Rising Stars: Meet Alaina Gervais

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alaina Gervais.

Hi Alaina, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’m a born & raised Zonie. A little sister to an adventurous older brother who taught me about spicy food & screamo bands. I grew up in South Tempe, went to ASU, and settled in Ahwatukee. I love it here. I understand why Arizona experienced the most transplants in 2022. We have sunshine, we are a 5-hour drive to the beach, and 2 hours to the mountains. We are a melting pot of so many different cultures & backgrounds – all of which should be respected. We have great food, killer nightlife (not like I’ve seen much since becoming a mom), sports teams with *potential*, and *once upon a time*, attainable housing.

I grew up dancing, moved into cheerleading in high school & into college. Exercise is my hobby and has been part of my daily routine for as long as I can remember. If I’m not working or with my family, I’m likely at the gym, on the Peloton, or on South Mountain hiking.

Days before my 19th birthday, my dad – the BRIGHTEST light in a room – suffered a massive blood clot. Days later, he passed. My dad was energy, he was sunshine, he was kind, and a true friend. He was also my family’s financial resource – we were reminded very quickly that money didn’t grow on trees. When he passed, I knew I never wanted to lean on someone else to be my financial provider & once I graduated from college I needed to find a solid career.

My first introduction to mortgage came through my Aunt Melissa, a 30+ year loan originator. She has always balanced work & family in such an effortless (or so it appears) way, she has a charismatic personality and truly cares about people. I look up to her in many ways. She helped me land a summer internship in 2008 with a real estate team, smack dab in the midst of the great recession when home prices fell & homeowners abandoned their subprime mortgages (thank GOD we won’t see that happen again). While I loved the internship & adored real estate – I saw many of the unglamorous moments and said “nope, not for me”.

Throughout the rest of my collegiate life, I worked at a boutique personal training gym in Ahwatukee. After graduating from ASU in 2011, I took on a managerial role with them. I LOVED the gym. The owner, his family, the trainers, and the clientele; we had a close-knit and energetic crew that simply made exercise, fun. Soon after taking on the full-time role, a client gave me an opportunity I couldn’t refuse…back in the world of the world of real estate, this time in mortgage.

Mortgage had seen a massive shift, thanks to the implementation of the Dodd-Frank Act and creation of the CFPB. Intense regulations, licensing, and protection of consumers from deceptive and predatory financial practices, seen prior to 2010. My new boss was in a growth phase as the “bad” left the industry, clearing the way for “good” mortgage professionals to stake their claim. I was his first hire and he gave me such an incredible opportunity to grow. He took on a father (he’d prefer everyone know he’s closer to my brothers age) figure for me, guiding me along many financial decisions for most of my 20’s.

Instead of keeping me close, where we both would’ve done well, he opened multiple doors for me as I naturally outgrew positions. From my start in January 2011 to now, I’ve been in many roles: executive assistant, loan assistant, loan partner, loan processor, marketing coordinator, social media manager, event planner, and my most recent: business development. Business development seems to be the most natural role for me. Simply put, I love people and gravitate towards the good energy in a room.

As my career continued to grow, so did my husband’s, Beef, in the world of semis supply chain. In January 2020, the supply chain experienced the ripple effects of COVID-19, even before it hit the US. My husband managed a team that was working day & night to combat any delays – but they were inevitable when the world shut down. By January 2021, Beef was physically turning grey from stress & exhaustion. He hit a breaking point and my boss offered him a job in mortgage.

Beef quickly was licensed and took on the role of a loan partner – this analytical role was a perfect transition for him. He was able to work on 100+ transactions and see the ins/outs of a successful mortgage team.

Beef & I love real estate. We celebrate the tiny success of raising a borrower’s credit score or prequalifying a first-time buyer or researching to find a veteran buyer who has remaining entitlement and they can convert their first home into an investment property. We’ve had first-hand experience in seeing how purchasing a small home early in adulthood, can propel someone to future wealth. It’s a slow build, but incredibly worth it.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In August of 2022, Beef & I realized that his mortgage IQ combined with my business development skills made us a truly dynamic duo. I mentally couldn’t do what I do without Beef and his precise care for each and every client. We took a huge jump to split off as our own little mortgage team – leaving us as commission only employees with two little kids at home. September and October were great months for us, the client wise, however, mortgage rates skyrocketed & homebuyers put their foot on the break.

All around us mortgage companies were closing doors, loan officers and real estate agents were exiting the industry completely. We saw complacency surround us as homes sat on the market, interest rates were high, and morale was low — but we kept on and so did the loan officers & real estate agents who really love this industry. I continued to have educational classes and set appointments with real estate agents, while Beef worked to get buyers qualified to purchase or on a home-buying map for the future.

We closed one transaction between November & December, which left us terrified that we made a massive mistake.

Magically, around Christmas time, the built-up dam of buyers started to trickle through. One-by-one buyers took advantage of homes sitting stale on the market & snagged massive price reductions & seller concessions. Buyers accepted interest rates for what they were and realized that homeownership is much more than a roof overhead, it creates a sense of pride at its core in investment. At the time I’m writing this, we are ranked 9 out of 115 loan officers in our company. We’re seeing the efforts of combined labor, the working-for-free labor that often comes in this industry.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m half of the Gervais Mortgage Team, alongside my husband, Beef Gervais. Our work with buyers and homeowners within residential purchases or refinances. We are thrilled to work with anyone, but we really love first-time and veteran homebuyers.

My role within our team is business development. I handle all marketing (print & digital), meet with new potential real estate agents & maintain existing relationships, manage to gift (from prequalification to closing), and fill in the cracks as a loan partner when Beef’s plate is too full.

I think people would say they are drawn to my energy. It’s natural for me to get others excited, feeding off my energy. That energy starts with a smile, in person, or over the phone. We sympathize getting a mortgage is truly stripping down naked in front of a stranger, or often in our case someone we know very well, and our goal is to have our clients feel educated & empowered to ask every question under the sun. I want others to be so freaking happy when they get to closing day.

We trickle gifts throughout the process and beyond the closing to keep clients engage, with the end result of turning clients into friends. We are not a big bank, our clients are given our cell numbers from the start. They can text or call us at nearly any time to ask a quick question.

There are a few times when we have had clients “shop” interest rates with a competitor, sometimes even switching to another mortgage company mid-transaction for the lower rate – every single time they have come back to complete the transaction with us. As we all know, “you get what you pay for”. Customer service is at the forefront of our business. We want everyone to leave the transaction with a smile.

Growing up, my parents taught us the value of serving others – serving those less fortunate, but even serving those who have more than us. With that, volunteering and giving time to others comes naturally & honestly, sparks joy. I have a huge heart for the kiddos of ICAN Chandler, enjoy packing food at United Food Bank, and give resources to families affected by domestic abuse. “To whom much as been given, much is expected.” In an industry that is surrounded by immense amount of wealth, I think it’s vital to get out and serve our surrounding communities – not just with monetary donations, but our time.

At the center of our world are two awesome little humans, Jonny & Grace. They are who I’m most proud of. We try our hardest to be involved in their worlds, knowing they are only this little for a short time. Making the leap to our own mortgage team has freed us up to allow me to take Grace to gymnastics and Beef to coach Jonny’s little league team. We find joy in playing alongside them with their neighbor & school friends. Our house is the most fun when there are screams & kids running around. If we can build it up, Jonny & Grace will be future mortgage nepo babies to take over our business.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Ah, so many helped build me up.

The guy who brought me in, Ross Murray. He gave me an opportunity and continued to open new doors for me as I grew beyond. I was on his team for 11 years, and Beef was on his team for 18 months. He remains our regional manager and is just a phone call away.

Steve Ernvall – Stoooooove, as I like to refer to him. (yes, as in “stove, what are you an appliance?”‘). Steve is our product support, a former loan officer who is a wealth of industry knowledge. I would follow Stove anywhere he went because he truly is that much of a lifeline. He can work the ugliest loan file into something beautiful.

Kaylee Barton was my first loan processor who showed me step-by-step how to deep dive into 1003. Kaylee answered all of my redundant questions and taught me the life of a vegan (even though that only lasted a year).

Those who will shout our name in a room, like our sister & brother in law, Jacqueline & Alex Johnson, Lea Peterson, and Venea Meyer. They are all in the small business world and have been so kind to tell their friends & family about us – people like this know how hard it is to grow your client sphere & how every “mention” helps.

Courtney Neugart, the first real estate agent to put us in front of ALL of her clients. Courtney did not need a new lender partner, but she saw something different with Beef & I. every time I talk to her she reminds me how she’s been praying for our little family. Courtney gave us the first big “shot” and for that, we will always be grateful.

My best gal pal, Janelle Shroyer, for being my source of “centeredness”. We have both grown professionally in so many ways & it’s amazing to have my high school best friend alongside me. She accepts me for who I am, in heavy times & in light.

Our parents for helping us with our kids on days when we are in a pickle. We could never leave our little circumference because we rely heavily on them! And also for raising us to work hard & be nice to people!

And to the agents who continue to send their clients our way, I SHRIEK every time we receive a new referral/lead. Is that normal? When does that stop? I simply cannot contain my excitement & gratitude that someone would think to send their hard-earned client our way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/livelaughloans
• Instagram: @alainagerv | @livelaughloans
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alaina.stenson/ | https://www.facebook.com/livelaughloans/
• Other: Podcast – Sweat Equity – Hosted by Green Door Studios https://open.spotify.com/show/7albvFsvXctrK5JntilMnu?si=8def0687781d461b

Image Credits
Beauty Beheld Photography and Vienna Glenn Photography