šŸŽ™ļø Private Lender Interview Series: Vivian’s Story — ā€œIt Just Worksā€

Brant Phillips:
Welcome to another installment of the Private Lender Interview Series! I’m honored today to be joined by Vivian. Vivian, how are you doing today?

Vivian:
I’m doing great. Thank you for having me

šŸ’  How It All Began

Brant:
So let’s dive right in. You’re here because you’re an experienced private lender now, but let’s rewind — what first got you interested in becoming a private lender? What’s your background?

Vivian:
Honestly, I had never heard of private lending before. It was a totally foreign concept. But when I got into real estate and attended one of your meetings, you started talking about it — and I was intrigued.

I didn’t even know this was an option available to people like me. But what really drew me in wasn’t just the strategy — it was you. It was the integrity you showed. And there were a few things that really caught my attention…

šŸ’  Why Trust Mattered First

Vivian:
One thing you said stood out — you used the word ā€œguarantee.ā€ And that hit me hard because in real estate school, every instructor warned us never to use that word. But you said something like:

ā€œI’ve always honored my word with my lenders. No matter how a deal performs, I’ve never let a lender down.ā€

You didn’t say all the deals were perfect — but you said you delivered on every agreement with your lenders. That meant a lot to me.

Brant:
Yes — and I appreciate you pointing that out. You’re right, I don’t go around guaranteeing returns because that’s not allowed and it’s not wise. But I do offer something most investors don’t: a personal guarantee.

If a lender loans money to my LLC, I sign a personal guarantee that says: if something goes wrong, you can come after me personally — not just the company. That’s because I believe in honoring my word. And not every borrower will do that.

I’ve had mentors who’ve said, ā€œI don’t need to offer a personal guarantee. My track record speaks for itself.ā€ But to me, that’s the wrong attitude. I think the borrower should stand by their word — and I always will.

šŸ’  Taking the Leap of Faith

Brant:
Let’s talk about your first experience as a lender. How did it go?

Vivian:
It was definitely a leap of faith. I had never done anything like it before. But I felt comfortable with you — because I had seen you speak at multiple events and presentations. You came across as someone with integrity.

So when the opportunity came up to lend, I jumped at it. And since then, the experience has been wonderful.

  • I get my check every single month.
  • The process was smooth and easy.
  • Your team was professional and helped me through every step.

But here’s the moment it all clicked: when I first told my daughter about it, she was totally against it — very skeptical. But after she saw how consistent it was and how the money hit my account every month… she actually became a private lender herself.

Brant:
That’s awesome. I love hearing that!

šŸ’  Advice for New Lenders

Brant:
If someone’s brand new — maybe they just read the book or they’re on the fence — what advice would you give them?

Vivian:
First and foremost: get educated.

  • Read The Private Lender Playbook. (I’ve read it multiple times.)
  • Attend events. Learn as much as you can.
  • And most importantly: know the person you’re lending to.

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You once said in one of your presentations: Never get into something you don’t understand. That stuck with me. So I made sure to study and keep showing up to your meetings until I really understood how it worked — and who I was working with.

šŸ’  A Message From the Heart

Brant:
Vivian, thank you for sharing your story and experience. It means a lot.

Vivian:
Thank you. I really believe in this model. I want more people to know about it. It’s a powerful option most people don’t even know exists. And it’s not just good for the lender — it blesses the community.

We’re helping people. We’re helping families. And we’re building something that really makes a difference. That’s why I’m passionate about getting the word out.

Brant:
Amen. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

šŸ’” Key Takeaways

  • Trust matters. Before you look at returns, look at the person.
  • Get educated. Read the book, go to events, learn how lending works.
  • Look for a personal guarantee. It’s an extra layer of protection.
  • Simple works. Private lending can be passive, predictable, and profitable.

šŸ“˜ Ready to explore private lending for yourself?

šŸ‘‰ Grab your copy of The Private Lender Playbook

Brant Phillips

Houston Capital Group