A year after she walked away from corporate life, Justine McDonald, franchise owner and finance specialist at Nectar, tells Australian Broker about making the leap and what she would be with a $1m lottery win
Q: Who or what inspired you to become a broker?
A: After 27 years in other financial services roles the time came at the start of 2017 to take stock and decide if continuing on in the corporate world, making other people wealthy, enduring long horrible commutes and politics, was how I wanted the back third of my working life to play out. It wasn’t. It really was time to do something for me that enabled me to be in control and make a real difference to the people I deal with. Choosing broking as my new career and first self-employment gig was not a difficult decision. I get to combine my love of helping people with my interest in property and my skills with numbers.
Q: What's one recent career highlight?
A: It would have to be the reaction I got from my very first customers. I remember being, understandably, extremely nervous heading to my very first appointment. I was meeting with two lovely sisters who were hoping they’d be able to afford to buy their first investment property together but did appear to be doubtful that it was affordable. At the meeting, I went through the strategy I had devised, which involved both of them saving over $1,000 a month between them on their existing loans, and proceeded to advise them that not only could they afford one investment property but in fact they could afford two, possibly three. As I left their apartment, the door shutting behind me, all I could hear was them jumping up and down, along with squeals of absolute delight and excitement. I smiled the biggest smile. It was the best reminder of why we do what we do.
Q: If you won $1m, what would you do with it?
A: Firstly, I’d lend a hand to a few people near and dear to me. I’d then arrange for my whole family to be together for a white Christmas in America, where one of my sisters lives. Following that, I’d put some away to help my daughters with deposits on property for when they are ready. Some much-needed renovations at home would be next, along with a special treat for the man I adore… He’s a car guy … so a new car for him. That’s a good start. Now just to win that $1m!
