Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittanie Thornton
Hi Brittanie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I never planned on a career in banking, let alone mortgage lending. I actually started as a teller—unexpectedly! But I quickly realized that I loved helping people with their finances and, even more surprising, I was really good at it.
As I progressed in my banking career, I knew I wanted to do more for myself and my family. I saw mortgage lending as an opportunity to not only grow financially but also develop new skills that I wouldn’t have access to as a banker. The head of my company’s mortgage division saw something in me and encouraged me to join a new mentor-mentee program for loan officers. It was a leap of faith—new goals, new challenges, and a big unknown. My mentor, while a little grumpy, was extremely knowledgeable and helped me find my footing.
But here’s the plot twist: After a year, I wasn’t meeting my goals. I had some personal challenges, and ultimately, I had to step down and return to my role as a banker. It was devastating. I had never faced a professional setback like that before, and it took time to rebuild my confidence.
A year later, that same mortgage manager approached me again—this time with a remote loan officer assistant opportunity. I saw it as my shot at redemption. Within weeks of training, my new leader saw my potential and encouraged me to become a remote loan officer. This time, I was ready. I jumped in, and in my first month, I closed 10 mortgages. By the end of my first year, I had helped over 100 first-time homebuyers purchase their dream homes, closing 165 mortgages in total. It was the most rewarding experience of my career.
After four years covering 30 locations across the West Coast, I was ready for another leap. My own mortgage broker, Ryan, had stayed in touch and encouraged me to explore what I could accomplish outside of my corporate role. The decision to join Park 65 Lending was the scariest yet—leaving behind a steady paycheck, benefits, and PTO for the chance to build something of my own. But I knew deep down that it was time. After being inspired by strong, empowering women leaders in my company I knew I could do it too! (Thanks Val & Monica!)
That’s how Home Lending with Brittanie was born. My mission isn’t just to close loans—it’s to educate, empower, and guide people through one of the biggest financial decisions of their lives. I take the time to understand my clients’ financial and life goals before even discussing loan options. My approach is about education, not sales. Whether a client wants every detail of the process explained or just the highlights, I adapt to what makes them feel confident and informed.
I knew I made the right choice when, despite the uncertainty, I felt at peace. I finally had the freedom to build a business that aligned with my values—one that truly puts people first.
In the next five years, I see myself mentoring a small team of loan officers who share this same mission. I want to continue growing a business that focuses on helping, not just selling. My goal is to be a resource that homebuyers can trust, not just during the loan process, but throughout their entire homeownership journey.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Oh, absolutely not! But I don’t think I would have grown as much if it had been easy.
Understanding the mortgage world was overwhelming at first. There are so many options, and the best way to learn in this industry is by doing the deals. That meant I made mistakes in the beginning, which was tough because I’m a bit of a perfectionist. I had to learn to give myself grace and recognize that growth comes from experience.
Transitioning to remote work also had its challenges. I thought I’d love the flexibility, but balancing work and life without a set structure was harder than I expected. And, of course, self-doubt sneaks in at the worst times—especially when I made the leap to Park 65 Lending. I had to take all my licensing tests, and the fear of failing or not measuring up was very real.
One of the biggest struggles after leaving the corporate world was figuring out how to bring in my own business. I had to dive into the intimidating world of networking, which was especially tough because I had just moved to Austin and didn’t know many people. Plus, after working remotely for years, my social skills were a little rusty! It took a lot of pep talks (and maybe a few deep breaths in the car before events), but I kept showing up, meeting new people, visiting open houses, and putting myself out there. I was lucky to find some incredible networking groups early on—especially women-led groups filled with people chasing the same dream of building something for themselves. That support kept me going.
Self-doubt still tries to creep in whenever I step into something uncomfortable, but I’ve learned to push through it. I’ve found confidence along the way, and when fear starts whispering that I’m not ready, I either blast my “You Are a Badass” playlist and sing it out or start repeating my affirmations on a loop.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that it’s okay to be scared of the unknown, but it’s not okay to let it hold you back. Make a plan, take action—even if you have to bring your fear along for the ride. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish when you refuse to let doubt win.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Park 65 Lending?
I’m a mortgage broker with Park 65 Lending, but my brand, Home Lending with Brittanie, is how I connect with homebuyers in a more personal way. I believe buying a home is more than just a transaction—it’s a milestone worth celebrating, and my goal is to make the process as stress-free, transparent, and empowering as possible.
I specialize in working with first-time homebuyers, helping them navigate the home loan process with education and guidance tailored to their needs. What sets me apart is my educate, not sell approach. I take the time to understand my clients’ financial goals—both short- and long-term—before we even start talking about loan options. This ensures that the mortgage they choose isn’t just about getting the keys to a home, but also about setting themselves up for long-term financial success.
As a broker, I have access to more loan options than a traditional bank, which means I can find creative solutions that fit unique situations. Whether it’s a first-time buyer looking for down payment assistance, someone self-employed who needs flexible financing, or a homeowner wanting to refinance for better terms, I customize the experience for every client.
What I’m most proud of is the brand I’ve built through Home Lending with Brittanie. It’s more than just mortgages—it’s about providing education, empowering buyers, and creating a community where people feel confident in their homeownership journey. I want people to know that they don’t have to figure it all out alone. I’m here to walk them through the process, answer all the questions (even the ones they’re nervous to ask), and make the dream of homeownership feel possible and exciting, not overwhelming.
What makes you happy?
Outside of helping others reach their home ownership dreams, my little family makes me pretty dang happy. I’ve been with my partner Josh for 11 years now, and we have two fur pups Bane and Leo. We love taking them out for adventures that include long hikes, water sports and anything that has to do with fetch for Bane! We love the Austin sunshine after moving from Idaho 4 years ago, and can’t imagine cold winters anymore!
Reading has always been a happy place for me! So much so that I took a class at the Austin Book Center to learn how to book bind 2 years ago. I love making personalized journals, and special editions of my favorite books. It allows me to get creative, de-stress and give some really unique gifts!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.park65lending.com/brittanie-thornton
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homelendingwithbritt/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556319285763
