Laura Smith is the Founder and Director of Green Olive Mortgage Solutions. As a dedicated mortgage and protection adviser, she’s passionate about helping people navigate some of life’s biggest financial decisions with confidence and ease. Alongside running her business, Laura is a full-time working mum to three wonderful children, who inspire everything she does.

What is your business and what does it offer?

Green Olive Mortgage Solutions is all about making mortgages and protection simple, straightforward, and far less overwhelming.

As a mortgage and protection adviser, I support people through some of life’s biggest financial milestones – whether you’re a first-time buyer, moving home, remortgaging, investing in buy-to-let, self-employed, navigating credit challenges, or even going through a separation or divorce. My aim is to be there every step of the way, offering a genuine “hand-holding” service so you always feel supported and informed.

Because I have access to a wide range of lenders, I can search for mortgage options that are tailored to your individual circumstances rather than being tied to just one provider. I take the time to get to know you, your financial situation, and your future goals so I can give honest, practical advice without the jargon.

Alongside mortgages, I’m incredibly passionate about helping people protect what is often the biggest financial commitment they’ll ever make. I advise on life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection, helping you find the right level of protection for you and your family so you can have peace of mind, whatever life brings.

I also offer estate planning services, helping clients put plans in place to protect their assets and ensure their wishes are carried out for the people they care about most.

For me, it’s about much more than arranging a mortgage – it’s about building lasting relationships and giving people the confidence and reassurance they need to make important financial decisions.

What brought you to this career path?

I’ve always had an interest in mortgages, which really began back in 2006 when I took out my first one. From that point on, I found myself fascinated by the process and curious about how it all worked from the adviser’s side.

I was always the friend people came to when they were remortgaging or buying a home, asking for advice or wanting to know where to find the best deals. I genuinely enjoyed helping people understand their options and making what can feel like a complicated process much simpler.

Before starting my business, I spent my career working in the corporate sector and had always been employed. When I returned to work after having my third child, becoming self-employed wasn’t part of the plan. I simply wanted a side hustle doing something I loved.

In September 2022, I took a big step and completed my CeMAP qualification in just three months. I balanced studying alongside a full-time job and looking after my three young children, fitting revision into evenings and weekends. It was challenging, but I was determined to make it happen.

Once I qualified, my side business quickly grew beyond my expectations. Before long, I was effectively juggling two full-time jobs while raising a family. It became clear that mortgage and protection advice was where my passion truly lay, so in 2024, I took the leap, left my corporate role, and dedicated myself fully to growing Green Olive Mortgage Solutions. It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

The mortgage and protection markets are constantly changing and evolving, so every day brings something new to learn, which keeps the job interesting – no two days are ever the same!

What do you love about your work?

The best part of my job has to be the people.

I’ve always loved meeting new people. Every client is different, and I have the privilege of supporting them at some of the biggest milestones in their lives.

Some clients come to me with a good understanding of mortgages and protection, while others have no idea where to begin – and I love being able to guide them through the process. Seeing someone go from feeling overwhelmed or uncertain to feeling confident and excited about their next step is incredibly rewarding.

Nothing beats hearing from happy clients at the end of their journey. Knowing I’ve made what can be a stressful experience feel straightforward and manageable is why I love what I do. When clients tell me they felt supported every step of the way or recommend me to their friends and family, it reminds me exactly why I started Green Olive Mortgage Solutions in the first place.

What is your mission/passion?

My mission is to make mortgages and protection simple, approachable and stress-free.

No complicated terms, no confusion – just genuine, practical advice to help you secure the right mortgage and/or protection.

Buying a home or remortgaging is one of the biggest financial decisions most people will ever make, and I want my clients to feel informed, confident and supported throughout the entire journey.

I believe in giving honest, practical advice without the complicated jargon. Every client is different, so I take the time to understand their individual circumstances, goals and future plans before recommending the most suitable mortgage options. It’s never about finding just any mortgage – it’s about finding the right one for that person.

I’m also incredibly passionate about protection. A mortgage is often the biggest financial commitment we’ll ever have, but it’s easy to overlook what would happen if life took an unexpected turn. Helping clients put the right protection in place, whether that’s life insurance, critical illness cover or income protection, gives them and their families invaluable peace of mind.

Above all, I want every client to feel they have someone in their corner – someone they can trust to guide them every step of the way with clear advice, genuine care and their best interests at heart.

How do you fit in work with the family?

Being a mum to three children will always come first, so one of the biggest benefits of running my own business is the flexibility it gives me. I can be there for the school runs, attend the important moments, and shape my working day around my family rather than the other way around.

That doesn’t mean I work any less – in fact, I probably work more hours now than I ever did in my corporate career. The difference is that those hours are on my terms. If I need to stop for a school assembly or sports day, I can, and I’ll simply pick my work back up later. That flexibility is invaluable.

I’m fortunate that my business is now in a position where much of my work comes through referrals and recommendations, so while I’m incredibly busy, I don’t feel the pressure to be constantly chasing new business.

I also make a conscious effort to protect my personal time. I rarely work weekends and I’m quite disciplined when it comes to setting boundaries. When I’m with my family, they have my full attention, and when I’m working, my clients do too.

Because I can work remotely, my office can be anywhere – whether that’s from home, our caravan on the Yorkshire East Coast, or even while we’re abroad if needed. It gives us the freedom to spend quality time together while still allowing me to support my clients whenever they need me.

For me, success isn’t about working fewer hours, it’s about having the freedom to build a business I love while still being present for the people I love most. I’m proud to have created a career that allows me to do both.

Who inspires you?

Without a doubt, my biggest inspirations are my three children. They are the reason I took the leap into starting my own business and continue to motivate me every single day. They remind me why I work so hard and why creating a career with flexibility and purpose was so important. I want them to see that with determination, resilience and hard work, it’s possible to...

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