A VB drum for a fridge. $10,000 a month was the goal. Three mates who had no idea they were building something that would span five states, 35 staff, and over a decade of industry-leading repeat business.
In this episode of Broker Bulletin, Tom Caesar sits down with Angus Askew, Will Overman and Andrew Dodwell — the co-founders of Magnolia Lane, to unpack what it really takes to build a culture-first, relationship-driven asset finance brokerage from scratch, and sustain it for 12 years.
Honest, funny, and full of practical gold for any broker or business owner who wants to grow without losing what matters.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why 83% of Magnolia Lane's business is repeat clients — and the dead-simple follow-up habit behind it
The moment they knew they had to get off the tools (and why it took longer than expected)
What every mortgage broker gets wrong about asset finance referrals


Like this episode? Leave a review and don't miss an episode — subscribe to Broker Bulletin on your favourite streaming service.
Got questions, ideas or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker.
Connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn.
Want to know more about LMG? Click here: lmg.broker/broker-bulletin
Time stamps: 

00:27 — Tom introduces the Magnolia Lane co-founders: Angus Askew, Will Overman and Andrew Dodwell

02:05 — How all three landed in asset finance (from brickies labourer to greenkeeper to fruit logistics engineer)

06:25 — The origin of the Magnolia Lane name and why they give every client a magnolia tree to plant

09:15 — Starting in a 19-square-metre garage with a VB drum fridge and a goal of $10k a month each

14:02 — The hardest transition: getting off the tools and learning to lead rather than write

18:14 — How the LMG Asset Finance Exchange changed their business and what makes a great mortgage broker referral partner

23:08 — The post-settlement follow-up that keeps clients sticky and unlocks asset finance opportunities

26:01 — M&A, succession planning and why asset finance businesses need to start preparing years earlier than they think

30:33 — What the Magnolia Lane team is seeing across the market right now and their honest take on AI

39:28 — The hardest but best lessons from 12 years in business

49:15 — One piece of advice each for young business owners: make a decision, back yourself, have a crack

A VB drum for a fridge. $10,000 a month was the goal. Three mates who had no idea they were building something that would span five states, 35 staff, and over a decade of industry-leading repeat business. In this episode of Broker Bulletin, Tom Caesar sits down with Angus Askew, Will Overman and Andrew Dodwell &mdash; the co-founders of Magnolia Lane, to unpack what it really takes to build a culture-first, relationship-driven asset finance brokerage from scratch, and sustain it for 12 years. Honest, funny, and full of practical gold for any broker or business owner who wants to grow without losing what matters. In this episode, you'll hear:
<ul>
<li>Why 83% of Magnolia Lane's business is repeat clients &mdash; and the dead-simple follow-up habit behind it</li>
<li>The moment they knew they had to get off the tools (and why it took longer than expected)</li>
<li>What every mortgage broker gets wrong about asset finance referrals</li>
</ul>
 Like this episode? Leave a review and don't miss an episode &mdash; subscribe to Broker Bulletin on your favourite streaming service. Got questions, ideas or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker. Connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn. Want to know more about LMG? Click here: lmg.broker/broker-bulletin Time stamps:&nbsp;
00:27 &mdash; Tom introduces the Magnolia Lane co-founders: Angus Askew, Will Overman and Andrew Dodwell
02:05 &mdash; How all three landed in asset finance (from brickies labourer to greenkeeper to fruit logistics engineer)
06:25 &mdash; The origin of the Magnolia Lane name and why they give every client a magnolia tree to plant
09:15 &mdash; Starting in a 19-square-metre garage with a VB drum fridge and a goal of $10k a month each
14:02 &mdash; The hardest transition: getting off the tools and learning to lead rather than write
18:14 &mdash; How the LMG Asset Finance Exchange changed their business and what makes a great mortgage broker referral partner
23:08 &mdash; The post-settlement follow-up that keeps clients sticky and unlocks asset finance opportunities
26:01 &mdash; M&amp;A, succession planning and why asset finance businesses need to start preparing years earlier than they think
30:33 &mdash; What the Magnolia Lane team is seeing across the market right now and their honest take on AI
39:28 &mdash; The hardest but best lessons from 12 years in business
49:15 &mdash; One piece of advice each for young business owners: make a decision, back yourself, have a crack

Broker Bulletin is your go-to podcast for tips, stories, and insights straight from the heart of Australia’s broking industry. It’s all about keeping you ahead of the game in a market that’s always on the move.

Each week, we chat with guest brokers, industry leaders, and area experts who tackle the big challenges facing broking and share some of the real opportunities on offer. From celebrating wins to dishing out practical advice, each episode will give you the guidance you need to make the most of your broking journey.

Whether you’re on the road, at the gym, or taking some time out from a busy day, Broker Bulletin is here to keep you inspired, informed, and ready to take your business to the next level, no matter what stage of your career you are in.

So, hit subscribe, join the conversation, and connect with our growing broker community.

Broker Bulletin is your go-to podcast for tips, stories, and insights straight from the heart of Australia&rsquo;s broking industry. It&rsquo;s all about keeping you ahead of the game in a market that&rsquo;s always on the move.
Each week, we chat with guest brokers, industry leaders, and area experts who tackle the big challenges facing broking and share some of the real opportunities on offer. From celebrating wins to dishing out practical advice, each episode will give you the guidance you need to make the most of your broking journey.
Whether you&rsquo;re on the road, at the gym, or taking some time out from a busy day, Broker Bulletin is here to keep you inspired, informed, and ready to take your business to the next level, no matter what stage of your career you are in.
So, hit subscribe, join the conversation, and connect with our growing broker community.

Broker Bulletin

The brokerage that started in a garage (and never looked back)

He started alone in 2019. Now he's building the next generation of brokers from his own office.Rob Flynn launched Vorteil Financial Group the hard way. The Royal Commission had just wrapped. COVID was around the corner. And he was doing it solo in Perth.

Six years on, he runs a lean, values-led brokerage with his wife Kat as business partner, a structured university internship programme (the only one of its kind in WA), and a client base built almost entirely on trust and referrals.

In this episode, LMG's Simon Munkelt sits down with Rob at the LMG Growth Summit in Melbourne for one of the most honest conversations we've had on Broker Bulletin. No spin. No silver bullets. Just the real stuff.

In this episode, you'll hear:


Why diversifying into SMSF and commercial was the best business decision Rob made — and why he waited way too long


How hiring on attitude (not just skill) led to WA's first finance internship programme — and three new staff members


The one daily habit that changed Rob's growth trajectory: blocking an hour every morning to pick up the phone

A grounded, practical conversation for brokers at any stage — whether you're just starting out or wondering what the next phase of growth actually looks like.

Like this episode? Leave a review. Don't miss an episode: subscribe to Broker Bulletin on your favourite streaming service.

Got questions, ideas, or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker.

Connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn. Want to know more about LMG? 

Show Notes:

00:27 — Rob Flynn introduced: founder of Forteal Financial Group, live at LMG Growth Summit Melbourne 00:56 — Navigating the Royal Commission, COVID and a WA market on its own cycle 02:33 — The decision to get an office early and signal intention from day one 03:30 — Bringing Kat into the business and learning to let go of control 05:00 — Why diversifying into SMSF and commercial was the biggest game-changer 11:30 — How the internship programme started — and why Rob now hosts six interns a year 20:43 — Systems, AI and how Rob thinks about scaling without compromising quality 25:00 — The trusted advisor model: being the person clients call with problems, not just loans 26:41 — Six-monthly reviews and why getting back on the phone changed everything 33:36 — Rob's 1% tip: block an hour every morning and just pick up the phone 35:00 — Final advice: build the right support network before you need it

He started alone in 2019. Now he's building the next generation of brokers from his own office.Rob Flynn launched Vorteil Financial Group the hard way. The Royal Commission had just wrapped. COVID was around the corner. And he was doing it solo in Perth.
Six years on, he runs a lean, values-led brokerage with his wife Kat as business partner, a structured university internship programme (the only one of its kind in WA), and a client base built almost entirely on trust and referrals.
In this episode, LMG's Simon Munkelt sits down with Rob at the LMG Growth Summit in Melbourne for one of the most honest conversations we've had on Broker Bulletin. No spin. No silver bullets. Just the real stuff.
In this episode, you'll hear:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
Why diversifying into SMSF and commercial was the best business decision Rob made &mdash; and why he waited way too long
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
How hiring on attitude (not just skill) led to WA's first finance internship programme &mdash; and three new staff members
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
The one daily habit that changed Rob's growth trajectory: blocking an hour every morning to pick up the phone
</li>
</ul>
A grounded, practical conversation for brokers at any stage &mdash; whether you're just starting out or wondering what the next phase of growth actually looks like.
Like this episode? Leave a review. Don't miss an episode: subscribe to Broker Bulletin on your favourite streaming service.
Got questions, ideas, or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker.
Connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn. Want to know more about <a href="https://lmg.broker/">LMG</a>?&nbsp;
Show Notes:
00:27 &mdash; Rob Flynn introduced: founder of Forteal Financial Group, live at LMG Growth Summit Melbourne 00:56 &mdash; Navigating the Royal Commission, COVID and a WA market on its own cycle 02:33 &mdash; The decision to get an office early and signal intention from day one 03:30 &mdash; Bringing Kat into the business and learning to let go of control 05:00 &mdash; Why diversifying into SMSF and commercial was the biggest game-changer 11:30 &mdash; How the internship programme started &mdash; and why Rob now hosts six interns a year 20:43 &mdash; Systems, AI and how Rob thinks about scaling without compromising quality 25:00 &mdash; The trusted advisor model: being the person clients call with problems, not just loans 26:41 &mdash; Six-monthly reviews and why getting back on the phone changed everything 33:36 &mdash; Rob's 1% tip: block an hour every morning and just pick up the phone 35:00 &mdash; Final advice: build the right support network before you need it

The broker who still picks up the phone every morning (and why it’s a game changer) 

The big banks are closing branches in regional Australia. Elders is opening them.

Recorded live at Growth Summit, LMG's National Head of Enterprise Partners, Mark Montalto sits down with Steve Gibson, Head of Elders Finance, to unpack how one of Australia's most recognised brands is growing, pivoting and protecting what it's built over 187 years, and what every broker can take away for their own brand.

It's a candid conversation about compliance, culture, acquisitions and why trust in regional communities is harder to win than any deal.

In this episode, you'll hear:


Why Elders walks away from profitable acquisitions if they don't fit the "One Elders" standard


How the retreat of major banks from country towns is creating a genuine opportunity for brokers


The one thing that can destroy years of brand-building overnight

Like this episode? Leave a review. Don't miss an episode: subscribe to the Broker Bulletin podcast channel on your favourite streaming service.

Got questions, ideas, or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker.

You can also connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn.

Want to know more about LMG? Click here.

Show notes: 

01:25 Steve shares the 187-year history of Elders and how the finance arm evolved from a banking licence to a brokerage

02:14 The deliberate two-year pivot into agri and commercial finance, and why it happened

03:49 What "One Elders" means and how it shapes every acquisition decision

05:49 How the retreat of major banks from regional Australia is creating an opportunity for Elders

07:23 Why compliance is the non-negotiable at the heart of brand protection

09:39 The role of agri finance relationship managers and why trust in farming communities matters more than volume

11:15 Steve's advice for any broker building their own brand from scratch

The big banks are closing branches in regional Australia. Elders is opening them.
Recorded live at Growth Summit, LMG's National Head of Enterprise Partners, Mark Montalto sits down with Steve Gibson, Head of Elders Finance, to unpack how one of Australia's most recognised brands is growing, pivoting and protecting what it's built over 187 years, and what every broker can take away for their own brand.
It's a candid conversation about compliance, culture, acquisitions and why trust in regional communities is harder to win than any deal.
In this episode, you'll hear:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
Why Elders walks away from profitable acquisitions if they don't fit the "One Elders" standard
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
How the retreat of major banks from country towns is creating a genuine opportunity for brokers
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
The one thing that can destroy years of brand-building overnight
</li>
</ul>
Like this episode? Leave a review. Don't miss an episode: subscribe to the Broker Bulletin podcast channel on your favourite streaming service.
Got questions, ideas, or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker.
You can also connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn.
Want to know more about LMG? Click&nbsp;<a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1CE6_4sF2TI-49ijVinPwiQ2vql1" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://share.hsforms.com/1CE6_4sF2TI-49ijVinPwiQ2vql1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1776035494001000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0x4mqJFa_Qwn72gUv4BtNP">here.</a>
Show notes:&nbsp;
01:25 Steve shares the 187-year history of Elders and how the finance arm evolved from a banking licence to a brokerage
02:14 The deliberate two-year pivot into agri and commercial finance, and why it happened
03:49 What "One Elders" means and how it shapes every acquisition decision
05:49 How the retreat of major banks from regional Australia is creating an opportunity for Elders
07:23 Why compliance is the non-negotiable at the heart of brand protection
09:39 The role of agri finance relationship managers and why trust in farming communities matters more than volume
11:15 Steve's advice for any broker building their own brand from scratch

What it takes to build — and protect — a broker brand: inside Elders Finance

What does it take to build a career in one of the toughest corners of broking?

Live from Growth Summit, Clare George sits down with Isabella Constantinou, Sales Director, at Simplicity Loans & Advisory, to lift the lid on the world of commercial construction and development finance.

With complex deals, high stakes, and zero room for fluff, the duo reveal how careers are actually built in the commercial space, and the habits that matter.  

In this episode, you’ll here:


How to build credibility early (before you feel ready)


Why exposure beats perfection every time


The role of mentors, sponsors and backing yourself


And what brokers get wrong about lenders, policy and relationships

 Like this episode?

Leave a review! Don’t miss an episode: Subscribe to the Broker Bulletin podcast channel on your favourite streaming service.

Got questions, ideas, or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at podcast@lmg.broker.

You can also connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn.

Want to know more about LMG? Click here.

What does it take to build a career in one of the toughest corners of broking?
Live from Growth Summit, Clare George sits down with Isabella Constantinou, Sales Director, at Simplicity Loans &amp; Advisory, to lift the lid on the world of commercial construction and development finance.
With complex deals, high stakes, and zero room for fluff, the duo reveal how careers are actually built in the commercial space, and the habits that matter.&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this episode, you&rsquo;ll here:
<ul>
<li dir="ltr">
How to build credibility early (before you feel ready)
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
Why exposure beats perfection every time
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
The role of mentors, sponsors and backing yourself
</li>
<li dir="ltr">
And what brokers get wrong about lenders, policy and relationships
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;Like this episode?
Leave a review! Don&rsquo;t miss an episode: Subscribe to the Broker Bulletin podcast channel on your favourite streaming service.
Got questions, ideas, or a guest suggestion? Drop us a line at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:podcast@lmg.broker">podcast@lmg.broker</a>. You can also connect with us on Instagram @lmg.broker and on LinkedIn.
Want to know more about LMG?&nbsp;<a href="https://share.hsforms.com/1CE6_4sF2TI-49ijVinPwiQ2vql1" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://share.hsforms.com/1CE6_4sF2TI-49ijVinPwiQ2vql1&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1774669323678000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dhP6QkpVKn1LMAXGKdGlN">Click here</a>.

The brokerage that started in a garage (and never looked back)

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