Lessons from Local Leaders:

Caryn Grafton

Why Not Me? Caryn Grafton on Confidence, Leadership, and Building a Meaningful Career

On this episode of The Alimond Show, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Caryn Grafton, the dynamic Head of Sales at Atlantic Coast Mortgage. Caryn isn’t just a top-producing loan officer—she’s a passionate leader, speaker, author, and a champion for doing business with heart. From her early days in marketing to becoming a driving force behind one of the region’s most trusted mortgage teams, Caryn shared her candid journey of growth, self-discovery, and evolving leadership.

Caryn first entered the mortgage world thanks to a best friend who saw her potential. While her early days were focused on online leads and traditional advertising, everything changed when she discovered Brian Buffini’s referral-based system. That mindset shift—focusing on relationship-building over transactions—became the foundation of her success and a message she now passionately shares with others.

During the conversation, Caryn opened up about her evolution from individual contributor to team leader. “At first, I could close deals and deliver for clients, but I didn’t always have the leadership tools,” she admitted. Through intentional coaching and reflection, Caryn embraced her role as a true leader—helping other loan officers grow, find clarity, and build sustainable careers, especially in a post-2020 market that no longer handed out easy wins.

Her commitment to authenticity and education is at the heart of everything she does. Whether she’s coaching loan officers through ACM Hustle or sending personalized video updates to clients, Caryn’s focus is clear: show up, serve well, and lead with integrity. Her recent book, Made for More: The Seven Virtues of an Extraordinary Life, dives even deeper into the principles that guide her—fortitude, faith, prudence, and more—rooted in both personal stories and professional wisdom.

As a mother of three boys, Caryn also shared her perspective on balance, boundaries, and redefining success in different life seasons. “You’ve got to make space for what lights you up,” she said, whether that’s family time, a health journey, or exploring new passions like speaking and writing.

This episode is packed with golden takeaways for entrepreneurs, loan officers, and anyone navigating life, leadership, and legacy. Caryn reminds us that you don’t have to be perfect to start—you just have to start. And with a little courage and a lot of heart, you can build something truly meaningful.

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