We're proud to share that our very own Denise Phillips, has been featured in the latest edition of Performance 7 Pulse.
In the article, Playing as One, Denise reflects on the journey that helped build Gardian into one of Mackay's most respected business groups. From the early days of backing a dream and building a business from home, to leading a team committed to family values, community involvement and putting people first, the feature offers an insightful look into the culture that continues to shape Gardian today.
Denise shares the importance of teamwork, leadership, giving back to the Mackay community and the values that have guided Gardian's growth for more than 26 years.
We invite you to read the story below and discover why, at Gardian, success has always been about more than business—it's about family, community and playing as one.
For more than 26 years, Gardian has grown from a small mortgage broking business into one of Mackay's most respected business groups. Today, with services spanning finance, insurance, financial planning, residential real estate, property management and commercial sales and leasing, Gardian continues to help individuals, families and businesses achieve their goals across the Mackay region.
But according to Managing Director Denise Phillips, the true measure of success has never been about numbers alone. It has always been about people.
Built from a Dream and a Willingness to Take a Chance
In 2000, Peter and Denise Phillips made a life-changing decision to back themselves and start their own business. With a young family and a home loan stretched to its limit, they launched a Mortgage Choice franchise from home, determined to create something meaningful for their family and community.
As demand grew, so did the business. Family members joined the journey, helping establish the foundations of what would become the Gardian Group Mackay knows today. Through dedication, hard work and a commitment to helping clients through every stage of life, Gardian evolved into a fully integrated professional services business serving the Mackay region.
Today, Gardian has earned a reputation as one of Mackay's leading business groups, helping clients navigate property, finance, insurance and wealth-building decisions with confidence.
A Culture of Playing as One
One of the defining characteristics of Gardian's success is its culture.
Denise believes the business has been shaped by a "play as one" mindset, where teamwork, commitment and shared goals take priority over individual success. Deeply influenced by Mackay's strong sporting culture, particularly local rugby league and football communities, Gardian embraces the values of preparation, accountability, discipline and working together for a larger purpose.
These qualities align closely with Gardian's core values of
Family, Reliability, Potential, Balance, Enjoyment and Leadership. More than just words on a wall, these values guide everyday decisions, shape the way team members support one another, and influence how Gardian serves clients throughout the Mackay region.
The result is a workplace culture where people collaborate, learn from one another and consistently strive to deliver exceptional outcomes. It is a culture that encourages growth, celebrates success and ensures everyone is working towards a common goal.
Leadership that Puts People First
As a leader, Denise is known for taking a people-first approach.
Drawing from early career experiences working in Child Protection and Juvenile Justice, she learned the importance of listening, understanding individual circumstances and recognising when support is needed.
Today, that philosophy continues across the business. Whether a team member needs guidance, a client requires support, or someone simply needs a conversation, Gardian fosters an environment where people feel heard, valued and respected. This commitment is reflected in Gardian's long-standing brand promise, "WE TALK TO YOU"—a simple but powerful reminder that communication, connection and genuine relationships are at the heart of everything the team does.
By creating meaningful conversations and focusing on relationships, Gardian has built lasting trust with generations of Mackay families and businesses.
Giving Back to the Mackay Community
Community involvement remains central to everything Gardian does.
Despite the company's growth, Denise remains passionate about ensuring Gardian never forgets where it came from. Mackay has supported the business from day one, and giving back remains a core part of the company's identity.
Gardian has set an ambitious goal of contributing 35,000 hours back to the community by 2035 through volunteering, fundraising, sponsorships and community partnerships.
Over the years, the Gardian team has proudly supported a wide range of local organisations and initiatives, including:
This commitment reflects Gardian's belief that business success should create positive outcomes for the wider community and help strengthen the region for future generations.
As Denise explains, no matter how much the business grows, Gardian remains committed to supporting the community that supported the company from the very beginning.
Family Values at the Heart of the Business
While Gardian has experienced significant growth over the years, family remains at the heart of the business.
The Phillips family continue to play an active role in preserving the culture and values that have guided Gardian since its beginnings. Those values—
Family, Reliability, Potential, Balance, Enjoyment and Leadership—remain deeply embedded in the organisation and influence the way the team works together every day.
Trust, respect, open communication and genuine care for one another continue to underpin the Gardian culture. Denise believes strong relationships are built through honest conversations, shared accountability and a commitment to supporting one another through both challenges and successes.
These values have helped create a business that not only delivers professional services across finance, insurance and property, but also fosters a workplace where people feel connected, supported and empowered to reach their potential.
Looking to the Future
Today, Gardian continues to evolve through strategic planning, coaching and a clear focus on purpose. What began as a dream in a family home has grown into a respected Mackay business employing local people and serving thousands of clients across the region.
The introduction of Performance 7 and ongoing strategic planning has helped foster alignment across the group's various business units, ensuring everyone is moving in the same direction and contributing to a shared vision for the future.
As Gardian continues to grow, the mission remains unchanged: to protect people, support the community and help clients achieve their goals with confidence.
After more than 26 years, the Gardian story is still being written. Yet one thing remains constant—the commitment to family, community, teamwork and putting people first.
Because at Gardian, success isn't achieved alone.
It's achieved by playing as one.
