It’s one thing to build a successful business under the banner of a nationally recognised brand; it is next level to turn it into a legacy business primed for a second generation of leaders.
Gary Lewis bought his Aussie Richmond business in Greater Sydney more than 25 years ago. Today it’s a multi-generational asset with Gary’s son Tim and long-time staff member Danielle Moriarty the new franchise partners.
The current set-up is a happy mix of strategy, encouragement, and loyalty, shaped by a business model that creates a career path and encourages legacy businesses.
For Danielle it is the culmination of a long journey with the family business, which she joined as a fresh-faced HSC graduate in 2010.
While Danielle took on a receptionist role with no idea of a career path let alone becoming a business owner herself, Gary could see her potential.
Danielle says seeing Gary’s success was an inspiration to her, and she soon aspired to being her own boss.
“He always gave me a chance to grow and said I could become a franchisee,” Danielle reveals.
Finding a career path in Aussie
Three years after joining the business she took the next step in her home loans career with Aussie and qualified as a mortgage broker.
“I love seeing people buy their first home, I know what it feels like to reach this milestone,” Danielle says. “I always wanted to be a home owner, and I was the first in my family to achieve that.”
In 2017 Gary’s son Tim joined the business. A former bank teller, commercial manager and fencing contractor, Tim joined the Aussie network in 2009 following the strategic acquisition of Wizard Home Loans, where he was a successful franchisee.
“I like the problem-solving in home loans. When someone has a difficult deal, it’s fun to find the right solution,” Tim says.
As his father’s business started to expand, Tim was ready to step in as a broker and help build on his legacy.
Tim explains the thought process leading to the transition of leadership to both brokers. “He wanted to semi-retire, and wants to keep the business in the family. Danielle is like a second daughter,” he says.
Danielle says it is an honour to be part of that next chapter. “It’s very exciting to think I could own my own business with Aussie; I appreciate the trust Gary has in me,” she says.
The steps to transitioning franchise ownership
It had been a waiting game while Danielle took time out to have three children, worked from home, and then when her youngest, twin girls, reached school age, she was ready to return to the office.
By 2023 the business was shaping up for the next stage. Although Gary was confident in his succession plan, Aussie still needed to approve Tim and Danielle as franchise partners.
“It was a very rigorous process of interviews and business plans to get approvals, and it took almost a year,” Danielle explains.
To take the business to the next level also required a refit and a relocation – just 400m from the original site. The move has proved highly beneficial, Tim says.
“It’s been a blessing. We are at an intersection to Coles, behind Westpac, and under a gym. So we see a lot of foot traffic and people just drop in to make appointments.”
Tim believes that Aussie’s position as a one-stop-shop gives the brand a competitive edge in the area.
“It’s easier for customers because Aussie has so many extras, so many complementary products we can offer that other brands don’t,” he says.
Next gen leaders at the helm
The new look franchise sees Tim and Danielle at the helm of what is now a business with a $50m loan book – achieved since they opened the doors in August 2025 as a new Aussie entity.
And while Gary is still working with his existing clients, after decades of hard work and commitment to the brand, he is taking advantage of the ownership transition, and is ready to take off on a four-month world cruise.
Now leading the charge as second-generation and legacy franchisees, Tim and Danielle work as a team and are supportive of each other – they both have young children so enjoy the flexibility and freedom that comes with the business.
And they have some clear goals: to add brokers to the team, to become top performers in the franchise network and to be a well-known, trustworthy, family business.
“Aussie is known for helping everyday Aussies. We build personal relationships with our clients we are helping buy, refinance, or renovate. Clients love the personal touch,” Danielle says.
The pair is committed to keeping the good name Gary has built with the Aussie brand in the Richmond and Hawskbury area.
“The brand is so well recognised locally – Gary couldn’t walk down the street without stopping to speak to someone,” Tim says. “And we want to have that type of community as we expand on his legacy.”