Chasing Excellence

Tony Thompson
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Chasing Excellence is a podcast for founders, operators, and leaders focused on building high-performing businesses. Each episode features in-depth conversations with top performers across industries—with a strong focus on the mortgage industry, where success depends on consistent deal flow, efficient systems, and sharp execution. We break down: What’s driving revenue right now The marketing and sales systems that actually convert The real bottlenecks that are slowing down growth How top mortgage brokers and lenders scale in a competitive, regulated market This isn’t theory or recycled advice—these are real conversations with people actively building and scaling. If you're in the mortgage industry and want to grow smarter, simplify your systems, and close more deals consistently, this podcast is built for you.

Episodes

  1. Building Grand Line Lending from Scratch with Hussein Nasser

    1 DAY AGO

    Building Grand Line Lending from Scratch with Hussein Nasser

    Hussein Nasser is the broker-owner of Grand Line Lending — a Detroit-based mortgage brokerage he built from the ground up just 10 months ago, already closing $11 million a month with a purchase-focused goal of $150 million annually. In this episode of Chasing Excellence, he joins host Tony Thompson to break down exactly how he got there and where he's headed. Hussein's path started during college when a sales leader at Rocket Mortgage spotted his potential as a data analyst intern and recruited him into originating. After a decade in the industry — including six years as a team lead at UWM — he launched Grand Line Lending, named after the destination in his favorite anime where only the best go to prove themselves. What You'll Learn: How Hussein built a $11M/month brokerage in just 10 monthsThe 3 things he needs to scale from $11M to $20M a monthWhy the biggest challenge in the broker channel is post-closing — not lead generationHow renaming his team "loan advisors" instead of "loan officers" shifts the entire client relationshipWhy realtor partnerships are annuities and how to earn them the right wayWhy discipline — not motivation — is what actually builds a businessThe 60-90 day rule every originator needs to hear right now Connect with Hussein Nasser: Grand Line Lending: https://grandlinelending.com/ Follow Hussein Nasser: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussein-nasser-86a2781bb/ Subscribe to Chasing Excellence for weekly conversations with top mortgage professionals and industry leaders sharing what it truly takes to go from good to great.

    16 min
  2. From Welfare to Broker-Owner: Building 4MG Mortgage with Ashlin Endter

    1 DAY AGO

    From Welfare to Broker-Owner: Building 4MG Mortgage with Ashlin Endter

    Ashlin Endter is the broker-owner of 4MG Mortgage — a Miami-based brokerage she built from the ground up in just six years, going from first-time originator to top producer and team leader. In this episode of Chasing Excellence, she joins host Tony Thompson to share one of the most raw and powerful journeys the show has featured yet. Ashlin's story starts far from mortgage. After pursuing nursing at FIU, she hit rock bottom — dropping out, falling into depression, and ending up on welfare. A single phone call in 2019 changed everything. Today she runs a thriving brokerage named after the greatest motivation in her life: her two daughters. 4MG stands for "For My Girls." What You'll Learn: How one unexpected phone call in 2019 launched Ashlin's entire mortgage careerWhy she named her brokerage 4MG — and how a powerful "why" drives everythingThe #1 challenge facing originators today: urgency culture and the cost of having no boundariesHow Ashlin is building a sustainable business without burning out as a mom and leaderWhy brokers have a unique advantage right now — and how to stop selling rates and start selling solutionsThe mindset shift that separates good originators from great ones in a tough marketWhy gratitude for the hard moments — not just the wins — is what shapes real leadersConnect with Ashlin Endter: 4MG Mortgage: https://4mgmortgage.com/ Follow Ashlin Endter on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlin-endter-cfmp-cmps-cdlp-143751267 Subscribe to Chasing Excellence for weekly conversations with top mortgage professionals and industry leaders sharing what it truly takes to go from good to great.

    24 min
  3. Building a $200M Mortgage Brokerage with Shawn Smith of Sublime Financial

    1 DAY AGO

    Building a $200M Mortgage Brokerage with Shawn Smith of Sublime Financial

    In this episode of Chasing Excellence, he joins host Tony Thompson to share the mindset, systems, and decisions that took him from surviving the 2008 crash to running one of Dallas's top broker shops. Shawn Smith is the broker-owner of Sublime Financial — a Dallas-based mortgage brokerage generating $200M in annual volume with 23 loan officers across Texas, Oklahoma, Washington State, and Florida. Shawn's path wasn't straight. He managed a chain of health clubs, swore he'd never return to mortgages, then built Sublime Financial from the ground up in 2013. What followed is a masterclass in client-first leadership, smart growth, and staying ahead of industry shifts like AI and technology. What You'll Learn: How Shawn rebuilt his mortgage career after 2008 and why he almost didn'tThe 3 specific things Sublime Financial needs to go from $200M to $300MWhy AI and technology are the biggest challenge — and opportunity — facing mortgage pros todayHow Dallas's population growth creates a natural income advantage for originatorsWhy treating a $70K loan the same as a $700K loan is the foundation of long-term successHow saying "I don't know" builds more trust than pretending you have all the answers Connect with Shawn Smith: Sublime Financial: https://www.sublimefinancial.com/ Follow Shawn on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawn-smith-6ba41a71/ Subscribe to Chasing Excellence for weekly conversations with top mortgage professionals and industry leaders sharing what it truly takes to go from good to great.

    15 min

  4. 17 APR

    Chasing Excellence with Tony Thompson

    What will you do with the time you've been given? Chasing Excellence is the podcast that brings you real stories from real people — from those already at the pinnacle of success to those just beginning their journey. Host Tony Thompson sits down with individuals who chose to pursue excellence over the ordinary, sharing their trials, tribulations, breakthroughs, and wisdom. Every episode is designed to inspire you, educate you, and move you — to chase YOUR excellence, whatever that looks like. 🎙️ Hosted by Tony Thompson 📍 New episodes dropping soon 👇 Follow so you never miss a story that could change your life.

    2 min

Trailer

About

Chasing Excellence is a podcast for founders, operators, and leaders focused on building high-performing businesses. Each episode features in-depth conversations with top performers across industries—with a strong focus on the mortgage industry, where success depends on consistent deal flow, efficient systems, and sharp execution. We break down: What’s driving revenue right now The marketing and sales systems that actually convert The real bottlenecks that are slowing down growth How top mortgage brokers and lenders scale in a competitive, regulated market This isn’t theory or recycled advice—these are real conversations with people actively building and scaling. If you're in the mortgage industry and want to grow smarter, simplify your systems, and close more deals consistently, this podcast is built for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Thompson
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    4
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tony Thompson
  • Show Website
    Chasing Excellence