Marcus Netto

I definitively took the “road less travelled” on my way to where I am today as the Principal Adviser and Founder of Mission Wealth. Growing up, I never really took an interest in money or investing. This might sound strange to those who know that my father was a well-established Financial Planner, who ran his own Advice business for over 20 years. Perhaps it was just childhood rebellion but for whatever reason I was never drawn to it.

After graduating from high school 2004, I followed my passion at the time and entered the hospitality industry as a chef’s apprentice. After working my way through a few top-notch restaurants in both, Sydney and abroad for over 8 years, I came to the realisation that the hospitality industry was not where I wanted to be long term. In 2013, I left the hospitality industry for good. Several months passed and despite working a few odd entry level sales jobs, I still had no real direction on what the next phase of my career should look like.

One day, out of the blue, my father Desmond called me. He had known that I was feeling a little rudderless recently and wanted to suggest to me. He offered me the opportunity to work for him at his small financial advice business in Parramatta, doing basic filing and office admin tasks (i.e. being his assistant).

This was not intended to be a career path but just a stop-gap solution until I had a better idea of what I wanted to do longer term, but it was this random phone call that would ultimately change the course of my career (and life) in such profound way.

I commenced working with my father in 2014. It was during this time, that my eyes were opened to the incredible impact that good financial advice can have on the lives of people. I also found myself drawn to the interpersonal nature of the business in that we got to meet awesome people day in day out and help them achieve the goals that are most important to them. After working with my father for some time, I was given the opportunity to broaden my skillset and work at some the of the best financial advice practices in Sydney. I was fortunate enough to be mentored by some great advisers during this time and I was able to develop into the adviser that I am today.

Fast forward to 2022, and after 8 years in the advice industry, I again I received a phone call, out of the blue from my dad. This time with an even more intriguing offer, “come back and take over the business”. I was in a good role at a leading advice business, but this unexpected opportunity was too good to turn down.

Now in 2023, my father has handed over the reins of his business and his blessing, and greatest respect for what he has built, we have agreed reimagine the business as Mission Wealth. A name that, I feel truly explains our purpose, which is to give people the tools they need to make meaningful change. When people feel confident about their money, it will have a ripple effect on to their families, friends’ colleagues, and community.