Managing the complexities of credit management can feel like an uphill battle, especially when your credit score dictates your financial opportunities. Whether it’s securing a mortgage, landing your dream job, or obtaining low-interest loans, a high credit score is essential. Meet Victoria Coster, the imaginative CEO of Credit Fix Solutions, who is transforming how Australians approach credit repair.
Founded in 2014, Credit Fix Solutions stands out as a ray of hope for those struggling with their credit scores. Victoria’s journey began as a single mother determined to create a better life for her family. Today, she leads a team that empowers clients to improve their credit ratings through personalized strategies and financial education. Under her guidance, the company has become a trusted partner for mortgage brokers and clients alike, pioneering a “no win, no fee” model that prioritizes fairness and transparency.
Victoria’s passion to education is evident; she frequently engages with brokers, offering training sessions to enhance their understanding of credit reporting. This collaborative approach has earned her accolades, including recognition as a finalist in the 2023 FBAA Awards for Industry Champion of the Year.
At Credit Fix Solutions, a high credit score is more than just a number, it’s a pathway to financial freedom. With Coster at the helm, clients are not only fixing their credit but also answering new opportunities for a brighter future.
Below are the interview highlights:
Can you please introduce yourself and share your career journey?
I’m Victoria Coster, CEO and founder of Credit Fix Solutions and Director of Credit Fix Lawyers. I moved from the UK to Western Sydney in 2001 and spent two years working in pubs.
In 2003, I transitioned to mortgage processing and later to mortgage broking in 2007. After the GFC hit, I shifted to credit repair, working in the industry for three years before founding Credit Fix Solutions in 2014.
Could you please briefly introduce your company and its inception story?
When I founded Credit Fix Solutions in 2014, I was dissatisfied with the upfront fees charged by other credit repair companies, as success in credit repair couldn’t be guaranteed.
So, I created a no-win, no-fee model. I started with 40 local mortgage brokers in Western Sydney and have since expanded to work with around 9,000 finance brokers across Australia.
Can you share a pivotal moment in your career that significantly shaped your path in the mortgage industry?
In 2015, a mortgage broker told me I needed to promote my credit repair services to all brokers, highlighting their importance. At the time, as a single mother with limited resources, I had no clear path for business growth.
This moment led me to invest in business coaching with Dale Beaumont’s Business Blueprint. I learned crucial skills in CRM development, marketing, website optimization, and business compliance. With these tools, I quickly expanded from 40 to over 700 brokers in a year, partnered with mortgage associations, and attended broker Professional Development days.
Today, Credit Fix Solutions is a leading credit repair firm in Australia, known for exceptional service and recognized with awards, including ‘Most Loved Allied Service Provider’.
What motivated you to pursue a leadership role within the mortgage sector, and how has your journey been as a woman in this industry?
I never aimed to be a leader; my focus was ensuring finance brokers had a trustworthy resource for credit repair. I wanted to address the industry’s reputation for upfront fees and unfulfilled promises, a mission that I still pursue.
As a woman in a male-dominated industry, especially starting in my early 30s, I faced challenges, including skepticism about my business. I’ve worked hard over the past decade to earn respect and prove my reliability.
While my progress might have been faster if I were a man, I can’t say for sure. I’ve built a network of trusted colleagues and believe that women must lead by example, setting standards and acting rather than just talking about change.
Who have been your role models or mentors throughout your career, and how have they influenced your leadership style?
Dale Beaumont of Business Blueprint has been crucial to my success since 2015, and I wouldn’t be where I am without his coaching. Peter White of The FBAA has been a supportive mentor and friend, offering invaluable guidance when I was new to business.
Hank De Jonge of De Jonge Read taught me essential skills like financial foretelling, and his help was pivotal, especially when I initially didn’t understand basic financial concepts. Anja Pannek of The MFAA and Janine Allis of Boost Juice Bars are key role models for me.
Richard Branson’s disruptive approach also inspired me to create a flat, collaborative team culture at Credit Fix Solutions, where everyone is valued equally and no one is more important than another.
As a leader, what core values do you prioritize in your organization, and how do they reflect in your team’s culture?
Our core values—’Help, Learn, Grow’—are based on the credo that our team developed in 2021. While I initially didn’t understand the concept of core values, I knew I wanted to help people. As our business has grown, these values have evolved and are now deeply embedded in our team culture.
HELP
Whatever we do in the business we focus on what we can do to help!
LEARN
We hope to educate through everything we do within the business, for ourselves, our referral partners and our clients
GROW
It is better to be green and growing than ripe and rotting! If we’re not growing, then what good are we doing?
HONESTY
We believe that honesty is the best policy. We have a strict ‘no bullshit’ code when it comes to business!
WHAT WE DO SAYS WHAT WE ARE
We live by our actions. Everything we do, we do intentionally, and we do for good. What’s good for our clients is good for us and the world
WE SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF
Detail! We are big on it! We obsess on getting things right the first time. We practice what we preach and deliver on our promises to ourselves, each other, our referral partners, and our clients.
RESULTS MATTER
We are here to deliver as promised. We are accountable and diligent with our work.
BENEFICIAL
Whatever we do, we make sure it will benefit ourselves, our team, and our business.
WE HAVE FUN
We hustle. But we know exactly when to let go of all logical thought and just have fun.
Enough said.
What strategies have you implemented to empower other women in your organization and the broader mortgage industry?
In my organization, women are respected and encouraged to learn and grow. I ensure they feel hard and address any concerns promptly. Through my Business Blueprint coaching program, employees can explore various business aspects at their own pace.
We regularly assess job satisfaction and create a supportive environment where everyone feels valued. Recognizing that my team spends more time at work than with their families, we maintain regular catchups and celebrate daily successes.
I also support the Women’s Commercial Finance Forum and actively network with female professionals, focusing on building genuine connections and serving as a role model for younger women in the industry.
Can you discuss a challenge you faced as a leader and how you overcame it? What lessons did you learn from that experience?
Public speaking was initially challenging for me as CEO. I used to over-prepare and memorize every word but would still go blank on stage. I struggled to find my own style by mimicking others.
Over time, I learned to focus on my confidence and knowledge, speaking naturally rather than memorizing. This shift greatly improved my public speaking. I realized that self-doubt and imitation were unnecessary; being genuine and confident in my own style was more effective. People see through imitation and appreciate authenticity, so being myself was enough.
What trends do you foresee shaping the mortgage industry in the coming years, particularly regarding women’s roles?
Women are increasingly becoming primary decision-makers in home purchases and are rising to senior roles in the mortgage industry. This trend will likely continue, leading to mortgage products that better cater to women.
A balanced representation of both men and women is essential. There’s also growing support for women’s financial education, which should enhance financial literacy programs and empower women, particularly those recovering from financial abuse or domestic violence. Additionally, AI advancements will bring efficiencies, particularly benefiting women juggling careers and family by streamlining mortgage applications and offering virtual consultations.
How do you believe the mortgage industry can better support and promote female leadership?
Current leaders in the mortgage industry generally support female leadership, though some outdated views persist. As the older generation retires and younger professionals advance, the industry will naturally evolve to better support and promote women. My colleagues and I are committed to this progress, and I see it as a positive, ongoing development.
What do you consider your most significant achievement in your career to date, and why does it hold such importance for you?
My greatest achievement is founding and growing Credit Fix Solutions into a respected credit repair firm in Australia. This is important to me for two reasons. First, the business has helped thousands of families achieve financial stability, aligning with my goal to aid others on their wealth creation journey.
Each successful client outcome reaffirms why I started this venture. Second, building Credit Fix Solutions has demonstrated my resilience and capacity for growth, both personally and professionally. Despite industry challenges and competitors’ practices, I take pride in offering a valuable service that supports both consumers and mortgage brokers. This journey has allowed me to grow, inspire, and help others, which I cherish every day.
How do you balance your professional responsibilities with your personal life, and what advice would you give to others striving for that balance?
Work-life balance is essential for everyone, whether you’re an employee or a business owner. To manage it effectively, build structure by using a calendar to plan tasks daily, weekly, and monthly, so you know what needs to be done each day, saving time and reducing stress.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help and delegate tasks—consider hiring a part-time virtual assistant if needed. Set clear boundaries by disconnecting from work at a specific time, like 6:30 pm, and reserve days for personal time. Manage household chores during workdays to avoid weekend overload.
Lastly, be kind to yourself, enjoy small moments of happiness, and focus on your progress rather than comparing yourself to others. Surround yourself with supportive people, and remember that balancing your time is an ongoing process crucial for your long-term happiness and success.
What are your aspirations for the future, both personally and for your organization, in terms of advancing women in the mortgage industry?
I hope to advance women in the mortgage industry, making it a necessity for a more innovative and inclusive sector. Personally, I aim to deepen my expertise in credit reporting and repair, staying ahead of trends to inspire other women with lifelong growth and learning.
For Credit Fix Solutions, I envision it becoming Australia’s leading credit repair firm and a key resource for credit reporting advice and education, especially for vulnerable communities. I’m also considering developing it as a social enterprise with the help of grants.
My goal is to inspire women to excel personally and professionally, and to contribute to a more diverse and inclusive finance sector. I’m committed to paving the way for future female leaders in finance.
