Be Wealthy How Shayla Gifford Built a Billion-Dollar Real Estate Empire (Her Wealth Playbook)
In this episode of the Be Wealthy Podcast, Brett Tanner talks with powerhouse mortgage leader Shayla Gifford, who shares her journey from humble beginnings and family challenges to building a billion-dollar business and a life of balance.
Shayla opens up about growing up in a hardworking, disciplined family, developing resilience early, and turning those lessons into entrepreneurial drive. She reveals how hitting her financial goals didn’t bring fulfillment — and how redefining success through purpose, balance, and freedom transformed her life.
This episode dives deep into high performance, leadership, burnout recovery, and building wealth without losing yourself along the way.
🔑 TOP TAKEAWAYS
- Winning is a mindset. True success starts from self-belief and consistent habits.
- Reinvention is key. Each stage of life requires new focus, systems, and identity.
- Burnout is a teacher. Slowing down can unlock clarity, freedom, and better leadership.
- Structure creates space. Systems and routines empower balance — not restrict it.
- Legacy over hustle. Real wealth is the ability to design a life you truly love.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Introduction: Meet Shayla Gifford
01:00 – Growing Up in a Driven, Working-Class Family
04:00 – Early Lessons: Strength, Discipline, and “Changing the Channel”
08:00 – Building Resilience and the Desire to Be Exceptional
12:00 – From Network Marketing to Real Estate and Mortgages
16:00 – Learning the Value of Money and Security
19:00 – 2008 Market Crash: Adapting and Door-Knocking for Refis
23:00 – Discovering Coaching and the Power of Systems
27:00 – Building a Sustainable, Scalable Business
30:00 – Hitting the $4 Million Goal – and Realizing “Nothing Changed”
34:00 – The Journey from Success to Significance
37:00 – Scaling, Leadership, and Building Teams
42:00 – Burnout and the Shift Toward Work-Life Balance
45:00 – Living Abroad in Spain: The Reset that Changed Everything
50:00 – Reinvention, Time Freedom, and Working 3 Days a Week
54:00 – Building Systems for Freedom and Long-Term Success
58:00 – Redefining “On Fire”: The 4 Domains of Fulfillment
1:00:00 – Final Thoughts: Getting Better Every Year
🧭 RESOURCES & MENTIONS
- Guild Mortgage – Shayla’s leadership and growth journey
- Catalyst Coaching Program – Shayla’s framework for high-performing loan officers
- EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) – for leadership and team structure
- Win By Noon Planner by Todd Bookspan
- The 7-Day Weekend by Ricardo Semler
- The Be Wealthy Mastermind – Brett Tanner’s coaching community
⚡ CONNECT & SUBSCRIBE
🚨 BE WEALTHY WEBSITE 🚨
👉 www.BeWealthy.com
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🧱 ABOUT THE SHOW
The Be Wealthy Podcast brings entrepreneurs the strategies to grow their business — then teaches them how to think about their money. Because wealth is far more than money — it’s freedom.
Hosted by Brett Tanner & co-pilot Katelyn Mitchell.
Mission: Get Free.
📚 Free Resources: https://www.bewealthybrett.com/resources
🏦 Infinite Banking Education: SaveLikeaBank.com
⚡️ Cost Segregation Studies and 45L Tax Credit: SingleFamilyCostSeg.com
💵 Self-Directed IRA: MaxOutRetirement.com
🏢 Trust and Entity Structure: http://setupmyestate.com/
🏘️ Off-Market Deals and Cash Buyers List: TheMagicMailers.com
🛠️ Hard Money Financing: https://www.lendingcashnow.com/get-fu...
📥 Wholesale Deals: getourhousedeals.com
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Be Wealthy and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting decisions. Always consult your own advisors before taking financial action.