What's your superpower?
Making people feel heard. I get told all the time that people feel I'm very genuine and patient. I am never anything but my authentic self. I actually started my college career in pre-med, and I wanted to be a psychiatrist. I think that just comes through in the work I do now.

What is a piece of advice you would give your 20 something self?
It would be to become a loan officer sooner! I do think it's important to go through every hard thing you go through before finding your place in the world. You are who you are today because of what you've gone through. In the end, I guess I really wouldn't change anything.

If you have a bucket list, what's your favorite thing you've checked off?
In college I went to Seoul, South Korea and Japan for a study abroad program. I had so many really cool experiences during that time. Anyone that gets an opportunity to do something like that should take it. As a young person starting out my adulthood, it was life-changing.

Why do you work so hard?
Money. I answered this very same question at the office the other day, and they were like, you can't say that. You can't say that you work for money. As women, we are not really allowed to say that, but money provides you a certain freedom. It provides you the freedom to travel, to buy the things you want, leave a legacy and be independent. Money provides all of that. There's an unspoken rule that we're not supposed to say that we work for money. I want women to know that it's ok to be ambitious, and it's ok to talk about it.

What's a top personality trait that you look for when you're hiring?
It depends on the position you’re looking for. There are certain things that can’t be trained. I can teach systems and processes, but I can’t train you to have a personality. I have hired a lot of people over my career. I like personality assessments, especially the DISC assessment. It helps me understand, at a high level, strengths and weaknesses, and how I need to adapt to best serve you. Being able to understand things from the customers point of view is the top trait that I look for, so in a nutshell, empathy.

What's the best career advice you've ever received?
My Dad has been my primary mentor. I worked for him in his real estate firm until I was 18 in different capacities. He taught me to listen to the customer. You have to figure out what they really want, what are they looking for and how can you help them. You're always going to win as long as you're helping people. That's such great universal advice relevant for any career you're in.

Do you have a favorite career-related quote that's a favorite?
Yes! I'm in sales and this one has always been a favorite throughout my sales career: "In the factory we make cosmetics; in the store we sell hope.” — Charles Revson

It is thinking about the difference between what you're selling versus what the customer is looking for. I sell loans, right? No! I am actually selling a dream for most people. It's a dream to own a home. It's a dream to save money or make money on an investment. It is really just keeping in mind that what you sell isn't just a product to the consumer.

Trisha Murphy is a mortgage professional with Aslan Home Lending Corporation and resides in Denver with her husband and their adorable Australian Shepherd, Franky Blue. For the latest mortgage news and happenings, you can follow her business on Facebook.