MY BUSINESS
By Miriam Bell
Outstanding
advice Christchurch adviser Maria Thackwell took home the outstanding adviser award at last year’s Financial Advice NZ conference and it all comes down to her refusal to give up, along with an unwavering client focus. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND: WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO BECOME A MORTGAGE ADVISER?
I was a branch lender at Westpac and loved the VW the mobile manager drove. Plus I thought the role seemed really exciting, especially the part which involved being out and about and networking. I was at Westpac for 26 years. Nine years ago, I went out on my own as an adviser and established the Maria Thackwell Mortgage Company.
HOW DID YOU GO ABOUT LEARNING THE BUSINESS? & HOW DID YOU FIND THAT PROCESS?
I learnt by being on the job, perseverance and tenacity, relationships with those who had been doing the job longer and some online training. Initially, it was a case of “here's the keys to the car, now write the business”. I thought I knew lending but, at that point, I realised I had lots to learn. I found the process stressful but I’m not one to give up easily. Setting up my own business was also
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The earthquakes got me thinking about my values and what I wanted to do. quite a shock to the system and very hard work. The Christchurch earthquakes were in February 2011 and I set up my company in June 2011, so it was a difficult time generally. People thought that I was nuts and, in hindsight, I probably was. I didn’t really have a plan to set up my own business. But the earthquakes got me thinking about my values and what I wanted to do. And it all just fell into place.
YOU RECEIVED THE OUTSTANDING ADVISER AWARD AT LAST YEAR’S FINANCIAL ADVICE NZ CONFERENCE. HOW DOES THAT FEEL?
There are always two sides to a story or success. It was so awesome to be
