Financial
Roadmap
A clear, personalised path to your financial goals.
17 September, 2019
SoKo Designs… crafting the ideal retirement
First Financial Team
Shirley O’Connor and her daughter Kathleen O’Connor-Lee started SoKo Designs over a decade ago. The bespoke baby linen venture has grown from its humble beginnings to have a dedicated regular client base and provide an extra source of income.
Kathleen tells us all about how SoKo Designs started:
“Mum has always been a sewer and I’ve always been quite creative. When I had my daughter, Aimee, I wanted some handmade blankets and other items that were quite special. I found that I couldn’t buy the type of thing that I wanted.
Mum had a sewing machine that had embroidery functions on it, and she offered to make me a few pieces… she made a couple of gorgeous blankets and every mum at my mothers’ group absolutely loved them!
After the kids had grown out of them, I decided to go to a Mums and Bubs Market to sell many of our items… I took a few of Mum’s blankets with me and they sold like hot cakes. That was the beginning of SoKo Designs.”
A decade later
After their initial success, the mother-daughter team started to attend other local markets. They took blankets and towels and continued to gain more customers. Kathleen continues,
“A decade later we are still here… we have developed quite a following! We focus mostly on bespoke work that is customised by name and date of birth, or a special message.
We often joke that it’s a hobby gone viral.
Mum and Dad retired and thought they’d enjoy the quiet life, but Mum always said she didn’t want to stagnate. She wanted to find something that kept her busy and this has brought us all closer together.
In fact, Aimee is starting to be involved, so it’s becoming a third-generation family business. This has developed and allowed us to spend more time together.
It’s become more than mother-daughter… it’s about collaborating… it’s about being partners. We do lots of things together, we make decisions together and that’s very important.
But it hasn’t completely taken over Mum and Dad’s lives. If they want to go out for lunch, or go on a holiday, they have the freedom to be able to do those things first… SoKo Designs never takes precedence over them enjoying their retirement. Actually… the income from SoKo Designs pays for the extra luxuries that they might want.”
Retirement opportunities
When Shirley’s husband, Jim, retired, they sought the services of First Financial and it immediately gave them confidence that their future would be secure. Kathleen explains,
“Dad had always worked for other people… so having their retirement income looked after by a professional team was a huge relief for them and is why they’ve continued with First Financial all these years.
Dad was part of a generation where superannuation wasn’t a huge focus… they had to be careful that what he had at the end of his working life was going to sustain them. First Financial has been able to look after that really well for them.
And it’s made me more comfortable that I don’t have to step in and manage it for them… as a child I don’t want to ever be in a position where I have to take over, unless they want me to… I want them to always feel comfortable.
More than anything, I want Mum and Dad to enjoy their life and do the things they love doing… without having to worry about finances.”
To find out how our team can help you make the most of your retirement, contact us today. Read more Retirement Planning articles.
YOUR FINANCIAL JOUNEY
Building your financial future
Every client journey begins with a conversation. We look closely at where you are now, what matters to you, and what’s possible. Then we structure our advice to match.
Financial
Tax
Efficiency
Proactive strategies to maximise your tax savings.
Personalised
Investing
Tailored plans aligned with your goals and risk profile.
Ongoing
Support
Regular guidance to keep your plan on track.
CLIENT STORY
Larry and Virginia
Life Stage:
Newly retired
Background:
As retirement neared, Larry and Virginia were ready to enjoy travel, family, and freedom, without uncertainty. A friend recommended First Financial, and from the first meeting, they had a clear plan, a safety net, and people they trusted.
- Wanted to travel and enjoy retirement without second-guessing finances
- Needed a structured income plan with buffers for the unexpected
- Valued guidance that felt honest and human, not overcomplicated
- Needed people they could call and count on
- Created a reliable income stream with a set-aside safety net for the unexpected
- Gave them the freedom to travel and spend meaningfully with family
- Kept advice simple, thoughtful, and tailored to what mattered to them
- Built a lasting partnership based on trust
“We’ve travelled the world, Europe, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, without once stressing about the money. They made everything feel simple and gave us the confidence to live well. We feel secure because we know exactly where we stand, and that peace of mind means everything.”
CLIENT STORY
Lyn
Life Stage:
Retired widow
Background:
Lyn stepped into financial management for the first time after her husband's passing. With patience and care, First Financial supported her through grief, learning, and empowerment.
- Had never managed finances before
- Was overwhelmed after her husband’s passing
- Needed plain-English explanations and patience
- Sought emotional support and practical clarity
- Offered caring, respectful advice at her pace
- Rebuilt confidence with diagrams, stories, and reassurance
- Supported gradual decision-making around retirement
- Remained a trusted constant through major transitions
“After my husband passed, I was completely unsure where to start. First Financial gave me the space to learn, to ask questions, to grow confident. They drew a diagram that I still have. And now, I sleep well at night knowing I’ve got someone in my corner.”
CLIENT STORY
Tim and Adam
Life Stage:
Early retirement and working professional
Background:
When Tim received an overseas medical settlement, he and Adam had just 14 days left in a 90-day window. They needed clear guidance, fast. A referral led them to First Financial.
- Only two weeks left to meet urgent legal and financial deadlines
- Wanted to preserve capital while setting up income for the future
- Needed a plan that supported both retirement and ongoing work
- Hoped to find advice that felt personal, not transactional
- Managed every moving piece, from legal documents to super rollovers
- Designed a strategy that supported both Tim’s retirement and Adam’s career
- Offered clear guidance with steady follow-through, with no stress or pressure
- Built in ethical investing and flexibility, without sacrificing performance
“We’re in totally different life stages, but First Financial built a strategy that supports us both. From urgent legal steps to ethical investing, they handled every detail with calm, care, and real expertise. It’s financial freedom without compromise, and we couldn’t have done it without them.”
CLIENT STORY
Jan
Life Stage:
Retired
Background:
Jan's husband managed the finances until entering aged care. Jan gradually stepped into the financial picture with First Financial’s support.
- Needed financial guidance after business sale
- Lacked experience managing complex finances
- Sought consistent income and long-term structure
- Wanted a familiar, reliable relationship
- Provided long-term support through several transitions
- Helped structure income reliably for retirement
- Empowered Jan through education and reassurance
- Delivered calm advice through both grief and growth
“The money just comes in. I don’t have to think about it. And I know they’re always there. They’ve always been there in the background, just quietly making things work.”
CLIENT STORY
Graeme and Craig
Life Stage:
Retired and semi-retired
Background:
Referred by friends helped through aged care, Craig sought secure financial guidance after inheriting funds.
- Invest inheritance securely without high risk
- Maintain a modest lifestyle with confidence
- Building trust for someone new to advice
- Accessible, personalised advice
- Provided a low-risk strategy with regular income
- Reassured with steady, market-aware updates
- Established trust through responsiveness and warmth
- Delivered calm, expert support through all transitions
“We feel very secure with First Financial, the income just comes in, and we know everything is being looked after. It’s not just safe, it’s smart. We’ve recommended them to others because we genuinely believe in the team.”
CLIENT STORY
John
Life Stage:
Retired business owner
Background:
After decades of running a successful pharmacy, John sought financial guidance to simplify decision-making and support long-term planning.
- Navigated the sale of a long-held business
- Wanted simple, honest advice after burnout
- Needed a hands-on adviser he could talk to
- Desired financial guidance aligned with lifestyle goals
- Crafted a strategy that supports relaxed, post-work life
- Offered approachable, plain-English advice
- Maintained an ongoing, trustworthy relationship
- Provided flexibility with investments and cash flow
“I feel genuinely supported by First Financial. I can ask anything, and there’s no pressure, just clear advice and real care. The money’s growing, I’m not stressed about it, and I feel completely at ease for the first time. I don’t miss work, but I’d miss the support I get from First Financial.”
Meet our advisers
