Shaping finance, empowering women, mentoring with heart
In transitioning from banking to launching Taylored Mortgages, Jen Taylor (pictured above) has not only reshaped her career but has also become a key influencer in the mortgage industry, championing women’s leadership and mentoring newcomers.
From corporate banking to entrepreneurial success
Taylor made the leap into the mortgage advisory world in February 2020, after 15 years in a corporate banking role. She served as a mortgage advisor at Mortgage Link, quickly distinguishing herself in the field by being recognised with an Excellence Award at the 2021 NZ Mortgage Awards.
Seeking a more flexible work environment to balance her family life, she quickly transitioned from being a novice in the field to launching Taylored Mortgages in 2021.
“I was in my role for 12 months before creating Taylored Mortgages... now a team of nine in three different locations in NZ,” Taylor says.
Celebrating female empowerment in mortgage broking
Taylor is particularly proud of the increasing presence of women in the mortgage industry.
“Absolutely love seeing more females in the industry not only as advisers but leading teams,” she says.
This positive development signifies a shift towards a more inclusive and diverse sector, something Taylor is deeply passionate about.
Navigating challenges in the mortgage industry
Despite the successes, Taylor acknowledges the hurdles within the mortgage broking landscape, particularly around systems and processes as the demand for advisory services grows in New Zealand. She suggests that there’s a significant need for improvement in balancing compliance, CRM systems, and client ease.
“As we see more New Zealanders using the advice channel, systems and processes need to be top of the game,” Taylor says.
A career-defining leap of faith
A memorable moment in Taylor’s career was her decision to leave a misaligned job environment on Christmas Eve 2020, with no clear plan ahead.
This leap of faith not only led to the creation of Taylored Mortgages but also taught her the importance of adhering to personal values.
“The biggest lesson I have learned... was it is ok to listen and stick to your values even when people say otherwise,” Taylor says.
Empowering advice for aspiring mortgage advisers
For those new to the industry or aspiring to become mortgage advisers, Taylor emphasises the importance of collaboration, trust, and integrity.
“Surround yourself with people in the industry that you trust and ask all of the questions,” she says.
Her approach to mentoring and supporting industry newcomers underscores her commitment to fostering a collaborative and inclusive mortgage broking environment.
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