Latest / Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson / Mastering the Mosaic of Relationships: Episode 10 Networking Brilliance with Kathy May and Insights into Mortgage Trends

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Mastering the Mosaic of Relationships: Episode 10 Networking Brilliance with Kathy May and Insights into Mortgage Trends · Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson

• 0:00
  Speaker 1: Welcome to Ready Set Collaborate podcast with Rhonda Pearson, where we will dive deep into the world of networking, collaboration and partnership, unlocking the secrets to a successful team working within innovation.
• 0:15
  Speaker 1: Whether you're an entrepreneur, a creative professional or just someone eager to understand the power of networking and collaboration, this podcast is your go-to resource.
• 0:28
  Speaker 1: Join us as we explore the stories, strategies and insights from experts, entrepreneurs and thought leaders who have experienced the magic of networking and collaboration to achieve successful results.
• 0:41
  Speaker 1: Tune in to Ready Set Collaborate podcast on a journey towards achieving your goals with host Rhonda Pearson.
• 0:52
  Speaker 2: Welcome, welcome, welcome to Ready Set Collaborate podcast episode 10 with my girl, kathy May.
• 0:59
  Speaker 2: I am so excited about having Kathy May on my podcast.
• 1:03
  Speaker 2: She is one of my actually beginning of my networking journeys Augusti Girls.
• 1:09
  Speaker 2: So hey, kathy.
• 1:12
  Speaker 3: Hi Rhonda, thank you for having me.
• 1:14
  Speaker 2: Oh, absolutely Absolutely.
• 1:15
  Speaker 2: I couldn't do it without you, girl, I tell you.
• 1:17
  Speaker 2: You definitely brought me out along with Christine Powers, who actually introduced me to Experience Connection.
• 1:23
  Speaker 2: So I've been on a journey, kathy.
• 1:25
  Speaker 2: I've been a B&I Gusti Girls.
• 1:30
  Speaker 2: I was introduced back with Cami, and when I went to Gusti Girls, that's when I met you.
• 1:35
  Speaker 2: And I've been with you, kathy, for over God.
• 1:37
  Speaker 2: Was it five years?
• 1:39
  Speaker 2: Four years?
• 1:39
  Speaker 2: It's been a long time.
• 1:41
  Speaker 2: I've been with you ever since then, so you can't get rid of me.
• 1:45
  Speaker 3: Absolutely not ever.
• 1:48
  Speaker 2: So, but no, welcome to this episode of the art of networking and collaboration, and that is so important in today's world.
• 1:56
  Speaker 2: Today, you know when you're networking, that's how you actually network, but that's how you get friendships as well.
• 2:02
  Speaker 2: So but let me tell you a little bit about Kathy.
• 2:05
  Speaker 2: Kathy May is originally from Houston, texas, and relocated to Atlanta over 30 years ago.
• 2:11
  Speaker 2: Kathy worked in the residential property management's field for 15 years, serving as residential and area manager in Georgia, tennessee and Texas.
• 2:21
  Speaker 2: She was a candidate for certified property management in Atlanta and Kathy served on the Atlanta Atlanta a park and association membership committee for seven years and let's see I'm just making sure I have my time on here Over seven years.
• 2:41
  Speaker 2: Currently Kathy works in the residential mortgage industry as a licensed loan officer.
• 2:46
  Speaker 2: For 18 years she works on Bohanan team with the nationwide lender movement management.
• 2:53
  Speaker 2: She's one of the top ranking teams in Georgia.
• 2:56
  Speaker 2: And you know what, kathy?
• 2:57
  Speaker 2: You are a busy lady.
• 2:59
  Speaker 2: You're definitely busy.
• 3:00
  Speaker 2: So Kathy has a zest for life attitude yes, she does.
• 3:06
  Speaker 2: A true passion for helping people in a natural network.
• 3:10
  Speaker 2: Kathy started a local network and chapter with the national networking organization that was part of that for many years, which is still thriving today.
• 3:21
  Speaker 2: Through her business journey, she saw there was a need to help women, support other women in business.
• 3:29
  Speaker 2: Therefore, she created a monthly women's networking dinner group called Gusty Girls and her friends local restaurant Gloucestershire Grill in Acre, georgia.
• 3:38
  Speaker 2: 13 years later, the group is still going strong.
• 3:41
  Speaker 2: Yes, it is.
• 3:41
  Speaker 2: It's been 13 years, kathy oh my.
• 3:43
  Speaker 2: God yeah, kathy's interests include her love of networking, raced cars, skydiving, hiking, walking and practicing her photography skills.
• 3:53
  Speaker 2: She also enjoys working in her yard, especially if it involves cutting trees of Bernie Wood, tending to her rose bushes and fig trees in her garden and spending time with her pet birds and cats.
• 4:06
  Speaker 2: So, kathy, welcome to Ready to Collaborate podcast, and I actually named your chapter the success of networking and creating Gusty Girls.
• 4:15
  Speaker 2: So thank you for being on my show.
• 4:17
  Speaker 2: I truly appreciate it, so I'm going to ask you a few questions but do you want to say a little bit more about yourself.
• 4:22
  Speaker 2: I think I said a lot about you here.
• 4:24
  Speaker 2: I think you covered it Great.
• 4:27
  Speaker 2: So I'm going to ask you some questions here and you can tell us a little bit more about you, about how you got into this one.
• 4:34
  Speaker 2: How important do you think networking is for collaboration and why?
• 4:39
  Speaker 3: I think networking is absolutely essential because people are way more likely to do business with someone they know, like and trust.
• 4:47
  Speaker 3: So, even if you have never met someone, if one of your good friends gives you a glowing recommendation with someone they have done business with, you instantly feel more familiar with that person.
• 4:59
  Speaker 3: For example, any good friend of Wanda's is a great friend of mine.
• 5:03
  Speaker 3: Absolutely, absolutely, and people cringe when a stranger hits them with the sales pitch.
• 5:10
  Speaker 3: That's why it's important to connect with others through friendships you already have.
• 5:14
  Speaker 2: Yes, it really does, and thank you for saying that.
• 5:16
  Speaker 2: I appreciate it.
• 5:18
  Speaker 2: Now can you share an example of a successful collaboration that emerged from networking connections?
• 5:23
  Speaker 3: Sure, we connect in a monthly meeting, network meeting, and because of our consistency, friendships and relationships naturally grow and develop.
• 5:32
  Speaker 3: So we have an abstract artist in our group and several members of our networking group have shown up in her in-person to her art studio.
• 5:42
  Speaker 3: And there was a day where our very talented author, Shanna, scheduled a time to come view Mahara's art studio.
• 5:50
  Speaker 3: When she walked into the studio the first thing she saw was a five foot painting of a mysterious forest, and her book series is called the Elemental Union Just happens to be set in a mysterious place called the Midori Forest.
• 6:07
  Speaker 3: Shannon was blown away with Mahara's talent and the depth of the painting and it drew her into her fantasy world in her book series.
• 6:14
  Speaker 3: So Shannon was so taken from this painting that she purchased it on the spot and Mahara decided to name the painting Midori Forest to honor her writing.
• 6:25
  Speaker 3: And Shannon decided to make this painting Somethingelle and Shanna's paintings front cover of her third book, which is in the process of being written.
• 6:34
  Speaker 3: After collaborating we planned an event called a Festivity of Art and Literature to help celebrate these two artists and their work.
• 6:41
  Speaker 3: It's really great.
• 6:43
  Speaker 2: That's awesome.
• 6:44
  Speaker 2: And I saw that painting that hey she did for Shannon what a beautiful painting and also Shannon's book.
• 6:51
  Speaker 2: So that is definitely an example of collaboration.
• 6:54
  Speaker 2: But I mean, that's one collaboration but we've had so many other collaborations that we've done with each other, so it's a blessing to be able to have that connection and the networking that you do Because, like you said, you need the networking in order to collaborate with other people and, like a lot of us, I've never did it before.
• 7:13
  Speaker 2: Well, I was in corporate.
• 7:15
  Speaker 2: You know I did corporate, so I didn't know how to network and I had to learn it through B&I and B&I actually helped me to be able to get out there and do that one-on-one.
• 7:26
  Speaker 2: The relationships that you build with that and Kathy, building that relationship with you and the ladies there, it's just been like a friendship that you can always count and that really what brings, you know, just not about business, it's about how we can help each other.
• 7:42
  Speaker 2: You know, as far as the compassion right, Would you agree Exactly?
• 7:48
  Speaker 3: And that's just one of the stories.
• 7:49
  Speaker 3: There's many over there for sure.
• 7:52
  Speaker 2: It really is.
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: It really is.
• 7:53
  Speaker 2: It's just been a journey for me, because I'm gonna tell you, kathy, I said I would never do this, I would never do that, I would never do podcasting, I would never write a book.
• 8:05
  Speaker 2: And God said oh yes, you will, and I've just been following his lead.
• 8:09
  Speaker 2: So he's been following me, I've been following his lead to do what he asked me to do, his plans for me.
• 8:16
  Speaker 2: So thank you for that answer and that collaboration, a story of that there.
• 8:22
  Speaker 2: So let me ask you another question.
• 8:23
  Speaker 2: So what strategies do you recommend for building and maintaining strong professional network?
• 8:31
  Speaker 3: I think you need to learn to be a good promoter of other people's businesses Ask questions, learn about different products or services they offer, find out who their ideal customer is and, in general, take a serious interest in someone's business.
• 8:46
  Speaker 3: When you do that, people will naturally want to send referrals your way as well, and sometimes something as simple as remembering someone's birthday or attending their event or even giving them advice.
• 8:57
  Speaker 3: So there's many things that you can do.
• 9:01
  Speaker 2: It really is, and I tell you, like you said, that Cathy is actually one of my clients with Legal Shield, having the assets and telling what our business is and how we can help each other.
• 9:11
  Speaker 2: That has been a blessing with us and being with Cathy and other networking groups for over five years it has been a blessing for our business, a blessing as far as helping me to relationships and friendships that I received from that.
• 9:26
  Speaker 2: So, thank you, thank you, I appreciate that.
• 9:29
  Speaker 2: So let me ask you something.
• 9:31
  Speaker 2: Another one is about how can networking help individuals or organizations access new opportunities for collaboration.
• 9:41
  Speaker 3: Well, when everyone in the group invites guests to attend the networking events, we're extending our reach of people who know us and who are familiar with what we have to offer and like.
• 9:54
  Speaker 3: For instance, this podcast is an actual example of us collaborating on a project outside of the networking meeting.
• 10:02
  Speaker 3: After all, Wanda, if we would not have networked together, I wouldn't be on this podcast right now, so the possibilities are literally endless.
• 10:12
  Speaker 2: Yes, absolutely, absolutely.
• 10:14
  Speaker 2: It really is.
• 10:15
  Speaker 2: So the different and then some of our networking groups intertwine with each other and the same people that you meet at that networking group.
• 10:24
  Speaker 2: You may be at this networking group and they call me the networking queen.
• 10:28
  Speaker 2: The reason why I'm a networking queen is because I am a natural on social work.
• 10:32
  Speaker 2: I like to connect people.
• 10:33
  Speaker 2: So when I see people and they've been asking me Wanda, what networking group can I go to?
• 10:37
  Speaker 2: And the good thing about it is that it's so many that's out there, but with your group you have like a one person close about.
• 10:48
  Speaker 2: If they do different business than that, you make sure that they get the acclomates of actually telling us about their business instead of having someone who does the same business.
• 10:57
  Speaker 2: Is that right?
• 10:58
  Speaker 3: Yes, correct.
• 11:00
  Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, so yeah, it makes a big difference when we have that there.
• 11:04
  Speaker 2: So, yeah, the possibilities, like you said, are literally endless.
• 11:07
  Speaker 2: They are endless, though, so let me ask you another question here what are some common challenges or obstacles in collaborative projects, and how networking can mitigate these challenges?
• 11:23
  Speaker 3: Well, some common obstacles are nobody knows what you have to offer, people are not aware of your ability to help them, people may not see how your service or products can impact them, and some people are just too shy or hesitant to promote themselves.
• 11:39
  Speaker 3: Well, and networking helps each of these obstacles.
• 11:43
  Speaker 3: By over time, the people in the group become more aware of what you offer and how it will impact them.
• 11:49
  Speaker 3: We give many presentations that explain and demonstrate the details of our business, so we began to really see the expertise of the people around us.
• 11:59
  Speaker 3: Also, when you're surrounded by a welcoming and encouraging group of women, you know even shy people relax and come out of their shell.
• 12:07
  Speaker 3: So strangers turn into friends and friends turn into business associates.
• 12:11
  Speaker 3: It's a beautiful thing.
• 12:13
  Speaker 2: Absolutely.
• 12:14
  Speaker 2: And shyness, especially when I remember Shannon you talked about Shannon before how she was shy.
• 12:20
  Speaker 2: You know, coming into and just bringing it out, it really makes a big difference.
• 12:24
  Speaker 2: I mean, I've always been.
• 12:25
  Speaker 2: When I go to networking because I go to a lot of different networking events when I see somebody standing on the side or they, you know they feel shy.
• 12:32
  Speaker 2: I try to go off to those people to make them feel comfortable, you know, in their surroundings.
• 12:37
  Speaker 2: So it makes a big difference.
• 12:38
  Speaker 2: But you know what, kathy, that's the social work in me, that's the person, that's the type of person that I said.
• 12:42
  Speaker 2: I want them to get involved as well.
• 12:44
  Speaker 2: So I'm going to ask you something else.
• 12:47
  Speaker 2: I'll sign it.
• 12:47
  Speaker 2: But going back to the other one Now, I know you did B&I right what networking groups have you done?
• 12:54
  Speaker 3: Mostly B&I, and I've gone to XC before and some other networking groups in the past, but I am now just, you know, participating in the monthly GUSTI girls and doing my own marketing outside of that.
• 13:11
  Speaker 2: Exactly, exactly.
• 13:12
  Speaker 2: So no, that makes a big difference when you actually branch out, because I'm telling you, another networking I actually got into was the Fuller's Networking, so I'm part of that as well.
• 13:21
  Speaker 2: So I guess I'm the networking queen.
• 13:24
  Speaker 2: I jump around, I'm like a little bunny hopper, you know, jump around.
• 13:28
  Speaker 3: There's a lot of opportunity out there.
• 13:30
  Speaker 3: So I encourage everyone to find a group they feel comfortable with.
• 13:33
  Speaker 3: I mean, I was up to like four and five different networking groups at one point in time and I had to dial it back, but I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet new people and it's just.
• 13:43
  Speaker 3: It's becomes real natural to me to network.
• 13:47
  Speaker 2: Yeah, it really does, and it really does make a big difference with that.
• 13:49
  Speaker 2: So, but let me ask you another question.
• 13:53
  Speaker 2: Okay, how can you provide some tips for effective communication and relationship building with their no professional network, just as we've been talking about Helen?
• 14:02
  Speaker 2: How can you provide tips for that?
• 14:05
  Speaker 3: Oh, we suggest to find opportunities to get together outside of the meetings, because when you're one-to-one, face-to-face with people, they can get to know you a lot better and feel comfortable in referring their clients to you.
• 14:19
  Speaker 3: Always try to be a better listener, make it a point to be familiar with each person and the group and learn about their business.
• 14:26
  Speaker 3: And I can tell by my networking, you know, has gone to.
• 14:30
  Speaker 3: The next level is when I trade phone numbers with people in the group, because when someone's in your cell phone that means that you formed a personal relationship.
• 14:39
  Speaker 3: So you go from a stranger to acquaintance, then acquaintance to be in a friend.
• 14:44
  Speaker 3: And Zig Ziglar said it best you have everything in life you want.
• 14:50
  Speaker 3: You can have everything in life you want if you will just help other people get what they want.
• 14:57
  Speaker 2: I love that.
• 14:57
  Speaker 2: I love that because that's exactly what you know.
• 15:00
  Speaker 2: God always blesses you when you help other people, and that's why he maybe be a social worker.
• 15:05
  Speaker 2: He had me be a social worker, but that is the zigzag was set it all, and he did say it best here.
• 15:12
  Speaker 2: So I really appreciate you telling us about that.
• 15:15
  Speaker 2: But now I want to get into your business.
• 15:18
  Speaker 2: What do you do for your business?
• 15:21
  Speaker 3: So I'm a licensed loan officer with movement mortgage.
• 15:25
  Speaker 3: I've been in the business for 18 years.
• 15:27
  Speaker 3: I work on the Bohanon team and we are one of the top performing teams in Georgia.
• 15:35
  Speaker 3: We are a national company and I help John Bohanon work side by side with him to set up the mortgages and service the clients and get everything going with their programs and and and file, and then John and I work and close the deals and take them to the closing table.
• 15:57
  Speaker 3: John is excellent at, you know, finding the programs and working out scenarios.
• 16:04
  Speaker 3: We get a lot of referrals for turn downs from banks and other mortgage companies that can't actually close the deal because they just don't have the tools to do so, and it's a blessing.
• 16:16
  Speaker 3: We just treat it.
• 16:17
  Speaker 3: We're very humble and we treat it, as you know, every client that comes across to us or across our path to help them, and we're very successful with that.
• 16:28
  Speaker 3: So we're actually growing our team.
• 16:31
  Speaker 3: This year we are going to be very busy, which is a blessing, and we just give all the glory to God honestly.
• 16:38
  Speaker 3: So that's where we stand.
• 16:41
  Speaker 2: Yes, I tell you the busiest girl.
• 16:43
  Speaker 2: I tell you 1213 hours a day.
• 16:48
  Speaker 3: Monday through Friday.
• 16:49
  Speaker 3: You can count on me.
• 16:50
  Speaker 2: Exactly.
• 16:51
  Speaker 2: And that's what I like about you, kathy, because you help other people, because sometimes the banks too big of banks don't approve you, and I went through that with a bank that I had before and I said I would never deal with that bank again.
• 17:02
  Speaker 2: So, thank God, I was able to refinance with another bank I've never heard of, but I've been with them for over five, six, maybe six years to intertwine my second mortgage with that mortgage.
• 17:15
  Speaker 2: I told the guy, if you can bring both of these together and a lower interest rate, then I do it.
• 17:20
  Speaker 2: And then I did.
• 17:21
  Speaker 2: But I wish you around Before, kathy I started doing this because I definitely would have came to you to help me do that that deal.
• 17:30
  Speaker 2: So I encourage people to definitely reach out to Kathy because she has a wealth of knowledge.
• 17:34
  Speaker 2: As far as even helping in the passion that she has, it makes a big difference.
• 17:39
  Speaker 2: You know how she can help other people to get their mortgages, especially now.
• 17:44
  Speaker 2: So let me ask you something too Right now as far as how, how are the interest rates?
• 17:51
  Speaker 3: Rates are coming down.
• 17:52
  Speaker 3: They were higher not long ago in the mid seventh.
• 17:57
  Speaker 3: They're now around mid sixes.
• 17:59
  Speaker 3: We do anticipate the rates to go down a little bit further.
• 18:03
  Speaker 3: I know a lot of people were on the fence for buying but here, of people last year that purchased a home, we have a no lender fee refinance for those people.
• 18:25
  Speaker 3: We anticipate of mortgages this year and to increase.
• 18:31
  Speaker 3: We're super excited for the opportunity.
• 18:33
  Speaker 3: The rates are ebb and flow but they are headed down.
• 18:36
  Speaker 3: They won't be in the threes again that we anticipate, but anything lower than six and a half is a good thing.
• 18:45
  Speaker 2: Yeah, I remember I started at 7%, but I moved here to Georgia, right, and now I'm down below 3%.
• 18:52
  Speaker 2: So I'm good because I'm going to tell you, cathy, the rents today.
• 18:58
  Speaker 2: You might as well buy a house, because rents today up to $2,000.
• 19:03
  Speaker 2: I said what?
• 19:03
  Speaker 2: For one bedroom?
• 19:04
  Speaker 2: Oh my god.
• 19:05
  Speaker 2: So yeah, so it's best to really contact Cathy and let them get you the loan that you need to get your dream home Right, cathy.
• 19:17
  Speaker 3: Absolutely, we'll be happy to help.
• 19:19
  Speaker 2: Yes, yes, definitely, but thank you so much for being on my show, but I wanted to actually tell the audience how they can contact you.
• 19:29
  Speaker 2: Thank you.
• 19:32
  Speaker 3: OK, well, you can contact me cell phone number 770-653-1301.
• 19:39
  Speaker 3: My email is cathykathymaymaimovementcom and our website is newloanteamcom, and that's how you can find me.
• 19:56
  Speaker 2: Awesome, awesome.
• 19:57
  Speaker 2: That is great, and I definitely encourage you to definitely reach out to Cathy, because she would then get that loan approved for you.
• 20:06
  Speaker 2: She would definitely get it approved for you and get it going so you can get into your new home, right, cathy?
• 20:13
  Speaker 3: Absolutely Now's the time.
• 20:15
  Speaker 3: Thank you, Wanda.
• 20:16
  Speaker 2: No, thank you.
• 20:17
  Speaker 2: Thank you so much for being on our podcast Ready Set Collaborate.
• 20:21
  Speaker 2: So make sure you audience, make sure you subscribe, follow and share these podcasts.
• 20:29
  Speaker 2: Ready Set Collaborate with Wanda Pearson and also go on my YouTube channel, wd Pearson and the Solcius to subscribe to my channel because also the videos are going to be on there as well.
• 20:38
  Speaker 2: I definitely encourage you to listen to these podcasts because we have some incredible, incredible experience, expertise that share their tips and share their information.
• 20:50
  Speaker 2: So next it's the next time, episode 11.
• 20:55
  Speaker 2: And we're actually going to be switching over to another series, which is the book, the art of book, collaboration, and that's how I actually got into writing my own book.
• 21:04
  Speaker 2: So next zone, stay tuned for the next episode of Ready Set Collaborate.
• 21:09
  Speaker 2: Thank you so much.
• 21:11
  Speaker 1: Thank you, wanda.
• 21:12
  Speaker 1: Thank you for tuning into this episode of Ready Set Collaborate.
• 21:18
  Speaker 1: For more information about the host, head to WDpearsonassociatescom and that's P-E-A-R-S-O-N.
• 21:29
  Speaker 1: Want to connect?
• 21:30
  Speaker 1: Send an email to Wanda at WDpearsonassociatescom and, as always, stay tuned for the next episode of Ready Set Collaborate.
• 21:44
  Speaker 1: Thank you.