In this powerful episode of STANDOUT by Notorious, host Paige Hernandez sits down with one of the most influential leaders in the mortgage industry — Phil Shoemaker, CEO of The Loan Store (TLS) — for a deep, candid, and refreshingly human conversation about leadership, culture, purpose, and the future of lending.

With nearly 30 years in the industry, Phil has lived through massive market shifts, the rise and fall of major lenders, the grit of building Caliber from the ground up, and the explosive growth of HomePoint. But today’s conversation goes far beyond resumes and industry accolades. Phil opens up about what truly shaped him as a leader — the cultural shifts that pushed him away from corporate environments, the burnout cycles he refused to repeat, and the personal realizations that inspired him to build TLS differently.

At TLS, culture isn’t a buzzword — it’s the blueprint. Phil unpacks the now-famous “No Asshole Policy”, how it came to be, and why it has become a non-negotiable foundation for the company. He shares how TLS is structured with patient capital, long-term vision, and a commitment to spreading wealth and opportunity company-wide — not just to executives at the top. From equity participation for employees, to leadership development led by Rod Hairston, to initiatives focused on mental, physical, and financial health, TLS is proving that a mortgage company can be profitable and deeply human-centered.

Phil also gets real about gender dynamics in lending, sharing personal reflections about women in leadership, the barriers they face, and how the industry can — and must — evolve. His stories about his own wife’s career trajectory hit home for so many women who step away to raise children, only to re-enter the workforce feeling years behind.

The episode dives into: What inspired Phil to build TLS from scratch Why empowering leadership beats fear-based leadership every time The hidden costs of hustle culture and how COVID changed everything TLS’s incredible 38-acre property in Texas — and why physical connection still matters

The origin of the upcoming Notorious women’s retreat: “Burn the Business Plan” How somatic work, personal development, and subconscious rewiring play into success Why purpose — not profit — must be the true north

This is one of the most honest and insightful conversations we’ve had on STANDOUT.

Whether you're in mortgage, entrepreneurship, or simply someone craving healthier leadership and purpose-driven work, this episode will speak to your soul.

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