Connective: The Talk Series

In this episode, Brad Clucas is joined by George Samios, Founder of Madd Group, to explore the journey from banking and real estate into building one of Australia's leading finance businesses.

George shares the lessons learned growing Madd Group from a one-person operation into a diversified business, including creating a purpose-driven culture, building high-performing teams, improving client retention and implementing systems that support sustainable growth. He also discusses the impact of the group's "Make A Difference Daily" philosophy, the role of continuous improvement, and why investing in people and community remains central to the business's success. 

This insightful conversation offers practical insights for brokers looking to strengthen client relationships, develop their teams and build a business that delivers long-term impact.

In this episode, Brad Clucas sits down with Kirsty Twitt, Founder and Director of Loan Street Finance, to explore her journey from a 17-year banking career to building a thriving regional mortgage brokerage.

Reflecting on her journey from banker to broker, Kirsty shares practical insights building high-performing teams, defining your own version of success, investing in systems and technology, and the value of mentorship and accountability. She also reflects on the power of community connections, the challenges of scaling a growing business, and why focusing on people is at the heart of long-term success.

This candid account of Kirsty's story is a must-listen for brokers looking to grow with confidence, strengthen their leadership skills, and build a business that aligns with their values.

In this episode, Brad Clucas shares the mic with Lucy Blain, Director at Blain Financial, and Stephanie Duncan, Managing Director at Hendrick Financial to share practical insights on building referral partnerships that support long-term business growth. 

Drawing on their own experiences, Lucy and Stephanie explore the importance of trust, communication and delivering value, while sharing strategies for finding the right referral partners, nurturing lasting relationships and creating a consistent pipeline of quality leads. 

A practical conversation for brokers looking to strengthen their referral network and grow their business through authentic partnerships. 

In this episode, Brad Clucas connects with Clinton Waters, Owner and Director of Axton Finance, to discuss practical strategies for getting more out of your CRM and streamlining everyday business operations. 

Clinton explores how custom templates and automated workflows can improve efficiency, alongside practical tips for managing email more effectively to reduce clutter and save time. He also discusses using personalised CRM data and digital tools to create more meaningful client interactions, strengthen relationships and deliver a seamless customer experience. 

A practical session for brokers looking to improve productivity, enhance client engagement and unlock the full potential of their CRM. 

In this episode, Brad Clucas chats with Chris Hazell, Owner and Director of Bespoke Finance Group, about his path from entering the finance industry to building an award-winning brokerage. 

Chris shares the pivotal decisions that shaped his business, from taking full ownership and navigating the challenges of COVID to simplifying his offering and focusing on sustainable growth. He also explores building a high-performing team, implementing systems and processes that improve efficiency, and creating a client experience that drives long-term loyalty and referrals. 

A practical discussion for brokers looking to scale their business with confidence while building a business that supports both long-term success and work-life balance. 

In this episode, Brad Clucas is joined by Chantal Cutter, Director at Cutter & Co Financial, to discuss her journey from a long-standing banking career to building a successful brokerage. 

With over 20 years' industry experience, Chantal reflects on the pivotal moments that have shaped her career, including her battle with triple negative breast cancer and how the experience transformed her outlook on leadership, business and life. She shares insights into building resilience, trusting her team and creating a business that can thrive beyond the individual. 

Chantal also shares practical strategies on scaling a brokerage, diversifying marketing approaches and delivering client experiences that drive long-term loyalty. 

In this episode, Brad Clucas speaks with Sarah Smelt, founder of Finance Society, about building a modern brokerage with purpose and flexibility. 

Sarah shares her journey from banking into broking, and how she grew Finance Society from a solo operation into a thriving team in just a few years. She unpacks how defining a clear niche, leveraging social media and building a strong personal brand have supported her growth, alongside her focus on financial education. 

A valuable conversation for brokers looking to build a business that supports both lifestyle and long-term success. 

In this episode, Brad Clucas sits down with Jamie King, Executive Managing Partner at BlueRock, to explore what it takes to build a high-performing, scalable broking business. 

Jamie shares his journey from solo broker to leading a growing team, unpacking the role of referral partnerships, an advisory-first mindset and the systems that support sustainable growth. The conversation covers attracting and retaining top talent, structuring broker remuneration, managing a profitable back book and creating client relationships that consistently drive referrals. 

A practical session for brokers looking to scale with clarity and confidence.