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"West Oak’s success has come from always putting our clients’ best interests first and always finding ways to improve and add more value to them"
Andrew mcquiston,
west oak family office, wellington-altus private wealth
It’s all in the name, Property Before Prada.
After 20 years working in the industry as a mortgage broker, Katherine Persoglia, managing director at the Melbourne brokerage, re-branded her business three years ago with the goal of educating women about the need for financial literacy and wellness.
“The Instagram and TikTok generation prioritise fashion over finance, which poses long-lasting negative risks,” says Persoglia.
The question has to be asked: do younger people seeking financial advice at Property Before Prada get scolded for hankering after expensive clothing or accessories?
Persoglia says her aim is to educate women on the importance of becoming financially independent and focus on long-term investment rather than instant gratification by purchasing expensive designer items.
“I just make sure they build wealth before wardrobes.”
The firm caters to non-residents and Australian expats, and offers residential, commercial lending and Self-Managed Super Fund Loans (SMSF) services.
The approach appears to be paying off with the firm recording a 128% increase in loans settled over the last 12 months.
“We’ve also expanded from Victoria into Queensland,” adds Persoglia.
She has also created a series of courses tailored to help women on their financial journeys. These classes cover 10 modules including savings, budget workshopping, steps to getting preapproval, conveyancing and the role of buyer advisors.
The program resulted in Property Before Prada winning the 2022 Wellness Advocate of the Year award at the Victorian Better Business Awards.
Persoglia is also encouraging women in the brokerage industry. Last year, she brought on two new female brokers.
“Women are more likely to tell their stories to another woman,” she says.
Female brokers are sometimes left to pick up the pieces of poor decision-making or manipulation of domestic finances by ex-partners.
“We have women who are trying to take control of their finances following the breakdowns of relationships – commonly, these women were never allowed to be involved in the household finances – and some young women who have made unwise financial decisions that are coming back to haunt them,” says Persoglia.
“I have no doubt that female clients gravitate to female brokers.”
Property Before Prada caters to more than just the financial questions and makes extra efforts to support the broader person through wellness programs, which Persoglia feels exploits a gap in the market – direct and jargon-free financial information for First Home Buyers and women that encourages positive financial behaviour. This contrasts with other content that promotes unnecessary spending to ‘keep up appearances’.
“The sugar hit from a new clutch or heels only provides short-term gratification which ultimately leads to long-term financial anxiety.”
Community work is also a big part of Property Before Prada, including hosting an International Women’s Day event every year, attended by a cross section of the business community including real estate agents, solicitors, boutique owners and others.
It helps businesswomen make connections and build relationships through hosting lunches in partnership with charity Fitted For Work, which assists disadvantaged women in their journey back into the workforce.
403 Chapel Street, South Yarra, VIC 3141
0418 363 673
katherine@propertybeforeprada.com
linkedin.com/in/katherine-persoglia-63a41a4
propertybeforeprada.com
Katherine Persoglia
Managing Director
Property Before Prada
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
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2021
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Year 7 Community Leader and Leader for Learning Technologies and Platforms at Northern Beaches Christian School
Master of Business Administration, 2017–2019
2021
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2004
2019
2020
2021
2022
Katherine Persoglia
Managing Director
Property Before Prada
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
Profile
Milestones
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
Ted Talk in collaboration with key media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2004
2019
2020
2021
2022
Katherine Persoglia
Managing Director
Property Before Prada
Read on
Special Report
Home
Bio
Milestones
2022
2021
2020
2019
2004
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Finalist, Mentor of the Year
Winner, Wellness Advocate of the Year, Better Business Awards
Finalist, Wellness Advocate, The Adviser
Premier Broker of the Year, Loan Market
2022
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2021
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Winner, Fast Brokerages 2021, Australian Broker Magazine
2021
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2020
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Finalist Marketing Campaign of the Year, The Adviser
2020
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2019
Human Resources Magazine | key media
Re-branded business Property Before Prada
2019
2009–2011
2004
human resources | key media
Commenced mortgage broking with Aussie Mortgage Market
2004
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Milestones
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
2022
Excellence awardee – Independent Mortgage Adviser of the Year category at the New Zealand Mortgage Awards
2022
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2022
2020–present
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Deputy Principal at Australian Christian College - Southlands
Doctor of Education
2020–present
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022
2022
Insurance Business Magazine | Key Media
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. A volutpat laoreet suscipit duis. Diam aliquam sed ut massa viverra a, eget libero.
2021
Launched his own business,
Ascend Financial Services
2022