At Atelier Wealth, we are incredibly proud of our Directors, Aaron and Bernadette Christie-David. Together, they built Atelier Wealth from the ground up into the thriving business it is today. Recently, Aaron was invited back onto the Elite Broker podcast, hosted by Annie Kane, to reflect on this journey.
This was not Aaron’s first appearance on the show. Back in 2017, he and Bernadette shared the story of Atelier Wealth’s early days and their vision for the future. Seven years later, Aaron returned to talk about how far the business has come, the lessons he has learned, and what lies ahead.
Hearing Aaron share his experiences reminded us all of why Atelier Wealth is such a special place to work – it is not just about writing loans, but about creating impact, building community, and leading with values.
From Humble Beginnings to a Thriving Brokerage
When Aaron and Bernadette launched Atelier Wealth, it was just the two of them. From those early days, Aaron’s focus was always on building something bigger than himself.
Fast forward nine years and Atelier Wealth is now a 22-strong team helping clients across Australia build wealth through smart property strategies.
In the podcast, Aaron reflected on the different stages of growth. He shared how the business evolved from the initial hustle of writing as many loans as possible, to finding a true niche in property investment, and then building a structure that allowed scale without burning out.
Broking as a Team Sport
One of the themes Aaron kept coming back to was that “broking is a team sport.” This philosophy underpins how we operate at Atelier Wealth.
Aaron often says the strength of the business lies in the people who make it up, and we see that every day. Recruitment has not always been easy, but the culture built here is something we are proud of.
As Aaron said, “we’ll go through walls for each other.” That sense of loyalty and support flows directly into the way we look after our clients.
Building Strong Referral Partnerships
Another topic Aaron explored was the value of partnerships. From buyers’ agents to accountants and financial planners, Aaron emphasised the importance of integrity, shared values, and putting the client first.
Atelier Wealth’s approach has always been about giving first. Instead of asking referral partners for leads, we focus on sending business their way and building long-term relationships.
Aaron calls this the “win win win” mindset: the client wins, the partner wins, and we win.
Seasons of Business and Family Balance
The podcast also touched on something we see Aaron live out every day – the balance between business success and family life.
He spoke honestly about the “success tax” that came with overworking in the early years, and how Aaron and Bernadette made deliberate choices to put family first. From taking Thursdays off with his daughters to outsourcing household chores, Aaron showed that true success is about more than financial achievements.
For us as a team, it’s a reminder that balance is not only possible but necessary for long-term growth and happiness.
Personal Growth and Wellbeing
Aaron has always encouraged the team to invest in personal development, and it was great to hear him share how he and Bernadette work with coaches, prioritise health, and model resilience for their daughters.
He believes strongly that “you can’t be what you can’t see,” and that by showing up as the best version of ourselves, we create a ripple effect that benefits our families, our team, and our clients.
Running Atelier Wealth Like a Formula 1 Pit Crew
Listeners also got an inside look at how Atelier Wealth is structured. With 22 team members, we run the business like a Formula 1 pit crew. Everyone has their role, and we rely on each other’s expertise to deliver the best outcomes for clients.
This setup means our brokers can spend more time doing what they do best: sitting with clients, solving problems, and building strategies for long-term success.
It’s a model that allows us to write hundreds of millions in loans annually while still maintaining balance and quality.
Educating Beyond the Brokerage: Book, Podcast, and Community
Education has always been one of Aaron’s passions, and it was inspiring to hear him talk about how that extends beyond Atelier Wealth.
- His book, The Happy Home Loan Handbook, is a blueprint for first-home buyers.
- Our podcast. the Australian Property Investment Podcast dives deep into property investment strategies and has become a valuable resource for both clients and peers.
- The Property Accelerator Program brings investors together to learn, share, and support one another. It helps clients step into the top 1 percent of property investors.
These initiatives reflect Aaron’s belief that knowledge should be shared, not guarded.
Insights on the Property Market
Aaron didn’t shy away from sharing his perspective on the current property market. His message was clear: the best time to buy is always now.
Property investing, he argued, is as much about attitude as it is about numbers.
Rather than waiting for government policies or perfect conditions, Aaron urged buyers and investors to take control of their own future. For him, success comes from action, not hesitation.
Giving Back to the Industry
Finally, Aaron spoke about his passion for giving back. From mentoring younger brokers to speaking at events across the country, he sees it as his responsibility to share knowledge openly.
We’re lucky to have a leader who believes in lifting the industry as a whole, not just focusing on his own success. That generosity of spirit is something we see reflected in the way Aaron leads our team every day.
What’s Next for Atelier Wealth
Looking forward, Aaron and the team are focused on growing sustainably. Recruitment, education, and community will remain at the heart of what we do.
Most importantly, we’ll keep working to ensure that every client we serve has the best possible chance of achieving their property goals.
Hearing Aaron on the Elite Broker podcast reminded us of just how far Atelier Wealth has come. From two people in a small office to a thriving 22-person team, the journey has been remarkable.
As Aaron shared, success is not just about writing loans. It’s about values, balance, and impact. And that’s exactly what we strive for every day at Atelier Wealth.
