fig. 1.0 · the founding sequence · producing to owning
The path from producing to owning, without the wasted quarters.
I work with loan officers ready to found a brokerage and owners ready to run one properly: entity work, licensing, a comp plan that holds under exam, then marketing, in that order.
five phases · diagnose to operate
fig. 2.0 · the launch scope
Launch: the founding engagement.
| 01 | Entity and filings | LLC or corporation, the MU1 company filing, MU2 control person filings, E&O insurance, surety bond placement. bonds run roughly $10,000 to $150,000 by state and jump the day you add lender authority. |
| 02 | Licensing sequence | state by state, in the order your loans actually sit, tracked through NMLS so nothing lapses. |
| 03 | Comp plan that survives an exam | the LO Comp Rule fixes pay as a set percentage or flat fee. the common exam finding is missing version history, not bad structure. i document both. |
fig. 3.0 · operating standards · for existing owners
Already own it. Now run it like it matters.
P&L discipline
monthly, margin by loan, by originator, by month.
Commission audits
what the plan says versus what hit payroll, reconciled.
License renewal calendars
NMLS windows close on their schedule, filed ahead.
Wholesale strategy
the UWM versus Rocket TPO fork is a business decision, chosen lender by lender.
Choosing an LOS
Arive, LendingPad, or something else. fit over demo volume.
fig. 4.0 · growth · marketing for a brokerage not a branch
Marketing built for a brokerage, not a branch.
Brokerage marketing is not branch marketing with a different logo on it. It runs on referral relationships and partnerships built to survive a full rate cycle, not a single quarter.
| % | of the market runs through brokers today |
| % | where AIME wants the channel |
| % | of the spread is yours as the owner |
Local referral engines
realtors, builders, planners who send the second file because the first closed on time.
Partnerships that survive rate cycles
built on process, not rate.
A brand that isn't a roofline logo
looks like a company, not a template.
fig. 5.0 · issue
Tell me where you are in the sequence.
Producing under someone else's banner, mid-licensing, or operating and ready to grow. Send me the specifics and I'll tell you exactly what I would do next.