Home buyers find help to close the deal
Electra Business and Innovation Awards finalist profile:
Zebunisso Alimoba, Mike Pero Mortgages Tell us what your business does.
I help people buy their first home . . . or hundredth. My business has several parts. From the product perspective my business focuses on insurances and mortgages. We can insure anything that has to do with the person, while the lending can help the same person achieve their various goals from debt consolidation and credit repair through to purchasing houses.
I can provide solutions for people who have lost hope when it comes to houses and have often been referred people through word of mouth who have been declined and have no hope. I have helped them to get where they want. I help people with not just with money but work to gain their trust to be able to help them as a person in ways not related to the above mentioned services.
How did the business start and grow to where it is today?
My brother got me into the idea that I could have a part-time business while looking after my young kids. He thought I would be great at this as I already had long term experience at ASB bank. Shortly after starting, though, I have realised that this is not a part-time job at all.
I have been focusing on helping people a lot and this in return has helped me build the community of supporters that tell others how I could help them. On top of that, I’m about giving back to the community either through volunteering or sponsorships.
I often get asked what the secret to the success of my business is. The number one point for me would be hard work and always looking after each individual client as if they are your only one instead of treating them as just another number.
What sets you apart from others in your field?
I cannot talk on behalf of others but general feedback from my customers is that they often come to me when they are frustrated with other service providers, having been neglected at some point during the process or when their case is too complicated and other service providers may not have enough experience or time to resolve their issues.
I have spent over a decade in this industry and one of the other benefits is that my brother was known for taking on really complicated deals and making them all work.
This extra experience on the side has helped me build a lot of knowledge across various scenarios and situations and I can confidently state that to date, I’ve seen all sorts of deals and structures that I can help anyone.
What was your reaction to being named as a finalist?
When I answered the phone and was told that I had been made a finalist, I was speechless to say the least. I entered to challenge myself without any expectations. I know we’ve got so many great businesses and entrants so the competition in my eyes is fairly fierce. To be a finalist means I’m doing something right.
What do you like about operating your business in the Kā piti community?
When I first came to the Wellington region I did not want to live in a busy place. When we saw Waikanae, we fell in love with its nature, how quiet it is and most importantly, how logistically perfect it is for me that I do not need to travel around much to get bread and milk while trying to attend to kid’s needs. Over the years we have spent a lot of time across these two places and our answer is definitely Waikanae is our home. I consider myself and my family part of the Kā piti community, my kids go to Kapakapanui School, I attend regular network meetings with various parties and I love supporting local initiatives from expos through to local teams. I also love the fact that everyone seems to know each other, and community spirit is true and alive.
What does a general day for you at Mike Pero Mortage Kā piti involve?
The greatest excitement is that I do not know what the day will bring, no day is the same. It can go from business as usual tending to my client’s needs, through to being chaotic when someone needs urgent help whether it is business related or on a personal level. Most days are spent on the phone or emails talking with new clients about how to go about their deals, talking with old clients about helping them get somewhere and fighting fires with service providers to get the deals across.