At age 42 I had to become a wage earner for the first time in my life. The problem was, I had no recognizable qualifications. Now, that was an obstacle that proved quite difficult to overcome. Tackling that task took me on a quite remarkable journey to becoming 50% owner of one of the largest financial planning businesses in Queensland. Albeit encountering some very rough going along the way.
Article 3 in a series of 5 Articles Our franchise contract with Elders Financial Planning (EFP) was for five years, to be renewed for a further five years in September 2012. From the outset in 2007 it became obvious that the contract we signed was presented in a deceptive manner. Our cash flow was dependent upon a share of income from the business – with the remainder going to EFP –...
Article 5 in a series of 5 Articles The famous ABBA song speaks the truth, but only partly. Clear Waters Financial Planning won the battle against EFP but we did not emerge unscathed. Our business was wounded and carried scars inflicted not only in the period since September 2012, but since the beginning of our franchise contract in 2007. Those long years of conflict with EFP...
Article 4 in a series of 5 Articles There was chaos in Queensland airports during the last week of January 2013 as Cyclone Oswald lashed the east coast of Australia from Cairns in the north to Tweed Heads in northern New South Wales. John and I were on the last plane out of Rockhampton before the airport closed. Arriving in Brisbane we were met by frantic scenes in that airport as people...
Article 1 in a series of 5 Articles It was on October 6, 1990, that we arrived in Brisbane from Manila, then transferred to a connecting flight to Rockhampton. For my wife Remy and our young son Angelo, it was their first time out of the Philippines, to meet a new family and live in a new land; also for Angelo to learn English as a new language. For me, it was not exactly a coming home; having...
Article 2 in a series of 5 Articles Friday September 7, 2012 was hot for a day in early spring. A day never to forget. The day the Crocodile Company aka Elders Financial Planning* and hereafter known as EFP – launched their physical assault upon our business. (*Not to be confused with Elders Insurance and Elders Rural) Their representatives backed a lorry up to the front door and...