This month I was so pleased to have the chance to talk to Corinna Carter. Corinna is the CEO of CMS Mortgage Solutions Inc. based in Virginia. She founded the company herself and has seen it grow exponentially over the past few years.

Corinna spoke of a challenging childhood that helped to form her drive, ambition, and energy into building a business in an industry she loves. She was a young mother who had to grow up early and take on responsibilities that helped her develop a work ethic and sense of self-reliance that has continued to this day.

Corinna has faced situations that have given her the resolve to never allow an obstacle to push her back. She is a unique and driven person and someone who believes firmly in her own ability to succeed.

How did you get your start in the mortgage industry?

I started having to navigate unique personal challenges early on in my life and those helped to motivate me to create my own path in my career.

I began as a broker and weathered the storms of 2008 to be one of the last female owners left standing. The experience of that time pushed me to grow CMS into what it is today and ensure that future turmoil would be something the company could take in its stride.

Today, CMS Mortgage Solutions is a thriving business that is focused on helping families realize the dream of home ownership. This, in turn, creates strong communities and better futures for everyone.

What does being a trailblazer mean to you?

For me, being a trailblazer means breaking through barriers and creating a path of opportunity for others behind you. It also means making sure they have the support and encouragement they need to be successful.

I was one of few women in the mortgage industry when I started out. I had to fight for my seat at the table. I set myself a goal of making sure other women don’t have to fight as hard as I did as they make their way upwards.

Where do you see yourself and women in general in the industry over the next five years?

The next five years will see me continue to grow CMS Mortgage and expand our presence and impact through innovation and community driven initiatives.

I want to watch women in our industry rise into leadership roles in ever greater numbers and use their unique voices and perspectives to shape our policies and products to become bigger and better.

I expect that we will accomplish this by providing our rising stars with the support and resources they need through mentorship and a network of other accomplished women leaders to light the way.

What is your professional superpower?

My professional superpower is my resilience. I have been challenged by life and the world from a very young age and have stood in the headwind and faced it because my only option was to keep moving.

Instead of letting obstacles define or defeat me, I have used them to push myself harder and higher. Challenge is something that charges me up and gives me the motivation I need to do better and continue to grow.

Tell us something about your career in the mortgage industry that was pivotal to your achievements today.

The crisis of 2008 was probably the most impactful period in my career.

I went from having 37 loan originators to just two within one year. The changes forced me to make a bold decision about what direction to head in next. I could either fold up as so many had to do or take the path that meant opening a second business and building it up to help support me until the markets had settled and the cycle was over.

The experience was gruelling and exhausting, but I learned just how much perseverance I had and that building a network of the right people was crucial. I was able to adapt and grow while further defining the values I wanted to instill in my business.

I have continued to grow since then and am leaning on the lessons learned and maintaining my commitment to the culture I want to foster within my company.

What advice would you give to a woman entering or trying to move up in their mortgage career?

Claim your space. Don’t be afraid to own it and carve out the place you want to be.

You are truly the architect of your own career, and it is through continuous growth, learning, and hard work that you will find yourself reaching goals and setting new, higher ones.

Keep your integrity, be honest with yourself and others and use whatever resources you need to provide you with the tools required to build your dream career.

This is a journey and there will be days when things veer away from what you need and others when you are tired and ready to stop. Those are the days when you must give yourself the hardest push to keep moving. You should be proud of your travels, not just the idea of reaching the destination.

Instead of letting obstacles define or defeat me, I have used them to push myself harder and higher.

What does success mean to you?

My personal definition of success is to lead a life of purpose and create a positive impact on the lives of others.

I find the most satisfaction in knowing I am building something that will last beyond me and will be instrumental in helping others reach their goals and dreams.

Success is giving my children the tools they need to create happy and successful lives for themselves. It is not always about your profession but also includes balance and personal fulfillment.

What do you enjoy doing outside of our industry?

I love to travel. I find new experiences and a chance to learn something about different places, cultures and people extremely enjoyable.

I also have a passion for redesign and remodelling. Taking something dated and refreshing it into a modern, beautiful, and functional space that feels like home is so satisfying. I think it is something I love because it mirrors what I do for a living — turning dreams into a reality.

How do you recommend navigating change in an industry that is always changing and growing?

Change is inevitable in a complex and vibrant industry like the mortgage industry.

It is crucial to embrace the growth mindset and build a team that shares your vision and can match your drive to reach your goals. Be prepared to pivot with little to no notice because market shifts are unpredictable. You’ll have to suspend your fear and be willing to step out and take risks.

But most importantly of all, is keeping your core values and mission constantly at the forefront. As things swirl and change around you, those need to remain solid and available to keep you grounded and focused.

Claim your space. Don’t be afraid to own it and carve out the place you want to be.

Do you think it is important to have a mentor?

I absolutely do. Mentors are a valuable and vital asset that should be used as often as possible.

Mentors provide wisdom and guidance. When important decisions need to be made, a mentor can offer a fresh perspective from their experience.

They can hold you accountable by asking you the right questions and pushing you to be fully honest with yourself.

Mentors give you optional angles from which to view a problem or issue and help you to organize your thinking from a critical and/or strategic perspective.

A good mentor can be a source of support, motivation, and emotional stability when things become difficult, and you feel overwhelmed. They can cheerlead for you or offer a shoulder to shed a few tears before brushing off and carrying on.

Mentors can expand your network of connections with theirs and provide introductions to those they feel might be of benefit to you or align with your goals.

My own take on mentors is simply that I wouldn’t be where I am today if I had not had mentors I could trust and learn from. My first and most important personal mentor was my mom. She taught me that I needed grit, determination and perseverance if I wanted to succeed.

My professional mentors gave me confidence and information when I needed to navigate significant challenges in my career.

Mentorship can also be a two-way street. Mentors can learn from you as well. A seasoned mentor understands that constant learning is a vital component of success in any part of life.

My first and most important personal mentor was my mom. She taught me that I needed grit, determination, and perseverance if I wanted to succeed.

What do you want to be remembered for in our industry?

I want to be remembered as someone who made a difference in the lives of others through leadership, innovation, and resilience. Our industry and the services we offer make an enormous impact on how our clients live and their financial security and growth. I want to be someone whose contribution can live on after I am gone.

I would also like to be thought of as someone who paved the way for others by developing opportunities and offering them to those who are starting their professional lives in the mortgage business. I want to be seen as a person who leads with empathy and integrity and inspires others to do the same.

How do you find your voice?

Finding your voice and the confidence to let it be heard is a lifelong journey.

I found mine by trusting my instincts and learning to see my own worth as an individual with value to offer the world.

I have come to understand that my voice is the loudest and most beneficial when it is rooted in authenticity and my own experiences. Also, that it is just as important to listen. Listen to your team, your children, and your own inner voice.

Your voice finds its worth when it is used in a collective way to serve a greater purpose.

What is your biggest fear and why?

My biggest fear is stagnation. I cannot abide the thought of standing still in my personal growth or my ability to lift and inspire those around me.

For me, stagnation means I have stopped evolving, learning and transforming into a better version of myself. I believe this to be a process that is constant throughout life and when it stalls or stops, it is harmful physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Every pivotal moment in my life has pushed me to choose progress over paralysis. It has become the default setting for me, and I cannot imagine being any other way.

If I am stalled, I am not fully present or prepared to handle the challenges that will appear. Moving past them is like oxygen to me and gives me the motivation to move faster and farther each time.

When I look back on my life, I am aware that it was the 19 days I spent fighting to keep my daughter with me that instilled this fear and has made it an innate part of who I am. That challenge forged the fighter, the believer, and the leader I have become.

Never settle or become complacent where you are. It will mean you have lost that beautiful zest for life we are all capable of.

What’s your favorite book or podcast that you would recommend and why?

That is an extremely hard question for me to answer! It’s like asking which is my favorite child.

If I had to recommend one book, it would be The Power of One More by Ed Mylett. His idea of pushing just one step further, one more phone call, one more minute of work, having one more conversation resonates with me as a simple but effective way to move toward success that anyone can achieve. Real change happens one step at a time. And becoming overwhelmed by the amount to be done can cause you to freeze. It’s a common sense and rational way to approach just about anything in your life.

Another favorite is Jamie Kern Lima’s Believe It. Her story about being a woman who starts from nothing, faces challenges, and builds anyway is ubiquitous but still inspiring to me. It reminds me to stay true to who I am and the values I hold.

I love listening to the Ed Mylett Show podcast. I always learn something new, and it feels like having a personal coaching session. It leaves me feeling energized and motivated to get things done and stay focused.

How do we propel more women into leadership roles within our industry?

There are so many ways to do this and so much work to be done. A few of the items I feel are most crucial are as follows:

Mentorship — pairing experienced female leaders with women who are hungry to move up in their careers and providing opportunities for them to take advantage of the advice and guidance being offered.

Celebration — recognizing and celebrating successful women who have earned their leadership roles and thrived in them. Promoting these leaders will inspire those who would wish to follow in their footsteps.

Education – providing access to leadership training, financial literacy, and courses that focus on negotiation, public speaking, and strategic thinking. Offering courses, tailored to women specifically, would provide an amazing and motivational opportunity to future female leaders.

Flexibility — offering flexibility in work options that allow for women to have a better work-life balance while being able to continue their career path even when their families are young and time is so limited. Remote working options, job sharing, flexible hours, and parental leave would encourage more women to stay in the workforce and pursue leadership roles.

Networking — providing networking events specifically for women can enable them to build meaningful relationships and lead to opportunities.

Bias — addressing the still inherent biases in our hiring practices that may be unconscious but still affect the number of women given opportunity. Implementing policies that reduce that bias can ensure that more women are given the equal chance to showcase their talents during interviews and have that reflected in the final hiring decisions.

Advocacy and Sponsorship — encouraging both male and female leaders to sponsor and promote female professionals who are looking to advance and have a seat at the leadership table.

Safe Space — it is crucial that we offer a safe place for all voices to be heard. Ensuring that workplaces foster an environment of respect and inclusion where women are empowered to offer their ideas and contribute to leadership conversations.

There are so many issues that need addressing to encourage young women to strive for leadership in our industry. Being proactive in this regard will be vital to providing opportunities for all.

I believe that leadership is a long journey that is propelled forward by every decision, struggle and obstacle to be overcome. From being a runaway at 12, a mother at 15, reclaiming my daughter, and then building a life and a business I am proud of, every step I took was my own based on my intuition and my determination to survive and thrive.

I am passionate about sharing my story because I want to inspire others to push through challenges and pursue their dreams to become reality.

For me, the mortgage business is more than an industry. It is a way to create positive change in the world for our clients, our employees, and ourselves.