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Have you ever felt that persistent inner voice urging you to break free and build your own mortgage brokerage? Craig welcomes back Jonathan Needham just four weeks after his previous appearance to address the remarkable feedback their conversation generated among brokers contemplating self-employment.

The pair dive deep into why so many qualified mortgage professionals struggle to make the leap from employment to independence. They explore how current employers often undermine confidence by planting seeds of doubt and how family and friends who don't understand the industry might unintentionally discourage your entrepreneurial dreams. As Jonathan powerfully notes, "A cemetery is littered with people who wished they'd done something about that little voice."

Both hosts share their perspective on the challenges of transitioning to self-employment, from managing impostor syndrome to balancing client work with business development. They emphasize that simply being good at arranging mortgages isn't enough – success requires understanding how to work both IN and ON your business. For those with aspirations to build and eventually sell a brokerage, they touch on what creates true business value beyond personal production.

What sets this conversation apart is the hosts' abundance mindset and genuine desire to help fellow professionals succeed. Unlike recruitment efforts with hidden agendas, Craig and Jonathan are motivated purely by helping brokers establish themselves on better platforms to execute their plans. This authentic approach resonated strongly with listeners of their previous episode, revealing a significant need for honest guidance in the industry.

The episode concludes with the announcement of a free, anonymous webinar on July 3rd (6-8pm), offering a comprehensive roadmap for those considering self-employment. Join Craig, Jonathan, and successful brokers who've made the journey from employment to ownership as they share practical advice, answer questions, and provide the support you need to turn your dream into reality. What's holding you back from taking the leap?

To book your space on the webinar, email events@thebrokerfoundry.com

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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The decision to bring someone new into your mortgage broking business isn't one to take lightly. When the pressure mounts—whether from unexpected staff departures or overwhelming workloads—the temptation to make quick hiring decisions becomes almost irresistible. But as this episode reveals, panic recruiting almost always leads to costly mistakes that can damage your reputation, drain your energy, and derail your growth plans.

At the heart of successful recruitment lies a crucial mindset shift. You'll never find another version of yourself—and that's actually a good thing. Too many broker-owners unconsciously search for clones when they should be looking for complementary skills and perspectives unified by shared values. The most successful teams don't mirror their leader; they expand capabilities while maintaining alignment on what truly matters: client service, ethical standards, and business vision.

Values alignment emerges as the non-negotiable foundation of smart hiring. While mortgage knowledge can be taught, core values rarely change. The podcast explores practical interview approaches that reveal a candidate's true priorities—including why those overly fixated on commission splits often make poor long-term team members. You'll discover why your intuition matters during recruitment and how to spot the subtle warning signs that someone isn't right for your business, regardless of their impressive CV. Most importantly, you'll learn why recruitment doesn't end when someone accepts your offer—it's just beginning. Proper onboarding and mentorship determine whether your investment in a new team member pays off or becomes another costly false start.

Ready to build a mortgage broker business that grows through careful, values-based recruitment rather than reactive hiring? Subscribe to The Mortgage Broker Broadcast, share with fellow brokers facing similar challenges, and visit craigskleton.co.uk to book a discovery call about taking your business to the next level. Remember—choose team members wisely, because they'll either multiply your effectiveness or drain your energy. There's no more important business decision you'll make.

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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Finding the perfect home for your mortgage broker career isn't just about chasing the highest commission split—it's about creating an environment where you can truly thrive. In this candid conversation, I dive deep into what mortgage professionals should consider when choosing a firm or network, revealing why this decision impacts everything from your daily satisfaction to your long-term success.

Most brokers focus solely on the financial aspects when evaluating potential firms, but as I explain, the cultural alignment and value match are equally crucial. Working in an environment that contradicts your professional philosophy creates constant friction that eventually leads to burnout. I share real-world examples of brokers who've stayed in misaligned positions far too long, simply because changing seemed too difficult.

Before committing to any firm, proper due diligence is essential. Be aware of recruitment tactics where you're being "sold" rather than guided. Ask critical questions about management style, compliance procedures, and contractual obligations. What happens if you want to leave? Are there penalties or restrictions? These factors often get overlooked in excitement about headline commission rates.

The psychological cost of working in the wrong environment can be devastating to your confidence and motivation. If you're feeling that disconnect already, don't fall into the trap of waiting until year-end to make changes. Every month in the wrong firm is a month of lost opportunity and unnecessary stress. Your business deserves to be built on solid foundations that support your vision, not just your current income needs.

Ready to evaluate your current situation or explore new opportunities? Visit craigskeltoncouk to book a discovery call where we can discuss how to find or create the ideal environment for your mortgage broker business. Your career is too important to compromise—take control and build the business you deserve.

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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What happens after the case completes? For most mortgage brokers and protection advisors, client engagement often drops dramatically post-sale. Yet that's precisely when the real opportunity begins.

Joanne Cole returns to the podcast to discuss how BrokerIQ (soon rebranding to Your Advisor Here) has evolved over 18 months into a comprehensive client engagement platform that's transforming how advisors maintain relationships with clients long after the initial sale.

The catalyst for creating this technology came from Joanne's own experience as an advisor, when she realised she was handing clients lever arch folders filled with policy documents and expecting them to remember all the benefits they were paying for each month. "Is this really what I'm presenting to my client in this digital age?" she wondered.

This platform helps advisors meet Consumer Duty requirements by documenting ongoing client communication and ensuring products remain suitable throughout their lifecycle. Unlike CRMs that focus on the sales process, this solution specializes in the post-sale journey – sending automated reminders about policy benefits, simplifying annual reviews, and creating a single digital location where clients can access all their financial information.

The impact extends beyond compliance. By providing clients with a branded app experience where they can access all their policies (including valuable add-on benefits like 24/7 GP services), advisors enhance retention while ensuring clients get full value from products they've purchased. This proves especially effective with younger clients who expect digital-first experiences but might otherwise overlook protection products.

As Joanne explains, "The client relationship does not stop when you complete your mortgage process or protection policies. It continues very much after that." By embracing technology that automates regular touchpoints without sacrificing the personal connection, advisors can build deeper relationships while freeing time to focus on what they do best – solving problems and providing expert guidance.

Connect with Joanne on LinkedIn or visit their website to discover how enhanced client engagement can transform your practice and ensure your clients receive ongoing value from

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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The mortgage industry is undergoing a technological revolution, yet many brokers remain hesitant to embrace these changes. Robert Rusu, founder of My Social Goals, returns to the podcast to share his insights on how AI and automation are transforming mortgage businesses—not by replacing advisors, but by eliminating the administrative burdens that lead to burnout.

As someone who entered the mortgage space without prior industry experience, Robert brings a fresh perspective to longstanding inefficiencies. He noticed that mortgage brokers spend countless hours on repetitive tasks: chasing documents, following up with leads, and managing administrative processes that could be automated. This observation led him to develop customized workflow solutions that integrate with CRM systems to handle these tasks automatically.

What makes Robert's approach unique is his focus on burnout prevention. While other companies may offer similar technological solutions, he recognizes that the true value lies in freeing advisors from the soul-crushing administrative work that distracts them from their core purpose. By implementing these systems, brokers can rediscover the vision that brought them into the industry in the first place.

The resistance to adoption often stems from fear—fear that AI will eventually replace human advisors or that the learning curve is too steep. However, Robert emphasizes that the cost of inaction far exceeds the investment required to implement these solutions. Those who embrace technology now position themselves ahead of competitors who may have more industry experience but lack technological efficiency.

For brokers feeling overwhelmed by technology or uncertain where to start, the message is clear: you don't need to become an AI expert overnight. Working with specialists who understand both the technology and the specific needs of the mortgage industry can provide the shortcuts needed to transform your business without the weeks of research and trial-and-error that Robert himself went through.

Ready to prevent burnout while maximising growth? Visit Robert's website or book a discovery call to explore how technology can become your silent partner in building a more sustainable, efficient mortgage business.

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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When Jonathan Needham first entered financial services as a teenage cashier at Nationwide Building Society, he could never have predicted the three-decade journey ahead. After struggling to balance his till and constantly putting notes in the wrong slots, Jonathan found his true calling in advisory roles—a path that would lead him through leadership positions at major organizations before eventually establishing his own firm.

In this deeply insightful conversation, Jonathan returns to The Mortgage Broker Broadcast after nearly four years to discuss how the mortgage industry has evolved—and where it's falling short. He articulates a powerful critique of today's training landscape, lamenting the disappearance of comprehensive development programs that once nurtured new talent. "The training was first class, the investment that the business made into people's development...I don't really see that these days anymore," Jonathan reflects, highlighting the aging broker population and questioning who will guide the next generation.

What emerges most clearly is Jonathan's passionate belief that relationships within the mortgage industry need fundamental reform. He describes brokers trapped in "loveless marriages" with networks that over-promise and under-deliver, treating professionals as mere "numbers in seats" rather than valued partners. Through Needham Financial and his collaboration with Cornerstone Network, Jonathan is working to create an alternative model built on "servant leadership" where brokers receive genuine, long-term support rather than just transaction-focused interactions.

Whether you're considering entering the mortgage industry, feeling stuck in your current arrangement, or looking to build sustainable value in your brokerage, Jonathan's candid insights cut through industry jargon and short-term thinking to reveal what truly matters. Ready to run your own race rather than someone else's? This conversation might be your starting line.

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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Every new mortgage broker faces a crucial strategic choice that can determine their long-term success: go broad immediately or build deep local foundations first. Through practical insights and honest advice, this episode dismantles the myth that rapid national scaling is the path to broker success.

The local-first approach offers undeniable advantages that ambitious brokers often overlook. There's something powerfully effective about becoming the recognized mortgage authority in your community before attempting to conquer broader territories. Local markets naturally foster faster trust-building, face less competition, and generate word-of-mouth momentum that's nearly impossible to replicate at a national level.

When you dominate your local market, you create a business ecosystem that practically runs itself. Consistent lead flow, high-quality referrals from satisfied clients, and strategic partnerships with estate agents, solicitors, and accountants become your growth engine. The episode provides actionable steps for establishing this local dominance - from optimizing your Google Business profile and collecting powerful reviews to creating location-specific content and meaningful community involvement. Most importantly, it outlines how to eventually scale the right way: replicating your local success model one territory at a time, ensuring each new location has the same solid foundation as your first.

Ready to become the go-to mortgage broker in your community? Book a discovery call at craigskelton.co.uk and let's discuss how to build your local authority and create the mortgage business you've always wanted. Remember: run your own race - but make sure you're running it on the right track.

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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Quarter one of 2025 has vanished, and with it, 25% of your year. For mortgage brokers, this moment demands serious reflection: Are you where you expected to be?

The exciting goals and fresh energy of January often fade without systematic review. Without a manager breathing down your neck, the responsibility for accountability falls squarely on your shoulders. This critical juncture offers the perfect opportunity to assess both business performance and personal growth trajectories before proceeding into Q2.

A thorough business evaluation examines financial metrics (revenue targets, completed mortgages, average case sizes), lead generation effectiveness, client experience quality, time management efficiency, and marketing consistency. Equally important is your personal development assessment: Are those January habits still intact? How's your mindset? Have you invested in your professional growth? Are you maintaining work-life balance and protecting your wellbeing?

The consequences of skipping this review are severe: another year of directionless drifting, repeated mistakes, and stunted growth. Conversely, taking time away from your desk—in a distraction-free environment during your peak mental hours—to honestly evaluate Q1 empowers you to make meaningful adjustments while nine months remain.

Setting specific, measurable Q2 goals transforms vague aspirations into actionable plans. Replace "I want more clients" with "I will generate 20 qualified leads monthly through LinkedIn" to create clear targets with definitive success metrics and weekly action steps.

Ready to ensure 2025 doesn't slip away? Book a discovery call at craigskelton.co.uk to discuss how targeted coaching can help you achieve your mortgage business goals. Remember, in this competitive industry, the most successful professionals aren't necessarily the most talented—they're the ones who consistently pause, reflect, adjust, and run their own race with intention.

Looking for one to one mentoring, visit my website to see how it works craigskelton.co.uk

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