Today we’d like to introduce you to Emmanuel Blakemore.
Hi Emmanuel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I actually started my journey right out of college. After playing Division 1 football and graduating from Stetson University, I landed a sales position with a firm in downtown Brickell, which gave me my first taste of the mortgage world. When I left that firm, I took a leap of faith, used the last of my savings to get licensed as a mortgage loan officer, and thankfully passed the test on my very first try.
From there, I worked for a brokerage in Orlando, but I quickly realized I wanted to expand my knowledge and impact. That led me into the commercial space, where I joined a brokerage in Wynwood. I really found my stride there and started getting noticed, which opened the door to an opportunity with a capital markets firm out of Toronto.
After that, I transitioned to a bank to see the industry from a different angle. Working inside the bank gave me a great foundation, but it also showed me that I could take control of my own business and build something bigger. So I made the jump into full independence, started my own brokerage called Blakemore Mortgages, and have been successfully running it for almost two years now.
It has been a journey of taking risks, learning at every stage, and always pushing toward more freedom and impact. Looking back, I am glad I trusted myself at every step because it has led me exactly where I need to be today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely wasn’t a smooth road, but I think that’s what made me who I am today. When I started with that first firm in Brickell, I thought I had my future mapped out. When it didn’t work out, I was forced to start from scratch. I took the little money I had left, got licensed completely on my own, studied day and night, and thankfully passed the exam. It was a scary time because I had just moved to Miami with my girlfriend and had spent most of my savings just to be there.
Bouncing around to different firms was also challenging. Each time, I was looking for the right fit, but I kept running into situations where leadership, values, or business practices just didn’t align with how I believed things should be done. It was frustrating, but it taught me exactly what kind of business I wanted to run and what I didn’t want to compromise on.
Looking back, those struggles were a blessing. They gave me the grit to bet on myself and the clarity to build Blakemore Mortgages into a company that does business the right way and truly serves clients the way I believe they should be served.
We’ve been impressed with Blakemore Mortgages, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Blakemore Mortgages is built on a foundation of professionalism and a commitment to doing right by our clients, even when that means prioritizing their long-term success over our own short-term gain. We believe in relationships first, and that philosophy has been key to our growth and reputation.
We are a true one-stop shop for capital solutions. While residential investment properties remain our specialty, we also provide access to commercial loans, business loans, equipment financing, merchant cash advances, and SBA loans. Our clients know that when they have a project that requires funding, they can come to us with confidence. Whether it’s expert advice or the exact financial product they need, we are committed to securing the best possible terms and rates for them.
One of the things that makes us unique is our hybrid model. We operate as both a direct lender and a broker, giving us the ability to fund certain deals in-house while also leveraging our network of more than 90 wholesale and private money connections. This combination allows us to offer our clients an unmatched level of flexibility and choice.
We specialize in residential investment properties, including rental portfolios and fix-and-flip projects, as well as owner-occupied financing. What we are most proud of, however, is the reputation we have built. With 50 five-star reviews on Google, we have consistently demonstrated that we deliver an exceptional client experience, and that trust is what defines the Blakemore Mortgages brand.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Most people don’t know that I was just a couple of fights away from going pro as a boxer in college. At that point, I had to choose between pursuing boxing seriously or focusing on a career in banking. I chose banking, and looking back, I am glad I did. Not only did I avoid brain injuries, but the discipline, focus, and grit I developed in the ring have carried over into my work. Those same qualities drive how I run Blakemore Mortgages, from building relationships with clients to tackling complex deals. Boxing taught me persistence, resilience, and never backing down from a challenge, and that mindset is at the core of how I approach my business today
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blakemoremortgages.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmanuelblakemore_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlakemoreMortgages/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmanuel-blakemore/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@blakemoremortgages
