Coming from humble beginnings growing up in a housing commission estate in Illawarra on the South Coast of NSW, Graeme Holm had focused his entire energy on sport, playing semi-professional Football in the Illawarra premier league as well as having represented at a national level representing Australia for Futsal at the young age of 15 travelling to Brazil, and across Europe for National school teams.
After an injury prevented this as a viable career, Graeme entered the world of finance and demonstrated his fierce competitive streak within the banking sector being appointed a Bank Manager at only 21 years of age.
He quickly rose through the ranks of a major 4 banking institution holding several management roles but kept a key focus on home loans and mortgages through his banking career.
Graeme Holm has devoted the last 17 years of his life to the financial services industry and predominantly residential home and investment loans with his key focus over the last 6 years being on showing clients how to repay the home loan in 7-10 years without having to eat mince 7 different ways each week, budgeting has been a key focus for Holm and how to make a budget realistic and functional for a family on a weekly basis.
Most recently Graeme Holm & Infinity Group were nominated in 5 categories of the adviser Australian Broking Awards winning “New office of the year” 2018.
Infinity Group Australia reviews demonstrate the exceptional level of both service and results Holm has been able to deliver for clients over the last 6 years.
How did you get started in this business? What inspired you to start this business?
After almost a decade with a major 4 Banking institution in Australia, I was concerned that clients were coming back in after taking out a mortgage 5-7 years earlier and had barely reduced any principal but were wanting to borrow more money for renovations, pools, cars and other significant financial expenses & although the home had increased in value in most cases, several clients ended up owing more on the home loan than what they first purchased the home for.
This regular trend was a serious concern and I really wanted to ensure mortgage borrowers could reduce debt and not feel like a 30-year home loan was some sort of financial scam.
Once I realised there was a gap in the market, my partner and I spent 6 months in R & D on what was wrong with the Australian Mortgage market. We found that the key issue associated with any client failure was lack of ongoing support, advice and guidance in conjunction with a lack of access to ongoing services. Banks do not have a system in place that incentivizes employees and representatives to provide ongoing assistance.
Several successful trial clients evidenced that a borrower can repay more in 90 days under a fully transactional home loan structure with a detailed budget in place than they did in the entire previous year with the old bank loan structure without any support or guidance at all ongoing.
Ongoing accountability is imperative in this process.
How do you make money?
The business receives revenue from both a Fee for service model depending on the scope of works required for the client as well as commissions for successful works completed and an ongoing service fee agreement for clients under our budgeting system.
Infinity Group’s most recent review of costs to client resulted in a complete overhaul of the billing structure in favour of the client to ensure longevity in the relationship with the client and that the ongoing debt reduction the client is achieving is far superior to any fee’s being charged for the ongoing budgeting assistance.
Infinity Group Australia defines how they make money by only providing a needs based sales process that involves in depth multiple meetings and assessments to achieve only what the client requires to be addressed.
How long did it take for you to become profitable?
The first year was extremely tight and the 2nd year had a slight improvement, it was really in the 3rd year that the business took off and became profitable, the longer we have traded the more referral business we have received from satisfied clients.
The Business has a core principal of client first profits second so in some cases this can be detrimental to profits however overall the business is performing well.
Infinity Group Australia reviews support an abundance of client success stories with multiple clients even going to the length of sharing the family financial success by video to help supress any questions of doubt that the system works.
I adopt a client first approach that competitors find difficult to compete with that has created a healthy business that has become profitable.
When you were starting out, was there ever a time you doubted it would work? If so, how did you handle that?
There have certainly been times when the business has grown rapidly that we have had employees that were not aligned with the values of our business or clients and this causes doubts.
It is important to stay true the results of the client and focus on the abundance of positive results and ignore the external influences that can distract you or create doubt.
Staying true to the goals of my clients ensures outcomes supersede any doubt.
Competitors & former employees claiming that Infinity Group Australia is a scam and that the system doesn’t work without having any proof causes the most doubt in my mind.
Regardless of any external commentary about me and my company in the years to come, I want to continue coaching families to financial fitness “one Australian home at a time.” And the awards continue to demonstrate the amazing proven outcomes of the clients of the firm.
Client success really is the best proof!
How did you get your first customer?
My first client was a referral from a family friend and they are still a client today 6 years later, they are in an extremely superior position to that of 6 years ago when I first met them, they have also referred several clients to the business over the past 6 years which I am extremely grateful for.
Our first customer has not only transacted multiple times with Infinity Group Australia and referred a significant number of other clients to Graeme Holm and & Infinity Group, the families children have also worked with Holm to obtain home loans on their first family home and in some cases even been able to purchase Investment properties in their early 20’s.
The testimonials of our first client and many other clients (Infinity Group Australia reviews) hyperlink like other articles can be found both written and by video, if you are unsure if you can benefit from working with an award winning experienced Mortgage Broker please take the time to watch the videos and read our reviews.
What is one marketing strategy (other than referrals) that you’re using that works really well to generate new business?
Social Media marketing has become a significant focus over the last 12 months, almost everyone of any age is on social media, by sharing existing client outcomes and results on social media we have received significant inquiry from prospective new clients.
We also run a new promotion at least every 3 months with some form of prize for clients completing financial assessments with the business.
I see social media as being one of the most significant lead generation platforms in the years to come.
Regardless of the irrefutable growth of social media as a marketing strategy, business owners cannot ignore the power of reviews and social proof that result in referral business.
What is the toughest decision you’ve had to make in the last few months?
In the last few days I have had to miss a friend’s wedding that was being held overseas, I have a high level of respect for this friend both personally and professionally and have really struggled with the decision.
Being a business owner is not always as amazing as employees think it appears to be, having to forgo flights, accommodation, but most importantly the ability to share this special day with these friends has really been a difficult decision that I have struggled with however the business requirements would simply not allow for me to be away from the business internationally for this period of time.
The most important lesson in this difficult decision has been that I must ensure I can replicate myself several times to ensure the ongoing strength and longevity of the business.
Luckily this friend understands the passion and commitment I have for my clients and staff and knows we will be there in spirit.
What do you think it is that makes you successful?
Never giving up regardless of what is occurring in life.
I have a moto I learnt from a business coach: “Whatever it takes, Nothing is impossible, Failure is not an option”.
I am driven by my clients results and that is my number one priority, also being available for my clients 6 days a week from 7.30am to 10pm has been instrumental in my success to date, providing clients direct access outside of standard business hours has been a key in many of my clients being able to purchase a new family home and have a loan approval in place when other potential purchasers were not able to transact having to wait to go back to the bank.
What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Most recently being nominated as a finalist in the Optus business awards “Customer Service Experience of the year” & In addition to producing stellar results, Infinity also provides excellent customer experience. Customer service is a priority at Infinity Group Australia, and the company recently won the 2018 Customer Experience Management Award’s “Overall Best Organization CX” in Australia.
After being nominated as a finalist in FIVE categories in the recent The Adviser “Australian Broking Awards 2018”, the most satisfying moment of late was being awarded the “Best New Office 2018” at The Adviser Australian Broking Awards 2018, this award was verified based on analytics, statistics and proof of client outcomes and results within the Australian mortgage broking industry.
This award was dedicated to the amazing clients and financial family members of the Infinity Group and the ongoing success of everyone collectively.
What does the future hold for your business? What are you most excited about?
The future of Infinity Group Australia is bright with unprecedented growth, most recently winning multiple awards the firm has had an influx of applicants wanting to work with such a credible multi award company, that can demonstrate its success via proof from existing clients and reviews.
I am excited that the firm is currently training a new group of highly skilled finance professionals to grow the mortgage business Australia wide, the firm will be shortly announcing the appointment of several long tenure high level Banking professionals that are joining the Mortgage firm in July 2018.
What business books have inspired you?
The Art Of Thinking Clearly – Rolf Dobelli
The art of thinking clearly has been a game changer from me that I have read multiple times and find that its short chapters that get straight to the point are perfect for time poor professionals.
Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
Why A grade Students Work For C Grade Students – Robert Kiyosaki
The Art Of The Good Life – Rolf Dobelli
What is a recent purchase you have made that’s helped with your business?
Most recently purchasing some of the books listed above to gift to staff members and clients, the feedback has been exciting to note that both clients and staff within the financial family have opened their minds to new financial thought processes and concepts, not forgetting in some cases the books have been passed on to family and friends and the fact that I can share my passion and any content or books I come across that I feel are of value to someone else gives me a strange sense of comfort that I am sharing information that people deserve to learn and know.
“Almost all the knowledge in world is in a library” it is important not to forget the power of a book with great content.