Finance guru Chris Carlin started his business, Master Your Money Now (MYMN), in July 2018. After identifying his target market, Chris worked to discover what it is that Millennials are wanting to do with their finances, with a strong focus on concepts such as purchasing a first home.
“Ultimately, I wanted to set up something where I could help my mates with their finances – I’m a Millennial… financial planning has been traditionally for retirees and the older and richer part of society,” Chris explained of his motivation for starting MYMN.
“I saw a need and decided to fill it. Four and a half years later, we’ve grown to a team of seven and we’ve got a real niche of around 130 clients.
“My mates are teachers and nurses, people who are earning a good income, but don’t really know where to go with their finances, and I just felt that there wasn’t really anything that was set up for that market.”
Providing mortgage broking services as well as investing, cashflow and budget management, Chris and his team walk with clients through their finance journey.
Chris feels that as not-so-typical mortgage brokers, he and his team are able to provide advice and tips on saving and investing in ways that other providers may not be permitted.
“There’s quite a lot of things that you can do to save and buy your first home that a traditional mortgage broker isn’t authorised to speak about, like using your super to save for your first home,” Chris explains.
Having spent many of his young adult years growing up and going to university in Geelong, Chris loves the community. He explains that though his business initially started in Geelong, he now has a myriad of clients around Australia.
“I definitely feel very connected with the local Geelong community, but at the same time, I don’t feel constrained,” Chris says.
“To be able to be in Geelong but reach a national audience is really exciting.”
Chris and his team are finalists at the 2022 Geelong Business Excellence Awards (GBEAs), and are excited to see what the awards night brings.
“I always considered myself a financial planner and to be providing a professional service, but to consider yourself in the realm of a business owner is a completely different skill set,” explains Chris.
“To be able to get recognition and get your name out there, it just enables you to help more people, which is ultimately what business is all about.”
Thanks to major sponsor LBW Business + Wealth advisors, the 2022 GBEAs celebrate clever, creative and connected businesses in Geelong and the Bellarine, as well as the Surf Coast, Queenscliff and Golden Plains regions.
The GBEAs presentation event will take place at GMHBA Stadium on Thursday October 27 at 6pm, with winners announced on the night. For more information, visit www.gbea.com.au.
