“I wanted to be a support system, someone business owners and families could trust. Someone who gets it.”
Growing up in a family of small business owners, Emma Murphy of Thrive Broking witnessed firsthand the grit and resilience it takes to keep a business alive. Emma’s dad was one of the hardest workers she’s ever known but even with all his effort, the challenges of running a small business often came home. Emma saw how a lack of support, resources, and funding could hold back even the most dedicated people and that experience shaped her.
Now, as a single mum of triplets and a small business owner herself, Emma deeply understands the pressure business owners face, not just to keep the doors open, but to provide for their families, support their staff, and contribute to their communities. For most, it’s not just a business. It’s their future, their legacy, and their way of making a difference.
That’s why Emma created Thrive Broking. She didn’t want to be just another finance broker. Emma wanted to be a support system, someone business owners and families could trust. Someone who gets it.
Thrive Broking is Emma’s way of paying it forward. It’s about helping people like her dad and so many others she’s met, access the funding and guidance they need to not just survive, but truly grow and thrive. Because Emma believes every small business owner deserves a fair shot at success, and someone in their corner who genuinely cares.
“It’s not just about networking, it’s about not feeling alone in the climb.”
Being a member of the HerBusiness Network has solved one of the biggest challenges Emma faced as a business owner – doing it all alone.
As someone who’s driven, experienced, and scaling a fast-moving finance business, Emma says that it’s easy to get stuck in her own head, wearing every hat and making every decision in isolation. Emma shares “HerBusiness gives me a trusted circle of women who understand what it really takes to grow a business, not just the strategy, but the mindset, the confidence, and the long game.”
It gives Emma access to new perspectives, smarter systems, and real accountability. Emma loves that she can test ideas, refine her thinking, and tap into mentorship that shortens the learning curve all while building relationships with women that she genuinely respects.
Who’s your favourite entrepreneur and why?
Denise Duffield-Thomas because she:
- Is an Aussie entrepreneur who empowers women to build wealth on their terms
- Speaks openly about money, mindset, automation, and scaling through systems
- Deeply values time freedom and family without sacrificing growth
Why did you start your business and what gave you the idea?
Growing up in a family of small business owners, I witnessed firsthand the grit and resilience it takes to keep a business alive. My dad was one of the hardest workers I’ve ever known but even with all his effort, the challenges of running a small business often followed us home. We didn’t have it easy. I saw how a lack of support, resources, and funding could hold back even the most dedicated people. That experience shaped me.
Now, as a single mum of triplets and a small business owner myself, I deeply understand the pressure business owners face, not just to keep the doors open, but to provide for their families, support their staff, and contribute to their communities. For most, it’s not just a business. It’s their future, their legacy, and their way of making a difference.
That’s why I created Thrive Broking. I didn’t want to be just another finance broker. I wanted to be a support system, someone business owners and families could trust. Someone who gets it. Thrive Broking is my way of paying it forward. It’s about helping people like my dad and so many others I’ve met, access the funding and guidance they need to not just survive, but truly grow and thrive. Because I believe every small business owner deserves a fair shot at success, and someone in their corner who genuinely cares.
What do you enjoy most about running your own business?
What I enjoy most is the freedom to lead with heart. Thrive Broking lets me show up as me, not a number in a corporate system, but someone who genuinely cares and can make a real impact in people’s lives.
I love the flexibility to run things differently, to put relationships first, to visit clients where they are, to simplify the complex, and to actually listen. I’m not processing loans; I’m helping people move forward, whether it’s buying a new car or truck, expanding their business, or finally taking that long awaited family holiday.
Running my own business also gives me the ability to build something meaningful, not just for my clients, but for my children. As a single mum of triplets, I want to model what’s possible: resilience, independence, and doing work that matters.
And finally, I love seeing the results. When I get to call someone and say, “Congratulations, your finance is approved,” there’s nothing more satisfying. Because I know it’s not just a loan, it’s can be a life changer.
What three pieces of advice do you wish you’d been given when you started?
- You don’t need to do it all but you do need procedures & systems. In the early days, I tried to wear every hat: marketing, admin, sales, operations. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking no one can do it like you but burnout isn’t a business plan. If I’d built systems sooner and had others to support me earlier, I could have scaled faster and protected my energy.
- Your network is your net worth so nurture it. Referrals, partnerships, and conversations have been my most powerful growth tools. I wish someone had told me to spend just as much time building relationships as I did working on the business. Now, I never underestimate the power of showing up, helping others, and creating genuine connections.
- Charge for the value you bring, not the time you spend. When you truly care, it’s tempting to overgive but you can’t serve from an empty cup. I had to learn that pricing reflects value, not effort. Confidence in your worth attracts the right clients, respects your time, and sets the standard for what your business is really about.
What advice would YOU give someone thinking about starting a business?
Do it! But do it with a plan, a backbone, and a whole lot of heart. Starting a business is equal parts thrilling and terrifying. You’ll question yourself more times than you care to admit, and you’ll wear every hat and sometimes all in one day. But if it’s built on purpose, and you’re willing to learn as you go, it’s worth it.
Here’s my honest advice:
- Don’t wait to feel ready, just take the first step now and JUST KEEP GOING. Perfection is a delay tactic. You’ll learn so much more by doing, even if it’s messy at the start.
- Set boundaries early and protect your time and energy. The business will take as much as you give it. Structure your day. Say no when needed. Build a business that fits your life, not the other way around.
- Get your money mindset right. Don’t apologise for making a profit. Know your numbers and build a foundation that can grow emotionally and financially.
- Find your people. You need a support system. Mentors, cheerleaders, and a sounding board. Business can be lonely, so surround yourself with those who get it.
- And lead with purpose. Money matters but meaning matters more. If you build something that helps people and reflects who you are, the business will grow in a way that feels good.
What skills and knowledge areas would you recommend those starting out in business get acquainted with quickly?
- Know your numbers inside out. You don’t need to be an accountant, but you do need to:
Understand cash flow, profit margins, and pricing
Know how to read a basic P&L and balance sheet
Set up your tax obligations early (don’t ignore the ATO, it won’t go away)
Get a great bookkeeper and accountant early. Then learn enough to ask smart questions. - Sales and human connection. Business success is solving problems for people. You need to:
Learn how to sell with confidence and empathy
Listen more than you talk
Communicate your value clearly. Even if you hate the idea of “sales,” fall in love with the problem you solve and talk about that. - Marketing and visibility. If people don’t know you exist, they can’t buy from you. Focus on:
Building a strong in person and online presence (socials, website)
Telling your story often
Creating helpful, relatable content (it doesn’t have to be perfect but it has to be real) - Systems and delegation. The sooner you set up simple systems, the smoother things will run. Learn:
How to automate tasks (emails, bookings, follow ups)
When to hand something off and how to train someone properly
That your time is your most valuable asset and treat it accordingly - Emotional resilience. Business is personal but it’s also unpredictable. Prepare yourself to:
Handle rejection without taking it to heart
Learn from mistakes but not avoid them
Back yourself even when the results take time
And just keep going
Learn the business side as much as your craft. Passion starts the business but skills build it.
What does your IDEAL business look like? Even if you’re not there yet, what would it look like if your business was ideal?
My ideal business runs like a well oiled machine – strategic, scalable, and deeply human.
In the ideal version of Thrive Broking, I’m no longer the bottleneck. The business operates smoothly through smart systems, automation, and a highly trained team who care about people as much as I do. Clients are nurtured from enquiry to settlement with personalised, efficient service without everything depending on me.
Leads come in consistently through a mix of organic marketing, strategic referral partnerships, and value driven campaigns. We’re positioned as the go to brokerage for Australians who want clarity, confidence, and speed all the while feeling our care factor.
Each team member knows their role:
- The Practice Manager runs the show operationally
- Loan Writers and Client Liaisons deliver 5 star service
- Marketing runs on brand strategy, with daily visibility and inbound interest
We’re known across Australia for being approachable, trustworthy, and results driven for our clients whether it’s a tradie needing a ute or a business owner needing $300K tomorrow. I’m doing more of what I love: connecting with people, building relationships, empowering my team, and creating a business that genuinely changes lives, including mine. I work because I want to, not because I have to.
What problem does being a Member of the HerBusiness Network solve for you and your business? And, how?
Being a member of the HerBusiness Network solves one of the biggest challenges I face as a business owner – doing it all alone.
As someone who’s driven, experienced, and scaling a fast moving finance business, it’s easy to get stuck in my own head, wearing every hat and making every decision in isolation. HerBusiness gives me a trusted circle of women who understand what it really takes to grow a business, not just the strategy, but the mindset, the confidence, and the long game.
It gives me access to new perspectives, smarter systems, and real accountability. I can test ideas, refine my thinking, and tap into mentorship that shortens my learning curve all while building relationships with women I genuinely respect. It’s not just about networking, it’s about not feeling alone in the climb.
Being part of HerBusiness helps me grow not just the business… but the woman I am leading it.
Learn more about Emma and Thrive Broking.
