In 2004 my career in finance began, working for a large organisation specialising in superannuation and retirement investing. After 5 years of working across many departments, I joined a boutique Mortgage Brokering practice and so began my journey as a Mortgage Broker.

In 2012, I made the bold decision to strike out on my own. With bigger plans for myself, I knew where I wanted to be but wasn’t completely sure just how to get there.

It was at this point that I met Alex, Kiril and Nick. Having heard of the great things Alex was achieving, I knew immediately that I had to be a part of it.

Almost 6 years on and I could never have imagined reaping the rewards that I am today. Through hard work and determination, my business has tripled, enabling me to take on staff and really enjoy the life I have always wanted to live.

Whilst that hard work and determination have played a big part, the key to my success has been my mentors – Alex, Nick and Kiril. Their dedication to coaching me, their belief in my vision and their can-do attitude have instilled in me that anything is possible with the right attitude.

Having someone guide you through the highs and lows, all the while believing in you, is the most valuable lesson of all. There is no room for failure – there is no other option but to succeed. These are things that I will be forever grateful to them for having taught me.

The highlight of my career was my recognition in the top 1% of the LJ Hooker network. For me, that was the moment I knew that I had made it.

My journey at Strategic Investor Group has provided me with support in both my work and personal life. The team has been there and shared in the high points of my life – marriage, starting a family and buying my dream home.

It excites me to see just how far our business has come over the past 6 years and to have been part of the journey.

Amelia Pignone

My name is Sophie and I am a graduate of UNSW, having majored in Finance and Financial Economics.

Starting with Strategic Investor group in March 2014, my first corporate role allowed me to combine my passion for helping people with that of property finance.

Grateful for the opportunity afforded me and with little practical experience, Alex has proved an amazing mentor who has always brought out my best. Under his guidance I can easily see why our team is as successful as it is.

Our directors promote an inclusive culture that fosters teamwork and the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. This has allowed me to learn much about myself, both in terms of my strengths and those areas I would like to further explore and develop.

Everyday brings new learning opportunities that I find deeply satisfying, allowing me to quickly progress from my initial role as a Client Service Manager to a Lending Specialist in just three short months. Most encouragingly, I can see further opportunities for personal and professional growth as a valued member of this amazing company.

Sophie Zou