🎙️ STANDOUT Podcast — “Redefining Leadership and Culture in the Mortgage Industry”

In this powerful live conversation from the Notorious event in Austin, host Paige Taylor Hernandez sits down with Teresa Reber, Chief Operating Officer of The Loan Store, to unpack what it really means to lead with authenticity, collaboration, and courage in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Teresa, a 22-year mortgage veteran, shares her journey from loan officer to executive leadership, offering a transparent look at how she and CEO Phil have reshaped The Loan Store’s culture to prioritize people over profit. Rather than focusing rewards at the top, their leadership philosophy distributes success across the company — empowering every team member to feel part of the collective mission.

The conversation dives into how The Loan Store is “re-engineering” the mortgage model through empathy, inclusion, and forward-thinking strategy. Teresa emphasizes that sustainable success in lending requires human connection — not just automation. While AI and technology continue to transform underwriting, she argues that wisdom, intuition, and mentorship remain irreplaceable.

Paige and Teresa explore what true support among women in business looks like — beyond the hashtags and well-wishes. Teresa opens up about learning to silence imposter syndrome, embrace her individuality, and champion other women without falling into competition or comparison. She reminds listeners that the real measure of leadership is in how you create space for the next woman behind you — not just how far you climb yourself.

From sharing her early experiences being the only woman in the boardroom, to lessons learned from mentors who pushed her to think independently, Teresa offers grounded advice for women rising in their careers:

💡 Ask smart questions in every room you enter.

💡 Don’t dim your light to fit in — wear the shoes, the jewelry, the confidence. 💡 Build habits of daily self-learning and lead by example.

💡 Define what success looks like for you — and reverse-engineer the roadmap to get there.

The episode closes on a personal note as Teresa discusses balance, purpose, and the importance of joy outside of work — from 6 a.m. pickleball to simply “watching paint dry.” She reminds us that rest, hobbies, and laughter are not luxuries, but essential fuel for leadership and creativity.

Recorded live amid the energy of hundreds of powerhouse women, this STANDOUT episode embodies the event’s pillars — Create, Collaborate, Connect, and Celebrate — and captures the very heartbeat of Notorious: women showing up fully, leading boldly, and rewriting the rules of success together.

Guest: Teresa Reber, COO of The Loan Store

Host: Paige Taylor Hernandez

Event: The 2nd Annual Notorious Women in Mortgage — Austin, 2025

Ever wonder how the “magic” in your business really happens?

Kristi Murphy, a powerhouse in the mortgage and real estate world, joins us to reveal how action, connection, and mindset—not a perfect business plan—can completely shift your trajectory.

From her early days as a 23-year-old breaking into the industry to now mentoring clients and building a thriving business, Kristi shares the moments that redirected her path and the lessons she learned along the way. In this episode, Kristi gets real about: The pivotal “whoosh” moments that changed everything—like saying yes to a tiny local speaking gig that led to national opportunities.

The power of energy exchange and setting boundaries—why knowing your worth and protecting your time is a game-changer. Overcoming limiting beliefs—how she flipped the switch from doubting herself to embracing her full potential. Embracing sensitivity and authenticity—how being both empathetic and direct has become her superpower in business and life.

The “two wolves” fable and mindset mastery—why feeding the right inner voice is key to winning in both business and life. How mortgage and real estate opened doors for her—learning from clients, mentors, and her own hands-on experience to soar in the industry.

Human Design insights—why Kristi thrives when connecting people and facilitating growth, rather than just “working” for the sake of it. Kristi’s journey is a masterclass in pivoting, trusting your instincts, and showing up fully—without overexplaining or trying to fit into someone else’s mold.

She also dives into lessons on resilience, self-worth, and using your unique gifts to create meaningful impact, all while keeping fun, community, and personal growth at the center of her journey. Whether you’re building a business, scaling your career, or just looking for inspiration to trust yourself and take bold steps forward, this episode is packed with wisdom, real talk, and actionable takeaways.

Plus, you’ll get a peek into how mentorship, authentic connections, and saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities can completely change your life.

✨ Key Takeaways: Action beats perfection—your plan will evolve, and unexpected opportunities often lead to your biggest wins.

Set boundaries and recognize energy exchange—know what you give and receive in all relationships.

Your mindset is everything—feed the wolf in you that wants growth, not doubt.

Authenticity attracts opportunity—stop overexplaining and start showing up as yourself.

If you want to soar in business, life, and mindset, this episode is your blueprint.

🔥 Real estate isn’t just about houses—it’s about people, patience, and playing the long game.

In this episode of STANDOUT, host Paige Taylor Hernandez sits down with her sister, Eelishe Taylor, to spill the real, behind-the-scenes truth of what it takes to navigate high-stakes real estate deals.

From deals that almost fell apart to clients who pushed boundaries to the max, Eelishe shares the lessons she’s learned about negotiation, communication, and protecting your sanity—and your business. Not every client is worth the stress, and not every deal is worth compromising your value. 💡

“You have to know when to walk away,” Eelishe says. She opens up about clients who tested her patience, times she lost tens of thousands of dollars by cutting her commission, and why learning to set boundaries changed her business—and her life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How to manage tricky clients without losing your cool.

The secrets to keeping agents, buyers, and sellers informed and aligned so deals don’t derail.

Why communication is the ultimate negotiation tool.

How to protect your value while still closing deals.

Stories of deals gone sideways and what they taught her about strategy, people, and patience.

Eelishe talks about the power of being a “puppet master” in real estate—managing information, expectations, and emotions—so that when hiccups happen, they don’t turn into disasters. She also dives into the lesson every entrepreneur needs to learn: not every paycheck is worth your peace of mind.

Whether you’re a real estate pro, a first-time buyer, or just love a good behind-the-scenes story of what REALLY happens in high-stakes deals, this episode is packed with insights you can actually use. You’ll learn how to work smarter, communicate better, and know when to stand your ground—all while keeping your cool.

💬 “Everybody wants the same thing: a successful closing. Buyers get their home, sellers get their proceeds, and we get the deal done. The trick is getting everyone to the table without losing your mind.” – Eelishe Taylor

If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to stand out in real estate (or any high-stress career), this episode is for you. Tune in for raw stories, actionable advice, and lessons on patience, people management, and saying no when you need to. Hit play, take notes, and get ready to learn from one of the best at navigating the people side of the game.

This is STANDOUT, and Eelishe Taylor is here to show you how to do business, your way—without losing yourself.