It may not seem like an obvious career change, but during the pandemic I started to do some soul searching. With my office shut down for 3 months, I looked for learning opportunities that might interest me. I completed both the real estate and mortgage agents courses, in order to get a feel for what I liked better. I had been working in dentistry since 1993, when I graduated from U of T. My first 4 years were spent in the military, and after that, in private practice. I bought a dental office in Barrie and grew it into a very successful and thriving family practice. I had built up a large patient base and was proud of what I had accomplished. But the back started to get sore, and things just seemed routine after doing the same thing for so many years. I did not want to become one of “those guys” who continued in the profession maybe a few years too many. I loved my team and my patients and so I knew I had to find an alternative that would still allow me to work with people and help them in some way.
When I took the mortgage agent course, I just really loved it. I have always loved math, and numbers and finances light me up. I felt that I had enough real world experience to offer good judgment, intelligent advice and personable client service. I felt I could be successful in this industry, if I wanted to make the jump. I also have a great friend in Adam Bazuk, a very successful mortgage broker who has been in the industry for decades. I have followed his career with interest, and when I approached him with the idea of joining his industry, well if you know Adam, you know he was enthusiastic and encouraging. So, when the opportunity arose to sell my practice, I took it. It was a big, scary jump, but what the heck, we only live once and it may as well be fun and exciting. So here I am, a brand new mortgage agent, just completing my first deal as I write this (January 10, 2022) and I feel great! I am learning a ton and feel fully supported by the Dominion Lending team. Adam has been fantastic as my mentor, and I feel like this second career could be just what the doctor ordered.
Written by Dr. Jim Graszat, DDS
Update – August 2023. Well, the education continues, and I have now completed the education required to be a Mortgage Broker.