Elle is Breaking Barriers and Mentoring Women in Business and Broking

by Elle Likopoulos 15th of October, 2025

Elle is Breaking Barriers and Mentoring Women in Business and Broking

Business broking has always been more than just transactions for Elle Likopoulos, CEO and Principal of Absolute Business Brokers. She combines a family legacy with a determination to redefine success in the industry.

Her father, who migrated to Australia from Greece and built the business, remains a guiding presence. “He’s semi-retired, but he’s still around,” Elle said with a smile. “He works more as a supporting role, which is good. I always welcome him when he comes back and it definitely makes it easier when you’ve got a partner on board to share the load.” Elle is quick to credit him as her number one mentor, in business and in life. “He’s always had that really good sense of pride in what you do, and that’s shaped how I approach work,” she explained.

From Observer to Mentor

While her father is the foundation of her career, Elle draws inspiration from everywhere. “I’m always looking at people and taking ideas that I like so I can better myself,” she said. “It doesn’t need to be anyone significant, it might be how someone interacts with their children, or how they balance their work life. It’s really important to be aware of that and observe what’s around you.”

Elle has taken that same philosophy and offers guidance to other women at critical life stages. “My passion is helping women in business to be financially empowered and independent,” she said. “I mentor women who might be empty nesters with time on their hands, or younger women who’ve stepped away from their careers but still want independence. I use my knowledge and experience to give them the confidence to take the leap.”

That leap may be into business ownership or into business broking itself. “I’m currently mentoring a lady who is an empty nester, and she’s just become a business broker under my wing,” Elle noted. “I think business broking gets a bad reputation, but personally I’ve found it a fantastic career for women.”

Her own story is proof. Elle has worked through her entire broking career while raising four children. “It can adapt with you, and it is flexible,” she explained. “I actually find it empowering. I started before I had kids, and my eldest is now nearly 16. I’ve gone through the whole journey; pregnancy, giving birth, raising children and the business has grown with me.”

Rewriting the Rules

When Elle first entered the industry, she was one of very few women. The experience left its mark. “It was very challenging,” she recalled. “So I made a point that my office would employ more women than men in business broking.”

That preference went further than balancing gender ratios. Elle deliberately built a team that broke with traditional hiring norms. “I give positions to what we would traditionally consider the unhirable – women with young kids, women who are carers for children with disabilities, women who’ve struggled to find opportunities elsewhere,” she explained. “I’ve made my team a bit of a motley crew of women so I can prove you can break the rules and still succeed.”

And it works. Absolute Business Brokers has gained global recognition and industry awards, demonstrating that unconventional can also be outstanding. “It just goes to show you women really can do it,” Elle said. Still, she resists easy stereotypes. Asked about the idea that women bring more empathy to the role, she pushed back. “I don’t necessarily agree with that,” she said. “Some of my male colleagues are more empathetic than I am. I think it comes down to the individual, not the gender.”

What she does believe in is diversity. “At the end of the day, no business broker is the same, whether you’re male or female. It comes down to your personal aptitude and your chemistry with the client,” she explained. “That’s why we need as many business brokers as possible – from different genders, different cultures, different backgrounds. That’s how we can truly connect with the diversity of business owners out there.”

When Deals Go Wrong

Every broker has a story of a deal that stands out and Elle’s most memorable wasn’t for its success. “We were at an inspection for a business after hours, and during the inspection, someone actually tried to break in while we were there,” she recalled.

The situation quickly escalated. “We heard the window break, the vendor ran out, and luckily the guy got spooked because he wasn’t expecting us to be there,” she said. “It could have gone really bad. Instead, we were left standing at the front of the shop with broken glass, waiting for the police to arrive.”

Elle laughed as she remembered her client’s reaction. “He turned to the buyer and said, ‘Well, I suppose you’re not going to buy this business now, are you?’ It was one of those moments you can’t spin, no matter how good you are at your job.”

Recognition Beyond Broking

Elle’s career has been filled with awards, but a few stand out as personal milestones. Among them, the Women Changing the World Awards. “That one was hosted by the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, and Dr. Tererai Trent,” Elle said.

For Elle, the recognition carried special meaning. “When I was young, I used to watch Oprah with my mum. I remember the episode when Dr. Trent was on, she was Oprah’s favourite guest. So to receive an award from her years later was surreal,” she explained.

Another highlight came when the Duchess of York endorsed her children’s book. “Growing up, she was all over Women’s Weekly in the ’90s,” Elle recalled. “Having her endorse my book is something I’ll never take for granted.”

Advice for the Next Generation

Asked what advice she would give to young brokers, Elle didn’t hesitate. “Be comfortable to be yourself,” she said. “When you’re starting out, you’ll have senior brokers trying to mentor you, and that’s good but at the end of the day, you need to find your own rhythm and your own style.”

Authenticity is central to her philosophy. “People know when you’re putting a spiel on them,” she explained. “They want transparency. You’re not going to win every listing or every sale. But if you’re consistent and genuine, you’ll find your audience. You’ll find your people.”

A Call for Visibility

Looking ahead, Elle hopes to see more women entering the industry and more visible role models for them to follow. “I want to get to a point where there’s more than one or two women in every agency,” she said.

Her message to female brokers is clear: speak up.

“For change to occur, change needs to be seen,” she emphasised. “If more women talk about how empowering this career can be, others will see what’s possible. That’s how we’ll bring more women into business broking.”