(Anything But) Banker to Broker

Joe Shephard | FinTalent
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Celebrating the weird, wonderful, and unconventional pathways that launched some of the industry’s brightest and best.

  1. FEB 16

    #21: Emma Reiterer: From Scrubs to Settlements

    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.

    54 min

  2. FEB 9

    #20: Tim Perry: From School Terms to Loan Terms

    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.

    1h 9m

  3. FEB 2

    #19: Emmanuel Marios: From Floor Plans to Financial Plans

    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.

    41 min

  4. JAN 26

    #18: Tristan Vercoe: From Military Precision to Mortgage Decisions

    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.

    1h 10m

  5. JAN 19

    #17.: Ryan Toppin: From Retail Sales to Entrepreneurial Tales

    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.

    52 min

  6. JAN 12

    #16: Austin McAlpine: From Saving Lives to Saving Loans

    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.

    28 min

  7. 12/16/2025

    #15: Simon Lewis: From Cold Rooms to Capital Raising

    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.

    35 min

  8. 12/08/2025

    #14: Aaron Ishac: From Exercise Science to Finance Alliance

    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.

    40 min
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About

Celebrating the weird, wonderful, and unconventional pathways that launched some of the industry’s brightest and best.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Shephard | FinTalent
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Joe Shephard | FinTalent
  • Show Website
    (Anything But) Banker to Broker