Michael and his wife Bella had both built successful careers in banking, with Michael writing over $100 million in loans annually at CBA. Despite their financial security, they wanted more control over their future. They made the bold decision to leave their six-figure salaries, sell their home to manage risk, and launch Pinnacle Brokers from a spare bedroom.
The transition was daunting. At the bank, clients and deals came directly to Michael’s desk—he never had to go out and find the business. Now, he faced the reality of building his own brand, developing referral partnerships, and creating a sustainable pipeline of clients from scratch.
Lead Generation
With no existing referral network, Michael had to learn how to attract business rather than just process it.
Investment Decisions
From office space to hiring, they needed to be strategic with their spending.
The Unknown
Having worked in structured environments, Michael and Bella had to navigate the uncertainty of running a business, making critical decisions without prior experience.
Just five months into the business, Michael and Bella decided to invest in coaching with Success & Broker. The goal? To fast-track their success and avoid costly trial-and-error mistakes.
One of the biggest mindset shifts came when Ruan pushed Michael to step outside his comfort zone and proactively build referral relationships.
That single move transformed the business. From there, Michael refined his approach to networking, optimized his marketing spend, and hired strategically to scale effectively.
THE POWER OF WELL-STRUCTURED REFERRAL PARTNERSHIPS.
Walking into that Belle Real Estate office changed everything. They already had a broker but barely used them. In our first month together, they sent me $5M in loans.
First 12 Months:
$48M in settlements
Second Year:
$102M in settlements
Third Year (on track):
$140M-$170M in settlements
New hires:
A support staff member and junior broker, with plans to expand further
Michael’s journey highlights the power of calculated risk, expert guidance, and an action-oriented mindset.
From leaving a stable career to building a multi-million-dollar brokerage, Pinnacle Brokers is just getting started.
