Today we’d like to introduce you to Leigh Ann Boone.
Hi Leigh Ann, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Absolutely — buckle up, because my journey into mortgage lending is a little wild, a little sentimental, and very on-brand for me.
I grew up with a mortgage lender for a mom, so while other kids were learning how to ride bikes and make mud pies, I was learning about DTI, escrow accounts, and why you always double-check page 2 of a tax return. My mom, Janet, was (and still is) a rockstar in this industry. Watching her help families buy homes lit a spark in me early on — I wanted to be part of that magic.
After college, I officially jumped in and became her assistant in 2018. I thought I was thriving… until she fired me. Yep. My own mother. Fired. Me.
But in true “mother knows best” fashion, she did it because she said I was wasting my talent hiding behind her desk. She told me to spread my wings, stop playing small, and fly right into becoming a full-on loan officer. So I did — and she was right.
Fast-forward to today: I now run my own branch right here in Lampasas, serving families, veterans, first-time buyers, investors, and anyone else who’s ready to build their future. Helping people achieve homeownership or start their investment journey is genuinely my passion — I’m obsessed with it. I live for the problem-solving, the creative financing, the “YES, we can make this work” moments, and that magical second a borrower realizes they’re actually going to get the keys.
I’m detail-obsessed (in a healthy way… mostly). I believe there is always a solution, and giving up on people is simply not in my DNA. If there’s a path, I’ll find it. If there isn’t a path, I’ll build one — usually with coffee in one hand and three highlighters in the other.
Today I’m still doing exactly what I love: helping families plant roots, helping investors grow wealth, and serving my community with the same passion my mom showed me growing up. It’s truly the best job in the world, and I’m grateful every day that I get to do it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Has it been a smooth road?
Oh, absolutely not. If mortgage lending had a roadmap, mine would look like a scribbled treasure map drawn by a toddler — lots of swirls, mystery arrows, questionable directions, and zero actual guidance.
Even though my mom is a mortgage lender too, there’s no “hand-me-down manual” in this industry. Every loan officer eventually has to carve out their own path, their own style, their own niche. I had to build everything from the ground up: my relationships, my reputation, my network, and honestly, my mindset. I learned pretty quickly to walk into every room and ask myself, “What can I learn from each person here?” That curiosity has kept me growing when things got hard.
And things do get hard. This industry changes faster than Texas weather. Just when you think you’ve mastered it — BOOM — a new guideline drops, a bizarre scenario lands in your inbox, or someone’s income calculation looks like it was created by a mad scientist. There’s no “I’ve figured it out” moment here… it’s more like a never-ending obstacle course with surprise rounds.
And while everyone loves to chase the highest numbers, that’s never been my driving force. I’m fueled by the tough files — the ones other lenders say no to. Those “no” situations push you mentally, physically, and emotionally. They wear on you. They demand creativity, grit, and sometimes a deep sigh into your coffee cup. But I keep going because I want to be the lender who says YES when everyone else said no.
But my biggest struggle? Balancing all of this with being a mom.
I have two little girls — 3 and 4 — and they are my entire world. This job is demanding, unpredictable, and often intense, but so is raising tiny humans. Finding that balance between serving my clients and being present for my family is a daily challenge. Sometimes I’m reviewing income docs with a toddler on my hip. Sometimes my Zoom calls include background cameos of snack requests, glitter accidents, or someone wearing a princess dress and cowboy boots.
But making time for my family is non-negotiable. No matter how busy, chaotic, or overwhelming things get, my girls come first. They’re my “why,” my fuel, and the reason I push so hard — not for numbers, but for legacy and impact.
So no, the road hasn’t been smooth… but it’s been meaningful, messy in all the right ways, and full of purpose. And I wouldn’t trade a single part of it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I always say I have the best job in the world — and I genuinely mean it. I’m a mortgage loan officer, but that title barely scratches the surface of what I actually do. Yes, I analyze numbers, structure loans, and decode income documents like they’re ancient manuscripts… but the heart of my work is helping people build futures. I get to walk families, first-time buyers, veterans, and investors through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Being part of that journey never stops feeling special.
I specialize in creative financing and solving complex scenarios — the ones that make most lenders tilt their head like, “Hmm… nope.” That’s where I thrive. Give me the weird, the layered, the complicated, the “other lender said no” situation — that’s my territory. I’m known for being detail-obsessed (in a good way), digging deeper, and finding solutions that others overlook. My clients know I don’t believe in giving up on people. If there’s a path, we’ll find it. If there isn’t, I’ll help build one.
What sets me apart is my heart for people and my commitment to doing this job with purpose. I don’t chase numbers — I chase impact. I’m proud of the trust homebuyers all across Texas place in me, from small towns to big cities. Texans have grit, heart, and dreams as big as the sky, and getting to help them plant roots or start investment portfolios is an honor I don’t take lightly.
I’m also incredibly proud of the journey. From being fired (lovingly) by my mother — a long-time loan officer — because she knew I was meant to soar on my own… to building my own book of business from scratch… to balancing two young daughters while navigating an industry that changes faster than a Texas weather forecast… every step has mattered. Every challenge has shaped me into the lender I am today.
What do I do?
I solve problems.
I advocate for borrowers.
I guide people through life-changing milestones with honesty, clarity, and a whole lot of passion.
I help Texans dream bigger — and then I help make those dreams real. And truly… I wouldn’t trade that for anything.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Austin will always have a huge piece of my heart because it’s home. I was born right here in the Anderson Mill area, and I’ve lived, worked, and adventured through just about every corner of this city — downtown, the 360 corridor, Southpark Meadows, and everywhere in between. Austin shaped me. It’s where I learned how to work hard, dream big, and appreciate every little slice of life that makes this place so special.
What I love most about Austin is the energy. There’s this incredible blend of creativity, kindness, and ambition that you just don’t find anywhere else. People here aren’t afraid to be themselves — and they aren’t afraid to chase bold ideas. Austin has this way of making you feel both inspired and welcomed, like everyone’s cheering you on even if they don’t know you. And of course, the food, the music, the culture… it all feels authentically alive.
Now, what I like least about Austin… well, let’s just say I’m not a “hustle and bustle” girl. I’m a simple gal at heart. I thrive in slower moments — the thoughtful ones, the meaningful ones. So while Austin’s fast pace isn’t always my personal vibe, I actually love that about the city too. It keeps me on my toes. It pushes me. It reminds me that growth happens when you balance calm with momentum.
So even the thing I “like least” is really just another reason I appreciate Austin. It’s a beautiful contradiction — big and bold, yet filled with small pockets of simplicity. And that’s exactly why I’ll always love it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.leighboone.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leighannthelender/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leighannloans
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leighannboone/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@lboonecmg
