Client Story: The value of financial advice

Being forced to stop work in your 30s can turn your finances upside down. 

So how did Petra* go from losing her livelihood to the owner of a thriving pub in the space of a decade? It had a lot to do with the financial advice she received.

What do you do when your life falls apart around you?

It’s a question Petra had to face at just 37 years of age. That’s when a serious neurological condition upended life as she knew it, robbing her of her health, independence and, crucially, her ability to work. 

Suddenly, her family had to make ends meet on a single income. The bills began piling up and before long Petra and her husband, John, had fallen behind on their mortgage repayments and were facing the very real possibility of losing their home. 

But fast forward 10 years and Petra is now the proud owner of a thriving pub, as well as an investment property.

So how did she do it? 

A way forward

One of the turning points came when Petra sat down with Ironbark Financial Adviser Adam Ghanem.

At the time, she was desperate. She was dealing with seizures, memory loss and symptoms similar to multiple sclerosis. To make matters worse, John was also struggling with a long-term health condition.

Indeed, Petra’s first meeting with Adam was, understandably, a rather teary one. 

For his part, Adam did a lot of listening. He took the time to understand what Petra was going through and how her health was affecting everyday life. He took her memory loss into account and kept things as clear and simple as possible, breaking decisions into manageable steps and involving the people around her when she needed extra support.

Then came the breakthrough.

Adam realised Petra could potentially make a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) insurance claim.

It was by no means a sure thing. The insurance Petra had held through her super had lapsed because of inactivity and a low account balance. However, Adam discovered that Petra’s illness had begun while the cover was still in place, which meant she might be able to have her cover reinstated and the insured amounts backdated. 

Adam worked with the insurer to make the case, while helping Petra and John navigate the claims process along the way.

None of it was quick or easy – there was paperwork to gather, different parties to coordinate and long periods of waiting. But eventually, the claims were paid.

A little room to breathe

For Petra and her family, the payment was a game changer.

John and she were able to clear their outstanding debts and, importantly, pay off the mortgage that had caused them so much stress. The remaining money could then be invested to help provide greater security for the years ahead.

That made all the difference when John died in 2021. By then, Petra was in a very different financial position from when she first walked into Adam’s office. 

Plus, she had someone she trusted to help her and her daughters through an incredibly difficult time. In fact, the family’s relationship with Adam was such that he even attended John’s funeral.

A very different next chapter

Soon after, Petra’s story finally took a turn for the better.

Advances in her treatment meant her health improved significantly and she was even able to return to work. After managing a pub for several years, she began thinking about buying the business herself.

It wasn’t a decision to rush into. Adam encouraged Petra to make sure her health was strong enough to take it on. Further medical assessment confirmed that it was and they started looking at whether the numbers could work too. 

Working with Ironbark’s lending team, Petra bought half the pub. In 2025, she purchased the remainder, including a block of units at the rear of the property.

She has since renovated the units and increased their rental income. The pub itself is also performing strongly, with Petra reporting increased revenue and profit.

And she is now putting more into super to continue building towards retirement.

Advice for whatever comes next

Petra’s story is a reminder that financial advice isn’t always about investments or retirement.

Sometimes it’s about spotting something you didn’t even know was there. Sometimes it’s about making a complicated situation feel manageable. And sometimes it’s simply about having someone in your corner when life takes an unexpected concern.

*Names have been changed to protect our clients’ privacy.