Meet Alec Baker

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Alec Baker a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alec, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I get my work ethic from the people I grew up around. My parents were teachers, and every day, I watched them wake up at the crack of dawn, get us ready, commute 45 minutes, teach all day, stay late to help students, then come home, take care of us, and somehow still squeeze in more work before bed. Hard work wasn’t something they preached—it was just part of life. On top of that, a lot of my best friends’ parents were business owners. One family ran a hotel and restaurant; another had a home-building company. Their work never really stopped, but I saw how much they poured into it and the rewards that came from it. That stuck with me.

When I started my first company, I saw how true that was. The more I put in, the more I got out. And sometimes, I wasn’t getting much out of it at all—but I knew I had to keep pushing. I realized that success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment; it’s about showing up and doing the work, even when no one’s watching. If I didn’t do it, someone else would. That mindset has stuck with me ever since.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I spent the first 15 years of my career in the software world—working in internet, web hosting, mobile, and ad-tech. It was an exciting ride that took me around the world, introduced me to some of the smartest people I know, and gave me the chance to build cutting-edge solutions for major brands. But as cool as it was, I couldn’t shake the feeling that, in tech, things move so fast that today’s big innovation is tomorrow’s outdated system. At some point, I started asking myself—what kind of lasting impact was I really making?

That question led to MortgageCS. When we started the company, our goal was simple: help families get better financing for their homes by creating a fair, transparent, and secure way to shop mortgage rates—without the hidden fees, gimmicks, or predatory lending tactics.

Now, after helping over 10,000 borrowers, I can honestly say this work feels more meaningful than anything I’ve ever built. Well, maybe except for that one piece of software that made cars more reliable—but this definitely takes the top spot!

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, three things had the biggest impact on my journey: work ethic, questioning the status quo, and embracing failure.

First, work ethic—plain and simple, no one is going to put in the hard work for you. No one cares more about your success than you do. Things don’t build themselves, and if you’re not willing to put in the effort, someone else will outwork you. That’s just the reality.

Second, questioning the status quo—just because something has always been done a certain way doesn’t mean it’s the best way. Businesses grow, businesses die, and the ones that survive are the ones that constantly innovate and adapt. If you want to build something that lasts, you have to challenge assumptions and be willing to rethink how things are done.

And finally, failure is okay. There’s this idea that we need to be perfect or that failing means we’re done for—but the reality is, failure is part of the process. It’s one thing to say that, but actually failing in public is a different story. It can be uncomfortable, even embarrassing. But some of the best entrepreneurs have failed more times than they’ve succeeded—we just hear about their wins.

My biggest advice? Realize that there’s not enough time in life to be perfectly balanced if you want to be a successful entrepreneur. Everything has trade-offs, and that’s okay. Have clear goals, be mindful of the sacrifices you’re making, and pivot when needed. But also remember—success in business is just one benchmark. Take care of yourself mentally, physically, and financially, because those efforts compound over time, for better or worse. And take care of the people around you—because at the end of the day, they matter more than any business ever will.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

Walter Isaacson’s biography of Elon Musk offers valuable insights into the mindset and strategies of one of the most influential entrepreneurs of our time. One of the most impactful takeaways is Musk’s emphasis on first-principles thinking. Instead of accepting conventional wisdom, he breaks down problems to their fundamental truths and builds solutions from the ground up. This way of thinking allows for innovation in ways that traditional approaches often overlook.

Another key theme throughout the book is his resilience in the face of adversity. Musk has faced financial ruin, public scrutiny, and technical failures, yet he continues to push forward, often doubling down when others would retreat. His ability to stay focused on long-term goals, despite short-term setbacks, is a defining trait that has shaped Tesla, SpaceX, and his other ventures.

Musk is also known for his willingness to take massive risks, both financially and reputationally. He operates with an almost unshakable belief that the end goal justifies the struggle, even if it means challenging norms, pushing boundaries, and sometimes bending the rules along the way. He doesn’t let bureaucracy or traditional industry constraints slow him down—if he sees a faster or better path to the destination, he takes it.

At the same time, Musk understands that having a bold vision isn’t enough—it has to be paired with relentless execution. While he talks about grand ideas like Mars colonization and sustainable energy revolutions, he is also deeply involved in the details of engineering and production. He doesn’t just dream big; he works obsessively to make those dreams a reality.

The book also highlights his commitment to the customer experience. Despite his background in engineering, Musk is laser-focused on making sure the products he builds aren’t just functional, but also exciting and desirable. Tesla vehicles, for example, are engineered for performance, but they also have a sense of fun and innovation baked into them, making customers feel like they’re part of something bigger.

Isaacson’s biography paints a complex picture of Musk—flawed, intense, and sometimes reckless—but undeniably brilliant. Whether you admire him or not, there’s no denying that his approach to innovation, risk-taking, and execution has reshaped multiple industries, and there’s a lot to learn from his journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mortgagecs.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alecbaker/