Eli Hayes on standing out in a regional area

Congratulations on being a finalist at the Women in Finance awards, what was that experience like?

Normally I'd shy away from applying for an award, but I feel strongly about working in an industry where women can earn the same as their male colleagues and I want to encourage more women to join the broking industry. It was fantastic to receive recognition as a finalist, especially being a female broker in a regional town. When I started seven years ago, I was one of the only female brokers in Albany.  

What was your journey into broking and franchise ownership?

I studied accounting and business at university and finance has always been my passion. I was a bookkeeper for a fellow franchisee in Albany and about 15 years ago I became a silent partner in what was then a Mortgage Gallery business. Seven years ago, I thought I'd try my hand at broking and three years in, I was writing a lot of loans and I had a vision of how I wanted to manage the business, so 12 months ago I decided to branch out on my own.  

I knew how to write loans and run the business, so it was about finding the right time to transition and the WA state office was so supportive.  

You experienced significant growth in settlements last year. Can you share some of the strategies you implemented to grow your business?  

I put new processes in place so I wasn’t doing as much data entry. I also hired a trainee to support me, which freed me up to write more loans. It’s been years of hard work to maintain my approval rate with submissions. I have a constant flow of referrals and now that I've moved onto the Mortgage Choice platform I have the challenge of keeping up with all the new business coming through, but that’s a good problem to have. 

Who has been a role model for you?

Having strong female role models is important. My work ethic comes from my mum Antonia. She’s 85 years old and still has the whole family over for dinner every week. She left Italy with a couple of siblings in her 20s. When she came to Australia she didn’t speak English at all and it was hard to find work but she eventually got a job cleaning at a hospital and worked so hard her whole life, I can barely remember a day she called in sick. It was such a huge thing for her to come to the Women in Finance Awards with me, she had such a wonderful time.  

What are some of your goals for 2023?

I have a new broker starting in the new year. I intentionally hired a female broker who I head-hunted because I like to surround myself with likeminded people and I feel strongly about promoting women in the industry. 

I also want to spend more time offering financial literacy support to local schools and to run seminars for young people and first home buyers.  

What do you think the broking industry could do to attract more women?

It’s hard for some women juggling work and family life but this job can be flexible and great for women in that position. 

I would love to see a broking course that women could complete as a traineeship. I also think visibility is important. The Women in Finance awards, for example, are a great way to increase visibility of positive role models.   

What do you do outside of work?

My husband and I recently bought a 1973 HQ Holden. It was my 50th birthday present. We love to go cruising in it and we’ve joined a club with other vintage car owners.