Process + Systems

#25 – The COO Mindset Every Private Lender Needs: A Talk With Jana Goodnight

April 21, 2025

Building Smarter Private Money Lending Businesses: Jana Goodnight’s Systems for Success

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Whether you’re considering private money lending for your portfolio or you’re on your tenth deal, I'm sharing my PML journey, lessons learned, and all the goodies in every episode so you can grow your returns faster.

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Work smarter, not harder—systems are your secret weapon for lending success.

In this episode of Grow With Leila, I sit down with systems expert and private money lender Jana Goodnight to talk about what it really takes to grow a sustainable lending business—without the burnout. Jana is the COO of a software company, a mom, and a PML building her business with intention, not chaos. She breaks down how to think like a COO from day one, what to systematize before you ever hire or automate, and why tools alone won’t save you.

This is the mindset shift most new lenders don’t even know they need—and it’ll change the way you run your business.

Today, we talk about:

>>The real difference between tools and systems—and why it matters for private lenders

>>What to track, organize, and automate first if you want to grow with ease

>>How to build a CRM system (even if it’s a spreadsheet!) that becomes your best relationship-building asset

Guest Info:

Jana Goodnight is the COO of a software company, a seasoned systems expert, and a private money lender based in Phoenix, AZ. She supports real estate investors by offering strategic capital backed by strong relationships with family offices, debt funds, and security firms. Jana believes that “anyone can build a business, but only a few build empires”—and she’s here to help more women do just that.

Listen in if you’ve been feeling scattered, overwhelmed, or unsure how to grow your lending business, this episode gives you the clarity and action steps you need to get organized, get focused, and start building like a COO—today.

Click here to listen!

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If Grow With Leila resonates with you, please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more listeners—just like you—move toward their private money lending goals. Tap to rate with five stars and select “Write a Review.” I’d love to hear what you enjoyed most about the episode!

Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 

>> 10 Costly Mistakes Made By Women Who Are New to Private Money Lending (And How To Avoid Them) 

>> DM Jana on Instagram to get her on-demand, virtual tour of how she uses free software for her contact and loan management

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