Commercial Loan Brokers Mountain Creek

Brokering a commercial loan for store fit-out

Case Study: Loanright Financial Services Brokers Commercial Loan for a Shop Fit-Out in Mountain Creek, Queensland

Client Background

In early 2025, Sophie and Mark Taylor, a dynamic husband-and-wife team, were preparing for a bold step in their entrepreneurial journey. The couple owned a successful store that had operated online and via pop-up locations across the Sunshine Coast. Their dream was to launch a permanent retail space in Mountain Creek, a growing community known for its family-friendly vibe and increasing foot traffic thanks to new residential developments and nearby education hubs.

They found the perfect retail tenancy in a new commercial development in the heart of Mountain Creek. The space had great visibility and access, but it was a concrete shell with no internal fit-out. To transform the unit into a beautifully curated lifestyle destination, Sophie and Mark needed to invest in interior construction, designer fixtures, retail shelving, lighting, flooring, a café-grade espresso setup, and a modern point-of-sale system.

The estimated cost of the complete fit-out was $280,000, well above what they had saved. With limited time before the development officially opened to the public, they needed to secure funding quickly and efficiently.

The Challenge

Sophie and Mark approached their bank of 10 years first, but they quickly hit roadblocks. The bank’s approval process was lengthy, documentation requirements were complex, and the loan product they were offered didn’t allow for the staged drawdowns needed during the different phases of the shop fit-out.

Additionally, their business structure as a partnership with income partially from online sales made underwriting more difficult in traditional lending channels. They needed a broker who understood small business realities and could find a solution that aligned with their needs and deadlines.

Engaging Loanright Financial Services

At the suggestion of another small business owner in the area, Sophie and Mark reached out to Loanright Financial Services, a trusted Sunshine Coast-based mortgage and finance brokerage with a strong reputation for helping businesses access commercial finance.

From the first meeting, Loanright’s commercial broker, Jason Martin, focused on understanding the couple’s short- and long-term goals. After reviewing their cash flow forecasts, existing financials, and business plan for the store launch, Jason identified that a commercial equipment finance facility would offer the flexibility they needed for the fit-out.

Unlike a traditional business loan, this product allowed Sophie and Mark to access funds in tranches as invoices from their builder and suppliers became due. This meant they weren’t paying interest on the full $280,000 upfront, but only on the amounts drawn throughout the fit-out.

Structuring the Commercial Loan

Jason guided Sophie and Mark through the application process, helping to prepare all required documents, including:

• Two years of business financials
• Business activity statements (BAS)
• Personal and business tax returns
• Forecasted revenue for the new store

Thanks to Loanright’s established relationships with a range of commercial lenders, Jason was able to negotiate a competitive interest rate and a five-year loan term with a 12-month interest-only period, providing breathing room as the store got up and running.

Moreover, the equipment finance facility didn’t require property security. Instead, the fit-out items (shop counters, displays, lighting, POS hardware) served as the security, leaving the couple’s home and personal assets untouched.

Loanright worked closely with the builder and suppliers to coordinate staged payments and made sure all lender compliance was met at each drawdown phase. The entire finance approval and initial funding process was completed in just three weeks.

The Outcome

With funding in place, the fit-out proceeded smoothly. The builders were paid on time, suppliers delivered on schedule, and Sophie was able to design the space just as she had envisioned, open, inviting, and beautifully aligned with the business brand.

The store officially opened in April 2025, one week ahead of schedule and generated strong sales from day one, thanks to a loyal local customer base and strong online-to-retail conversion. Within the first three months, revenue exceeded projections, and the business began repaying the loan comfortably, with plans to consider early repayment if sales continued on the upward trend.

Client Reflection

“We honestly didn’t think we could pull this off so quickly,” said Sophie. “Loanright was incredible. They didn’t just find us a loan, they helped us think strategically, saved us time, and kept us stress-free through a massive project.”

Mark added, “The flexibility of the funding structure made a huge difference. We weren’t out of pocket early and didn’t need to dip into emergency savings to cover progress claims.”

Conclusion

This case study highlights how Loanright Financial Services goes beyond basic brokerage. With deep industry knowledge, tailored solutions, and a client-first approach, Sophie and Mark were able to bring their business vision to life without compromising financially.

Whether it’s a new business venture, a shop fit-out, or expansion funding, Loanright helps Queensland entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of commercial finance quickly, efficiently, and with care.