Glenn and Mindy Stearns represent the quintessential American success story, but with dimensions of humanity, resilience, and kindness that elevate their journey beyond typical business achievements. Glenn’s beginning was anything but privileged – growing up in Maryland in a blue-collar family with alcoholic parents, bars on the windows of their apartment, and struggling with dyslexia that caused him to fail fourth grade. Perhaps most challenging, he became a father at just 14 years old. These circumstances would have defined and limited many, but for Glenn, they became the foundation for an extraordinary life trajectory.
The pivotal moment came in a bar late one night, when Glenn had a moment of clarity amidst what he calls “his deepest fog.” He decided he didn’t want to follow the patterns of addiction and limitation he’d witnessed. The very next day, he drove across the country to California, where a chance encounter with a gardener at a beautiful oceanfront property pointed him toward real estate – the industry that would eventually make him a billionaire. This spontaneous cross-country journey is emblematic of Glenn’s approach to life: recognizing opportunity, taking bold action, and refusing to let circumstances define possibilities.
What truly distinguishes Glenn and Mindy’s business approach is their philosophy on leadership and company culture. At Stearns Lending, which grew to become one of the nation’s largest mortgage companies, Glenn implemented what might be called “radical respect” – treating everyone from parking valets to top executives with identical regard and genuine interest. This wasn’t merely a leadership strategy; it was authentic to who they are. As Mindy explains, “We really believe in servant leadership. It’s been the keystone of our success.” Their practice of giving their personal phone numbers to every employee, listening actively to frontline workers, and implementing their suggestions created an organization where people felt truly valued.
After selling Stearns Lending to Blackstone in 2014, Glenn faced throat cancer – a challenge that would prove transformative. Rather than retiring or stepping back, the experience sparked a new entrepreneurial chapter. Following his participation in Discovery Channel’s “Undercover Billionaire” (where he was dropped in a small town with nothing and tasked with building a million-dollar business in 90 days), Glenn and Mindy founded Kind Lending. The company’s name reflects their core philosophy, and their approach turned conventional corporate culture on its head. They created playful programs like ranking customers as “good dogs,” “big dogs,” and “alpha dogs” (with underperformers labeled “wiener dogs”), and instituted a culture of fun, transparency, and accessibility.
What’s particularly remarkable is that Kind Lending opened just before COVID hit, and despite writing checks from their personal account for 33 consecutive months to keep it afloat, they persevered. Today, Kind Lending has approximately 1,000 employees and ranks as the fifth largest and fastest-growing mortgage company in the industry. Their experience demonstrates that kindness and humanity in business aren’t just nice-to-have values – they’re potent drivers of organizational success and resilience during challenging times.
Beyond business, Glenn and Mindy’s involvement with the Horatio Alger Association highlights their commitment to helping young people overcome adversity. They regularly bring scholarship recipients to exclusive settings like Richard Branson’s Necker Island, connecting them with world-class mentors. Glenn’s philosophy on mentorship stems from his own experience: just two meaningful interactions in his youth – where someone expressed belief in his potential – changed the trajectory of his life. Now he dedicates himself to planting those same seeds of possibility in disadvantaged youth.
Perhaps most inspirational is how Glenn has faced his cancer journey. Due to the removal of his epiglottis, he can no longer eat normally and receives all nutrition through a feeding tube. Yet rather than complain or withdraw, he’s embraced this challenge, learned to cook for others though he can’t taste the food, and views his cancer as “a gift” that taught him to appreciate every day. As Mindy notes, “He’s never been happier,” demonstrating that true fulfillment comes not from circumstances but from perspective and purpose.
