Well, THIS is exciting! We love seeing local businesses thrive.
Awesome local business, Wilson Financial, has launched a new division of their successful Bowral-based company – Wilson General Insurance.
We spoke to Liz Wilson and Helen Phillips of Wilson Financial about the launch of Wilson General Insurance, created to help locals in the Southern Highlands insure their homes, businesses and more.
1 :: Before we start talking about this exciting new venture, let’s chat about your careers. Did finance and insurance choose you, or did you fall happily into it?
Liz :: I always wanted to be working with numbers. My Dad was a property investor so from a very young age I was across things like negative gearing and how the numbers should stack up for certain projects.
When I left high school, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do so did a business degree before landing a graduate position with the Commonwealth Bank in Canberra.
I worked in both branch management and lending, and found a natural affinity with lending.
I found bank processes too rigid and not client-centric enough – the sales focus made me uncomfortable.
The only option outside of that was to launch my own broking firm, so I figured at 23 I didn’t have as much to lose if I waited until later in life.
Helen :: Insurance definitely found me, not the other way around. Not many people leave school and announce they want to be in insurance!
After trying various roles, I landed a job with the Commonwealth Bank before moving to Zurich Financial Services.
That’s where my interest in insurance started. They had fantastic training and support, were well organised and I was well supported as I worked across many different areas – from domestic underwriting to motor fleet underwriting.
I later moved into risk management and then broking.
I had a break from insurance for a couple of years whilst my children were young, working part-time at Oxley College and then this opportunity came up to work with Liz.
2 :: Liz, tell us a bit more about how and why you started Wilson Financial.
I was 23 and really wanted to provide an authentic broking service where clients could have real conversations with their broker and be provided with the right solution, rather than a finite set of options with one financial service.
I sold my motorbike to start my business. It was a beautiful VFR800. That was probably the only time my business made me cry!!
In hindsight, I didn’t really need to sell it – lesson learnt!
I ran the business in Sydney and in North Queensland before moving to the Highlands and re-launching it as Wilson Financial.
3 :: Was it nerve wracking starting a business in the Highlands?
Initially, yes. I was still quite young by business owner standards back then so I was concerned that would work against me, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Highlands businesses and locals welcomed me into the business community with open arms.
This is something I will always be grateful for.
4 :: And now you’re launching Wilson Insurance Group as a division of Wilson Financial, is that right?
Yes, at Wilson Financial we work with so many self-employed clients who we’re helping purchase cars, homes, equipment and the like, which they then need insurance for. So it made sense to add insurance to the offering.
The key was to find someone with that level of experience locally who wanted to join our team. And we found Helen!
5 :: Helen, what excited you about returning to the world of insurance and working with Liz?
I had started to scope out returning to the insurance industry but so many jobs were based in Sydney and even though they offered work from home, I wanted that connection that you get from meeting clients face to face.
Liz and I had a mutual friend who had an inkling we’d work well together and suggested we catch-up. I walked into Liz’s office for a quick chat and walked out with a job!
My specialty is in business insurance so that complemented Liz’s existing clientele.
I’m really enjoying being back in insurance.
I work mostly autonomously, it’s like having my own business but with the support and back-up of Liz, her team and the wealth of knowledge they bring to the world of small to medium sized businesses in the Highlands.
6 :: Liz, what does the launch of Wilson General Insurance mean for your clients?
Wilson Financial offers a full suite of insurance broking services for locals.
We’ve been doing home loan broking and equipment car/leasing from the start before adding financial planning to the service offering six years ago.
Now, that we’ve added insurance to the mix, it means we can help our clients with all their financial and insurance needs – this makes the whole finance experience simple and straightforward for them – it’s a one stop shop. It can be quite a tricky industry to navigate on your own!
7 :: So, tell us what you both love about living and working in the Southern Highlands?
Helen :: The open spaces are amazing. We live on 120 acres out at Canyonleigh for that very reason.
I’m on the Exeter Public School P+C and enjoy being part of a smaller community where you can get involved in creating something positive for everyone’s benefit.
I grew up in a small country town of less than a thousand people, so it’s no surprise to me that I’ve ended up in a similar community. We’ve been here since 2006 and love it.
Liz :: People here are creative, forward thinking and community minded. They behave intentionally in all they do, whether it’s running a business or supporting a community project, there’s an integrity to how Highlanders operate.
I see that every day at Wilson Financial and love cheering my clients on.
We also love the outdoor lifestyle and the proximity to what nature has to offer here.
We’re building a passive house in Bundanoon at the moment – it’s important we tread lightly to protect what we have here in the Southern Highlands.
Headed up by Helen Phillips and her 17 years of experience in the insurance industry, Wilson General Insurance is all about building genuine relationships, establishing trust and delivering efficient services.
They’re local, and can assist with quotes, understanding your needs, or processing claims.
You can book an appointment with Helen online here, or call 1300 780 826.
Thanks Liz and Helen!!!
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