A broker who's been on the other side of the counter

From Cockles Café to finance broking

Before I was a broker, I was a business owner. I'm a former chef, and for around 15 years I owned and ran Cockles Café. All up, I spent about 18 years owning and operating businesses.

Running a café teaches you a lot. Some months are busy and some are quiet. Suppliers need paying whether or not the till's been ringing. Staff, rosters, equipment breakdowns, the BAS, family commitments — it all lands on your plate at once. And every big decision for the business is also a decision for your family.

I've lived that. So when a self-employed client tells me their income moved around last year, or that their tax return doesn't really show how the business is tracking, I get it — not just in theory, but from experience.

How I like to work

My approach is friendly and practical. Before we talk about loans, I want to understand what you're actually trying to achieve — a first home, a bigger place for the family, buying the business you've been working in, a new ute, or a bit of breathing room in your cash flow.

Once I understand the bigger picture, I'll:

• Explain things clearly. No jargon, no fine print left unexplained. If something doesn't make sense, I haven't explained it well enough.
• Look beyond the interest rate. Loan structure, features, fees and how the loan fits your plans all matter.
• Tell you the reasons behind my recommendation — and the trade-offs — so you can make your own informed decision.
• Do the heavy lifting on paperwork and keep you updated through to settlement.
• Stay in touch afterwards, because your needs will change over time.

Local roots, Australia-wide reach

I live and work on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula and look after clients across Adelaide, Victor Harbor, Goolwa, Middleton and the surrounding area. Thanks to phone and video meetings, I can also help clients anywhere in Australia — so if you've moved interstate, or you're buying somewhere new, we can keep working together.

Local knowledge matters. I understand the mix of people who call this place home — tradies and tourism operators, families and retirees, seasonal businesses and people who've made the move from Adelaide. Locally, I'm happy to meet in person — at your place, your business or over a coffee. Further afield, phone and video work just as well.

Away from the desk

You'll usually find me in the water — surfing whenever the swell's right, or out fishing — or spending time with my family. It's a big part of why I love living on the Fleurieu, and why I enjoy helping other people build their lives here.

The fine print, in plain English

I trade as McEwen Finance Services and contract to Bay Finance Co. I'm an authorised Credit Representative of Freedom Aggregation (Credit Representative Number 546451, Australian Credit Licence 384404). That means I operate under their licence and follow their compliance standards. You'll find these details, along with the privacy policy and credit guide, in the footer of every page.