Former Socceroo Joel Griffiths on his new chapter
Sydney-born football pro Joel Griffiths has taken on a second mantle as broker and principal of Aussie branch The Junction in Newcastle, after becoming accredited in June this year.
The veteran striker’s football career is on hold for the time being after snapping the ligaments in his knee while playing for Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. So while on the mend, he has launched into the brokerage full-time, joining his wife and his school friend who have both been broking since it opened in October 2014.
“It was always in the back of my mind,” says Griffiths on a career in broking. But even teaming with the likes of Aussie, he knew it would still be a challenge and eight months in they are starting to get referrals from existing clients. “Anyone that has set up a business from scratch would be able to understand how hard it is - but I never thought it was going to be easy either.”
When his athletic career took him to China from 2010-2014, Griffiths explored forex trading in his spare time, which he says taught him a lot about the finance world and which he still enjoys today. But what really drove him to become a mortgage broker were his own experiences in buying property.
“I felt like a number. I didn’t really feel that I was looked after,” says Griffiths, explaining his passion to reverse that experience for his own customers and make the loan process stress-free and personal. “Because I’ve sat in that chair before on that side and I know how it can be - especially when you’re buying your first property.”
Griffiths seems well on his way to making this a reality for every client, saying the best part of his new role is meeting different people and taking the time to get to know them. “I enjoy listening to people and having a laugh with them. I was fortunate to be brought up in a really good family when I was younger and my Mum always used to say ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover, always read the whole novel. You never know, they could be the most interesting people you’ve ever met’ and it’s true and that’s what I’ve always taken along the way.”
Broking with Aussie
Griffiths chose to join Aussie after a friend Luke Torossian and principal of Aussie Engadine highly recommended the franchise and the mortgage broking profession. “It was always Aussie; I didn’t even look at the other franchises. I’m pretty comfortable with where Aussie’s going and what I can do up here (in Newcastle) as well.”
Not one to wait around for the phone to ring, Griffiths has been focused on bringing new business in and getting the branch name out there. “We’ve got a lot of things in the pipeline at the moment,” he says. “We’re sponsoring a soccer team next year and going to get our logos on the shirts. So we’re constantly thinking of ways to bring people through the door.”
Going from football to broking is a sharp transition in industry and lifestyle but there are still parallels between both of the very different games. Becoming a top broker requires the same discipline, determination and hard work demanded of a top athlete.
“I’ve been doing my football career for 17 years and all of a sudden I’ve got my own business,” says Griffiths on comparing his two careers. “But you’re building something that’s yours and that’s what I love. I can really think about ideas and ways to actually build that business up. You’ve still got to score goals right?” he adds with a laugh.
Football days aren’t over yet?
Griffiths has been playing the much-loved sport for most of his life. He started off when he was six years old, signed on to his first professional contract at 17 and at 35 he says he’s nearing the end of the run of his athletic career.
But not quite yet. Whether he has retired or not, in light of his injury, is something he gets asked often. “It’s a knee injury that I’m not sure about; I’ve never had it before,” says Griffiths, explaining he is taking it week-by-week. “In the meantime I’ll do everything I can because I think I owe it to myself to actually give every shot to come back.”
The veteran striker’s football career is on hold for the time being after snapping the ligaments in his knee while playing for Wellington Phoenix in New Zealand. So while on the mend, he has launched into the brokerage full-time, joining his wife and his school friend who have both been broking since it opened in October 2014.
“It was always in the back of my mind,” says Griffiths on a career in broking. But even teaming with the likes of Aussie, he knew it would still be a challenge and eight months in they are starting to get referrals from existing clients. “Anyone that has set up a business from scratch would be able to understand how hard it is - but I never thought it was going to be easy either.”
When his athletic career took him to China from 2010-2014, Griffiths explored forex trading in his spare time, which he says taught him a lot about the finance world and which he still enjoys today. But what really drove him to become a mortgage broker were his own experiences in buying property.
“I felt like a number. I didn’t really feel that I was looked after,” says Griffiths, explaining his passion to reverse that experience for his own customers and make the loan process stress-free and personal. “Because I’ve sat in that chair before on that side and I know how it can be - especially when you’re buying your first property.”
Griffiths seems well on his way to making this a reality for every client, saying the best part of his new role is meeting different people and taking the time to get to know them. “I enjoy listening to people and having a laugh with them. I was fortunate to be brought up in a really good family when I was younger and my Mum always used to say ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover, always read the whole novel. You never know, they could be the most interesting people you’ve ever met’ and it’s true and that’s what I’ve always taken along the way.”
Broking with Aussie
Griffiths chose to join Aussie after a friend Luke Torossian and principal of Aussie Engadine highly recommended the franchise and the mortgage broking profession. “It was always Aussie; I didn’t even look at the other franchises. I’m pretty comfortable with where Aussie’s going and what I can do up here (in Newcastle) as well.”
Not one to wait around for the phone to ring, Griffiths has been focused on bringing new business in and getting the branch name out there. “We’ve got a lot of things in the pipeline at the moment,” he says. “We’re sponsoring a soccer team next year and going to get our logos on the shirts. So we’re constantly thinking of ways to bring people through the door.”
Going from football to broking is a sharp transition in industry and lifestyle but there are still parallels between both of the very different games. Becoming a top broker requires the same discipline, determination and hard work demanded of a top athlete.
“I’ve been doing my football career for 17 years and all of a sudden I’ve got my own business,” says Griffiths on comparing his two careers. “But you’re building something that’s yours and that’s what I love. I can really think about ideas and ways to actually build that business up. You’ve still got to score goals right?” he adds with a laugh.
Football days aren’t over yet?
Griffiths has been playing the much-loved sport for most of his life. He started off when he was six years old, signed on to his first professional contract at 17 and at 35 he says he’s nearing the end of the run of his athletic career.
But not quite yet. Whether he has retired or not, in light of his injury, is something he gets asked often. “It’s a knee injury that I’m not sure about; I’ve never had it before,” says Griffiths, explaining he is taking it week-by-week. “In the meantime I’ll do everything I can because I think I owe it to myself to actually give every shot to come back.”
