"It may not seem like it when you are doing it, but doing the right thing always wins."
Barb Weidner
Barb Weidner’s background is in mortgage banking. In 2009 she co-founded Fast Capital 360 to help small business owners gain access to the capital they needed to keep their business running.
Prior to Fast Capital 360, Barb worked for 20 years in mortgage underwriting, mortgage operations and ended her mortgage career as the chief credit officer at a mortgage bank in New York.
Let’s learn a little about you and really get to experience what makes us tick – starting at our beginnings. Where did your story begin?
Barb Weidner: I grew up in a family business and saw the grit, determination, and dedication that was needed day in and day out to keep the business and the family running.
I didn’t know it then, but it was laying the foundation of all my future endeavors. I left the family business after college—a 7-year run–because I was running the front end of the business then and didn’t want to leave them hanging—I started mortgage underwriting at ContiMortgage and quickly realized this was a great career path. I was underwriting during the subprime heyday and was also there for the subprime crash. Both times taught me so much about business, that industry, and what I did and didn’t want to be involved with and known by.
I moved to the role of Chief Credit Officer at a mortgage bank in New York and worked there until I got married and had my older daughter. Once my 2nd daughter was born, I knew I needed to start looking at getting back into using my mind and contributing again to an overall company. When the opportunity presented itself to open my own company, I knew this was it! I now had the chance to run a company the way I loved to be treated and the way I knew would make a difference. That was over 10 years ago and I’ve never looked back.
Was there somebody in your life that inspired you to take that specific journey with your business?
Barb Weidner: Definitely my parents. I had their example as business owners and then I had their support for anything we needed as we were growing the business and running the business.
Often leaders are asked to share the best advice they received. But let’s reverse the question. What’s the worst advice you received?
Barb Weidner: Oh, bad advice in our industry is rampant. Everyone thinks they have the best process and the best method for doing something and getting something done most efficiently. I’ve found that if you run all your decisions through the “customer centricity filter” it makes it very simple. Who is your customer, how will this affect them, and does this help them or solve their problem. Doing that filter test makes it very easy to make decisions.
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Resilience is critical in critical times like the ones we are going through now. How would you define resilience?
Barb Weidner: Resilience to me is having a strong resolve and also being able to pivot. We’ve always talked about this in the company and this past year we’ve been able to put it to the test and still be successful.
In your opinion, what makes your company stand out from the competition?
Barb Weidner: Simple. Doing the right thing. Always. There is no comparison. It may not seem like it when you are doing it, but doing the right thing always wins.
What do you consider are your strengths when dealing with staff workers, colleagues, senior management, and customers?
Barb Weidner: Listening and solving the root of the problem. Listening not to respond, but listening to solve.
Being a CEO of the company, do you think that your personal brand reflects your company’s values?
Barb Weidner: 1000%. I am who I am whether I’m at my kid’s school doing afternoon pick up or being in an All Company meeting. My brand is who I am, always. Knowing that and showing that directly aligns with our company values.
How would you define “leadership”?
Barb Weidner: I define leadership as being like a lighthouse—everyone is driving their own boat (performing their own role) but the lighthouse is there for guidance and assistance when needed. I don’t like getting in the way of the people on the team. I want them to know I’m there and come to me when needed. Having that model for so many years, it’s 2nd nature now. I don’t have to come to them, they come to me.
What advice would you give to our younger readers that want to become entrepreneurs?
Barb Weidner: Take the leap. Even if you’re only 75% sure. You gain nothing by not acting.
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What’s your favorite “life lesson” quote and how has it affected your life?
Barb Weidner: “To whom much is given, much is required”
I say it to our employees, I saw it to my children and I really live by this motto. Not just with material things or money, but also by giving your time and talent because you have been blessed and are able to affect the lives of others.
This interview was originally published on ValiantCEO.
