#093 You Can't Control the Market: Jayson Hardie on Leading Through Uncertainty

Built For This Podcast, with Carly Pepin

October 26, 2026 by

Carly Pepin

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In this episode of Built For This, Carly Pepin sits down with Jayson Hardie, CEO of Homestead Financial Mortgage, to explore what it takes to build a resilient business in an industry where so much is outside your control.

Since founding Homestead Financial Mortgage in 1998, Jayson has navigated financial crises, changing regulations, and dramatic interest rate increases. Along the way, he's learned that long-term success isn't about predicting every market shift but building a business that can adapt when circumstances change.

Carly and Jayson explore how he transitioned from an advertising-driven business to one built around realtor relationships and referrals, why small improvements can make a significant difference, and how his philosophy of "when in doubt, split test" helps his team make better decisions.

They also discuss the human side of leadership, including creating an environment where employees can speak openly, recognizing people's individual strengths, and why the best performers aren't always the best leaders. Throughout the conversation, Jayson shares how curiosity, experimentation, and strong relationships have helped him navigate uncertainty while staying focused on helping families achieve homeownership.

Key Takeaways

Adaptability Is More Valuable Than Predictability

Jayson believes businesses can't control external circumstances, but they can control how they respond. By rethinking his company's marketing approach, investing in technology, and continually improving processes, he's built a business better equipped to navigate changing market conditions.

Replace Opinions With Experiments

Jayson's philosophy is simple: "When in doubt, split test." Rather than spending time debating which idea is best, he encourages his team to test different approaches and let the results guide their decisions. It's a mindset that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Great Leaders Recognize and Develop People's Strengths

Jayson understands that being exceptional at a job doesn't automatically make someone a great leader. He focuses on identifying individual strengths and developing people who can communicate, teach, organize, and help others succeed, creating stronger teams in the process.

About Jayson Hardie

Jayson Hardie is the CEO of Homestead Financial Mortgage, a Midwest-based mortgage banking company with approximately 100 employees.

Since founding the business in 1998, Jayson has guided the organization through some of the mortgage industry's most challenging periods, including the financial crisis and dramatic changes in interest rates.

With decades of experience in business leadership, Jayson is passionate about strategy, continuous improvement, and understanding the human stories behind business decisions. He believes that learning from mistakes, staying adaptable, and building strong relationships are essential to long-term success.

Memorable Quotes
"Don't argue, just split test."
"Don't make perfection the enemy of action."
"You just have to focus on being as good as you can all the time and you'll be able to adapt to the situations that present themselves."

Jayson Hardie