Mentorship & Mastery: Lessons from Amraa Bittar

The art of mentorship and mastery through engaging conversations, welcome to the next installment of the Rocket Companies ® One-on-One series. In this episode, we're diving into the world of letterpress printing and mentorship with Amraa Bittar , (Triple Crown Banker at Rocket Mortgage ®) a seasoned mentor in the field. As our host Gabi Rome says, just as mastering the craft of letterpress requires hands-on learning and guidance, so too does mastering the art of sales and professional growth. Join us as we discuss the parallels between these two worlds and the vital role mentorship plays in both.

Letterpress printing is considered an art, relying on hand-carved blocks, ink and paper – a process that has remained largely unchanged since its invention. Mastery of this craft comes not from reading about it but from learning directly under an expert's guidance. This hands-on approach is strikingly similar to the mentorship model at Rocket in sales, where apprentices learn the trade through direct interaction with empathetic seasoned professionals.

For Gabi, starting out at Rocket in 2014, she faced a lack of visible female role models in the business world at large. She recalls her initial attempts to fit into a traditional businesswoman mold, complete with pearls and conservative attire, only to find herself in a vastly different, more dynamic environment. One where she was able to embrace her authentic self and break free from those limiting perceptions.

When Amraa began her career, she encountered a mentor who taught her the importance of authenticity. This mentor, whom she admired for her confident and genuine approach, showed her that being true to oneself is crucial for success and happiness. Amraa now passes this lesson on to others, emphasizing that authenticity allows individuals to connect better with clients and colleagues, leading to greater productivity and satisfaction.

In this candid conversation, Amraa discusses the impact of being the eldest sibling and the pressure it placed on her to figure things out first. This responsibility, she explains, helped shape her into a role model for her siblings, particularly her sister, who also works at Rocket Companies. The guidance Amraa provided her sister – primarily to be authentic – proved invaluable as she navigated her successful career.

Amraa describes mentorship as a creative process, likening it to the careful crafting of a letterpress print. Just as a mentor leaves an impression on their mentee, creating something beautiful and lasting, so too does the letterpress leave its mark on paper. This analogy beautifully captures the essence of mentorship: it's about making a lasting impact and helping someone shape their path of growth.

Key Takeaways

Amraa highlights several key pieces of advice she received from her mentors: 

1. Always Ask Questions: Continually seeking knowledge keeps you growing and improving.
2. Embrace Change: Recognize that while change is inevitable, growth is optional. Choose to grow from every experience.
3. Be Yourself: Authenticity in interactions with clients and colleagues is essential for building trust and achieving success.

Gabi’s conversation with Amraa underscores the transformative power of mentorship. Whether it's learning the intricacies of letterpress printing or navigating a career in sales, having a mentor can make all the difference. By embracing authenticity, continually seeking knowledge and learning from those around us, we can all become better professionals and mentors.

Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and insights from our One-on-One series, where we continue to explore the profound impact of mentorship across various fields.

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Written By: Kelsea Wilhelm

Kelsea started at Rocket in October of 2020 and is now a Senior Campaign Manager on the Marketing team in the Detroit office. She also sits on the board of the Team Member Resource Group known as Unstop-able, advocating, supporting and curating a safe space for team members who are differently abled.