128: Finding Balance, Chasing Dreams, and Building Connections with Mortgage Expert Melissa Al-Rifai

Ready to be inspired by a bold career pivot? In this episode, mortgage industry leader Melissa Al-Rifai shares her journey from the secure path of retail banking to the challenges and rewards of a commission-based career in mortgage lending.?

Melissa shares the power of intuition in women, the importance of self-belief, and her top strategies for balancing professional growth with personal fulfillment—all while building a lasting impact in the finance world.

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Get access to all the resources mentioned in the interview: https://vixengathering.com/podcast/128-finding-balance-chasing-dreams-and-building-connections-with-mortgage-expert-melissa-l-refai/

In This Episode:

• The Power of Belief and Mentorship: Melissa shares how one mentor’s belief in her potential gave her the courage to leave her secure job and enter the mortgage industry.
• Managing Career Pivots: From salaried banking roles to commission-based mortgage sales, Melissa discusses the challenges of starting over and the mindset shifts required to embrace a new career path.
• Balancing Freedom and Structure: As a commission-based professional, Melissa explains how she initially overcommitted to clients, eventually learning the importance of boundaries and routines.
• The Role of Intuition and Analysis: Melissa shares her strategy for balancing intuition with financial planning, guiding her decisions and goals.
• Prioritizing Self-Care and Development: Melissa’s approach to self-care—through daily routines, morning journaling, and intentional breaks—reminds listeners of the importance of nurturing oneself for sustained success.

Mic Drop Moments:

1. “Sometimes it's not about knowing where you’re going but having the courage to take that leap, especially when someone else believes in you.”
2. “Freedom in business doesn’t come without boundaries. Knowing when to set limits allows you to be fully present with clients and family.”
3. “Your intuition is a powerful guide; pair it with thoughtful analysis, and you’ll find clarity in your career transitions.”
4. “When you're building your own business, you’re really becoming a student of yourself.”
5. “The best mentors compress your learning curve and help you achieve faster by sharing their own experiences.”

Who is Melissa:

Melissa Al-Rifai is an accomplished mortgage professional and branch manager at Bell Bank Mortgage. She works to foster community connections and provide innovative, client-centered mortgage solutions- just as she has for the past 15 years. Driven by a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Melissa is dedicated to empowering women in the mortgage industry. A lifelong learner, Melissa is deeply invested in educating her clients and Realtor partners, ensuring they have the knowledge and tools to navigate the home-buying or refinancing process with confidence. Melissa’s leadership extends beyond her business. She is actively involved in the Nashville Mortgage Bankers Association as the 2024 Secretary and is working towards her goal of becoming its President in 2027. Her vision is to elevate the mortgage industry in Tennessee, helping to shape a more inclusive, supportive environment for both professionals and clients.

Resources Mentioned:

FemForce: A social media photo experience based in Nashville, supporting female entrepreneurs in building their brand presence https://femforceshoots.com/

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Tiny Habits by BJ Fogg

Melissa’s LinkedIn:https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/melissaalrifai

Melissa’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mortgagesbymelissa

Melissa’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/tGVBvAsePW5vbVxQ/?mibextid=LQQJ4d