I’m excited to share that I’ve been endorsed by the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) as a Mentor for new-to-industry mortgage brokers.
It’s a role I’m particularly looking forward to because I remember what it was like to be new to mortgage broking.
When I started in the industry in 2013, I was coming from a completely different career at the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute. I had a lot to learn, and while formal training was important, so much of becoming a good mortgage broker came from experience, asking questions and learning from people who had already been through it.
That’s one of the reasons this new role means a lot to me.
What does an MFAA Endorsed Mentor do?
The first two years of mortgage broking can involve a steep learning curve.
There’s learning how to work with clients, understand different lending scenarios, structure loans appropriately, prepare quality applications and navigate compliance requirements.
Then there’s the business side.
Building professional relationships, developing referral networks, understanding how to run a sustainable business and, importantly, learning how to make good decisions when a situation doesn't fit neatly into a textbook example.
As an MFAA Endorsed Mentor, I’ll be supporting new-to-industry brokers through some of those challenges. My role will include helping brokers develop their understanding of:
But I think good mentoring goes beyond answering questions.
I know what it’s like to start from scratch
I founded Pinpoint Finance in 2013 after deciding to leave my previous career and move into mortgage broking.
It was a big change.
I was motivated by a desire to help Australians, particularly women, achieve their financial goals, but building a career in a new industry meant starting a completely new professional journey.
In 2014, I became the first and only broker ever to receive the MFAA National Rising Star Award in my first year of business.
That recognition was an incredible milestone, but it was only the beginning.
Over the years, I’ve built Pinpoint Finance into a boutique mortgage brokerage, and today I lead a team of five. We’ve also been fortunate to receive more than 14 industry awards for excellence.
Building the business has taught me a lot that I couldn't have learned from a textbook. It has taught me about clients, lenders, business, relationships, leadership and the importance of continuing to learn as the industry changes.
What I want to pass on to new brokers
One of the biggest things I’ve learned throughout my career is that mortgage broking is about much more than finding a loan.
It’s about understanding the person sitting in front of you.
Those questions matter. I want to encourage new brokers to develop that same way of thinking.
I also want new brokers to understand that they don't need to know everything on day one.
There is a huge amount to learn in this industry. Asking questions is not a weakness. It’s part of becoming a better broker.
Having someone experienced to talk through a situation with can make a real difference, particularly when you're still developing your confidence and judgement.
Giving back to the industry
After more than a decade in mortgage broking, I’m at a point in my career where I want to share what I’ve learned.
Becoming an MFAA Endorsed Mentor gives me the opportunity to do that while supporting people who are just beginning their own careers in the industry.
I know how much goes into building a career as a mortgage broker, and I also know how rewarding it can be.
I’m looking forward to helping new brokers navigate those early years, learn from real-world situations and build strong foundations for their careers.
For me, mentoring is ultimately about giving someone the guidance I would have valued when I was starting out.
I’m very grateful for the people who have shared their knowledge with me throughout my career, and I’m excited to now have the opportunity to do the same for others.