Please pardon us for diverging a little bit from our typical themes this week. But we have what might as well be a once-in-a-lifetime announcement.

If you get a chance, have a look at the September issue of Inc. 5000. When you do, we’re honored to say you’ll see that LodeStar is among the 5000 fastest growing private companies of 2022. Not just in the mortgage and real estate industry, but in the entire national economy. We’ve just been named to the Inc. 5000!

A dizzying journey

It’s been a dizzying journey from that apartment in NYC where Co-Founder David Spektor and I took those first steps on the journey of making a dream into a reality. Along the way, we’ve been truly fortunate to add some of the best people in the industry as clients, partners and teammates. Dave and I thank all of you for joining our vision and helping us make LodeStar one of the mortgage technology field’s emerging stars. 

Small business is a key driver of new jobs in our economy and it is a privilege to among the companies that are collectively helping to employ thousands of people. 

We also express our sincere gratitude to the editors and reporters of Inc. 5000. It’s always an honor to be acknowledged for one’s accomplishments and success. But to be designated as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the nation? In all American industries? That’s even more humbling. 

Accepting the challenge

In acknowledging LodeStar had made this year’s list, Scott Omelianuk Editor in Chief of Inc. Media noted that “more than half a million businesses close each year.” Sadly, we’ve seen ample evidence of this in our own industry just this year.  So to make it this far is unbelievable. Most of you understand the colossal challenge it is to keep a business alive, much less to growing it. And we’ve certainly had our own “growing pains” as well in recent years. So, to be among names like Intuit, Under Armour, Microsoft, Patagonia, or Zappos (all past Inc. 5000 honorees) is almost surreal. 

Onward and upward!

We don’t believe we’ve hit our peak just yet, and we’ll continue to try to improve and grow our business. Our core values at LodeStar are “community,” “clarity” and “connectivity.” Now, more than ever, we believe we have a duty to employ the platform we’ve built to help improve our industry in those three areas and emphasize their importance. We’ll continue to champion causes like DEI and mental health. We’ll continue to question obsolete ideas that some stubbornly cling to. We’ll continue to push for true improvement to the customer experience in the mortgage lending and homebuying processes. And we’ll continue to challenge ourselves to be the best we can, hopefully having a lot of fun along the way!

We at LodeStar are grateful to all of our clients, friends and colleagues who take the time to view Deeper Thoughts. Please consider having a look as well at some of our other great content, including our podcast, LodeStar Lending Leaders and our new original webcomic, “A Tale of Two Mortgages.”

As always, your feedback is welcomed and appreciated!