Glenn Stearns, a regular loan officer, working his way through the daily grind.
But then, a light bulb moment strikes, and he realizes that he’s destined for something bigger, something beyond the mundane.
With a mix of nerves and adrenaline-fueled excitement, Glenn takes a leap of faith into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship, driven by a craving for true ownership.
From triumphing over initial obstacles and personal challenges to battling cancer, this remarkable individual has confronted it all with unwavering determination and an infectious zest for life.
His extraordinary journey has molded him into a beacon of inspiration, offering priceless wisdom that will leave you in awe.
This interview is your front-row ticket to the remarkable world of an entrepreneur who refuses to play by the rules and is carving his own path to greatness.
Can you describe the moment when you realized that you wanted to become an entrepreneur? What was the driving force behind this decision?
Glenn Stearns: I remember when I worked as a loan officer and noticed that the company, I worked for didn’t have a large infrastructure. It made me think that I could do this myself.
Although I was nervous about taking on the risk, I was equally excited about reaping the benefits of ownership. I jumped in with both feet and learned most things the hard way. It took many years to become comfortable
In your book, “InteGRITy”, you’ve spoken about the importance of grit in business. Could you share some specific instances from your own life where grit was the key to overcoming obstacles?
Glenn Stearns: I grew up with what I would consider an advantage despite facing adversity. I failed fourth grade, and my parents struggled with addiction. Additionally, I became a parent at the age of 14. These early struggles taught me the importance of persevering and emerging as a better person, gaining valuable insights into life. They laid the foundation for my success later in life.
As a cancer survivor, you’ve shown an incredible ability to face adversity. How has this experience shaped your approach to business and life in general?
Glenn Stearns: Cancer was, in fact, an amazing gift to me. I don’t intend to diminish the pain it has inflicted on many who haven’t made it through and have suffered greatly.
However, personally, it helped me understand the true importance of health. Business issues, on the other hand, are exactly that—issues to be addressed. They do not qualify as problems.
Cancer is a problem. My perspective on business issues has shifted towards a problem-solving mindset, rather than an alarmist ‘sky is falling’ approach.
“I became a parent at the age of 14. These early struggles taught me the importance of persevering and emerging as a better person, gaining valuable insights into life. They laid the foundation for my success later in life.”
Many entrepreneurs struggle with finding a balance between work and life, especially in the early stages of their startup. What advice would you give to them, considering your own journey with Kind Lending?
Glenn Stearns: I’m not sure if my answer on balance will be very helpful. I perceive balance not in terms of hours or days, but rather in months and years. When building a business, there are periods where you dedicate long stretches of time solely to its growth.
During times of great success and abundant business, I tend to step back and prioritize my balance towards family and friends. That’s how I find my equilibrium.
What are some common misconceptions about becoming a successful entrepreneur that you’d like to debunk based on your own experiences?
Glenn Stearns: I am a 35-year overnight success in the making. Many people believe that success happens in the blink of an eye, without realizing the sacrifices it entails—late nights, time away from family, and numerous other compromises necessary for achieving a certain level of success.
Personally, I have grown accustomed to the fact that most people don’t understand this reality, which is one of the reasons why they say it’s lonely at the top.
You were a contestant on the TV show “Undercover Billionaire”. How did this experience affect your views on entrepreneurship? What was the most valuable lesson you learned from it?
Glenn Stearns: When I did ‘Undercover Billionaire,’ it felt like starting all over again. Building a team, envisioning success, inspiring the group, and creating a business were incredibly thrilling. When I returned home, I realized I wanted to experience that excitement once more!
That’s when I launched Kind Lending, and we hit the ground running. I’m excited about the future and being involved in something purposeful that inspires others that’s what life is all about.
The lending industry is highly competitive. What strategies did you use to differentiate Kind Lending from other lending institutions?
Glenn Stearns: Mortgage loans and interest rates are merely commodities. We all operate on identical rates and employ the same software. However, what sets us apart is our unique culture.
We foster a culture of happiness, where laugh at ourselves, and strive to create an atmosphere where our employees feel a sense of ownership in the company.
Even our software has a lighthearted name, the Kwikie. We joke about happy beginnings and happy endings. We say if it’s your first time, we will go easy. Admittedly, it’s an unconventional approach, but it makes people laugh, and contributes to a vibrant, fun work environment.
Could you talk about a failure you had in business that taught you a valuable lesson? How did you bounce back from it?
Glenn Stearns: I wouldn’t consider much a failure in business, or even in my life. Yes, I’ve experienced challenges like a divorce, but my ex-wife has actually become a very good friend.
She attended our wedding, and we attended hers. She even traveled with us around the world and taught my wife and kids. I had a setback with the sale of Stearns Lending, but we were able to bounce back by starting Kind Lending and bringing everyone back. So, what some may view as failures, I see as valuable lessons learned.
In “InteGRITy”, you talk about the importance of authenticity in business. Could you share some strategies for leaders to foster authenticity within their teams and organizations?
Glenn Stearns: Authenticity is one of the fundamental pillars of my message. People work for people not businesses. When you can genuinely connect with others, show that you care, and be true to yourself, you create loyalty.
Being yourself allows you to embrace your humanity, flaws and all, and forge meaningful connections with people. It’s one of life’s most important traits.
This interview was originally published on ValiantCEO.
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