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The �Starbucks� of Mortgage Advice
Added: (Fri May 26 2006)
**For immediate release**
In March 2006, Matthew Lincoln left Lloyds TSB. The bank didn�t skip a heartbeat, but on that day mortgage advice changed forever. Matthew joined his wife in Thorpe Lincoln Mortgage Consultants, the company they founded in 2005.
Having had first hand experience of how banks and building societies treat their customers, and knowing intimately how mortgage brokers usually operate the Matthew had decided to change a industry. Today they aiming to be the fastest growing mortgage consultants in the South West, and soon to be, in the UK.
Matthew was taking a risk, but was firm in his vision. �With the vision of creating the �Starbucks� of mortgage advice,� says Matthew, �I left a well paid job and became a full time MORTGAGEMAN!�
Matthew knew that changing an entire industry was something of a challenge, so one of the first things he did was sit down an write exactly what the company would do, how it would do it, and what it would feel like to live it, in a two page document lovingly called 'Imagine That'.
Many entrepreneurs minimise their risks by only employing people in a similar job. Matthew chose a different route. � We only hire the best people, people who are naturally driven and customer service orientated. In fact, when someone provides me with exceptional service I usually give them a card and tell them to give me a call if they ever want to change jobs,� Matthew continues, �You can train people to be great mortgage consultants, but you can�t train motivation and customer service. It�s in-bred, you either have it or you don�t.�
Their recipe for success has been simple. Take a fragmented business, on-time fantastic service, and transparent fees, and then mix in a culture that is young, fun and completely focussed on solid, healthy growth. He has managed to maintain 100% ownership and bootstrapped the business solely out of cashflow � something that is rare these days.
Although this is a straightforward business, they couldn�t possibly have grown without technology. Taking a low tech business and putting a high tech spin on it allowed them to rapidly distinguish themselves from their competition. All calls come through a central 0870 855 4140 number where they are directed to their nearest mortgage store. There they do all the research and advice to meet each individual client�s needs. All offices have access to MORTI, their corporate intranet, where they access reports, latest mortgage product details, customer information, etc. This allows consultants to respond quickly and advise clients without delay.
Each store acts like a franchise, although they are not actually franchised, allowing them to focus solely on growth � working on the business vs. working in the business.
Thorpe Lincoln Mortgage Consultants will arrange about �36 million in remortgages in 2007- not a bad return on a �2,000 investment! Matthew's BHAG (Big Audacious Hairy Goal) is �10 million and 100 stores by December 31st, 2020. He says confidently, �We�ll get there.�
ENDS
About Thorpe Lincoln Mortgage Consultants
Thorpe Lincoln are leading mortgage advisors based in Plymouth. They offer a thoroughly modern way for homeowners to arrange a mortgage, without wasting time, without stress and without hassle. Thorpe Lincoln provides professional mortgage advice on residential mortgage products offered by all of the UK�s lending institutions; including those homeowners can�t find on the high street. Thorpe Lincoln does not have any of its own loan products, and its consultant�s advise borrowers on the most suitable mortgage for their individual needs.
More information is available at www.thorpelincoln.co.uk or via 0870 855 4140.