Real People, Real Solutions

We started Expand-Drive because we saw too many businesses struggling with budgets that didn't reflect their actual operations. After years in corporate finance, we knew there had to be a better way.

How We Actually Started

Back in 2018, I was working late again — trying to explain why our quarterly budget was off by 40%. Sound familiar? The spreadsheet models we inherited were built for a different business, different times. But everyone kept using them because "that's how we've always done it."

That frustration led to conversations with other finance professionals across Melbourne. Same story everywhere. Budgets that looked great on paper but fell apart when real business happened. So we decided to build something different — budgets that actually work with how businesses really operate.

Seven years later, we've helped over 200 Australian businesses create operational budgets that don't just look professional — they actually guide decision-making.

What Drives Our Work

Reality-Based Planning

We build budgets around your actual business patterns, not theoretical models. Your seasonal fluctuations, supplier payment terms, and cash flow timing all matter.

Operational Focus

Every budget line connects to real operational decisions. When you see variance, you know exactly which part of your business to examine.

Usable Tools

We create budgeting tools that your team will actually use. Simple interfaces, clear reporting, and processes that fit your workflow.

The People Behind The Numbers

Our team combines corporate finance experience with small business reality. We've worked in big consulting firms and family businesses — we understand both worlds.

Zara Quindale

Senior Budget Analyst

Former Big Four consultant who got tired of creating budgets that clients couldn't use. Zara specializes in manufacturing and retail operational budgets, with particular expertise in inventory planning and seasonal cash flow management.

Iris Bethmont

Financial Planning Director

Twenty years in corporate finance taught Iris what works and what doesn't. She leads our methodology development and ensures every client gets tools that match their actual decision-making process.

Our Approach to Budget Development

1

Understanding Your Operations

We spend time learning how your business actually works. Not just the org chart — the real workflow, decision points, and operational patterns that drive your cash flow.

2

Historical Pattern Analysis

We analyze your past financial data to identify genuine patterns versus one-time events. This helps create realistic projections based on your business's actual behavior.

3

Operational Budget Construction

We build budgets that align with your operational calendar. Purchasing cycles, hiring patterns, seasonal adjustments — all structured to support real business decisions.

4

Implementation and Training

We ensure your team understands both the mechanics and the logic behind the budget. This isn't about complex software — it's about creating sustainable planning habits.

Ready to Build Better Budgets?

If you're tired of budgets that don't reflect your business reality, let's talk. We'll start with understanding your current challenges and explore how operational budgeting might help.

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