Lady Jen Du Plessis | CEO | Kinetic Spark Consulting
Lady Jen Du Plessis, known as The Impact Mentor and Team & Scaling Architect, is an international award-winning speaker, high-performance business mentor, Mastermind Leader, #1 Amazon Best Selling author, podcast host of Mortgage Lending Mastery and Success to Significance: Life After Breaking through Glass Ceilings, as well as a TV host and producer. Her journey into the mortgage industry began over three decades ago, inspired by her mentor, Les Brown. His advice, “if you’re casual about your business, your business will become a casualty,” has guided her throughout her career. From her early days as a licensed mortgage lender to her current role mentoring others and sharing her expertise, she has always taken her business seriously. At EliteX, we are proud to have Lady Jen Du Plessis as part of Prominent Leaders in Mortgage Industry, 2024.
Lady Jen Du Plessis was motivated to enter the mortgage industry in 1983 after obtaining a degree in Architectural Design & Construction Engineering, a field dominated by men at the time. She quickly fell in love with the process, procedures, problem-solving, creativity, networking, teaching, and nurturing involved in mortgage lending. After a highly successful 35-year career, during which she was repeatedly ranked among the top 200 originators in the country and funded over $1 billion in loans, she transitioned to a full-time role as a mentor, speaker, and podcaster. Today, Lady Jen Du Plessis is passionate about helping sales professionals and business entrepreneurs break through the six-figure ceiling by sharing the keys to success and strategies for long-term achievement.
“Stay curious and committed to learning. The mortgage industry is complex and ever-evolving; continuous education is essential.”
Lady Jen Du Plessis’ leadership style is inclusive and supportive, focusing on empowering her team members to reach their full potential. She believes in leading by example, fostering a collaborative environment, and prioritizing open communication, transparency, and continuous learning. She aims to help her team achieve a balance where they can thrive both professionally and personally. She dreams big and encourages the same in her clients, believing that business owners must set large goals that include their team’s aspirations to achieve true success. The vision of Lady Jen Du Plessis’ company is to be a trusted leader not only in the mortgage industry but also among today’s entrepreneurs. Known for their commitment to client experience, support, innovation, and integrity, the company strives to provide exceptional solutions tailored to the unique needs of their clients. Their mission is to educate and empower clients to make decisions that best fit their life and business goals, building lasting relationships based on trust and excellence.
Looking ahead to 2024, Lady Jen Du Plessis expects the mortgage industry to continue emphasizing technology and automation to streamline processes and enhance the customer experience. While regulatory scrutiny and ethics reviews will persist, she hopes the industry will also focus on internal skills like building true business relationships, nurturing alumni clients for repeat business, fine-tuning sales and technical skills, managing priorities, and improving communication both internally and externally.
Lady Jen Du Plessis believes that identifying and seizing new opportunities in the market is crucial for staying ahead. She emphasizes the importance of the Adaptability Quotient (AQ) and stays informed about industry trends by attending conferences, participating in industry-specific masterminds, and engaging with other thought leaders. By building a strong network and maintaining open communication with peers and clients, she ensures she is well-positioned to capitalize on new opportunities. When these opportunities arise, she evaluates them thoroughly and acts decisively, leveraging her experience and resources.
“Live your Legacy While you are Building it”
Community and social responsibility are integral to Lady Jen Du Plessis’ company. They support affordable housing projects, homelessness, abuse prevention, and efforts to eliminate human trafficking. Partnering with other companies to strengthen these initiatives, they aim to achieve better results and expand their social impact. Employees are encouraged to volunteer and participate in community service activities, fostering a culture of social responsibility within the company. Lady Jen Du Plessis attributes her success to maintaining a structured routine and staying disciplined. Her daily habits include getting a full night’s sleep, engaging in brain-stimulating activities, praying or meditating on her farmette in Virginia, eating clean power foods, reading multiple books, incorporating movement into her day, and practicing active gratitude. She believes in being grateful for what she has and avoiding comparisons with others, as “comparison is the thief of joy.” These routines help her stay focused and positive.
Throughout her career, she has been influenced by several mentors. Darren Hardy, known for his wit, advised her to reread books multiple times. Les Brown inspired her with his thought-provoking quotes. Dr. Greg Reid’s positivity and “can do” spirit left a lasting impact. Dave Stevens, the former Assistant Director of HUD and CEO of the MBA, was her most influential mentor and a dear friend for over 30 years. He taught her essential sales techniques, the importance of market knowledge, and the value of friendships. For those starting out in the mortgage industry, Lady Jen Du Plessis advises staying curious and committed to learning. The industry is complex and ever-evolving, so continuous education is essential. Building a strong community and network, knowing your current position (revenue, volume, conversions, competition), seeking mentorship, and prioritizing integrity and customer experience are key principles for building a reputable and successful career.
Looking ahead, Lady Jen Du Plessis predicts that the integration of AI, blockchain, and other innovative technologies will transform the mortgage industry. Fractional investing and lending will become mainstream, and those who adopt these changes early will be the winners.
“Create a Worklife that Makes Life Work”