Chasing Dreams, Changing Lives: The Inspirational Rise of MADD Loans

George Samios
Founder/Mortgage Broker MADD

I started MADD Loans at the age of 23 with a clear mission: to Make a Difference Daily. That’s what we strive to do—every single day, in everything we do. But the story of how MADD came to life is not just about business success; it’s about transformation, growth, and the power of believing in yourself.

The path to MADD was shaped by a personal transformation that began in the final years of high school. At the time, I was facing challenges at home that led me to change schools in Year 5. I didn’t like my new school, and academically, I was barely getting by. I was a D-grade student, and my involvement in sports was equally poor. It felt like a low point.

But everything began to change when I decided to start taking my sport, specifically rugby, seriously. In Year 11, I started training with a new level of commitment, pushing myself in ways I never had before. To my surprise—and to everyone else’s—I made the first 15 Rugby team. That achievement wasn’t just a win in sports; it was the start of something much bigger. As my athletic discipline grew, so did my academic performance. The discipline I built in rugby transformed my mindset and my approach to life.

I learned a powerful lesson: if you believe in yourself and put in the hard work, you can transform your reality. That belief became the foundation of everything I’ve done since.

That same lesson drives me every day as I lead MADD Loans. Today, we are a team of 30 and one of Brisbane’s largest and most successful loan and financial planning businesses. We’ve been recognised as the number one mortgage broker in Australia for two consecutive years—a testament to the hard work, dedication, and transformation we commit to as a team.

But the success of MADD isn’t just about numbers or accolades. It’s about the ripple effect of transformation. I believe that when you do good in the world, that good comes back to you. That’s why we’ve made giving back a core part of our business. Whether it’s through community sponsorships or fundraising, we are committed to making a difference where it matters most.

My personal journey, along with the growth of MADD, has also been supported by my involvement with Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Queensland (EO). Through EO, I’ve gained valuable insights that have helped shape the way we do business. I’ve learned from incredible leaders, and my participation in EO retreats has provided new perspectives and skills that I’ve been able to apply directly to our company. This year, our MADD retreat was a direct result of those lessons—and it was a huge success.

We’re also participating in part of EO’s Leadership program, which has proven to be a game-changer for the business. Tia, our Operations Manager, is part of the EO Key Executive Program and is growing as a leader in ways she never thought possible.

Looking back, I can see that everything I’ve experienced—from struggling in school to leading a thriving business—has been about transformation. It’s about constantly evolving, pushing past limitations, and believing in the power of change. And it’s that same philosophy that I hope to instill in my team and in the communities we serve. At MADD, we know that when we transform ourselves, we can transform the world around us. And that, for me, is what it’s all about.