Tell us about your business?

Finder.com.au is an online comparison website for Australian consumers. Our core purpose is to help people make informed decisions with financial products such as credit cards, home loans, mobile phones, personal loans, savings accounts, life insurance and broadband. A one stop shop of resourceful information and tools that make comparing easier and faster.

Why did you start up your business?

I sold my first company and built Finder.com.au with the other director Frank Restuccia. We were inspired to enter the financial comparison space when we realised that Australians can save more and be  savvy with their money. In the previous company we used to market the banks and large telcos products and we also realised that it was really difficult to get the information that you needed as a consumer to make a great decision. So instead of marketing someone elses product and wading through corporate red tape we decided to do it ourselves and help people compare products online. We created a free service that compares financial products to help Australian consumers switch, save and avoid traps.

What are the major hurdles you experienced when starting your business?

This was our 2nd business and so we had a lot less hurdles in establishing the business. Our real struggles were mainly around growing and how to do that fast. We spent most of our time just doing the same things over and over again because it was working and it grew the bottom line. Managing the growth and building structure and processes around a new business was the real challenge. The model itself worked and the business was profitable from the start.

What tips can you give other SavvySME members that are thinking or in the process of starting their own business?

My family and friends have only known me when I am working in my own business so they thought it was just normal.

How has your life changed?