Notorious WMN

notoriouswmn

Welcome to Standout—the podcast that spotlights bold women who are breaking barriers, rewriting the rules, and making their mark in business and beyond. Hosted by women, for women, Standout goes beyond the highlight reel and gets real about what it takes to build a standout life and career in a world that doesn’t always play fair. Each episode, we sit down with trailblazing entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and everyday disruptors who share their unfiltered stories, hard-earned lessons, and actionable strategies. From scaling businesses and mastering money moves to navigating mindset, motherhood, and everything in between—if it matters to women who want more, we’re talking about it. If you’re ready to stop shrinking and start shining, pull up a seat at our table. This is your invitation to be unapologetically ambitious, wildly successful, and fully yourself. Because here, we don’t just stand out—we lift each other up. Subscribe, listen, and get ready to own your spotlight. #StandoutPodcast

  1. Sep 27

    The Patriarchy in Pink: Eelishe Taylor on Ambition, Mom Guilt & 25 Years in Mortgage

    Paige Hernandez sits down with her older sister. Eelishe Taylor has a doctorate in biochemistry. She never planned to be in mortgage. She took a break after her PhD, ended up doing the books at her mother's business, started writing commission checks to loan officers who showed up in golf clothes, and thought: what exactly is going on here. She had her license within six months and never went back. Twenty five years later she and Paige get into the things sisters can say to each other that most people in this industry will not say out loud. In this episode: Why the patriarchy in pink was the real fight, and why the men were the easy part "Other women have been the hardest on me" The double standard nobody names: men sacrifice for their families, women sacrifice their families for their careers Why Eelishe stopped trying to balance motherhood and business entirely, and what she does instead Building a circle in your forties and why it stays small on purpose The $500 VA loan, the cabin in the mountains, and the deck she painted herself to pass the re inspection Why "everybody deserves housing" and "I am the right originator for that client" are two different statements The bathtub photo that set off a small firestorm, and what it says about women and money Why awards for top units benefit the company and nobody else "If I can control how you spend your time, I can control you" The never ending pit of outside recognition, and what changed when Paige stopped chasing it Measuring success by money when you do not know anyone's inner life This one is for anyone who has been told they are not doing enough, by an industry that profits from them believing it. 📲 Follow us across all platforms: notoriouswmn.com STANDOUT by NOTORIOUS® exists because companies believe the female voice deserves a bigger stage. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us create content, community, and experiences that celebrate and elevate women in mortgage. Together, we're changing what's possible. ✨ Thank you to: The Loan Store Rocket Pro Broker Insights Group Coastal Breeze Processing #StandoutCabo #WomenInMortgage #MortgagePodcast #EelisheTaylor #PaigeHernandez #WomenInBusiness #MortgageBroker #WorkLifeBalance #WomenWhoLead #LoanOfficer

  2. Sep 27

    "We Are in Real Estate. We Do Not Pay Tax." — Shawn Hansen on Wealth & Playing Her Own Game

    A CPA. A real estate investor since the mid-90s. A single mom's daughter who grew up in the projects watching her mother circle houses in the classifieds she couldn't buy. In this episode of STANDOUT Cabo, Paige Hernandez sits down with Shawn Hansen for a conversation about tax strategy, generational wealth, and building a completely unconventional path into mortgage in the second half of life. Shawn spent her career in tax consulting and preparation, built a CPA practice staffed entirely by women, and has owned real estate across multiple states — short-term, midterm, long-term, fix and flip, and co-living. Now she brings all of it to the table as an originator serving investors, and she is not shy about what the industry gets wrong. In this episode: Why real estate is the favored investment vehicle of the wealthy — and how depreciation actually works The difference between getting your taxes done and having an actual tax strategy Why you should never put real estate inside a self-directed IRA (and what to do instead) How so many people in mortgage know the power of real estate and still don't own any The big-eight accounting firm fishing trip that was so bad she started her own women-only event the next year "I don't want to play your game. I'm going to beat you at your game. I want to play my own game." The patriarchy dressed in pink — and why the first women through the door never really had a choice Why "it was hard for me so it should be hard for you" is the opposite of progress Rewarding top units vs. rewarding a holistic life — and who actually profits from the grind The duplex she bought for $86,000 a side and sold for $390,000 a side after 25 years How one house let her uncle live his final years with no payment — and still leave something behind Why the elders in your life should start spending some of what they built "You are buying a house. It's just whether you're buying it for yourself or someone else." This one is for anyone who has ever said "I'll get into real estate later" — and for every woman in mortgage who knows the numbers cold and still hasn't run them on herself. 📲 Follow us across all platforms: notoriouswmn.com STANDOUT by NOTORIOUS® exists because companies believe the female voice deserves a bigger stage. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us create content, community, and experiences that celebrate and elevate women in mortgage. Together, we're changing what's possible. ✨ Thank you to: The Loan Store Rocket Pro Broker Insights Group Coastal Breeze Processing #StandoutCabo #WomenInMortgage #MortgagePodcast #ShawnHansen #RealEstateInvesting #GenerationalWealth #TaxStrategy #Depreciation #WomenInBusiness #MortgageBroker #WomenWhoLead #BuildWealth

  3. Aug 24

    Chasing Perfection - a Zero-Sum Game: Rebecca Richardson on 25 Years, Personal Branding & Letting Go

    25 years in mortgage. A massive social media presence. And a conversation that goes way deeper than the industry. In this episode of STANDOUT Cabo, Paige Hernandez sits down with Rebecca Richardson — aka The Mortgage Mentor — for one of the most honest, layered, and refreshing conversations of the season. Rebecca has built one of the most recognizable personal brands in mortgage, and she holds nothing back about what that has actually cost her, taught her, and given her along the way. In this episode: Why building a big platform online is the best exposure therapy you'll ever get — and why it's not for the faint of heart How chasing perfection is a zero-sum game and what she does instead The use of shame and anxiety as motivators in this industry — and why fear-based leadership only gets you so far Finding the right company fit as an originator and why knowing who you are first changes everything Why she stopped hiding her femininity in business and what happened when she finally stopped The quiet part out loud — you don't have to grind yourself into the ground to be successful Friendship breakups, reciprocity, and what happens when you realize a relationship was built on what you could do rather than who you are How to lead via influence instead of fear — and why it's infinitely more powerful What Notorious has meant to her and why community changes everything This one is for every woman who has ever felt like she had to shrink herself to fit into a space that wasn't built for her. 🔗 Find Rebecca: @TheMortgageMentor across all socials 📲 Follow us across all platforms: notoriouswmn.com   STANDOUT by NOTORIOUS® exists because companies believe the female voice deserves a bigger stage. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us create content, community, and experiences that celebrate and elevate women in mortgage. Together, we're changing what's possible.   ✨ Thank you to: The Loan Store Rocket Pro Broker Insights Group Coastal Breeze Processing   #StandoutCabo #WomenInMortgage #MortgagePodcast #TheMortgageMentor #RebeccaRichardson #WomenInBusiness #MortgageBroker #WomenWhoLead #PersonalBranding #MortgageInfluencer

  4. Jul 29

    "Is This Even Worth It?" — Cheryl Dempsey on the Real Cost of Building Something From Nothing

    What does it really take to build something from nothing — while raising kids, running a business, and doing it all without a single cold call? In Episode 15 of STANDOUT Cabo, Paige Hernandez sits down with Cheryl Dempsey of Coastal Breeze Processing for one of the most honest, raw, and real conversations of the season. Cheryl started her processing company four years ago with $14,000 in top line revenue. This year she's on track to hit a million. And every single client came from a referral. But this episode isn't just about the numbers. It's about everything that happens behind them. In this episode: From $14K to $1M in four years — and why Cheryl almost didn't see it coming Why every client at Coastal Breeze Processing came from a referral and what that actually means The emotional weight nobody talks about in mortgage and how it can literally keep you up at night Learning to say no to business that doesn't fit — and why that's actually the growth The scarcity vs. abundance battle that every self-generating business owner knows too well Why the group chat changed everything — and what real community looks like for women in this industry The moment Paige's mom told her "figure this out or this business will kill you" Knowing when you've done your best — even when it still feels like it wasn't enough This one will hit different if you've ever asked yourself "is this even worth it?" and kept going anyway. 🔗 Find Cheryl: coastalbreezeprocessing.com 📲 Follow Cheryl on Instagram: @mortgagebrokermom 📲 Follow us across all platforms: notoriouswmn.com STANDOUT by NOTORIOUS® exists because companies believe the female voice deserves a bigger stage. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us create content, community, and experiences that celebrate and elevate women in mortgage. Together, we're changing what's possible. ✨ Thank you to: The Loan Store Rocket Pro Broker Insights Group Coastal Breeze Processing #StandoutCabo #WomenInMortgage #MortgagePodcast #WomenInBusiness #MortgageBroker #WomenWhoLead #CoastalBreezeProcessing #LoanProcessor #FemaleFounder #MortgageWomen

  5. Jul 13

    "The Comment That Changed Everything" — Kristin Guillaume on Bias & 23 Years in Mortgage

    What do you do when someone tells you your success has nothing to do with your talent — and everything to do with how you look? In this episode of STANDOUT Cabo, Kristin Guillaume, Account Executive at The Loan Store, gets refreshingly honest about 23 years in the mortgage industry — the gender bias she faced, why she didn't report it, and what she'd tell her younger self now. Kristin and Paige dig into the real stuff nobody talks about in this industry: The comment a male colleague made repeatedly that stopped Kristin cold — and why it was anything but a compliment Why women in this industry earn every single inch and still get told it's luck The ops vs. sales divide and why alignment between the two is everything People pleasing, saying no, and the boundary work that never really ends Why giving first is the fastest way to get unstuck What it actually looks like when women stop competing and start collaborating This one is honest, warm, and the kind of conversation you don't usually get to hear in a professional setting. 🔗 Learn more about The Loan Store:  @TheLoanStoreInc  📲 Follow us across all platforms: notorious.wmn.com STANDOUT by NOTORIOUS® exists because companies believe the female voice deserves a bigger stage. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us create content, community, and experiences that celebrate and elevate women in mortgage. Together, we're changing what's possible. ✨ Thank you to: • The Loan Store • Rocket Pro • Broker Insights Group • Coastal Breeze Processing #StandoutCabo #WomenInMortgage #MortgagePodcast #AccountExecutive #WomenInBusiness #GenderBias #MortgageBroker #WomenWhoLead #TheLoanStore

  6. Jun 29

    The Mean Girl Mafia, Boundary-Setting, and Building Wealth: Barbara Masters on 30 Years in Mortgage

    What does it really take to build a 30-year career in a male-dominated industry — while raising kids, setting boundaries, and refusing to shrink? In this debut episode of STANDOUT Cabo, host Amber sits down with veteran mortgage originator Barbara Masters for a raw, honest conversation about what nobody talks about in this business. Barbara shares how she fell into mortgage at 26 without knowing how to spell it, built a niche around equestrian property financing, and learned the hard way that boundaries aren't optional — they're the business model. In this episode: The "mean girl mafia" of mortgage and how to rise above it Scarcity mindset vs. abundance mindset — and when it finally clicks Setting firm boundaries without losing clients (or yourself) Why women in this industry tend to both love and hate it more than anyone else How losing physical confidence from health issues mirrored losing business confidence The truth about being an introverted woman in an extroverted industry Whether you're in mortgage, sales, or building any business as a woman, this one will hit. 🔗 Find Barbara: homeloanswithbarb.com 📲 Follow us: @notorious.wmn across all platforms STANDOUT by NOTORIOUS® exists because companies believe the female voice deserves a bigger stage. Thank you to our sponsors for helping us create content, community, and experiences that celebrate and elevate women in mortgage. Together, we're changing what's possible. ✨ Thank you to: • The Loan Store • Rocket Pro • Broker Insights Group • Coastal Breeze Processing #StandoutCabo #WomenInMortgage #MortgageIndustry #WomenInBusiness #FemaleEntrepreneur #MortgageBroker #WomenWhoLead #BarbaraMasters

  7. 12/26/2025

    How The Loan Store Is Redefining Mortgage Culture with a No-A**hole Policy

    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 A*****e 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. 💫 CONNECT WITH US Follow our sponsor The Loan Store: @theloanstore Follow Notorious: @NotoriousWMN Upcoming events: NotoriousWMN.com Join our community: Facebook group “Notorious WMN”

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to Standout—the podcast that spotlights bold women who are breaking barriers, rewriting the rules, and making their mark in business and beyond. Hosted by women, for women, Standout goes beyond the highlight reel and gets real about what it takes to build a standout life and career in a world that doesn’t always play fair. Each episode, we sit down with trailblazing entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and everyday disruptors who share their unfiltered stories, hard-earned lessons, and actionable strategies. From scaling businesses and mastering money moves to navigating mindset, motherhood, and everything in between—if it matters to women who want more, we’re talking about it. If you’re ready to stop shrinking and start shining, pull up a seat at our table. This is your invitation to be unapologetically ambitious, wildly successful, and fully yourself. Because here, we don’t just stand out—we lift each other up. Subscribe, listen, and get ready to own your spotlight. #StandoutPodcast