Member Profile – Justin McIlveen from Scarlett Financial
Community and Background:
Kate Dezarnaulds: Can you tell us a bit about your journey to Coledale? How did you end up here and what attracted you to this community?
Justin McIlveen: We have our main offices in Sydney and Canberra. We started Scarlett Finance about seven years ago, and we were living in the Eastern suburbs at the time. I’m originally from the country, up near Tamworth. My wife Courtney is Sydney born and bred. I pretty much would have gone anywhere coastal outside of Sydney, but Wollongong and the Coal Coast are still very accessible to Sydney. Courtney is close enough to the Shire where she has her life, and her sister is around the corner here. It’s a beautiful spot.
Business and Entrepreneurship:
Kate Dezarnaulds: Tell us about your business. How and when did you decide to start it, and what motivated you to take the plunge into entrepreneurship?
Justin McIlveen: Myself and three friends started Scarlett Finance. We all did uni together in Canberra and lived together on Scarlett Street and kept in contact while working in finance. We decided to start something because we felt our corporate jobs were becoming more about managing up and less about the client interaction, which we enjoyed. So, we pulled the trigger and started our own business.
Kate Dezarnaulds: Who is an ideal client for Scarlett Finance? What’s the sweet spot for you guys in the market?
Justin McIlveen: Our ideal clients are young professionals who are time-poor, respect advice, trust us, and have equity in property. We started with first-time buyers, who are great because when you help make the dream happen it’s really a wonderful way to start. Now, we are more often helping people move into their end homes and build investment portfolios. We do all kinds of transactions, but our client base has grown with us.
Personal Life:
Kate Dezarnaulds: What does work-life balance look like for you and your family at the moment? How do you juggle the two practically?
Justin McIlveen: I do serious hours, but I can choose my hours. I get up really early, around 4 AM, to work for a couple of hours before the kids wake up. This allows me to be present during the critical 6:30 to 8:30 AM family time. I’m usually home by 5:30 or 6 PM, even when working in the city. Having a base at WorkLife has really helped me cut back on wasted time commuting. This year hasn’t shot the lights out numbers wise (it’s been fine enough though) – but has been a really successful one for creating a healthier work-life balance. My wife would still say I work too much, but WorkLife has helped me gain back the old hour of commuting time, and I’m incrementally chipping away at those wasted hours to find a better balance.
Kate Dezarnaulds: Have you always done the early start, the 4 AM thing, or was that a post-kids kind of innovation?
Justin McIlveen: I started a little bit before kids, but it has become more consistent over time. Initially, it was like getting up at six, but then I realized I was getting more productive earlier. Now, my body just wakes up at 4 AM, and I’m used to it. There’s a 30-second pain when you first wake up, but once I’m up i feel the same as i do when i wake at 7am.
Kate Dezarnaulds: Outside of work, what are your hobbies and passions? How do you like to spend your time when you’re not focused on business or family?
Justin McIlveen: I try to exercise four or five times a week. This year I started to enjoy swimming and a bit of surfing again, though I’m not great at it. It’s a self-perpetuating cycle because the colder it gets, the less I surf and swim, and the worse I get. But I love spending time with the kids, watching sports, and just enjoying people’s company. I used to play a lot of team sports but not so much now, instead I enjoy watching my kids do so. I crave spending time with the kids or just chilling and watching some sports, really basic stuff to switch off and enjoy people’s company.
Kate Dezarnaulds: Are there any books or podcasts you’ve found particularly inspiring or informative recently? Any recommendations for the WorkLife community?
Justin McIlveen: I listen to a few podcasts regularly, like The Advisor, Mortgage Accelerator Podcast, and Mark Bouris’s podcast. There’s also a local broker, Aaron Christie-David, whose podcast I follow. He’s a great guy, and I learn a lot from his insights. We bump into each other quite often, and he’s a great communicator.
Home and Lifestyle:
Kate Dezarnaulds: What is your taste like? Do you have a favorite item of furniture or object in your home? Anything that has special significance or tells a story about you?
Justin McIlveen: My home is mostly practical and kid-friendly, but we are moving homes this week to a new property at the back of Bulli – I love being in the bush (it’s deep in escarpment). I can’t wait for this. In addition, I really appreciate items that have personal significance and stories attached to them.
Kate Dezarnaulds: What do you like/appreciate about the design at WorkLife? Any favorite touches or things that make you feel at home when you are at work?
Justin McIlveen: Everyone who walks in comments on the cool vibe. I love the little things like having music in the background, which I have in every other aspect of life but never had in a work environment. I spend a bit of time saving the tracks that are playing onto my own spotify playlists.
Kate Dezarnaulds: If you were to showcase the best of the local lifestyle to visiting friends, where would you take them and why?
Justin McIlveen: I love taking visitors to the local beaches and markets. The farm is great for a day out. We’ve recently discovered some amazing spots like Jamberoo, which is beautiful. There’s always something new to explore. The farm markets were a big thing for us, and we love spending a day out at the beach.
Productivity and Time Management:
Kate Dezarnaulds: What’s your go-to productivity hack? How do you stay organised and efficient, especially with multiple responsibilities?
Justin McIlveen: My biggest hack is getting up early. Starting the day at 4 AM gives me a head start and allows me to be present during family time in the morning and evening. It’s all about routine for me.
Benefits of WorkLife Membership:
Kate Dezarnaulds: Lastly, what’s been the most valuable aspect of being a member at WorkLife for you and your business?
Justin McIlveen: The community and vibe here are great! It’s just a really nice balance where you don’t have to talk to everyone all the time, but there’s an open, friendly atmosphere. The meeting rooms are fantastic too. We’ve talked about getting our own space in the past, but I don’t think we could match the feel here.
Personally, WorkLife has given me the opportunity to cut back on commuting and reclaim that time for family. It’s been a fantastic space to work in that has pushed me to balance work and life better.
