Nadine Connell
Co-Founder, Smart Business Plans
I’ve spent over 15 years helping Australian business owners secure the commercial finance they need to grow, buy property, and build real wealth. I work exclusively in commercial finance, and that specialist focus is what matters for my clients.
Background
Who I Am
I'm Nadine Connell, co-founder of Smart Business Plans — Australia's specialist commercial finance brokerage. While most mortgage brokers focus on residential home loans, I made a deliberate choice 15 years ago to work exclusively in commercial finance — covering commercial property, business acquisitions and business consultancy. They are more complex, more technical disciplines, and it's where I can genuinely make a difference for business owners and investors.
I co-founded Smart Business Plans in 2009. Since then, we've helped more than 3,300 Australian business owners arrange over $550 million in commercial finance — from GP surgeries and childcare centres to industrial warehouses, mixed-use developments, and SMSF property purchases.
Before specialising in commercial finance, I spent over 8 years in international business management — experience that gives me a commercial lens most brokers simply do not have. I am a proud member of the Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia (MFAA). Smart Business Plans operates as an Authorised Credit Representative (CR553930) of LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd (ACL517192). You can verify our ASIC registration at any time on the ASIC Professional Registers.
Point of difference
Why Specialisation Matters
Commercial finance is not residential lending with bigger numbers. Banks assess commercial deals on completely different criteria: the strength of the business, the quality of the lease or tenants, the property's income yield, the borrower's balance sheet, and the sector risk of the asset class.
I work exclusively in commercial and business finance. That means I understand how different lenders price risk for a medical centre versus a warehouse, what documentation a construction lender needs, when a deal is right for the big four versus a specialist or private funder, and how to structure a transaction to maximise approval probability without compromising the client's position.
The result: consistent approvals for business owners who came to us after being knocked back by their bank — or who simply wanted the right deal, not just any deal.
Areas of expertise
My Specialist Areas
- Commercial property purchase loans — owner-occupier and investment
- Medical and allied health property finance — AHPRA professionals up to 95% LVR
- SMSF commercial property loans — compliant lending for self-managed super funds
- Commercial construction and development finance — from land acquisition to completion
- Industrial, warehouse, retail, office and specialist property types
- Commercial property refinancing and debt restructuring
- Business loans, working capital and equipment finance
- Childcare, aged care, self-storage and other specialist commercial assets
As seen in
In the News
The War on Property: How the Iran conflict is reshaping Australia’s real estate market
Published work
The Premise Effect (2026)
The Premise Effect — now on Amazon Kindle
My book for Australian business owners considering commercial property finance. It covers loan structures, deposit strategies, lender selection, and the mistakes that cost buyers time and money — the same thinking I bring to every client conversation. Written for business owners, not finance professionals.
Licences & memberships
Credentials & Licences
ASIC Registration |
Authorised Credit Representative CR 553930 |
Licence held through |
LMG Broker Services Pty Ltd — Australian Credit Licence ACL 517192 |
Industry membership |
MFAA — Mortgage and Finance Association of Australia |
Find a Broker listing |
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LinkedIn |
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Amazon |
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Aggregator |
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Verify credentials |
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In practice since |
2009 (15+ years) |
My approach
How I Work
Every engagement starts with a genuine conversation — not a form, not a junior staff member or oursourced call centre. I do the discovery call personally, I ask the questions your lender will ask, and I tell you honestly whether a deal is achievable before we invest any more time.
If we proceed, I prepare your deal properly: financial modelling, a business plan if the lender requires one, lender selection from our panel of 60+ based on your specific circumstances, and a submission strategy built to maximise approval probability. I stay involved from first call to settlement — you won't be handed off.
Ready to talk commercial finance?
Book a free 30-minute consultation with Nadine. No obligation. Just an honest conversation about your options.
Or email Nadine directly: nadine@smartbusinessplans.com.au