Tony Kofkin – from Triathlete to leading Financial Services Founder

In this episode of The Leap, we sit down with Tony Kofkin, Managing Director of Kofkin Bond & Co — a man who’s built a 30+ year career in financial services grounded in integrity, grit, and a serious work ethic shaped by his early days as the son of hardworking migrants. Tony shares how his first “job” was helping his dad collect insurance premiums — dressed in a bow tie and knee-high socks — and how those moments laid the foundation for a lifetime of resilience and customer service.

Tony’s life took a sharp turn when a knee injury ended his career as a professional triathlete. With no degree and no clear direction, he pivoted into financial advice, starting in a commission-only role at National Mutual. With no leads or contacts, he hit the streets doing cold surveys and built a system of consistent effort that eventually led to a game-changing moment: landing Slater & Gordon as a $50M superannuation client. That early win sparked his focus on corporate super — and the rest is history.

As the business grew, so did the challenges. Tony admits he was late to embrace marketing and technology, something he now considers critical to scalability. Today, he’s building the business around a core philosophy called “DARES” — Digital, Automated, Recurring, Evergreen, and Scalable. It’s a framework designed to future-proof the firm, reduce reliance on one-off transactions, and deliver ongoing value to high-net-worth and family office clients.

What really sets Tony apart, though, is his mindset. Even with decades of experience, he openly shares that fear and self-doubt never fully go away — he’s just become more comfortable operating in discomfort. From meditating daily for the past 15 years to learning Mandarin to better serve a Chinese client, Tony continues to push himself and his team to deliver at the highest level. He’s all about consistency, showing up, and doing the work — even when no one’s watching.

This episode is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and real leadership. Whether you’re an early-stage founder or deep in the trenches of scaling a business, Tony’s story is packed with hard-won lessons and practical takeaways. Tune in to hear how doing the uncomfortable things — over and over again — can lead to extraordinary results.