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Q & A: OPTIMA Lender Services

MBE Spotlight
OPTIMA Lender Services

OPTIMA Lender Services, located on Richmond Road in Cleveland, provides nationwide, single-source solutions for real estate transactions. Its executive management team has more than 150 years of industry experience. Chief Executive Officer Monique Winston talked with The Commission Connection about how she got started in the title and settlement industry and the assistance she’s received from the Minority Business Development Agency Cleveland office.

• Commission Connection : What are your primary products and services?

Winston: We provide nationwide single source vendor management solutions. Our primary business is providing clients with third-party services related to residential and commercial loan originations and portfolios. We offer full title and settlement services on residential and commercial properties, for both purchase and refinance transactions, as well as certain title and settlement services to support the Default and REO process. Additionally, we provide title services for post-closing and audit functions to assist in the "clean up/correction" of deficient loan portfolios.

• CC : How did you get into the title and settlement industry?

Winston: This is a very unique industry. I always tell people that I “stumbled” into the industry and it was history from that point on. I initially applied for a job as a title examiner. However, I quickly found myself moving into management, legal, underwriting and training. I have worked on both the agency and underwriting side of the business. I think either you love it or you hate it, and I just happen to really love it.

• CC: What services has the MBDA Business Center provided to help your company?

Winston: Assisting in the identification and procurement of business opportunities and contracts; assisting in the identification and analysis of capital resources, and providing strategic business development and consulting services.

• CC: What has been a significant challenge and how did you overcome it?

Winston: I think there are innate challenges in just the day to day realities of running a business, especially when there are so many external and economic factors facing businesses today. However, it always helps to take each day as it comes and keep the challenges in perspective. I have found that often times the challenges don’t seem as great if you line them up against the positive factors. Yet challenges can look insurmountable when you isolate them.

• CC: What advice would you share with other CEOs?

Winston: I would say that we always have to remember that people are our biggest asset—internal and external, the staff, our clients, our community. They make the difference, so we have to keep that at the forefront of our minds and at the core of our decision making.

• CC: What do you most enjoy about your work?

Winston: I get to work with a variety of people. I deal with internal staff, lenders, borrowers, underwriters, community liaisons, local and national leaders, etc. Meeting and interacting with people is a privilege, especially when you have the opportunity to provide services as unique as what OPTIMA offers. I enjoy the people, and, of course, there is never a dull moment.