Standing in front of a room full of incredible women and industry professionals last week, with my book ‘Why You Should Date Your Bank, Not Marry Them!’ in my hands, I felt something shift. It was the night that changed everything. This wasn’t just a book launch—it was about launching a movement, not just a book. It marked the beginning of a much bigger conversation.
It Started With a Question
“Why are we still here in 2025, talking about women’s financial literacy like it’s a bonus instead of a fundamental right?
That question has been playing on my mind for some time now. The alarming statistics we are presented with aren’t just numbers on a page — they represent every woman who’s ever felt intimidated walking into a bank, every single mum who’s worried about her financial future, every professional who’s brilliant at her job but feels lost when it comes to her own money.
The reality check: In Australia, 34% of women exhibit low financial literacy compared to just 16% of men. Over 75% of women report lacking confidence in their financial situation. And by retirement? Women’s super balances are still 25% lower than men’s.
Why is this so personal? — I’ve been that woman. I’ve been the one starting over, unsure where to turn or who to trust.
The Power of Shared Stories
Our launch event with RedZed wasn’t your typical book launch. We brought together some absolute powerhouses:
Nicole Livingstone, OAM — an Olympian who didn’t just break records in the pool, but broke down barriers to create the AFL Women’s League. Her story of persistence and vision? Pure inspiration.
Molly Strano — a record-breaking WBBL bowler who’s redefined what it means to be a female athlete in Australian cricket. Watching her speak about overcoming challenges reminded everyone in that room that we’re all capable of more than we think.
Natalie Irvine — RedZed’s Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, who’s been championing change in our industry from the inside out.
Each woman brought something different to the conversation, but the thread connecting all their stories was the same: change happens when we’re brave enough to challenge the status quo.
The Moment It All Clicked
There was this moment during the evening — I wish I could bottle it. We were talking about the difference between transactional and transformational conversations in our industry, and I watched as heads nodded around the room. Light bulbs going off. People connecting dots they’d never connected before.
That’s when I realised: this book isn’t just about why you should date your bank, not marry them (though the metaphor still makes me smile)—it’s become a catalyst for something much bigger. A tool for change, a conversation starter, and a way to shift how we think about financial literacy—especially for women.
The Commitment That Scared Me (In the Best Way)
Standing there, surrounded by all that energy and possibility, I made a commitment that honestly scared me—not because of the books, but because of the responsibility I feel to lead a shift in our industry.
I’m not just here to hand out free resources. I’m here to help create a future where every broker embeds empathy and education into the DNA of their process—where financial literacy isn’t an afterthought, but a standard.
Why? Because I’ve seen what happens when people—especially women—are left out of the financial conversation. And I know the difference it makes when they’re invited back in with clarity, confidence, and support.
What This Really Means for Our Industry
Here’s the thing about working in mortgage broking — we have more influence than we often realise. The moment a woman picks up the phone to call us, or walks into our office, we have the power to either perpetuate the intimidation she’s feeling, or completely transform her experience.
It’s about:
- Creating safe spaces for real conversations, free from jargon and judgment
- Embedding financial education into everything we do
- Moving beyond volume metrics to measure the real impact we’re having on people’s lives
- Building confidence alongside securing loans
The entire industry has a role to play here. Lenders, aggregators, brokers, industry bodies — we all need to lean in and prioritise genuine support for women’s financial confidence.
The Ripple Effect
The photos from that night tell the story better than I ever could. A room full of industry professionals holding up their copies of my book, smiling, energised, ready to go out and make change happen. That’s the ripple effect in action.
But it doesn’t stop there. Every woman who reads this book and gains confidence to ask more informed questions, negotiate more favourable terms, or feel more in control of her financial future — she becomes part of the ripple too.
Where to From Here?
This launch was just the beginning. The real work starts now — in every conversation we have, every client we serve, every opportunity we take to shift the narrative around women and money.
Some of my favourite moments from the evening were the quiet conversations afterwards. Women sharing their own stories, their challenges, and their dreams for what comes next. But just as powerful were the men who leaned in—listening, reflecting, and committing to be part of the change. That’s where the real magic happens—in the spaces between the formal presentations, where authentic connection takes root and momentum begins to build.
The ‘Thank You’s’ That Matter
I can’t end without acknowledging the people who made this possible. Calvin and the incredible RedZed team — Nat, Lara, Shana, and Leanne — believed in this vision when it was just an idea. Their generosity and commitment to change is what turned that idea into impact.
And Sascha Moore from Create Design & Marketing, who flew down from Sydney just to be there. The fact that she showed up speaks volumes about the kind of person she is and the community we’re building around this mission. Her belief in me—and the generous support she’s given, all from the kindness of her heart—has been a constant reminder that I’m not doing this alone.
The Conversation Continues
If you’re reading this and thinking, “I want to be part of this change,” then you already are. Whether you’re a woman looking to build financial confidence, someone in our industry who wants to show up differently, or just someone who believes in the power of education to transform lives — there’s a place for you in this conversation.
The night of our book launch proved something I’ve always believed: from small things, big things can grow.
The question now is: what small thing will you do today to keep this momentum building?
Want to join the movement? Connect with me to find out how you can get involved, or to request a copy of ‘Why You Should Date Your Bank, Not Marry Them!’ for someone who needs it.