The Precious Present with Steve Jacobson

Jan 14, 2026 | The Professional Noticer

Some lessons stick with you long after you first hear them—and this conversation is full of them.

This week, we’re revisiting Andy’s sit-down with Steve “Jake” Jacobson, Founder and CEO of Fairway Home Mortgage, a company that closed more than $65 billion in 2020.

Listen as Jake opens up about “the precious present”—a mindset his college basketball coach Bo Ryan taught him at Wisconsin that still shapes how he leads today. You’ll hear how his commitment to serving others was forged through sports, team camaraderie, and a relationship with his dad he calls “unconditional.”

Andy and Jake dig into Fairway’s Ten Core Values and the real ways they’ve impacted the company’s team members. And as a hilarious bonus, Andy grills his friend about the several hundred nicknames Jake has coined around the office—and what that reveals about connection, culture, and leadership.

Whether you missed this one or it’s been a while, this is a conversation about building something that matters.

Find more about Fairway at their website, and connect with them on Facebook.

Website: https://www.fairway.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FairwayMortgage

If you have questions or comments for THE PROFESSIONAL NOTICER, please contact us at: TheProfessionalNoticer@AndyAndrews.com

Explore

  • Generational Quiz Off: Round 3
    Generational Quiz Off: Round 3

    Emily (Gen Z) is back and quizzing Andy (Baby Boomer) on the meaning behind popular emojis, “swiping right or left,” TikToK personalities, some very interesting slang, and more! But Andy has a few tricks up his sleeve and chooses his questions for a specific purpose. Can you catch on before…

    Read More »
  • My Favorite Book?
    My Favorite Book?

    Hi Everyone! For those of you who might have wondered, “Where did Andy go?  We haven’t heard from him in a while . . .”, I have been hard at work on my 2011 book.  Whew!  I must admit, it is more than a bit consuming.  Soon, I want to…

    Read More »
  • What Do I Do Now?
    What Do I Do Now?

    After my last posting entitled “Here We Go …”, I have enjoyed reading your comments on the blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook. I have also talked to quite a few of you in person.  It has been interesting to note that as excited as we all seem to be,…

    Read More »
  • Manners Are Money
    Manners Are Money

    Tune in to hear Andy explain why manners are not about outdated rules or trying to impress people, but about something much simpler: awareness of others.

    Read More »
  • Knowing When to Persist and When to Change Direction
    Knowing When to Persist and When to Change Direction

    A few weeks ago I posted a blog asking you to suggest topics for future posts. The response was exciting…and overwhelming. There were so many great suggestions that I wasn’t entirely sure where to start, but I finally settled on one for this week for two reasons: This is a…

    Read More »

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This