Today, we have the privilege of delving into the remarkable journey of Obu Ramaraj, a Finance Broker, Speaker, Money Management Expert, and Author. Her narrative is one of audacity and tenacity, of chasing dreams across continents, and of empowering others to conquer their financial destinies.
Born in South India, Obu’s story is a testament to the power of ambition. In 2006, her aspirations led her to an unexpected destination – Melbourne, Australia, where destiny wove the tapestry of her life in surprising ways. From the pursuit of a Master’s degree in Biotechnology to forging an unconventional path as a mortgage broker, Obu’s journey epitomizes resilience and adaptability in the face of unexpected twists of fate.
https://australiamovingplan.com/category/heartwarming-stories/
Q: Everyone has an interesting story about making the bold move to another country. So Obu, what was your story in 2006?
I hail from South India, and after completing my Masters, my only request to my parents was to live abroad. Ironically, I had no clue about Australia at the time. But fate led me to Melbourne when I married my husband who worked there.
Q: Can you share more about your journey from earning a Master’s degree in Biotechnology to becoming a mortgage broker in Australia? What inspired this transition?
I’m not sure if it was inspiration, frustration, or a divine plan. After completing my Master’s, I was in the process of applying for a Ph.D. in India while waiting for my parents to find a match for me. I was on the verge of gaining admission to a prestigious university when my marriage was arranged.
Upon my arrival in Australia, it took some time to contemplate work as we started a family, and I faced visa restrictions. I must mention that in 2007, I completed my Certificate IV in Mortgage Broking with no idea that it would become my career.
When I was prepared to transition to full-time work, I sought employment in STEM and managed to secure a seven-month voluntary position at a research institute.
Even though they were satisfied with the quality of my work and even included my name in a research paper published in a scientific journal, I did not secure the job when an opportunity arose.
Devastated, I decided that I would choose whichever opportunity came my way next, whether it was in Science or Mortgage Broking. This is how I started my business.
🌐🔗 Explore Obu Ramaraj’s website: Obu Ramaraj’s Website
👉🌟 Follow Obu Ramaraj on Facebook: Obu Ramaraj on Facebook
📸👣 Follow Obu Ramaraj on Instagram: Obu Ramaraj on Instagram
Q: Could you tell us about your experience starting Smart Money Solutions? What have been some key milestones in your entrepreneurial journey?
In 2009, I decided to jump straight into my business. In hindsight, I think it would have been better for me to have worked for someone before I started my company. Nevertheless, it was a venture that has served me in many ways.
The year I started my business, I also got pregnant with my second child. What a wild ride I was in for! I strapped myself for the journey – actually that is not true. I had no clue about the ride and yet, I diligently put one step in front of the other. I put myself into situations that I never would have otherwise – networking, meeting new people, and asking for help – everything that I never wanted to do.
I got my first client five months after I started my business and that was a happy moment for me. I cannot say it’s always been a smooth ride.
Some key milestones are:
2009 – Starting business
2013 – Writing my first book ‘Smart Women, Smart Homeloans’
2014 – Working with interstate clients and learning a lot
2015 – Getting on stage as a speaker (I actually sucked!)
2020 – Writing my second book ‘Smart Women, Smart Habits’ and launching it at three different cities – Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney through a speaking engagement
Through the last 14 years, I have tried and fallen numerous times. Each time, after I dusted off and recovered, I tried again.
I am a much better speaker now and have been invited to present on various stages.
Q: In your experience, how can migrants like yourself step out of their comfort zones and adapt to a new country, culture, and career path successfully?
By nature, when I was in India, I was an introvert. I never liked talking to people unless we were on the same wavelength. I underwent a 180-degree transformation once I arrived in Australia because I needed to engage with people, and we had no family here.
After the birth of my first child, I volunteered as a committee member for a local mothers’ group. I had a strong desire to give back to my community. Since then, I have actively participated in various organizations, dedicating my time to volunteering. Currently, I am in my third year as a member of a School Council.
My inherent nature is driven by a passion to contribute when and where I can. I have never been one to conform or blend in; I’ve always embraced my uniqueness. This mindset has enabled me to step out of my comfort zone on numerous occasions. I am also resolute in resisting peer pressure, allowing me to lead life on my terms.
For migrants, it’s crucial to understand their aspirations. Not everyone may aspire to write a book or seek the limelight, and that’s perfectly fine. What truly matters is that they follow their own path and do what feels right for them. If their hearts yearn for something different, it’s vital to pause, reflect, and take the initial step towards their desires. When we do so, the universe conspires to align things in our favor.
Q: Obu, you mentioned a passion for helping women take control of their financial lives. What motivated you to focus on this aspect, and what are some of the common financial challenges women face?
A few years into my business, I started noticing that women needed a different kind of hand-holding when it came to money matters. In 2009, the mortgage broking industry was male-dominated and it is still to a degree today. So, I saw that I could bring feminine energy to money matters and many women resonated with this kind of energy.
At appointments, I saw that the husband was the one I was talking to when it came to making home loan decisions. I also saw that some women went through divorce without the knowledge about money matters and wondering how to keep a roof over their head. These experiences made me want to serve women.
Many women don’t know some aspects of financial wellness. Things like credit ratings, defaults, good credit vs bad credit, and investments. There is so much information online and it can be overwhelming. This is why I have started offering financial wellness workshops, so I can break it down in the simplest terms and then women who need further information can always look for it online or come back to me.
Q: Obu, you’ve written two books on money matters and mindsets. Could you provide a brief overview of these books and what readers can learn from them?
‘Smart Women, Smart Home loans: What your lenders won’t tell you’ is a first home buyers guide for anyone in Australia.
The title is only because of my passion to help women, but it is relevant to any first home buyer in Australia. I believe in the KISS (keep it simple stupid) principle and therefore has included all that someone needs to know before they buy their first property. This is available at www.smartwomensmarthomeloans.com.au
My second book, ‘Smart Women, Smart Habits: Powerful practices to create your ideal financial future’ is book that has many activities to create a life that you desire. It is all about habits, goal setting and the things that worked for me to change my life and I wanted to share this information with others. This is available on Amazon and other online book stores or can be purchased from www.smartwomensmarthabits.com
I am actually running a goal setting workshop on 2nd December, 2023. When you know what your heart desires and then set goals, you are more likely to work towards it. I have used this technique over 8 years for myself and for other clients. Once you learn the steps to do it the correct way, you can do this every year and create a vision board to help you achieve your dream life, year after year.
The link to register is www.oburamaraj.com/goals
Q: As a successful woman in the finance industry and entrepreneurship, what advice would you give to other women who aspire to achieve financial independence and build their own businesses?
Business is a long-term game and if women are not willing to run the marathon, then business is not for them. I’ve heard every now and then that someone has a great idea or they are tired of working for someone, so they want to be their own boss. Unless you are self-motivated, then it might be best to work for someone and build wealth.
As for financial independence, it is first about making money and then grow it. The most important thing is to know where your money goes. If women are not tracking their money, then how will they know how much is left for investment. I have a finance tracker which can be downloaded at www.oburamaraj.com/budget
One tip I always give couples is to have her money, his money and our money. This way, women satisfy the financial needs of the family but then have their own money to spend in any way they want – to start a business, to invest or even to enjoy a girls trip without feeling guilty.
Q: Looking ahead, what are the most exciting or challenging goals you have for your career and for empowering women in the realm of finance and entrepreneurship?
I am running my ‘Realign and Thrive’ workshop for goal setting this December and intend to do it regularly twice a year. I will be doing other exciting workshops like financial wellness workshop and I have other offerings coming up next year. If anyone is interested, they can follow me on social media and my handle is @oburamaraj. I will be making announcements on Instagram and Facebook.
🌐🔗 Explore Obu Ramaraj’s website: Obu Ramaraj’s Website
👉🌟 Follow Obu Ramaraj on Facebook: Obu Ramaraj on Facebook
📸👣 Follow Obu Ramaraj on Instagram: Obu Ramaraj on Instagram
Q: For migrants and individuals considering a major life change, what advice would you give to help them adapt and thrive in a new environment and career path?
As humans, our best trait is adaptability. As Charles Darwin said, it is all about survival of the fittest.
If you are considering a major life change, be focused and prepared to go through challenges. Surround yourself with the right people – friends to support you when you feel down, mentors to guide you through challenges and be okay to try. The quicker you fall, the faster you will learn and move on the path towards success.
Don’t think of failure as a bad thing because they are life lessons. Keep them as handy tools in your pocket because at one time or the other in your life, not only will have a great story to share but also look back and see how far you have come.
🌐🔗 Explore Obu Ramaraj’s website: Obu Ramaraj’s Website
👉🌟 Follow Obu Ramaraj on Facebook: Obu Ramaraj on Facebook
📸👣 Follow Obu Ramaraj on Instagram: Obu Ramaraj on Instagram
