George Louca

At the moment, it's incorporating a social media presence into a business that is already successful from repeat business and referrals. I recognise the need to build a stronger brand presence online that clearly differentiates us from the many other brokers and bankers in the market. My focus is on being more active on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn in a way that increases visibility and reinforces our position as a firm that consistently solves problems and delivers results. It's a work in progress, but one that will support our long-term growth.

Building 3LANE Finance from a one-person operation in 2018 to a six-person team in 2025 is something I'm particularly proud of. That growth was never part of the original plan — I initially imagined a small family business. But thanks to strong demand, repeat business and steady referrals, the business took on a life of its own. I see that growth as a direct reflection of the service we've delivered and the trust we've earned.

Relationship-building. I take a genuine interest in my clients' goals and challenges, and I invest emotionally in helping them succeed. That connection goes beyond transactions — it's about being present, accessible and committed from start to finish. I take the same approach with referrers and lenders as well, because strong relationships across the board ultimately lead to better outcomes for clients.

I absolutely love what I do. Every day I have the opportunity to work closely with clients, solve problems and build something meaningful — both for them and for the business. I'm a people person at heart, and I find great satisfaction in being able to make a real difference. I also enjoy the ongoing challenge of growing the business and improving my own skills. I'll admit I often find it hard to step away — I tend to work long hours, but that's a byproduct of how much I care about the work.

Relationships — with clients, referrers and lenders — have been the key. I stay close to my clients throughout the process; I check in regularly with referrers to add value and share market insights; and I maintain strong relationships with lenders by staying in touch with their teams, not just to discuss deals, but to genuinely understand what they're looking for and how they work. This network of relationships enables us to consistently deliver outcomes for clients, which in turn drives repeat and referral business.

Most of our clients come to us through referrals or as repeat business — and I take that as the highest compliment. We attract clients by delivering great outcomes and providing a service that clients want to tell others about. We retain them by continuing to deliver, staying accessible and building long-term relationships. If we do our job well, there's no reason for them to look elsewhere.

It starts with really understanding what the client needs — not just on paper, but emotionally as well. I invest in their problems as if they were my own, and then apply my experience and network to find the right solution. Success, to me, is when a client's issue is resolved, they feel supported and they're genuinely happy with the outcome — often expressed through a referral.

I take a collaborative, empathetic approach. I listen actively, ask a lot of questions and make sure to reflect their concerns and goals back to them, so they know they've been heard. I also check in regularly along the way to confirm we're aligned and that it feels like a partnership. I never want a client to feel like I'm pushing a solution — it's always about working together to find the right fit.