Meet Lynn Oates

Meet Lynn Oates

Rochester native, Lynn Oates is the perfect client to kick off my featured client posts here in Michigan. Lynn, like most small business owners, is her business. If she's not networking around town, her business will feel it. I asked Lynn to share a little about her work. Take it away Lynn...

Scott Lawrence: Tell me about your business.

Lynn Oates: I'm a loan officer with Envoy Mortgage in downtown Rochester.

SL: What's unique about how you do what you do?

Lynn: At Envoy, we fully underwrite in advance! Most competitors provide a preapproval that is usually based on a few documents at best. It's not a true underwriting approval. So the mortgage process doesn’t really start until the client has made an offer on a home. We put our clients in a better position because they are fully underwritten, often before the home shopping begins. Because we are underwriting in advance, buyers enter the purchase negotiating process from a stronger position.  We are also typically able to close purchase loans in 21 days—half the time of the national average! An extra few days makes a big difference, especially when relocating or trying to make a school deadline.

SL: What's the one thing most people don't know about your industry, but should?

Lynn: Your credit score is a huge driver in the qualification process and in your interest rate. If you know you'll be house shopping, it's never too soon to begin addressing any credit blemishes.

SL: What's your favorite thing about Rochester?

Lynn: Everything!  I live, work and play downtown because we have the best of everything! A walkable downtown, great shops and restaurants, amazing charities and non-profit organizations, events all year long, hobbies for every interest. Rochester has it all!

Connect with Lynn.

Interested in updating your headshot? Get in touch with Scott.

---

Lynn Oates, Mortgage Loan Officer NMLS ID#1495433

Rochester Christmas Parade 2016

Rochester Christmas Parade

Since coming to Rochester, Michigan, everyone has told me the Christmas Parade is not to be missed. So this weekend, we bundled up and walked down to Main St. and watched over an hour’s worth of floats go by. I lost count at 80!

The streets were packed—impressive for one of the first very cold days of winter. Roads were closed. Countless volunteers were running around making the whole thing happen. I could tell they’ve done this before. 

Rochester and Rochester Hills businesses were well represented. Other floats represented a huge cross section of the community, from elected officials, non profits, school organizations, bands, dance teams, football teams, and even the Clown Unit of the fire department showed up (with their truck nearly on fire, of course). 

What an event! Kudos to all the volunteers, Rochester and Rochester Hills, and the Chamber of Commerce for pulling it off. I can’t wait to see it again next year.

How to crop your headshot

Why do some photographers crop off the top of the subject’s head? Good question. It's a subjective decision, so there's not necessarily a 'right' answer. But here are a few reasons why I believe it makes sense.

Better Function

A tightly cropped headshot makes better use of limited space. Think about how little space there is for an image on your LinkedIn profile, your website bio, or your business card. If you're including a headshot, your goal is to put your face out there — not your hairstyle. A tighter crop maximizes the impact of a small image by keeping the focus where it belongs.

Modern Form

A tight crop is a nod to a modern headshot look. I believe the days of the stodgy vertical boardroom shots are numbered. An image with contemporary cropping and composition will feel fresher and more compelling.

Flattering Focus

Perhaps you’re a little thin on hair up top. A tight crop is a great way to keep the attention on your other attributes, like your eyes and mouth. Those are the features that convey personality and warmth, which are crucial for a great headshot.

When you first notice that your photographer has taken a slice out of your head, it might seem a little odd. But the decision to crop your shot is deliberate and beneficial. When viewing an image of a person, our brains fill in the missing piece without missing a beat.

Try It At Home

Thinking of cropping your own images? Great! Play with the cropping on your next selfie and notice the impact. One tip: it’s all or nothing. Crop like you mean it! A very small slice off the top will look like awkward and sloppy. You have to own it. Happy cropping!

Build Your Local Network

People love to shop local. It’s what makes a community unique. Just look at your local farmer’s market or indy coffee shop. These hyper local establishments don’t need a million followers to be successful, they just need small group of core fans. The community in Rochester, Michigan, is a perfect example.

Do you have a hand in a local business—maybe a boutique or service business? Or, are you simply looking to expand your local professional network? Then this post is especially for you. Even if the majority of your business comes through clicks, don’t underestimate the power of local connections. Followers just don’t appear. Just because you built it doesn’t mean the community will come (or know you’re there).

The trick to inspiring a loyal and local following requires stepping away from your laptop to get out and meet new people in your community. Yes, face to face. Good old fashioned networking doesn’t have to be scary or awkward. With a subtle shift of your thinking, you’ll be off building deep rooted local connections. A better connected community is a win all around. The better your community, colleagues, and fellow business owners understand what and why you do what you do, the better equipped they are to connect you with your ideal clients or your dream job.

A polished online presence is key to building your local network.

First, take some time to review your online presence. As you make new connections, be sure your website and social presence reflects the message you’ll be delivering in person. With your message ready, it’s time to get out there. But how?

Do a little research and find 3 groups that meet in your town. It could be a Chamber of Commerce, a BNI group, a MeetUp, a book club—really any small group that meets in some organized fashion will do.

Visit each group. Do you feel a connection within the group? Don’t think about these people as potential clients. Forget the business element. Don’t ask: can I sell to these people? Ask yourself: Do I want to meet these people for coffee? Do they have something to teach me? Can we support each other? You’re not looking for direct leads or job offers, you’re looking for a group that can be educated on what exactly you do and why you do it. You’re aiming for authentic connection and true mutual support.

After your visits, pick your favorite group and attend another event. That’s it!. It may sound simple, but to some, this is a big step!

Rochester Lives up to the Hype

Wow. It’s been a crazy couple months since moving to Michigan. I have to admit, I’m honestly blown away by the level of community engagement and support for small businesses here in Rochester. There are so many opportunities both as a business owner and resident.

The past week, I took a pause on the business stuff to actually get out the camera a few times. I made some fun candid headshots for the Young Professionals of Rochester at a costume party. This subgroup of the Rochester Regional Chamber continues to amaze me. It’s a wonderful mix of rising stars dedicated to supporting the community for many years to come.

A fabulous costume party event hosted by the Young Professionals of Rochester, MI

Believe it or not, the holidays are fast approaching. In just a couple weeks, look for me at the Holiday Expo at the Royal Park Hotel. I’ll be there making headshots and offering some gift cards. I’m very excited to see what my fellow business owners have in store. Be sure to stop by!

That’s all for today and don’t forget to shop local!