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SMALL BUSINESS FESTIVAL - Finance Ready for Business Lending

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Finance Ready for Business Lending
How To Present Your Business To The Banks So They Say YES!

Monday 31 August 2026 4:00pm - 6:00pm No Charge Smart Business Solutions
Level 1 / 328 Main Street Mornington, VIC
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Proudly in partnership with Mornington Shire Council as part of the Small Business Festival.

OVERVIEW

Access to finance remains one of the biggest challenges for small and medium-sized businesses, particularly in a higher interest rate and tighter lending environment. Many business owners assume a declined application means they do not qualify. In reality, it is often about preparation, structure and how the business story behind the numbers is presented.

Join our practical, educational workshop designed to help business owners understand the lending process and in preparation for funding conversations. This session brings together the perspectives of an accountant, a mortgage and lending specialist and a senior business banker to explain how lending decisions are really made and what banks actually look for.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN

By the end of this session, participants will gain practical insight into:
  • What banks actually assess when reviewing a business loan application
  • The key financial metrics that matter most to lenders
  • Common mistakes that lead to declined applications
  • How to become genuinely finance ready before approaching a lender
  • How to present your business story clearly alongside your numbers
  • How to have more confident, informed conversations with banks and lenders
The focus is on clarity, preparation and positioning.

Who this session is for

This workshop is designed for:
  • Small and medium-sized business owners seeking funding now or within the next 12 to 24 months
  • Owner-operated and family businesses
  • Self-employed professionals
  • Trades, construction, hospitality and retail businesses
  • Professional service firms
  • Businesses considering expansion, equipment upgrades or refinancing
Business size:
  • Sole traders, partnerships and companies with 1 to 30 employees
  • Established SMEs looking to scale

Why this session is high value

For many business owners, approaching a bank can feel overwhelming. Unclear terminology, complex documentation and misunderstood lending criteria often lead to hesitation, stress or declined applications.
This session is high value because it removes uncertainty and builds confidence around business finance. By hearing directly from an accountant, a broker and a banker in one room, attendees gain rare, practical insight into how funding decisions are really made and how to position their business more effectively. The outcome is clarity, practical next steps and greater confidence in future funding conversations.


MEET YOUR FACILITATORS

Shannon Smit, Founding Director
SMART Business Solutions Group

This session is presented by Shannon Smit, Founder and CEO of SMART Business Solutions, a Mornington-based advisory firm supporting small and medium-sized businesses across accounting, business advisory, financial planning and mortgage broking.



Ashlea Edwards, Mortgage Broker
SMART Business Solutions Group

A Senior Mortgage and Lending Specialist, Ashlea specialises in business and commercial lending, particularly for self-employed clients. Her expertise bridges the gap between accounting and lending, helping businesses position themselves effectively for finance.



Ash Standish, Senior Business Banker
NAB Mornington

Ash Standish is a Mornington‑based Senior Business Banking Manager at NAB with over a decade of experience across commercial lending and professional services, including roles at EY.

She specialises in business and property finance, working capital, and growth funding, supporting business owners through expansion, acquisitions, and complex ownership structures with a strong focus on sustainable outcomes. Known for her commercial judgement and clear communication style, Ash works as a trusted advisor, helping business owners make confident financial decisions aligned to their broader goals.

A proud Mornington Peninsula local of over ten years, Ash has a genuine connection to the small business community and a passion for building lasting relationships.


MP Shire Small Business Festival
Finance Ready for Business Lending

How to Present Your Business So Banks Say YES!


REGISTER
 REGISTER