Jen Du Plessis: Empowering Mortgage Professionals to Achieve Personal and Professional Breakthroughs for Success

Jen believes“You can Live your Legacy while building it and when you work on purpose you can easily play with passion.” Jen is an industry Influencer, Keynote Speaker, Mortgage Lending Expert, Podcast and TV Show host, and #1 Best Selling Author.
Known as America’s Mortgage Mentor, she guides mortgage and real estate sales professionals who feel overwhelmed in their daily routines; resulting in sabotaging their personal lives for the sake of their business, to multiply results in record time – while having the courage to say YES to their personal lives!
With 4 decades in the Mortgage industry, Jen reached the top 200 of nationally ranked originators, was in the top 1% for over 15 years, and she has personally funded over $1 Billion in mortgage loans.
Jen is recognized as an Influencer in her industry as a #1 Amazon best-selling author of LAUNCH-How to Take Your Business to New Heights; Host of two podcasts – Top Ranked Mortgage Lending Mastery and Success to Significance: Life After Breaking Through Glass Ceilings.
Today Jen is passionate about empowering mortgage and real estate professionals to achieve personal and professional breakthroughs so that they can stop the daily chaos, by mastering their priorities to master their lives, attracting clients rather than chasing them, exponential growth rather than hitting the reset button year after year; and working on purpose to be able to play with passion!
In an interview with Insights Success, Jen sheds light on her inspiring journey and her contribution to the mortgage industry.
Below are the highlights of the interview:
Take our readers about your position at Kinetic Spark Consulting, and your journey since inception.
I incorporated Kinetic Spark Consulting, LLC in 2013, and have been coaching for over 20 years; well before I retired from origination 3 years ago; following a 35-year career in lending.  Helping others with their own success provides me so much joy, so in 2014, on a whim, I started a podcast called Mortgage Lending Mastery, to be able to answer questions I was receiving from around the country.  Little did I know that it would be the catalyst that would allow me to transition out of lending and into my passion today.
I’m delighted to have a boutique coaching firm that focuses not only on increasing production, but also adding value to the lifestyle of my clients during the process. Our goal is to help loan officers and realtors, live their legacies while they are building them!
What were the challenges and experiences you came across throughout your journey?
Gaining exposure with target markets is the number one goal for growth in the early stages of business.
After being recognized in the top 200 loan originators in the U.S., I was invited on numerous stages to share secrets, strategies & sales tactics with others, which led to expanded opportunities outside the mortgage business.
I was having a busy travel schedule, time away from my family (counter-intuitive to my company’s mission), and misappropriated dedication to the true growth of my company -mentoring others. My goal has always been to enact change in the lives of people I’m speaking to, and to help them achieve massive growth, while simultaneously transforming their professional & personal mindset.
Being a recognized business leader, what is your opinion regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Financial Services?
The COVID challenge was like many other market swings I’ve experienced. My initial response was to ensure my clients understood the technicalities surrounding the secondary market changes. Secondly, we shifted the focus to then becoming a leader to their clients and referral partners to reduce public fear and anxiety.
I’ve been concerned about the short-term gain for long-term pain. While many originators had their best year with loans falling from the sky; these were the same people struggling in 2019; who were wondering if they should stay in the business. The effects of COVID-19 propelled everyone into massive levels of production without the foundation or time needed to manage or sustain the volume.
Many originators may find themselves back where they were before the pandemic. My goal is to help them recognize this phenomenon to ensure growth longterm
What is your opinion on the necessity for businesses to align their offerings with newer technological developments, especially when it comes to New Home Loans and Refinancing?
In his book, The Millennial Samurai, George J. Chanos shares with readers the concept of a technology tsunami. We will see more technological change in the next five years, than combined over the last 150. I witnessed how quickly the mortgage industry adopted during the pandemic. Traditionally a slow-to-adapt industry, the swiftness was quite impressive. Those who adapted improved their performance levels. Others did not.
What would be your advice to the up-and-coming women entrepreneurs aspiring to enter the Financial Services Industry?
For the last 40 Years many women, like myself, have worked tirelessly to pave the way for future generations. Years ago, I was merely the token woman in a male-dominated sales force. I was constantly told I couldn’t be a top producer. I toughed it out, focusing on activities, facts and results; and therefore, climbed every ladder this industry has to offer.
Today, it’s easier and more profitable than ever. The only thing holding any woman back is her own limiting beliefs. I’d say, let them tell you can’t- then show them what you can do!
How do you envision on sustaining your company’s competency in a cutthroat and volatile world of business? Where do you see yourself in the next five years?
I am excited for the future! As the owner of 4 businesses, I see endless opportunities ahead. Women are innately better at building relationships (great for growth), demonstrate compassion (charitable & community involvement), curiosity (wonderful for client retention), frugal (highly competent with vision, planning, strategizing, and budgeting), and are highly organized (can multi-task, get things done, and delegate where needed). My team and I possess each of these qualities and are executing on many new strategies. What I’m most looking forward to in the next few years is to continue my own personal & professional growth to enable me to continue share and help my clients’ growth.
We are in pre-production for a new TV show I’m hosting, called “Tell me I Can’t” – where we explore stories of people who overcame adversity in their lives. Also, a new book of the same title that will provide ideas & strategies for women in business, to show what is possible.
Additionally, we’ve re-entered the in-person speaking, workshop, and retreat arena for more connections, masterminding and support for those wanting growth & sustainability in this rewarding & prosperous industry.
This industry requires work, no doubt. What I’ve found is that when I slow down long enough to do the work, formulate & concentrate; momentum & stability for success is easier to achieve.
So, stop talking, take action, get the results!