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The Adviser chats to Able Finance Services broker Sam Crowley
Q. How long have you been a broker?
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I commenced being employed as a broker in Perth in 1996, moved to Darwin in 1998 to open a new office for my employer and have operated my own brokerage since 1999.
Q. How did you get into the industry?
I had previously been employed in the finance industry in the 1980s. I moved from Sydney to Perth in 1996 and was looking for employment.
Q. What are the advantages of broking in a regional area compared to the capital cities?
You become a big fish in a small sea rather than a small fish in a big sea.
Q. What are the disadvantages of broking in a regional area?
Nowadays there is really no disadvantage. In the late 1990s, most lenders did not consider Darwin as an acceptable lending area. Snail mail for receiving loan documents was a big issue. Advances in technology and lender practices have lessened those disadvantages.
Q. What are the misconceptions that city brokers have of regional brokers?
That regional brokers are not as savvy and as switched on as city brokers. In reality, regional brokers become quite involved and well known in their community.
Q. What’s the biggest day-to-day challenge you face as a regional broker?
None, really. Being from Darwin, my only challenge is: where next to travel to in Asia?
Q. What’s the best thing about being a broker?
Flexible working hours and forging lasting relationships with your clients.
Q. What would you be doing if you weren’t a broker?
Self-employed, in some form or another.
