Community Highlights: Meet Tameka Starr of REAM Financial Services, LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tameka Starr.

Hi Tameka, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
In 1998, I decided to embark upon the dream of purchasing my first home for myself and my daughter. I found the perfect home, signed a contract, and paid a $2000 deposit to build my home from the ground up with one of Atlanta’s largest builders. I was excited and ready to close and was told a few days before closing that my loan was denied and the builder was going to keep my earnest money. I was devastated! A friend introduced me to a mortgage broker who jumped in to assist, but the builder refused to work with him. I did not close on that particular home, but my mortgage broker helped me close on a beautiful home that was even better than the first. During that process, I realized that I wanted to help others like myself who did not understand the process but desired to own their own homes. In 1999, I closed on my first home, and TriStar Mortgage Services, Inc. was born a few months later! Between 1999-2009, my mortgage brokerage helped many people attain the dream or homeownership. After the market crashed, I worked in corporate America but never lost my love for the industry. I reentered the mortgage business in 2012 as a loan processor for a large lender and became a licensed mortgage broker again in 2021, at which time REAM Financial Services, LLC was established.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was smooth until the real estate market crash of 2008. When the real estate market crashed, I lost everything I had worked so hard to build. Overnight, what once felt stable and thriving came crashing down. Listings dried up, homebuyers disappeared, and I was forced to close the doors to a business I poured my heart and soul into. It was humbling and the hardest thing I’ve had to deal with, but that season taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of rebuilding on a stronger foundation. Giving up wasn’t an option. I learned that success isn’t about never falling; it’s about finding the courage to get up and rise again. That perspective now shapes the way I serve my clients, with empathy, strategy, and an unshakable belief that setbacks can be setups for something greater. I’m rebuilding smarter and stronger, with a renewed purpose to help others navigate their own financial challenges and homeownership dreams with wisdom born from experience.

As you know, we’re big fans of REAM Financial Services, LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
REAM Financial Services, LLC is a mortgage brokerage built on experience, integrity, and a deep commitment to helping people achieve homeownership no matter where they are starting from. We specialize in residential mortgage lending, and personalized financial guidance for first-time homebuyers, self-employed borrowers, and real estate investors.

What truly sets REAM Financial apart is that we don’t just process loans, we build relationships and educate clients along the way. We take pride in offering creative lending solutions that traditional lenders often overlook, such as Non-QM, construction loans, and loans for self employed individuals, and we make it a priority to help buyers understand every step of the process so they can make informed, confident decisions.

My journey has come full circle. When the market crashed in 2008, I lost everything, my business, my stability, and my sense of direction, but that experience became my greatest teacher. It gave me a renewed passion for helping others navigate financial uncertainty with knowledge and strategy. Today, that perspective fuels everything we do at REAM Financial.

Brand-wise, I’m most proud that REAM Financial stands for Resilience, Empowerment, Accessibility, and Momentum. Those are the core values behind our name. Whether it’s helping a family purchase their first home, an investor expand their portfolio, or a homeowner restructure debt through refinancing, we focus on building generational wealth and long-term financial confidence for every client we serve.

At the heart of it all, we’re not just in the mortgage and real estate business, we’re in the PEOPLE business. We want readers to know that with REAM Financial, they’re not just getting a loan, they’re gaining a trusted partner dedicated to their success long after closing day.

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
When it comes to finding a mentor or building your network, my biggest advice is to be intentional and authentic. Whether you’re looking to break into the real estate or mortgage industry, or you’re dreaming of purchasing your first home, surround yourself with people who inspire you, educate you, and hold you accountable to your goals.

For those looking to enter the business, don’t just look for mentors who are successful, look for people who lead with integrity and generosity. The best mentors aren’t just teaching you how to make money, they’re teaching you how to build legacy. Some of my greatest mentors didn’t come from formal programs, they came from genuine connections I made by showing up, asking questions, and being willing to learn.

For those who dream of owning a home, consider your lender, realtor, or financial coach as part of your mentorship circle. The right professional will take the time to educate you, help you create a plan, and walk you through each step with patience and transparency. That’s what we strive to do every day at REAM Financial Services, LLC, empower people with the knowledge, confidence, and support to turn their goals into reality.

At the end of the day, networking and mentorship are about relationships, not transactions. When you lead with service and sincerity, you’ll always attract the right opportunities, whether that’s your dream home or your dream career.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.reamservices.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reamfinancial/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/REAMFinancial