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Find out how this former podiatrist to elite athletes found his feet in the broking industry.
How and why did you become a broker?
Growing up, I played a lot of soccer and had some troubles with my feet. I went to see a podiatrist and he made me some orthotics, which are little things that go inside your shoes. They helped me a lot.
Off the back of that, when I reached the stage where I was making career decisions, I had my mum in my ear saying, “You’d be a good podiatrist, that’d be a good job. You’re always going to have work, people always have foot problems.”
It was a very safe, conservative option in a way, albeit a little bit of an unusual choice. I pursued that, went to university and became a podiatrist and I went down that route for 10 to 12 years as a sports podiatrist. I reached the stage where I was working with elite athletes, looking after AFL footballers and Olympians. I reached a high level, but I wasn’t fulfilled. I had imposter syndrome where I had to pep myself up each day to go to work. It wasn’t my thing.
Eventually, my wife encouraged me to push myself a little bit and find something I was a bit more interested in. And I’d bought a property myself and I like numbers and I like finance and I always thought maybe [broking] would be something I enjoy.
How did you break into the broking industry?
[As a podiatrist] I’d looked after the original owner of The Lending Alliance. I reached out to him and said I wanted to try something different. He’d actually moved on, but he put me in touch with Keegan Rezek, the current director.
I distinctly remember having the phone call with Keegan on a day when I was at the podiatry clinic. He asked if I wanted to come in and do a day of work experience to see if I liked it. One thing led to another. And I just knew, 100 per cent, this is what I wanted to do.
What type of loans are you writing at the moment?
I would say 95 per cent residential. There’s a bit of commercial, but I would say it’s mainly resi and mainly purchases. The refinance market has dried up a bit now that all the cashbacks have come off. It’s a lot of purchases, first home buyers and young professionals. I’m trying to target young health professionals and medico people. That’s my background, so I can relate.
What tech are you using in your role?
BrokerEngine’s our life. It’s like everything with Keegan being a tech-focussed leader. He has built BrokerEngine out to a point where, while he acknowledges he hasn’t fully completed it, it’s pretty close. I hear about the old days of broking where everything was in people’s heads and on pieces of paper and it sounds like such a mess. Our work is so well organised by BrokerEngine. It’s very methodical, and I love that. My brain loves that.
What would be your top tips for new brokers?
It’s just being a sponge in an office surrounded by other brokers. I think I’ve asked a million questions. I’m not shy to ask questions because I just want to know as much as I can, as quickly as I can. Initially, I would watch a lot and I would ask questions. Now, I’m at the stage where I’m more competent, so I can do a lot more and I’m much more self-sufficient.
Sometimes, you have to do those things and push yourself to learn. I was a guy who came from a very different career. Now, I know enough to feel confident that I can help a lot of people.
Tune in to hear more!
You can find out more about Mitch Bath in the New Broker podcast.
Tune in to the podcast, ‘New Broker: Taking the first steps in broking’, here:
[Related: New Broker: Taking the first steps in broking]
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