By: Joshua Finley
“Whatever you decide to do in life, you just have to work really hard at it,” were the words of encouragement that Sergio Zambrano received from his father from a young age.
It often starts with humble beginnings. Sergio Zambrano, serial entrepreneur and investor, knows this well as a young boy growing up helping his immigrant father provide for their family in Australia. Through hard work and determination, he was able to build upon the strong foundation of skills and opportunities laid before him to achieve success across numerous industries over the past few decades.
“My dad was a bit of an entrepreneur even though he did not speak English, being a foreigner living in an English-speaking country,” recalls Sergio. “I could see dad, you know, working tirelessly 7 days a week. We were living very simply, sleeping on the floor of a small apartment, starting from nothing, not knowing anybody in Australia.” This early experience of witnessing his father’s work ethic profoundly impacted Sergio, instilling in him the values of discipline, commitment to regular habits, and an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age.
Opportunity in Sports and Finance
Sergio channelled his competitive drive into sports like soccer, where he excelled. Soccer enabled him to fund his university degree in Economics and Finance. This education paved the way to the beginning of his career with the Deutsche Bank in London, sparking an 8-year journey living and working across Europe that helped mold him into a global businessman.
“Deutsche Bank, one of the leading investment banks in Europe, gave me an opportunity because of my background of working in the dealing room,” recalls Sergio.
Utilizing the technical and interpersonal skills gained through various corporate roles, Sergio began acquiring investment properties alongside ventures in Australia and overseas. As he built his portfolio, Sergio saw the value of mentorship, seeking out those more experienced than him to help accelerate his learning. “My pattern is ‘Who’s the person, the expert who can help me do the same?’ So, it’s just a repeating pattern,” he explains.
Strategic Investing for Freedom
A key moment came when Sergio set a goal of acquiring three investment properties through careful planning and financing. “I just found the tools, mechanisms, and mentorship behind it to be able to do that, and that gave us cash flow that may elevate us to the next level,” says Sergio. Achieving this goal provided recurring income, allowing Sergio the freedom to leave corporate life and fully focus on growing his own ventures, including acquiring a nutrition company with a global presence – Changing Habits.
Taking the skills he had refined over a few decades, Sergio now invests in both commercial property and private businesses. “So, my jam is how to find businesses that I can buy, improve, and increase the valuation, which I can then keep, flip, or sell,” explains Sergio. Through a disciplined approach of seeking the right mentors, learning applicable skills, and constantly refining his process, Sergio has succeeded in various ventures and investment deals.
Giving Back Through Business
For Sergio, success is about more than personal accomplishment—it’s about making a positive difference. With his aging parents living nearby, he’s dedicated to supporting their well-being. He’s also looking for ways to give back by creating steady work opportunities for a family in need through a renovation project.
“Being able to help a family with regular income and honing their skills while at the same time addressing a need in the marketplace, that’s fulfilling for me,” says Sergio. For him, the most rewarding part of his journey has been finding ways to help others and contribute to the community in a lasting way. Through this philanthropic focus, he embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that first began with his immigrant father’s determination to provide the best opportunity that life can offer to his young family.
More information about Sergio Zambrano and his work can be found on his LinkedIn profile, and through his company, Changing Habits.
Disclaimer: The information shared in this article reflects the personal experiences and perspectives of Sergio Zambrano. It is not intended to make any claims or guarantees regarding outcomes or success. The views expressed are based on his individual journey and may not apply to others.
Published by Joshua F.
