In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, our Atelier Wealth directors Aaron and Bernadette Christie-David open up about the journey that shaped who they are today as partners in life, in business, and in property.
It’s a story of setbacks, risk, growth and resilience. And if you’ve ever wondered what really goes on behind the scenes of building wealth, this episode pulls back the curtain.
The Beginning: A Job Loss That Sparked a Vision
Fifteen years ago, Aaron was out of work. The global financial crisis had hit, and his “career break” was really a career collapse.
But looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened.
That setback planted the seed for something bigger. A future built on ownership, not employment. “Sometimes losing stability forces you to create your own,” Aaron recalls.
When he and Bernadette married, they had no savings, no clear plan, and plenty of uncertainty. But they shared one belief: action beats fear.
The First Step: Buying the “Wrong” Property
Their first property was not glamorous. It was a small apartment in North Parramatta that overlooked a cemetery and sat on a noisy main road.
“It broke every rule in the book,” Bernadette laughs, “but it got us in the market.”
They renovated the unit themselves, learned by trial and error, and even overcapitalised by spending far more than they should have. But that experience gave them something more valuable than profit: perspective.
When they sold years later for almost double what they paid, it was not luck. It was leverage, learning, and time doing its compounding work.
Learning by Doing: Equity, Risk and Mistakes
After that first win, they pulled out equity to buy a second property, a unit in Liverpool that became a solid long-term investment. They also tapped equity again to fund their wedding and even a convertible sports car.
“Was it a smart decision?” Aaron grins. “Maybe not. But it was ours.”
Those early choices, both good and bad, taught them how money moves and how to make it move intentionally.
A Leap of Faith: Leaving the Franchise Behind
Fast-forward a few years. Aaron was running a Mortgage Choice franchise. It was stable, predictable, and completely unfulfilling.
“I realised I did not own a business. I owned a job with a logo,” he says.
So he walked away. No safety net. No payout. Just conviction that there was a better way to help people build wealth.
That moment birthed Atelier Wealth. It was not a spreadsheet decision. It was a gut decision that changed everything.
Bernadette remembers the day clearly. “We had finally started making money again, and Aaron calls me to say he is leaving. I hung up on him. But in hindsight, it was the best call he ever made.”
Perfect Action Beats Perfect Inaction
Today, they coach clients who over analyse every detail and often never act. “I have seen people spend two years tweaking numbers and miss the best buying window,” Aaron says.
Their philosophy is simple: imperfect action beats perfect inaction every single time.
Markets shift, interest rates rise, and opportunities come and go. Waiting for the “perfect” deal often means missing the best one.
Why Property Wins: Control, Leverage and Long-Term Power
They have dabbled in shares, but property is where they have built real wealth because it gives them control.
“In shares, a CEO scandal can wipe your profits overnight,” Aaron explains. “With property, I can paint a wall, add a room, or refinance to grow faster. That control is everything.”
Bernadette adds, “It is not just about owning assets. It is about understanding leverage. You can borrow, renovate, revalue, and reinvest. That is how you create momentum.”
The Decade of Growth: Business, Buildings and Breakthroughs
Ten years into business, the couple reached a major milestone. They bought their own commercial office, structured through their self managed super fund using a put and call option. This strategy let them lock in the price while waiting for the next financial year.
It was not smooth sailing. During the build, they faced 13 rate rises and crushing cash flow pressure.
“There were nights we would wake up at 2 am, staring at the ceiling, wondering what we had done,” says Bernadette. “But quitting was never an option.”
Their accountant helped them restructure, their banker supported them, and they kept pushing through.
“If you are going through hell,” Aaron says, “keep going.”
Love, Risk and Alignment
As a couple in business and property, they have had to learn to manage risk differently. Aaron thrives on it; Bernadette prefers certainty.
“We balance each other out,” she says. “I am cautious where he is bold, and that tension makes our decisions better.”
Every month they sit down together, not to argue over numbers but to stay aligned. They treat their household finances like a business meeting. “It is not romantic,” Aaron laughs, “but it keeps us accountable.”
Building for the Next Generation
For them, property is not about early retirement. It is about legacy.
They want their daughters to see what is possible, not what is hard. “We never say, ‘you will never afford a house.’ We say, ‘here is how you can,'” says Bernadette.
They have built their portfolio so one day they can help their girls into the market, not through inheritance, but through example.
“It is not just about having assets,” Aaron adds. “It is about showing them courage.”
Complexity Comes with Growth
As their portfolio expanded, so did the back-end. Multiple lenders, trusts, ABNs, entities, insurances, and estate planning.
Most people underestimate how much organisation is required once you reach that stage. But they stress it is essential.
“Treat your personal finances like a business,” Aaron advises. “Review them, measure them, and surround yourself with experts such as accountants, solicitors, and brokers. That is how you keep momentum.”
The Power of a Decade
A decade sounds long, but when you are consistent, it compounds fast.
From that small apartment overlooking a cemetery to running one of Australia’s top mortgage brokerages, the journey proves that time rewards action.
“There were no shortcuts,” says Bernadette. “Just a lot of small, consistent decisions stacked over time.”
Their vision boards, financial rituals and yearly check-ins have helped them stay focused, and their wins, from family trips to business growth, are the result of years of clarity and persistence.
For Aaron and Bernadette, the biggest takeaway from ten years of investing and business building is simple:
- Take action even when it is uncomfortable
- Leverage what you can control
- Stay aligned as a couple
- Play the long game
“We have made mistakes,” Aaron admits, “but never by standing still. Every lesson came from movement.”
If there is one thing their story proves, it is that momentum matters more than perfection.
Here is how you can build yours:
- Listen to Episode 233 of the Australian Property Investment Podcast to hear Aaron and Bernadette’s full journey in their own words.
- Reflect on what property goal you have delayed because it was not “perfect” yet.
- Book a chat with the Atelier Wealth team to map out your next step, whether that is your first purchase, an upgrade, or a portfolio strategy.
- Subscribe for new podcast episodes and property insights that help you grow smarter, not harder.
Because in the end, wealth does not come from waiting. It comes from taking that first step and trusting that the next one will appear once you move.
