Sam Sharp remembers living as a starving artist – literally. The former professional drummer faced some serious challenges when breaking his hand meant no tours and, as a result, no income. “I was eating once a day and needed to do something fast!” he laughs. A friend who had started a mortgage company had tried relentlessly to recruit him, so he finally decided to give lending a chance. That was 14 years ago. Since then, his unexpected career path has found him ranked No. 37 in the county with over a billion dollars in loan origination.

His appetite for success drove Sharp to work as diligently as possible to learn every aspect of the industry. “I hit the ground running,” he recalls. He started by cold calling potential clients to offer them a refinancing opportunity at an all-time low rate of 8 percent. “I was always up front with everyone and let them know that I’d make up for what I lacked in experience with hard work. That was well received and allowed me to steadily grow my business,” Sharp says. In fact, his client roster and loan origination grew so rapidly that he quickly became his company’s top producer and was named partner in just over a year.

Sharp’s in-depth knowledge of residential financing includes a thorough understanding of both underwriting guidelines and tax returns, skills that facilitate his ability to secure financing for individuals ranging from first-time buyer to corporate CEO. “I dedicate my life to my work,” he says. “I treat my clients with respect and I deliver results by relying on hard work and transparency to ensure that everyone involved in a real estate transaction is well informed and feels comfortable throughout the process.”

A client once told him, “I don’t even know what I don’t know,” a statement that has resonated with Sharp and serves as a constant reminder for how best to approach his work. “I have to be an expert in my field because I have to be certain that my clients understand the lending process and set realistic expectations for what we can achieve together.” And while this musician still plays regularly, he finds that both lending and drumming create a balance in his life. “I take pride in what I do, and I know now that my two passions can complement one another so that I’m happy both professionally and personally.”