For Leigh Sharpe, building Sharpe Finance Australia wasn’t about chasing a title… it was about regaining freedom… for his clients, and for himself.
After years of working with brokerages in Sydney, Leigh decided to start fresh in 2024… this time, fully on his own terms, from the Sunshine Coast.
The Journey… From Consumer Loans to Commercial Freedom
Leigh’s first venture under the Sharpe Finance Australia name actually started back in 2014… originally focused on consumer lending… cars, motorbikes, boats and lifestyle loans in Sydney. But after a few years, he returned to the corporate world, joining a larger brokerage with the goal of buying into the business.
Then in 2023, he made a personal move to Queensland to be closer to family… and by early 2024, the pull to start again… with full control… was too strong to ignore.
“It just gave me more freedom,” Leigh says. “Freedom to support my son when needed… and freedom to build something that worked the way I wanted it to.”
A Strong First Year… and Room to Grow
Starting again wasn’t easy… but it was intentional. “Just getting it off the ground was a proud moment,” he reflects. Within the first year, Sharpe Finance Australia had a solid stream of referrals, repeat clients, and momentum that made it clear the decision was right.
“I didn’t blow my goals out of the water… but I landed right where I hoped to be in year one. Now I’m focused on building from that foundation.”
Lessons from the Rebuild
What would Leigh do differently if he could start the first 12 months over?
“Honestly… I would’ve started marketing earlier,” he admits. “I relied on networking and word of mouth, which was good… but if I’d started building visibility earlier, I would’ve gained traction faster.”
His biggest lessons?
Networking matters… “But it’s got to be intentional. Not just handshakes… real relationships.”
Have strong processes… “Without an admin team, everything came back to me. Systems were critical.”
Cash flow is king… “You’ve got to stay on top of it.”
The Broker Advantage… What Clients Often Get Wrong
Leigh’s quick to address one of the biggest misconceptions in finance: “People think going directly to the bank will be easier or cheaper… but that’s not always true.”
“A broker isn’t trying to fit you into one bank’s product… we’re looking across the entire market to find the right fit for you.”
That means clients not only get access to a wider range of policies and structures… they also benefit from a relationship that’s focused on long-term outcomes… not just the next transaction.
What Excites Leigh About the Future?
“I’m looking ahead to a business that delivers a strong income stream… while still giving me the freedom to be present with my son, build a great lifestyle, and invest in a future for both of us,” Leigh says.
The goal is clear… balance. A business that works hard for its clients, but doesn’t chain its owner to the desk.
What Drives Him?
“I get genuine satisfaction from helping business owners level up,” he says. “Whether it’s funding a new piece of equipment… freeing up working capital… or helping them make a leap they didn’t think was possible.”
Leigh shares the story of a client he helped in the early days… a civil construction business owner who needed finance for his first digger. Leigh made it happen. A few months later, it was a truck. Now? He’s adding another crew.
“That’s the part I love… seeing the real-world impact finance can make when it’s done well.”
Well done Sharpe Finance Australia
