About Sharpe Finance Australia
Sharpe Finance Australia is built on more than just numbers — it’s founded on principles. Director Leigh Sharpe leads with the mindset that fitness, skill, and attitude are the three pillars of success — in sport, in business, and in life. Backed by over 15 years of industry experience, Sharpe Finance helps business owners across the Sunshine Coast secure the right finance for growth, fast.
The Meaning Behind SFA
When deciding on the company name, Sharpe Finance seemed like the easy choice, however I wanted to try and incorporate an “A” in to the company name for a reason that’s very close to me. Growing up, my father brought me up on the principles of SFA - Skill, Fitness, Attitude.
It was reinforced to me each year as he often used this phrase while he was coaching me through the years I played football and baseball. The thing he pointed out to me and that has always stuck with me was that this terminology applied not only to sport but to everything we do in our personal and professional lives as well.
‘S’ - Skill
In sport the players need a set of skills to succeed. For example, in my chosen field of Australian Rules players need to be able to kick accurately with both feet, handball with both hands and be able to run at top speed while bouncing a funny shaped ball and have it come back to you.
Similarly in your working life every occupation has a required set of skills for success. It may be relationship skills, communication skills, technical skills or product knowledge.
‘F’ - Fitness
There are two types of fitness.
The first is physical fitness. As an Aussie Rules player you need to be able to run out a full 120 minutes of a game.
In the work environment it is well documented that the more physically fit you are the better you will perform.
The second type of fitness is mental fitness, or mental toughness if you like.
Years ago I was watching an AFL game with my family and a player took a great mark, a screamer as it's called, within close range to goal with only seconds remaining on the clock. His side was 2 points down, he was only 20 metres out on a 45 degree angle - a bread and butter shot for most players. As he went back to take his shot after his spectacular mark, the final siren sounded. I said to my family "He's going to missed this!" One of my sons said "No way. Even I could kick that." I'd noticed that when the siren sounded the player dropped his head. He didn't want to be there. His mental fitness failed him and he missed the goal for his side to lose by a point.
In the work environment we have our highs and lows. In the tough times it's our mental fitness and aptitude that's needed to carry us through.
‘A’ - Attitude
As a coach I don't care how skillful you are or how fit you are, if you don't have the right attitude I don't want you in my team. A bad attitude is like a rotten apple in a barrel. It doesn't take long to infect the rest.
As a coach I can teach you the skills and I can get you physically fit but attitude comes only from within you.
Part of that attitude is a winning attitude.
I hate losing. No! even more, I cannot accept losing. The first time I openly said that you could see in the players' expressions "What type of person can't accept losing?"
I continued with "I can accept being beaten. I don't like it but I can accept it." It just means the opposition was too good, too big or too strong.
Similarly in the work environment you may come across situations that prove too difficult or too complex to overcome without help.
I measure my success here with the mirror test.
Not the type of mirror test where you breath on a mirror and if it fogs it means you're alive and you've survived.
At the end of each day, look in the mirror and ask " Have you done your best today?"
If that person in the mirror, who knows you better than anyone, looks you back square in the eye and says "Yes I have!" then you're a winner!
If however he/she screws his/her face a little then you might have some work to do.
Meet Leigh Sharpe
Director - Sharpe Finance Australia
With a profound passion for finance, I am dedicated to ensuring the best outcomes for my clients and their businesses.
With over a decade of experience in the industry since 2007, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. I've found that providing prompt responses, delivering personable and quality service, and genuinely caring for my clients not only brings me fulfillment but also contributes to my success.
Understanding that each client and application is unique drives me to tailor solutions that precisely meet their needs and goals.
Why Work With Us?
Based in Yandina, serving Sunshine Coast & Australia-wide
Access to 30+ commercial lenders
Fast, no-fuss finance for business owners
Specialist in equipment & vehicle finance, including niche sectors
Backed by real values, not just sales targets