(Anything But) Banker to Broker

Today's guest went from designing ice cream parlours with crayons at age six... to designing bespoke kitchens on the Gold Coast... to running marketing for one of Australia's biggest real estate brands, before finally landing where she was always meant to be.Alisha Scappin is the founder of Allora Finance, a Brisbane-based brokerage she launched in February 2020, just weeks before COVID shut the world down. With zero finance background, no safety net, and a partner who casually asked on a New Zealand holiday, "Would you ever become a mortgage broker?", Alisha backed herself and made the leap.Since then, she's been named Harcourts' #1 Mortgage Broker for QLD and SA three years running, and ranked 4th nationally through Mortgage Express in 2024. She's built a small team of new-to-industry brokers, rebranded to Allora Finance (a nod to her Italian heritage) and turned a bad first home buyer experience of her own into the reason she fights so hard for her clients today.This chat covers humble hospo beginnings, a dad who once served Elton John, kitchen benchtops, corporate pivots across three cities, and the moment on January 4th that changed everything.

Will Miles didn't have a plan. He had a Target uniform, a carpentry certificate, and a mate who kept talking about property.Growing up in Melbourne's eastern suburbs, Will bounced through business at Swinburne, picked up carpentry at TAFE, and worked the odd job here and there Village Cinemas, the tools, whatever came next. It wasn't until his best mate pulled him into the world of property and finance that something finally clicked.A loan processor role taught him how the machine worked from the inside. COVID kept him at his desk long enough to learn it properly. And when a chaotic lead-gen business started imploding around him, he and two mates Azem and Jakob decided to do it themselves.OVM Finance Group launched in 2022. Four years later, they're still at it fully remote, flexibly run, and quietly doing serious numbers.This one's for anyone who took the long way round.

Kane Dury joined the Australian Army the week after 9/11, spent 12 years working his way up to Sergeant, and was quietly buying investment properties the whole time.After the Army came the mines, then mortgage broking on the Gold Coast — built from scratch, one late night at a time. When the Royal Commission threw the industry into chaos, Kane kept going. When a remuneration change wiped out his income overnight at a buyers agency he'd planned to stay at forever, he and his wife Nadia quit the same day and launched Discover Buyers Agency from nothing. In this episode, Kane talks about what the military teaches you that no office job ever could, why he loved 80% of broking but couldn't make peace with the other 20%, and how 300 transactions in two years as a buyers agent made the pivot feel effortless. He also gets into why ADF members are leaving serious money on the table — and what he's doing about it.A honest yarn about patience, backing yourself, and finding the career that was always waiting for you.

Azem Ozcagli graduated with a criminology degree, applied to hundreds of jobs, and never got a single interview. Then COVID hit, he lost his retail job, and ended up doing demolition work just to survive.A phone call from a mate pulled him into finance — and a year later, he and two colleagues launched OVM Finance Group from the back of a carpool.This one's about taking risks when you've got nothing to lose, building a business with your mates, and why Azem's clients say he never gives up.

Some people get into broking because they wanted a career change. Emma Reiterer got here because life didn't give her any other option but to keep going.Before becoming a mortgage broker, Emma was a registered nurse at The Alfred Hospital's radiotherapy department – a role that hit close to home after her younger sister was diagnosed with melanoma at just 18 years old. Emma cared for her sister through treatment, managing medications and being there until the very end. She lost her tragically in January 2000.Then came marriage, two children, and a husband who suffered a sudden stroke that left him disabled. Emma found herself as carer, mother, and breadwinner – all at once.Now, with her children grown into independent adults, Emma has built a new chapter in broking through Nectar Mortgages Group. And the qualities that got her through the hardest years – patience, empathy, resilience – are the same ones she brings to every client.This chat's about grief, grit, and finding joy on the other side of heartbreak.

This bloke went from marking assignments to settling loans, but the path wasn't nearly as smooth as it sounds.Tim spent years in the classroom before making the jump into broking. But the early days weren't easy. Fluctuating workloads, stress that didn't match the pay, and the constant question of whether this was actually going to work.Then came a chance encounter at an auction that changed everything.Since that day? Not a single donut.Now a Credit Adviser at Azura Financial, Tim's built a steady pipeline, genuine client relationships, and a career he genuinely loves.This chat's about resilience, the power of showing up, and why activity breeds activity.

Today's guest got rejected by ~20 different brokerages before he even started.Emmanuel Marios was working in commercial floor coverings, running tenders and managing projects for his family's business. But on a beach in Greece, he turned to his dad and said, "I quit. I want to build my own legacy."He came back to Australia, applied everywhere, and heard the same thing over and over: too young, no experience. So he backed himself, started from scratch with less than $3,000 to his name, and waited six months for his first commission.Fast forward to today, Emmanuel runs Derwent Finance out of Hobart with a growing team across Australia. He won Better Business Finance Broker of the Year in 2022, and thanks to the power of TikTok and social media, 70-80% of his business now comes from interstate.This one's about Greek family values, proving the doubters wrong, and why Emmanuel reckons social media isn't optional anymore.

Before mortgage broking, Tristan Vercoe served in the Royal Australian Navy.Raised by a father who overcame poverty to become an artillery officer and a mother who balanced career with family, Tristan learned early that discipline and community matter. After years in uniform, he transitioned into finance, carrying the leadership and resilience the military builds into you.Now he's passionate about helping others navigate their own career pivots, especially fellow veterans.This episode covers motorbike racing, mentorship, and why doing something different is the only way to get different results.

Before he was coaching brokers and building businesses, Ryan Toppin was making smoothies at Boost Juice, trying to figure out how the world worked.Growing up in Perth Ryan learned early that he'd have to carve his own path. That grit took him from the Boost counter into asset finance at Stratton Finance, where he went from broker to State Manager for Victoria.But it wasn't a straight line. Ryan openly shares the struggle of landing in a high-performance sales culture and feeling like he couldn't keep up. Instead of copying the aggressive style around him, he had to find his own way, a lesson that now shapes how he coaches others through The Toppin Group.This one's about resilience, mentorship, and learning that success doesn't have to look like everyone else's.

He went from being a beach lifeguard on the Central Coast to building in a broker business. No banking background, no credit team experience, just a willingness to learn and a belief that he could figure it out.In this conversation, we dig into Austin's journey: why university felt like the wrong fit, how he stumbled into finance through a CSM role, and what it's really like to start from scratch in an industry where most people assume you need years of lending experience.Austin gets honest about the challenges of building knowledge while building a business, the power of word of mouth over social media, and why the Central Coast's affordability boom is creating opportunities for brokers who understand the market.

Before he was talking to brokers about scale, valuation and growth, Simon Lewis was building something very different — a meat company. The early days of McKenzies Meats taught him about hustle, margins, people and what it takes to keep a business alive long before he ever stepped into the world of finance.In this episode, Simon traces the journey from selling steaks to helping brokers understand the real value of their businesses. We get into how market saturation pushed brokers to think beyond organic growth, why trail books have become one of the most powerful assets in the industry, and what happens when you start viewing your client base as a long term network rather than a transaction.It is a conversation about thinking smarter, not harder. Simon breaks down the shift from writing more loans to buying growth, the confidence that comes from recurring revenue, and the way cross selling and client care can completely reshape a broker’s future.Grounded, commercial and quietly insightful, Simon brings a perspective shaped by hands on entrepreneurship and real world lessons. It is a fresh look at what growth can mean when you stop chasing volume and start building something with intention.

Aaron joins us for a conversation that traces his journey from exercise physiology into the world of finance and broking. He talks about growing up in a tight-knit working-class family, the competitive streak that pushed him through sport and study, and the early values that shaped how he understands people today.Aaron opens up about burnout and the moment he realised the health industry was no longer the place he could grow. He shares how empathy became the thread that tied both careers together, why a strong support network matters, and what those first uncertain months in broking really felt like. We dig into balance, discipline, family, and the pressure of wanting to build something that lasts. With his first child on the way, Aaron reflects on the kind of life he wants to create and the business he hopes to hand over one day.This is a story about resilience, transition, and learning when to reset. It’s also a reminder that the skills we build early in life stay with us far longer than the job titles ever do.

Before he was helping families secure finance, Shimon Shmerling was on a completely different path — studying to become a junior rabbi. His world revolved around purpose, service, and understanding human behaviour on a deeper level.In this episode, Shimon shares how that foundation shaped the broker he is today. We get into the shift from spiritual study to finance, the moment he realised he was meant to help people in a different way, and how perspective and self-awareness guide every decision he makes.It’s a story about contribution, understanding what’s needed, and taking action even when the path ahead isn’t fully clear. Shimon opens up on how broking became an unexpected but perfect extension of his desire to serve others — and how finding purpose in your work can completely change your life.A calm, grounded and quietly powerful conversation with someone who sees the world — and the industry — through a very different lens.

Before she ever stepped into broking, Victoria Cakakios was chasing a very different dream, one built on runways, glossy shoots, and the idea of working in high fashion.She did the internships.She worked backstage at the Melbourne Fashion Show.She did everything you’re “meant” to do to break into the industry.And then she saw it up close.The stress.The competitiveness.The cattiness.The “who are you?” energy that hits you the moment you walk in the room.Very quickly, the glamour faded — and the reality kicked in.Victoria realised she didn’t want to spend her life in an environment that drained her. She didn’t want to fight for a seat at a table she didn’t even enjoy sitting at.So she made the call most people are too scared to make: she walked away.She shifted toward the business side, started exploring what actually lit her up, and opened the door to a completely different career path — one rooted in people, clarity, and real impact rather than the illusion of it.This episode digs into:• What fashion really looks like behind the curtain.• The moment Victoria realised “this isn’t my world.”• How internships can fast-track career clarity (good or bad).• Moving from design dreams to business instincts.• Why stepping away from the wrong path is sometimes the bravest move.It’s an honest, human conversation about pressure, pivots, and figuring yourself out — and how sometimes the most important career decision you make is the one where you choose you.

Before he was coaching brokers on how to scale, Sam Panetta was on the tools — a spray painter who built his career from pure work ethic and grit.No finance degree. No contacts. Just discipline and a hunger to build something bigger.When he made the jump into broking, he didn’t ease in — he went all-in.In his first year, Sam wrote around $60 million in loans, learning the game the hard way and proving that hustle and structure can outperform pedigree.He then built a systemised business that could run without him — freeing up his time to focus on impact.Now, through Broker Coach, Sam helps other brokers do the same — especially those who came into the industry from completely different worlds.This episode digs into:Growing up in a blue-collar family and what that taught him about discipline.The leap from the trade floor into finance.The reality of writing $60 million in year one.Building a business that scales — not breaks you.Why some brokers soar while others stall.It’s an honest, no-fluff conversation about backing yourself, building from scratch, and proving that success in broking isn’t about where you start — it’s about how you show up.

Lewis knew what he wanted before most kids even knew who they were.As a schoolboy, he dreamt of earning his place in Australia’s elite Special Forces.He did it. Became a Commando. Lived the discipline, the brotherhood, the pressure.But somewhere along the line, the fire shifted.In this episode, Lewis talks about what happens when the purpose that once defined you starts to fade — and how he found a new one in finance.It’s a conversation about identity, service, and what it means to start over after chasing the biggest dream you’ve ever had.From the battlefield to the broker desk — same grit, new mission.

This week we head down the South Coast to chat with Joe Mascaro, the friendly face behind Aussie Vincentia and Aussie Nowra — a husband, dad, and lifelong local who’s turned customer service into a superpower.Before he was helping families secure homes, Joe was running the Vincentia Post Office and helping out in his family’s grocery store, learning early that good business starts with good people. Those years serving the local community taught him how to listen, problem-solve, and genuinely care — skills that now make him the kind of broker clients never forget.In this episode, Joe opens up about small-town life, the transition from local business owner to finance professional, and how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu keeps him grounded when life gets hectic.We dive into family, discipline, community, and the quiet satisfaction of helping everyday Aussies achieve their dreams.It’s a story about heart, hustle, and hometown roots — proving that great brokers aren’t built in boardrooms, but in the backrooms of post offices and corner stores.

Marcus’s career started under the hood — literally.As a teenager, he took on a mechanical apprenticeship, learning the value of precision, patience, and getting his hands dirty.From there, he jumped into car sales — first consumer, then fleet — where he swapped tools for talk and discovered he had a knack for reading people and closing deals.But when his parents packed up from Western Sydney to open a restaurant in Jervis Bay, Marcus followed — and stayed.For 20 years, he worked every corner of that family business: early mornings, late nights, loyal locals, and lessons you don’t learn in boardrooms.Eventually, he took all of it — the work ethic, the people skills, the persistence — and poured it into broking.This episode is about roots, reinvention, and how every chapter, no matter how far from finance, builds the kind of broker who lasts.

Dan’s story isn’t linear — it’s layered.He grew up in his parents’ coffee shop, learning early that business starts with people, not profit.That lesson carried him through a career in law, a stint in recruitment, and eventually into broking — where all three collide.We get into the beauty and ills of recruitment: the high of helping someone find their fit, and the grind of dealing with people who don’t know what they want.Dan talks candidly about walking away from a “safe” legal path, backing his instincts, and finding that the best deals — and careers — are built on human connection, not hard sell.A conversation about risk, reinvention, and why people who’ve worked behind a coffee counter often understand clients better than anyone in a suit.

This one’s raw.Rory opens up about growing up tough, leaving school early, and making the call to walk away from a life that could’ve gone very differently.It’s not a highlight reel — it’s a reckoning.We talk about the moments that force you to grow up fast, the people who pull you forward, and the grit it takes to rebuild yourself from scratch.Today, he’s leading Aurelius Capital — sharp, grounded, and building something real. But the story behind that success? It’s all earned.A reminder that the best brokers aren’t born in boardrooms — they’re built in the mess.

From factory floor to financial force — Peter Savage’s story is proof that mindset trumps background.Before founding his fast-growing brokerage, Peter was a machine operator who spent his nights learning about property and wealth creation. He didn’t come from money — he came from grit, curiosity, and a hunger to build something bigger.In this episode, we dive into how Peter went from working-class roots to writing hundreds of loans a year. We talk early days on the tools, how a few smart property plays changed his outlook, and the moment he decided to back himself and start his own business.Peter opens up about burnout, delegation, and the art of building a business that runs on systems — not stress. It’s an honest look at what it takes to go from doing it all to leading it all.If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you, this one’s a reminder that the biggest advantage you can have is the decision to bet on yourself.

Before she was “Katie the Broker,” Katie was building brands, not broking deals.After eight years in marketing across London and Brisbane, buying her first home opened her eyes to how confusing the process can be — and it sparked a whole new career.Now, she’s helping first-home buyers feel confident, informed, and seen. We chat about her leap from marketing to mortgages, how storytelling became her superpower, and why leading with heart matters more than ever.

In this episode, we sit down with Jimmy Shepherd, who’s lived a tale of two SAs — moving from South Africa to South Australia by way of Melbourne, chasing opportunity, hard work, and a little bit of peri-peri heat along the way.Jimmy’s story starts behind the counter at Nando’s, where a casual job for “beer money” turned into a full-blown dream — owning five restaurants and building a reputation for leadership, grit, and good humour.He eventually swapped chicken for chapters in finance, joining Aussie Home Loans, despite openly declaring years earlier that he’d never become a ruthless banker in a pinstripe suit. Instead, he brought the same people-first mindset that built his hospitality success into a new world — one that took a bet on him with zero finance experience and got a born operator in return.Now part of Nectar Home Loans, Jimmy reflects on what each chapter taught him about ambition, humility, and staying true to your values — no matter the industry.It’s a story about backing yourself, betting on others, and finding purpose in unexpected places.

In this episode, we sit down with It’s Simple Finance founder Joseph Daoud for a raw, heartfelt chat about life before, during, and beyond broking.We dig into upbringing, family bonds, and the moments that shaped both the man and the business — with a few unexpected cameos from Joseph’s young son, Charlie, along the way.(Quick heads up — the audio on my end isn’t perfect in this one, but the conversation more than makes up for it.)A grounded, human look at how family, culture, and purpose drive one of the industry’s sharpest minds.

At 25, Mohammed Zahr was knee-deep in construction dust, chasing a paycheck but craving purpose. Weekends were spent studying property, finance, and the path to something more. One interviewer told him, “Broking is for you.”It took another year — and a few detours — before he made the leap. By April 2022, Mohammed started as a broker support officer, and just two weeks in, he knew he’d found his thing. Fast-forward to today and he’s the face behind Zahr Financial, helping first-home buyers, investors, and families navigate the lending maze with calm clarity.In this episode, we talk about the courage to pivot, how communication became his biggest superpower, and why the future of broking is equal parts digital efficiency and human connection.From construction grit to mortgage wit — this is the story of someone who started before he was “ready” and built a business grounded in trust, empathy, and everyday people achieving extraordinary goals.