From personal bankruptcy to USA Today bestseller, Forbes Council member, and one of the nation’s top mortgage originators. This is the story behind the results.
In 2008, JJ Mazzo lost everything. The financial crisis wiped out his business, his savings, and his confidence. He filed for personal bankruptcy with a young family depending on him and no clear path forward.
What happened next defines everything about who JJ is today. Instead of walking away from the industry, he walked deeper into it. He picked up the phone and called 100+ realtors a day. He rebuilt his pipeline from nothing. He earned every relationship, every referral, and every closing one conversation at a time.
Within a few years, he became the #1 Purchase Loan Originator in Orange County—three years running. He went from bankruptcy to building an 8-figure mortgage operation and grew his team from one to 120 members.
He was named a Scotsman Guide Top Originator year after year and was invited into the Forbes Coaches Council as a recognized authority. Then he wrote the book on it—Perseverance Principles, published by John Wiley & Sons, debuted at #14 on the USA Today bestseller list in October 2025.
In 2008, JJ Mazzo lost everything. The financial crisis took his business, his savings, and his confidence. He filed for personal bankruptcy with a young family counting on him and no clear road ahead.
Instead of walking away, he walked deeper into the work. He called 100+ realtors a day. He rebuilt his pipeline from nothing. He earned every relationship, every referral, and every closing one conversation at a time. Today he leads one of the most respected mortgage teams in the country—and he wrote the book on how he did it.
Personal bankruptcy during the financial crisis. Family on the line, zero road ahead.
Called 100+ realtors a day. Built every relationship from scratch, one conversation at a time.
#1 Purchase Originator in Orange County three consecutive years. Forbes Coaches Council member.
USA Today bestselling author, Wiley published, and co-founder of Impact Elite Coaching.
"I believe your lender should care about your future, not just your file number. I believe every family deserves someone in their corner who will fight for the best outcome—not the fastest close. Discipline creates freedom, and the way you do one thing is the way you do everything."
The Mazzo Group operates from San Juan Capistrano, California, with a team trained in JJ’s client-first methodology. Licensed in all 50 states.
Every team member upholds the same standards that generated 600+ five-star reviews and three consecutive years as Orange County’s top purchase lender. This isn’t a call center. This is a team that answers your questions on day one and celebrates with you on closing day.
Perseverance Principles, #14 on the national list. Published by John Wiley & Sons, October 2025.
Invitation-only membership since 2022. Multiple published articles on leadership, culture, and data-driven sales strategy.
Ranked nationally for consecutive years, as high as #49 in the country. Multi-year recognition across volume categories.
Co-founded with Josh Sigman, Haley Garcia, and Gavin Ekstrom. High-performance coaching for mortgage and real estate professionals. Launched 2024.
Top purchase loan originator in Orange County for 2015, 2016, and 2017. Three consecutive years of dominance.
Multi-year award winner. Top 7% of mortgage professionals in Orange County for outstanding client service.
Funded complete homes for families in need through Giveback Homes in Nicaragua and El Salvador. Building bridges across borders.
Committed sponsor of CHOC Children’s Hospital and Orange County Rescue Mission. 100% of book launch proceeds donated to OC Rescue Mission and Robyne’s Nest.
Board member for FirstHome IQ, a nonprofit dedicated to homeownership education for the next generation of buyers. Building bridges to ownership.
Whether you’re a first-time buyer or a seasoned investor, The Mazzo Group brings the strategy, speed, and service you deserve. Power lives in the middle—let’s find yours.