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Brokerage insight
MediCredi: Built on the drive to succeed
Determined to run her own business, mortgage broker Toni Stevens overcame the hurdles she faced, arming herself with the knowledge and experience to set up and build a thriving brokerage
DESPITE BEING unsuccessful in an earlier attempt to become a mortgage broker, Toni Stevens did not let that stop her. Now, she is the director of MediCredi, a boutique brokerage that provides solutions to the healthcare industry.
Stevens joined the industry at just 19 years old, when she started her broking career completing home loans over the phone at iSelect. She went on to contract to a broking firm in Melbourne, but although she had allowed herself six months’ worth of income to survive the commission-based role, she didn’t. But she went on to join Bankwest as a BDM looking after a portfolio of around 400 brokers, a move she says propelled her career forward.
“It was the best decision I made for my career at the time,” Stevens says. “I learnt so much about the industry and about great brokers, what they do well and how they run their businesses. It taught me so much more about lending and back-end processes.”
Then, after spending some time working at a fintech in the peer-to-peer lending space, she met her now senior BDM through a chance encounter, and it pushed her to “make that leap” and branch out on her own.
Armed with the knowledge and experience she had gained, a solid business plan, and enough money to back her business, Stevens founded MediCredi in March 2019.
“I found that pushed me to be better and rise above the stigma. I was fortunate that I had strong women around me in leadership roles who I could look up to for guidance.”
MediCredi’s core customer base is medical
professionals who have access to its holistic offering, from home loans to equipment loans, or funding to help with fitouts. The majority of business comes through word of mouth, and Stevens’ own networking.
When she entered the industry as a young woman, Stevens says she noticed that her male counterparts did not have to work as hard as she did to earn recognition and respect; she says their abilities were never
doubted as much as she felt hers were.
“There were times throughout my career when I did have to prove myself, my ability to deliver, my knowledge and experience,” she says, although she used that as motivation.
BROKING AND MOTHERHOOD
Running MediCredi throughout her pregnancy and now as a mum to her six-month-old daughter, Toni Stevens is an advocate for the opportunities broking offers women. She says it is a fantastic career choice for females, as it allows the flexibility and autonomy to “run your own show and schedule”.
She adds that it is a business in which communication skills and relationship-building are key to being successful – and that is something women are great at.
“The industry allows you to scale your business and earning potential depending on how busy you want to be, which is fantastic for women and mothers,” Stevens says.
“You are able to set up a home office and successfully be present at home, as well as be available for your clients.”
She says you never know who your existing clients know or what they might be looking at doing, so it’s important to be open to conversations and building relationships.
“Get out of your comfort zone a little,” Stevens says.
“Opportunities are everywhere. I can’t tell you the amount of business I have written from a simple conversation with someone about what I do and how I can help.”
Although last year made things more challenging, the business has continued to grow. Stevens needed to hire new staff, which meant hiring staff without meeting face-to-face, and then onboarding them via Zoom.
The business focused on communication with clients and setting realistic time frames and expectations throughout the year, and Stevens wants to remain committed to this moving forward as the brokerage continues along its upwards trajectory.
MEDICREDI AT A GLANCE
Franchise owner: Toni Stevens
Location: Cheltenham, Victoria
Year founded: 2019
Customer base: Healthcare professionals
Services offered: Residential loans, commercial loans, goodwill loans, equipment finance, car loans, fitouts
Number of employees: 5
She also plans to adopt more technology to make its processes as easy as possible for herself and the customer.
Over her 10 years in the industry, Stevens has noticed that processes have become increasingly difficult, with the amount of work going into writing a deal becoming more time-consuming than ever.
“Streamlining processes in your business and finding ways to be more productive is more important than ever to make it in this industry,” she says.
She has also seen the industry improving in the way it is supporting and encouraging women. With professional development days for women, networking events and Facebook community groups, she says there is a lot of support out there – and at the moment, that is really needed.
“I think it’s important for women to connect with others and share knowledge and support. Especially if you are a solo broker, it can be quite a lonely gig,” she says.
“Reach out to others and build relationships. We need to support one another. This is the toughest I have seen the industry, and I think we all need to support each other as much as we can.”
TELL US WHAT YOU GET UP TO Email rebecca.pike@keymedia.com
3
Number of half marathons Evelyn Clark has run
10 yrs
Age Clark started playing golf
16 yrs
Age she was named Club Champion of Victoria Golf Club
RACING TOWARDS HER GOALS
Sport is an important part of life for broker Evelyn Clark, who spends her free time running and playing golf
WHEN SHE’S not writing home loans, Everlend broker Evelyn Clark can be found out on the golf course or running.
Introduced to golf by her grandmother, who sat on the board of Women’s Golf Australia and still plays to this day even after multiple hip and knee replacements, Clark spent her teenage years competing and representing Victoria in the sport.
Now, she plays about once a month, often with great friends she’s made along the way.
A few years ago Clark also took up running. She “fell in love with the success of seeing constant improvement” as she trained for her fi rst Connor’s Run – an 18km run she has now done fi ve times. One of three half marathons Clark has run was an event she organised to support bushfi re relief for 30 locals.
“I love pretty much any sport. For me, exercise and sport are my outlet from work and life,” Clark says.
