know that my successes are made possible through my loyal clients and sources who refer me over and over again, as well as my talented team, who shares in my Vision and passions. Our clients know how it feels to receive some of the best mortgage services in the industry. They show us this through their 5-star reviews and coming back to us year after year, allowing us the privilege of helping them with loan after loan. This is the reason we love what we do and why we work so hard to try and be the best at it.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I’m an optimist – my maiden name is “Jolley,” and so, yes, I’ve had an AMAZING career and it HAS been a smooth road … for the most part. I’m so very fortunate to have had such luck and grace in my life.
That said, I’ve also seen a handful of economic turndowns and subsequent government regulations that have tightened the lending processes – and created certain challenges there – but even all of that has had methodology and reason behind it.
No matter what has come my way in either business or life, I’ve had to learn if I want to meet my goals and reach my dreams, I need to “roll with the punches” and “pivot” quickly. I’ve appreciated my amazing husband for being the best-sounding board and listener and advice-giver, plus my wonderful coaches and mentors for inspiring me to figure out ways to grow and progress, despite any obstacles.
I’ve come to realize that there are things we can’t control, but there are also many things we can control. It’s been a blessing to have a positive attitude and an “ongoing improvement” mindset and philosophy, which allows me to tweak and improve what is needed so things can work smoothly in my life and my business. That’s what brings me the most joy and happiness, and it’s really one of my secrets to being productive and successful.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in residential mortgages and offer just about everything needed to adequately meet our borrower’s needs and objectives. We offer purchases and refinances of primary residences, second homes, and investment properties. We can lend on single-family residences, including condominiums, and multi-family properties up to four units. We help first-time homebuyers, move-up borrowers, and investors. We offer all the residential programs, including conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, USDA. We also have specialty programs for physicians, professionals, Veterans, and down payment assistance.
My years of valuable experience is what sets me apart from others. I have an in-depth understanding of credit policy, loan program, and parameters, and since I’ve been lending for so many years, I’ve seen at least one of everything and absolutely know how to handle delicate and unique situations. I know right from the very first conversation with a borrower or referral partner what makes an approvable loan and how we will get to the finish line. I love helping our borrowers make smart decisions so they can build wealth through real estate.
I also believe that a great mortgage experience is a team effort! I currently have an amazing team. Our systematic approach and our processes are designed to exceed expectations. Our unique approach to mortgage lending creates high trust and lasting relationships. We offer some of the fastest turn times in the industry, which has always been a special niche that I offer to our clients and sources.
I’m most proud of the passion we have to provide first-class customer service. The mortgage industry is highly regulated and, let’s face it, getting a mortgage can be somewhat complicated! Regardless, we have made it our personal mission to help that process seem just a little easier… and to help create confidence, peace of mind… and smiles… for everyone involved.
I also love being at Fairway. Fairway provides me with the platform and tools to focus on those things that are most important to me. Fairway is one of the biggest companies in its sector, but we’re organized like a local business, with a genuine focus on customer service. One of my favorite quotes from our CEO, Steve Jacobson, is “It’s not about the loans we do. It’s about the hearts we change and the people we help.” That has always been my philosophy, too, and I am grateful to be with an organization who puts such a focus on its clients and serving them.
Over the last few years, I have had the privilege of being able to “give back” and share with others the many lessons and insights that I have learned throughout my career. I’ve been able to speak at events and conferences and also coach and mentor individuals. I love to help and inspire others to set goals and reach their potential so they can live life and do business at a higher level. It’s been so rewarding.
In 2022, I was chosen to be a Salt Lake City Host of the Emmy-nominated American Dream TV show. As a mortgage lender, my segment is produced under the name “Financing the American Dream.”
The American Dream TV show is centered around lifestyle, culture, and real estate. It generates millions of views on cable, social media, and streaming platforms such as Apple TV, Amazon Prime, and Roku. The show’s ultimate goal is to win an Emmy through positive media, highlighting stories of our neighborhoods that make this Country great! I’ve had a blast doing this and showcasing our beautiful State of Utah — the amazing people, places, businesses, and properties. Please reach out to me if you know of an exciting story and/or property to be considered for and showcased on a future show!
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I’m very goal-driven! I feel this has been a very important quality to the successes I’ve experienced. It reminds me of a fun story from when I worked at the law firm I mentioned back in my younger days.
All of the attorneys there were successful and had solid reputations. The specific attorney I worked for had a BMW. I told him one day I was saving up for a BMW, too. I was serious about it, but I also remember it made him smile.
He went on a trip to Germany and brought me back a small, red BMW model car and a double-page spread magazine ad, with a beautiful red “beamer” in the center of the ad. The caption was in German. It said “Reiz der Optik.” He told me it meant “Raise Your Sights.”
He’ll never know how much that gift shaped me – he essentially had given me permission to dream. And dream I did! Every day, my intention and focus was to “Raise My Sights.” Of course, I got that BMW (and actually put that phrase on my vanity license plate!)… but in that pursuit, it became about so much more than a fancy automobile. And over time, that way of thinking transformed me and has helped me to live life at a higher level.
I love this Brian Tracy quote: “You are not what you think you are, but what you think, you are.” So, “Raise Your Sights,” and I promise that great things will happen to YOU!
Contact Info:
- Email: sharla@sharlaellis.com
- Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharla-ellis-7b50b825/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharlaellismortgages/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharlaEllisMortgages
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/SharlaE77525885
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharla-ellis-7b50b825/
Image Credits
Robin Johnson Photography
Craig Bolerjack
