About us

Mike as a guest speaker

Today Mike is still the public face of the nation's largest Mortgage Broking firm, Mike Pero Mortgages. The franchised organisation has arranged more than $8 billion worth of loans to New Zealanders. Since setting up in 1991 Mike Pero Mortgages has grown to become New Zealand's single largest brand in mortgage broking.

Mike attributes his business success to a strong branding message that has gone out during the past 17 years. This strategy has held Mike Pero Mortgages up front as a clear market leader in New Zealand. Prompted brand awareness in New Zealand is 94% (Colmar Brunton 2007) and is an indication of how effective marketing and public relations has driven this brand to an almost iconic level within the finance industry.

It hasn't been all plain sailing though. Brought up in the poorer parts of Christchurch, Mike left school at 16, with only basic School Certificate subjects. It was only after he left school that Mike realised he had an inbuilt desire to succeed. From then on he was able to set and achieve goals by using some very basic principles.

Mike is six times a New Zealand Motorcycle Road Racing Champion. (350cc & 500cc classes) He still holds the New Zealand Land speed record for a 350cc Motorcycle. He is a qualified Motorcycle Mechanic and by direct contrast he qualified & worked as airline pilot.

In 2001 he decided to lead by example in New Zealand Motorsport and went about developing a new & commercial level in the V8 Touring Cars with a successful Holden Racing Team. To add to the colour Mike took to driving one of the team's V8 Commodores and won the Liquor King Drivesafe 500 (with co-driver Steve Rae).

His marketing is somewhat unique, and his concepts and philosophies can apply to any business or organisation. Mike Pero and Mike Pero Mortgages have won three Pacific Business Awards (1999; 2003; 2007) and earned the company "Supreme Franchise Award" at the annual Franchise Association of New Zealand awards in 2003.

In 2005 Mike bought into a small hobby styled business - he added funding, structure and his marketing expertise, and as the CEO was able to drive the business to open a new commercial opportunity not yet seen anywhere else in the world. Today known as Flight ExperienceTM the company has grown from one small workshop to a multi-million dollar export earner.

It replicates the Boeing 737- 800 cockpit and closely simulates the real aircraft in flight where members of the public get to have a go. The company has its simulators in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Dubai, Hong Kong, the UK and soon the USA. A low cost professional training version of the same aircraft type provides an equally exciting opportunity for the company's global expansion as the demand for cost reductions hit the airlines.

Not all Mike's ventures have been successful and he admits to having lost a few along the way but his message is to never give up trying - as he says "I get knocked down but then I get up again..."

Mike is popular at all levels and prides himself in the simplicity of getting the basics right. He's always happy to share his knowledge and relate (or tailor) his experience to the audience at hand. His presentation style is simple, positive and upbeat and his use of AV reinforces his message.

Mike is still very much in the front line of business marketing and his philosophy always practical and current.

Outside of business Mike and his partner live in Christchurch; he's the father of four and also a grandfather. He enjoys road cycling to keep fit; he competes in the national V8 ute racing series, he's an aviation enthusiast and Mike enjoys any fresh challenge to his business or personal life.

Mike as a mentor

Your friends and family, the neighbours and even casual acquaintances can provide you with advice on how you should start or run your business affairs but often the best people to guide you are people that have the wisdom of experience. Mike Pero is one of several New Zealand entrepreneurs that have built brands that have gone nationwide or global.

Mike knows what it's like to start from scratch, to be at the helm of a ‘start-up' company and he knows the rewards of financial success.

There's good times and there's bad times but a truly successful business will navigate around the obstacles and leap over the hurdles. Preparation and good advice can prepare you for the unforeseen and can give you the confidence to take on the market and your competitors.

Mike Pero can provide step by step practical advice on all aspects of a start-up business. He can be honest and blunt if it's not likely to work or he can show you ways to minimize risk. Either way you can benefit from his experience whether you're looking at a new business or looking at ways to grow your existing operation.

While there may be hundreds of lawyers, accountants, and other professional advisors there are only a handful of entrepreneurs that have actually built brands (and industries) from scratch who are also prepared to assist and advise others. Mike Pero will give you his full and undivided attention and a commitment to add value to your business or organisation.

A signwriter may charge $3,000 for a sign (or signage) but if you've got the wrong look and feel to your business then that sign is going to cost you money. The same could apply to several other aspects of your business. Do it once and do it right and get the advice you need to get started. Ongoing advice is readily available and can be tailored towards your resources. With Mike Pero as a business mentor you may find other more productive ways to grow your business.

A meeting or meetings can take place in his board room in Christchurch or at your location anywhere in New Zealand.

mentoring@pero.co.nz or Juanita Cannon 03 365 2910