‘Shout from the hilltops how hard you work’, award winner tells women

Mortgage brokerage Zippy Financial principal broker, Louisa Sanghera, is no stranger to the Women in Finance Awards, hosted by ifa’s parent company Momentum Media.

She was named Mortgage and Finance Broker of the Year at the awards in 2021, and was a finalist in this and the Innovator of the Year categories in 2019.

Ms Sanghera spoke to Momentum Media ahead of the 2022 Women in Finance Awards, a national awards program that champions women who propel the finance industry forward.

The cocktail luncheon event will take place on Thursday, 3 November 2022 at The Star in Sydney. Nominations and submissions close on 8 September 2022, with finalists announced and tickets going on sale on 7 October 2022.

Ms Sanghera noted that women in finance (and broking in particular) excel in a challenging field, especially while juggling work and their home, family and children.

“I feel that the working mum brokers work particularly hard in a tough industry, because there is high client demand, and clients will expect us to work long hours,” she told ifa.

“So, as a female broker it’s good to be recognised for everything that I’m doing in my business and the industry.”

Supporting women in business

Ms Sanghera attributed her victory at the 2021 Women in Finance Awards to participating in different groups across the country where she offers advice and assistance to female business owners during her spare time.

“For example, I’m in a networking group for female business owners where we provide advice to help them grow,” Ms Sanghera explained.

Alongside this, she is involved with groups that educate women on properties and investing through webinars and events.

“So, it was nice to be recognised for my contributions outside my business because running that networking group on top of my business is a lot of extra, unpaid work. It’s like my charity,” she said.

Don’t be embarrassed to broadcast your wins

While Ms Sanghera is proud of her achievements, she said there are other women “who are doing much better than me but don’t enter the awards”.

As such, she encouraged everyone to enter the Women in Finance Awards in 2022.

“You need to get out there and shout from the hilltops how hard you work and what great results you're achieving,” Ms Sanghera said.

“Nobody else is going to talk about how well you're doing unless you put yourself forward. So, I think we shouldn’t be embarrassed to talk about our achievements.”

Ms Sanghera asserted that the recognition is beneficial for both finalists and winners, and their brand.

“You can put your award win in your email signature and promote it on your social media accounts and newsletters, which does bring in business because people have more confidence in you,” she said.

Networking with women in other industries at the awards ceremony is valuable as it opens doors to new referral sources and business, she added.

Ms Sanghera concluded: “I’ve sat with bookkeepers, accountants, and women in other areas of business so it’s a really good networking event.

“That brings in business as well because they remember that you’re a broker and send their clients to you.”

The 2022 Women in Finance Awards will culminate in a cocktail luncheon event on Thursday, 3 November 2022 at The Star in Sydney.

Nominations and submissions close on Thursday, 8 September 2022.

Click here to submit an entry or nominate a worthy colleague and don’t miss out!

For more information about the awards program, including categories on offer, click here.