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

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