Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
LaWanna Bradford is a formidable force in entrepreneurship, a visionary leader, and a catalyst for change. With 30+ years of strategic expertise, she drives growth and market positioning for federal entities, private organizations, and aspiring entrepreneurs. As COO of The Bradford Group, a renowned mortgage brokerage, and Principal of The Bradford Group Consulting, an esteemed business management firm, LaWanna spearheads the industry revolution using a customer-centric perspective. If you are looking to take things to the next level, she is known to effectively guide businesses and entrepreneurs in adding zeros to their bottom line.
LaWanna has received high accolades, including government award-winning financial analyst and strategic planning from government and private industries, 2023 NextGen Entrepreneur of the Year, and a 2023 winner of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for over 4,000 volunteer hours dedicated to the advancement of women entrepreneurs. Recognized in major media outlets, including ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, USA Today, Market Watch, and Business Trendsetters, LaWanna regularly appears on Cyrus Webb Presents Blog Talk and The Mortgage Voice, and Business Innovators national radio shows.
As a trailblazer and licensed Diversity Equity and Inclusion trainer, LaWanna has ventured into television production, launching three groundbreaking shows. Power of the Pen, Choose to Challenge, and Business & Financial Raw Talk enable LaWanna to amplify women’s voices, challenge restrictive societal norms, and inspire viewers to transform into their best selves.
She is a 5x best-selling author, international speaker, trainer, philanthropist, who is on a mission to unleash the untapped potential of strategic thinking, empowering individuals to turn their dreams into reality. She advocates for positive transformation one strategy at a time. She believes that we are all gifted with divine genius and the time is now to be the change we wish to see in the world.
Looking back on your journey, what brought you to where you are today?
As a serial entrepreneur, I've always felt a deep passion for helping people rise to their highest potential. That passion, though, didn’t crystallize until later in life when I realized my gift for strategic thinking and performance management could be used to transform businesses and elevate individuals to new heights. I have a unique ability to see opportunity in the chaos and translate stumbling blocks into stepping stones. Looking back, I’m amazed by how my introduction to the concept of business began with Future Business Leaders of America—an educational experience that became the portal to both numerous future corporate and entrepreneurial opportunities and successes. It brought together my gifts and talents at a time when they were most critical, allowing me to create a lasting impact on business strategy and enterprise risk on both a domestic and global scale.
What made you choose both business strategy and commercial mortgage?
I didn’t choose them—they chose me. I’ve always been curious about how things connect, how systems function, and how strategies shape outcomes. That natural curiosity, coupled with disciplined training and real-world application, set the stage for my path. After leaving my role as the Director of Corporate Business Strategy and Analysis at a billion-dollar transit agency, I took a sabbatical. I knew I wanted to consult, but I hadn’t yet defined my “what.” My brother owned a mortgage company, and I decided to volunteer temporarily to help with compliance and staff training. That temporary role turned into a passion, and 18 years later, The Bradford Group remains a resilient force in an ever-changing commercial mortgage industry. Now, my focus has expanded to helping businesses reposition themselves strategically to stay relevant in shifting markets. By leveraging financial applications like mortgages, I help business owners—particularly women—leverage their financial acumen and business contributions to build sustainable communities that thrive.
What strategies would you recommend for attracting new clients?
The fundamentals never change: you must have a product or service that solves a problem and meets the needs of your target audience. Start by crafting messages that resonate and answer the question, “What’s in it for me?”—because that’s what draws people in. Transparency is key. Deliver on your brand promises consistently, and you’ll create trust, which leads to loyal customers who become your biggest advocates. The best strategy is to be dependable and authentic. When your clients see your reliability, they’ll spread the word for you.
What’s the best way to make steady money?
The best way to make steady money is to find something you love and turn it into a profit center. People are always willing to pay for solutions to their problems, so your job is to create a magnetic attraction to what you offer. Build a system that not only generates revenue but also ensures that income is dependable and predictable. Passion combined with strategy is the foundation for steady financial growth.
What’s the most important mindset for financial success?
Know your numbers. It’s astounding how many business owners don’t truly understand their operating costs or fail to plan for constraints. You must eliminate limiting beliefs about money—it’s not an obstacle; money is a tool that works for you. Shift your mindset: money is there to do your bidding, not to control you. When you know your numbers and manage your finances strategically, financial success becomes inevitable. Today I continue to apply sage advice that I received many decades ago which told me to “never chase after money…seek wisdom and knowledge that intertwines with your passion and the money will follow.”
If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Shake off fear and doubt, and just go for it. Don’t overthink—just take the leap. If you stumble or fall short, get back up, reassess, and aim higher. The key is persistence. Each step forward brings you closer to the win, even if the win looks different from what you first imagined. Success is about resilience and action, not perfection.
Looking ahead, what are your next big goals, both personally and professionally?
In 2025, I’ll be publishing two books. One is a memoir I co-wrote with my father, and the other outlines how to rise as a resilient force in ever-changing markets, using my proprietary method called The R3 System. Personally, I’m committed to expanding my businesses and taking my consulting and teaching to more global stages. My ultimate vision is to help businesses and communities thrive by creating sustainable, strategic pathways for success. I want to empower entrepreneurs to not only build wealth but also to be the change-makers who foster strong, impactful communities.
