Welcome back to Lending Leadership: The Creative Brief, your go-to resource for the latest in mortgage leadership, team-building, and creative strategy.In this episode, we sit down with one of the mortgage industry’s most dynamic family duos: Deanne “the Mortgage Mom” Katsaros and her son, Tom Katsaros of GreenTree Mortgage, a partner of HMA Mortgage. From catering weddings to closing loans, we explore how this mother-son team has built a legacy business rooted in family values, creativity, and connection. Not only have they mastered the client experience, but they’re also leaning into the future by embracing the power of AI in their business.We also dive into what it’s like to work with family, how “Team Mortgage Mom” is carving out a unique brand, and how their commitment to treating clients like family has led to real results, like helping a couple reach their dream of getting married in their backyard. Plus, we touch on unforgettable events (including a wild golf course marketing tale), lessons learned from the catering world, and the upcoming AI-themed event that’s setting a new bar for what’s possible in mortgage marketing.Whether you’re thinking about partnering with a family member, want to infuse more creativity into your mortgage business, or are curious about practical, real-world applications of AI in lending, this episode is packed with insight, fun, and a dose of infectious “Mortgage Mom” energy.Key takeaways:Family Dynamics Fuel Great Client Experiences: Working as a mother-son team brings both challenges and unique advantages. Deanne and Tom attribute their success to shared values, constant communication, and treating clients as part of the family—an approach that helps clients feel at ease and creates lasting relationships.Leaning Into Your Strengths Builds a Strong Team: Deanne and Tom have naturally fallen into roles that leverage their unique skills—Deanne as the networker and face of the brand, Tom as the operational expert and problem solver. This allows them to efficiently serve clients while growing their business and looking for new opportunities to evolve.Event Creativity Sets You Apart: Drawing on her catering background, Deanne has turned mortgage events into memorable, value-packed experiences that people actually want to attend. Whether it was the infamous “take a shot, make a shot, give us a shot” golf event or high-energy workshops, creativity breaks the mold and strengthens referral relationships.AI is Key to Efficiency and Modern Marketing: Deanne and Tom are excited about embracing AI to streamline their processes, from crafting emails to building event campaigns and handling follow-ups. They see AI not as a replacement for the personal touch, but as a tool to eliminate busywork and focus on what matters: client care and business growth.Balance is Essential, Especially in Family Business: While passion for the business runs deep, both Deanne and Tom emphasize the importance of setting boundaries so that work doesn't overwhelm their family life. They share openly about the need to “turn off” the mortgage talk and make space for personal connection, even while acknowledging how hard that can be when you truly love what you do.We’re so grateful to Deanne and Tom for sharing their story, strategies, and a few laughs with us.Thanks for listening, and as always, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and follow for more insights from Lending Leadership: The Creative Brief!

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