The new brokerage, established within the Vine Group network, brings together three top mortgage veterans as co-founders
This article was produced in partnership with Maventure
Fergal McAlinden, of Canadian Mortgage Professional, spoke with Max Escrogin, Kevin Medeiros and Curt Spring of Maventure on the launch of their new independent brokerage within the Vine Group network
Having already established individual track records of success as mortgage brokers, three seasoned pros have come together in London, Ontario, to found a brokerage they believe can profoundly redefine the mortgage experience for both agents and their clients.
Maventure, an independent brokerage operating within the Vine Group network, has been launched by Max Escrogin (pictured top, centre), Kevin Medeiros (pictured top, left) and Curt Spring (pictured top, right), mortgage professionals who have come through the banker-to-broker journey themselves and aim to use the new venture to share know-how and skills with like-minded agents.
That’s essential in the modern industry, Medeiros told Canadian Mortgage Professional, because of the steep learning curve for new agents – irrespective of how lengthy a career in financial services and sales they already have.
“Having gained valuable experience in the industry, we’re excited to pass along our expertise to other agents and brokers,” he said. “When we initially started in this business, we found in most cases you’re thrown to the wolves to navigate a complex industry.”
“Collectively, we want to come together to help bridge that gap and ensure a smooth transition for any agent coming from a financial or sales background.”
A proven partnership
The trio originally met while employed in TD’s real estate secured lending department more than a decade ago, and promptly developed what Escrogin described as a “solid collaboration” that will serve as a strong foundation for the new brokerage.
“We find we all complement each other well. Where one of us may be blunt or direct, another would be more analytical and the other might focus on the collective,” he explained. “Three heads are better than one, and together we are stronger and bring more value as a team.”
Escrogin began his mortgage career with TD before becoming a CIBC mortgage advisor in 2016 and transitioning to a mortgage agent role three years later.
Medeiros, meanwhile, cut his teeth during a seven-year spell with TD and CIBC prior to becoming a mortgage agent in 2019, working mainly with TMG The Mortgage Group, while Spring’s mortgage career began in 2015 and saw him emerge as a high-volume producer with TD.
The brokerage got its name from a combination of the words “maven” and “venture,” reflecting the founders’ conviction in their expertise at venturing the mortgage industry. The mortgage space is too often characterized by complexity and confusion, Spring said, with a need for the “personalized, direct and caring” approach that Maventure will bring.
“We envision a brokerage that empowers clients to achieve their financial dreams while providing unwavering support throughout their mortgage journey,” he said. “Collectively we bring over 30 years of combined experience in the industry, and bring together a diverse group of seasoned professionals whose common goal is to guide and educate our clients – ensuring they make informed decisions about their mortgage options.”
Providing optimum training and tools to onboard agents will be a key pillar of the company’s approach, according to Medeiros.
An independent brokerage within Vine Group
The brokerage has also been aided through each of its first steps by Vine, with the founders paying tribute to the support given across a range of areas including readying signage, preparing brand kits and marketing strategies. “It’s been a very open, fluid and transparent relationship between the two,” Escrogin said.
For Hugo Dos Reis, founding partner and mortgage broker with Vine Group, the launch of the independent brokerage within the overarching Vine network was a natural step that reflects the company’s desire for its agents to succeed as much as possible.
“They’re building their own team with their own voice and brand. This allows Maventure the opportunity to be connected through a network where they have their own independent brokerage but also have access to some of the resources available at Vine Group,” he told CMP.
Maventure looks ahead
The brokerage launches at a time when the importance of agents and brokers in the mortgage process has come into especially sharp focus. Medeiros said the founders had relished the opportunity to knuckle down and provide the best possible support for borrowers in a complex and ever-changing market.
“There’s always work to be done, people to help and clients and community to support,” he said. “That’s how we want to go about things: with regards to the agents that we look to bring on, there’s always business to be done.”
“You just have to go and find it and align yourself with the right partners and centres of influence to get those deals, because people are doing business and we want to be the ones they’re doing it with.”
Maventure is an independent brokerage within the Vine Group network.
