‍Dai argues that financial success is much the same as success in the kitchen: follow the steps and the cake is bound to rise.

Whether it’s cooking for friends and family or simply throwing something together for myself, from a young age, I’ve always been a keen cook. Even aged 14, I cooked for the entire school camp and that was the start of my cooking journey.

From then, I’ve gone on to work in the hospitality industry and even went on a cooking reality TV show! So why am I talking about food?

Believe it or not, working in finance and, in particular, dealing in the lending space is a bit like cooking and following a recipe. You have to be organised, there may be variables that can affect the outcome, it’s (sometimes) about pleasing others, and, at the end of the day, it’s about doing something that makes you feel good.

I’ve worked in the banking industry for over 10 years, most of it in the retail space. Then I started my own business in the food industry (which I still own), and now I have come back to working in finance again. What I have learnt over the years is that in everything we do, there is a process and system and, like a recipe, it’s there for a reason. It helps keep us on track and, if you follow the recipe correctly (without too much deviation), you can achieve great results where it’s a win/win for everyone.

Like a good recipe, the less steps involved the easier it is to get the desired outcome. Here at Velocity Financial, we have our own recipe for success. It’s a simple four-step process and it goes a little something like this:

1. Establish trust

First, we’ll have a chat and arrange a meeting with you. We’ll get an understanding of what makes you tick and what your goals are. We’ll also give you an understanding of what we do and how we work. The main goal at this stage is to establish a connection with you and ensure we are on the same page.

2. Needs analysis

Essentially, this is the application process. We will gather information that is relevant to the scope of your application and your financial goals. We identify any risks that you could potentially face and we ensure that all the necessary documents are collated, following up on anything that is missing. It’s also important that you, as the client, provide us with accurate information so we can recommend the right solutions for you. 

3. Solution

 We present to you our recommendations and confirm that our recommendations meet your needs. This is also where you can make any changes if needed.

4. Help to buy (implementation)

This is the fun part. Now that we have a successful application, we can lock that in and get closer to your financial goal—be it buying your first home, investment property or putting in place some personal protection for you and your family.

Yes, this can be a stressful time, but we work alongside you every step and you’ll also have the help of other professionals such as solicitors, accountants and real estate agents.

So, there you have it. If we get these four steps right then we’re on track for a successful outcome for you (and us).

Velocity Financial have been operating for over 15 years and we have a wealth of knowledge spread amongst our brokers who also come from an array of backgrounds.

The main difference that I see with working for a mortgage brokering company compared to working for a bank is that we can offer more than one solution to our clients. This means that we can speak to several lenders on your behalf and help you get the right results. And like a great recipe, we keep doing what works and we make improvements until we get it right. Trust us, we know what we’re doing.

For further information on how we can help you achieve your financial goals get in touch with any one of our trusted brokers.