EPISODE 19: MEET MELISSA GIELNIK, 20 YEARS IN BROKING AND STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT SHE DOES

EPISODE 19: MEET MELISSA GIELNIK, 20 YEARS IN BROKING AND STILL PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT SHE DOES

The property market is shifting, the budget has dropped, and women in the industry are still working against a confidence gap that has nothing to do with their capability. This week we're joined by Melissa Gielnik — Owner, Managing Director and Senior Mortgage Broker of Smart Lending in Melbourne, and a female thought leader with over two decades of experience in the mortgage broking industry. The two Melissas get into the confidence gap that women in the industry so often face despite their expertise, the real impact of the recent federal budget on first home buyers and property investors, what it's actually like to build and run your own brokerage, and why the Melbourne market is still navigating its own set of post-COVID pressures. Honest, relatable and packed with insight — this one is well worth a listen. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EPISODE 18: MEET JAMES ROSS, ASSET FINANCE EXPERT

Asset finance is one of the most practical funding tools available to SMEs — but it’s often misunderstood or overlooked when businesses are planning their next move. In this episode of the P.O.W.E.R. Podcast, Melissa Ashcroft is joined by James Ross from Jayar Finance, an asset finance specialist with more than 20 years’ experience across the industry. James breaks down where asset finance fits in the real world, why structure matters just as much as pricing, and how businesses can fund vehicles, equipment, technology and other operational assets while protecting cashflow and keeping flexibility where it counts. They also talk about the lessons James has learned over two decades in business — what holds up through cycles, what strong lending relationships look like, and how to keep decisions grounded when conditions change. The conversation also touches on Compass Finance Australia and Compass Aggregation — a broker business built to support specialist asset finance brokers operating in the SME market, with a unique lender panel across bank, non-bank and specialist cashflow lenders. The focus is on helping broker members grow while keeping the end customer’s business growth front and centre. A valuable listen for business owners, operators and brokers who want a clearer view of how asset finance can support business momentum without unnecessary pressure on cashflow. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EPISODE 17: MEET ANDY HARRIS, FOUNDER & OWNER OF MOTUS TRANSPORT

Motus Transport founder Andy Harris joins P.O.W.E.R. for an honest conversation about building and scaling a modern transport and distribution business - from the early days when the entire team consisted of himself and his wife, to leading a growing operation delivery from Huskisson on the NSW South Coast to Hervey Bay in QLD. Andy and Melissa talk about what it takes to stay nimble in a challenging climate (including rising costs and fuel pressures), how to keep service standards high as you grow, and why strong culture is more than a buzzword. They also explore the parallels between a high-performing sporting team and a high-performing workplace - leadership, accountability, and showing up for the group when it counts. A great listen for business owners, operators, and anyone interested in how sustainable growth is built in the real world. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EPISODE 16: MEET LUCY KOUGH, CREATOR OF SUPERANNUATION PLATFORM 'TAP THE GAP'

Women retire with around 28% less super on average - and that gap doesn’t close on its own. In this episode of the P.O.W.E.R. Podcast, Melissa Ashcroft sits down with Lucy Kough, the creator and founder of start up Tap the Gap, a platform designed to help women build wealth for retirement through incremental behaviour: small, consistent contributions that add up over time. With International Women’s Day this Sunday, 8 March, the conversation is especially timely. This year’s IWD campaign theme, "Give To Gain,” fits the Tap the Gap mission perfectly - giving yourself a simple system that helps you take control and gain long-term financial independence. Lucy runs through how Tap the Gap works in real life: * how you can link a card/account once and keep spending as normal * how “round-ups” and micro-contributions can flow into super without feeling overwhelming * how the platform uses open banking (and what that means for security and consent) * why confidence and financial literacy often come from small wins, not big leaps * what it looks like to start taking ownership of your wealth, even if you’re time-poor, part-time, on leave, or just trying to get back on track This isn’t about perfection or drastic changes. It’s about making super feel visible, manageable, and part of everyday life by giving women more power through knowledge, simple systems, and consistent action. If you'd like to learn more about Tap the Gap, make sure you attend their upcoming event on 19 March, link to get your tickets below. Make sure you're subscribed here for more conversations across property, business, wealth, leadership, and the real-world habits that shape outcomes. Find out more about Lucy Kough here: https://au.linkedin.com/in/lucy-kough-70203389 Tap the Gap: https://www.tapthegap.com.au/ Less, Actually event: https://luma.com/4vn5qzwp Frollo - Open Banking platform: https://frollo.com.au/ ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

EPISODE 15: MEET MONIQUE HENDERSON, AAA MORTGAGES' NEWEST ACCREDITED MORTGAGE BROKER

AAA’s newest accredited broker Monique Henderson joins Melissa for an honest chat about her path into broking, what brought her to AAA, and why she’s really clicked in her role working with people all day, thinking on her feet, and finding smart solutions. She talks about the accreditation process, the support that she received, and what she learned along the way. They also chat about the importance of clear communication, what she enjoys about working in a high-standard team, and why the broker-client relationship can make a big difference to the overall experience. They also unpack the idea of “good debt” (Melissa's favourite!) and why it shouldn’t automatically be feared, plus Monique’s view on delivering the same level of care and service no matter the size or type of loan. If you’re curious about what broking looks like day-to-day, how to grow into the role with the right support, or what it’s like building a career as a woman in finance, this one’s well worth a listen. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.