Hello friendly faces! It’s that time of the week! It’s a new Chicago North Shore Moms spotlight brought to you in part by Mary Gifford of Gifford Law. This week we’re introducing you to the lovely Hinsdale mom of three and female founder of A and N Mortgage Services, Neena Vlamis!
Neena Vlamis is a changemaker and a truly dynamic woman. The daughter of an Indian immigrant who founded A and N Mortgage Services, a 100% female-owned mortgage company, learned at a young age the persistence and perseverance of hard work. “I helped my father manage rental properties on the weekends throughout junior high which showed me the value of hard work and building wealth,” she explains. Known for her incredibly positive outlook on life and infectious smile, Neena once had a brain scan where the doctor told her she had the “happiest brain he had ever seen!” As the founder, owner, and CEO of A and N Mortgage, Neena takes pride in her company, which is celebrating 22 years in business and is licensed across 20 states. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her extended family and teaching her kids about smart financial decisions, ensuring they have a strong foundation for their future.Welcome, Neena!
Hi Neena! Please introduce yourself. Where are you from originally? What city do you live in now? What brought you here?
Hi! I grew up here in Chicagoland and attended college here. Raised my kids and opened my business in Chicago. I love the area!
Tell us about your children.
I have three wonderful children, Michael, Kosta, and Eleni. Michael is attending college at the University of Arizona and is in ZBT. Kosta plays football and is exploring college options. We had an amazing college visit earlier in the year! Eleni is very active and plays volleyball.
Neena with her oldest child.
What are one or two fun facts to know about you?
I once had a brain scan and the doctor told me I had the happiest brain he had ever seen!
After having met you, I believe that!! What are you reading and watching?
I enjoy reading a variety of books about making connections. I do a lot of reading for the various programs we offer at A and N Mortgage and look for the new options we can provide our customers.
What’s one piece of advice you’ve gotten that’s guided you professionally, personally or both?
I would say it is to stay positive. I am open-minded and willing to ask questions, thrive on learning about others and growing from lived experiences. I look at obstacles as opportunities and frame my thinking to avoid ‘having to do something’ and instead think of it as a privilege. I learn every day and don’t dwell on negativity. I chose to see the light and keep moving forward. “I want to be the change I hope to see in this world.”
Your mantra?
People make all the difference. Whether it’s the clients we’re helping or the teammates I get to work with, they make everyday worthwhile.
If you could choose one, what is the soundtrack to your life?
I can’t pick just one, I always have music playing!
Let’s get down to business. Please introduce A and N Mortgage!
I am the founder, owner, and CEO of A and N Mortgage, which I am happy to say is a 100% woman-owned mortgage company based in Chicago. We are licensed across 20 states and continuing to grow into new markets every year! A and N is celebrating 22 years in business this year.
We thing you’re one to watch; a local changemaker breaking glass ceilings. Tell us more about what shaped your strong business foundation.
My parents taught me about sales, forging a business for myself and passing on positive traits to develop other leaders and teach borrowers about building wealth. Although I originally wanted to be an English professor and only had 12 hours left to get my master’s, the mortgage industry has run in the family in a sense. Growing up, my mother worked in the mortgage industry and my father, an immigrant from India, owned properties. I helped my father manage rental properties on the weekends throughout junior high which showed me the value of hard work and building wealth. I saw my father’s passion and caught that fever. I remember it like it was yesterday, I was hooked!
My husband, Dean, also works in the mortgage industry and just joined A and N last year. We are teaching our three kids about smart financial decisions to give them a strong foundation for their future. Outside of the office, we spend time with our extended family and enjoy doing things with our kids and our two dogs.
What is the number one question you get from clients? Even though there is no one size fits all answer, can you share with our audience a general answer to that question?
One question we hear is, “what is the mortgage process?” We work on educating both our clients and industry partners. We talk with our clients to let them know the steps and stay in communication with them throughout the process. We also strive to be available for them beyond their first time using our services. We want to be your lender for any stage in your life: First-time home-buying; refinancing; vacation property: and investing. We offer a wide-range of niche products that other large lenders don’t always have access to.
What sets your mortgage company apart from the competition?
A and N is able to boast an impressive 85% of female leaders! We are built on a foundation of security, trust, and relationship building which has helped us rank as both a Top 100 Mortgage Company and a Best Mortgage Company to work for several times. I have been ranked in the Top 200 in Scotsman Guide and have won the Five Star Award for the last fourteen consecutive years. I believe a smile is the most important gift anyone can give, and I love guiding my clients, partners, and team throughout the mortgage journey.
Calling on the magic 8 ball, what real estate trends or mortgage trends do you see coming down the road?
Exciting news for homebuyers! As we enter the election period, mortgage interest rates have seen a notable drop. This presents a unique opportunity for those looking to purchase a home or refinance their current mortgage.
Now is the time to explore your options and take advantage of these favorable conditions. I’m here for you to help navigate this market together!
What’s on the horizon for A and N?
We are opening a location in Clarendon Hills this fall and just opened a branch in New Buffalo, MI!
How do we reach out for more information and begin a journey with you at A and N?
Check out our website at ANmtg.com, give us a call at 773.305.LOAN(5626), or visit one of our office locations! You can find us on Facebook, Instagram and connect with me on LinkedIn.
About our Meet of Mom Sponsor
A very heartfelt thank you to CNSM Meet a Mom sponsor, Lake Forest mom of three and owner of Gifford Law, a solo Estate Planning Firm (wills and trusts). Mary, we appreciate your support of local moms in our North Shore communities! Learn more about Mary by visiting her Meet a Mom spotlight here! Contact Mary directly here: [email protected].
