Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Lauren McKown is a Mortgage Advisor and Mortgage Loan Originator at Edge Home Finance Corporation, where she helps individuals and families build wealth through real estate by developing personalized mortgage strategies. She specializes in assisting first-time homebuyers, physicians eligible for specialized mortgage programs that may offer zero-down-payment options based on future income, and real estate investors. She also helps clients navigate home purchases, refinancing, and other lending opportunities by simplifying complex mortgage concepts and providing honest, individualized guidance. Her goal is to make the mortgage process more accessible while helping clients make confident financial decisions that support both their immediate needs and long-term financial goals.
McKown brings more than 15 years of experience in technology sales, account management, and business development. Before transitioning into mortgage lending, she served as an Account Director at Salesforce, where she helped mid-commercial businesses define customer journeys, align customer touchpoints with strategic objectives, and develop solutions to strengthen client relationships. Her previous experience also includes account executive and senior account management positions with Carousel Industries, Bluewater Technologies Group, and Netlink Software Group America. She obtained her Mortgage Loan Originator license in September 2024 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Advertising and Public Relations from Michigan State University in 2010, graduating with a 3.75 GPA and earning a place on the Dean's List throughout all four years. In addition to her professional work, she is a member of the Rochester Regional Chamber of Commerce and serves as financial chair for her local MOMCO group.
McKown attributes her success to building genuine relationships rooted in care, trust, and a sincere interest in understanding others' goals. She believes consistency, daily performance metrics, community involvement, and a commitment to continuous improvement are essential to achieving long-term success. Outside of her career, she enjoys traveling both internationally and throughout the United States, spending quality time with her family, discovering new foods, and enjoying music. Her appreciation for new experiences and meaningful connections reflects the same enthusiasm and curiosity she brings to her professional relationships. Above all, she is passionate about helping others succeed, achieve homeownership, and build lasting wealth through real estate.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success primarily to building genuine relationships and sincerely caring about the people I work with. I take a genuine interest in understanding individuals, their businesses, and what they hope to accomplish. By building connections rooted in trust, authenticity, and mutual support, I have been able to establish strong referral relationships and meaningful partnerships with real estate professionals. When people recognize that I genuinely care about their success and am committed to helping them achieve their goals, it naturally builds trust and creates opportunities for lasting professional relationships and business growth.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received is that consistency pays off in the long run. I believe success comes from setting clear goals, establishing daily performance targets, and taking consistent steps toward achieving them. Whether making 20 phone calls, sending 15 emails, staying connected with clients, attending networking events, or building genuine relationships, small, intentional efforts add up over time. The first year of building a business is often the most challenging, but persistence, dedication, and having a supportive team make a significant difference. Ultimately, staying focused, showing up every day, and remaining committed to the process are essential to achieving lasting success.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the industry is to clearly define their ideal customer and be as specific as possible about the audience they want to serve. Identify your unique strengths, experiences, and abilities, and understand how they can help address your clients' needs and solve their problems. Develop a clear and compelling personal brand statement that communicates the value you bring to your target audience. Don't simply introduce yourself by your job title; explain what you do, who you help, and how you make a difference. For example, rather than saying I am a Mortgage Advisor, I introduce myself by saying that I help people build wealth through real estate by turning complicated mortgage decisions into smart, personalized strategies.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
I believe there are many opportunities in the mortgage and real estate industry to help people build wealth and achieve financial success, especially when you genuinely care about helping clients reach their goals. Although the market is highly competitive, leveraging technology and social media can be an effective way to grow a business and establish meaningful client relationships. Some of the biggest challenges include working evenings and weekends to accommodate clients, as well as navigating higher interest rates and rising home prices. However, creative financing strategies, including down payment assistance programs, can help make homeownership more attainable. The industry offers considerable flexibility and opportunities for growth, but it also requires dedication, adaptability, and a willingness to balance professional demands with personal time.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I believe honesty, integrity, family, and loyalty are the foundation of both my professional and personal life. I place great importance on building genuine relationships because I sincerely care about people, their goals, and their well-being. I strive to approach every interaction with authenticity, trust, and respect, ensuring that the relationships I build are meaningful and lasting.
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