Capital allocation doesn't have to be complicated
For twelve years, we've been helping Australian businesses make smarter decisions about where their money goes. Not through complex formulas or rigid frameworks—but by understanding what actually matters to your business.
Most companies know they need better financial strategy. The challenge isn't knowing—it's doing. That's where we come in.
Started with a simple observation
Back in 2013, we noticed something odd. Businesses would spend months perfecting their marketing budget but make million-dollar investment decisions in an afternoon meeting. The priorities seemed backwards.
So we started asking questions. What if you treated every dollar like it really mattered? What if you could see the actual return before committing resources?
Turns out, those questions changed everything. Not just for us, but for the sixty-plus Australian businesses we've worked with since then.
How we think about capital
Three principles guide everything we do. They're not revolutionary—they're just consistently applied.
Context before calculation
Numbers tell stories, but only when you understand what's happening behind them. We spend time learning your business—not just reading your financials. Because a 15% return means something different for a manufacturer than it does for a tech startup.
Transparent trade-offs
Every decision means saying no to something else. We map out what you're actually choosing between, not just what looks good on a spreadsheet. Sometimes the "worse" financial option is the right strategic move.
Results you can measure
Vague improvements don't help anyone. We establish clear metrics before starting any engagement, then track them monthly. If something isn't working, we adjust. No ego, just outcomes.
Built on real experience
Derek started elmarothiven after seven years in corporate finance roles where he saw the same patterns repeating. Businesses were making allocation decisions based on what felt safe rather than what made sense.
His background spans manufacturing, services, and tech—which means he's seen capital allocation challenges from multiple angles. Not as theory, but as actual problems that kept executives awake at night.
These days, he splits time between direct client work and developing the frameworks that help businesses make better financial decisions independently. Because the goal isn't dependence—it's capability.
The elmarothiven approach grew from countless conversations with business owners who knew they needed help but didn't want another consultant telling them obvious things. They wanted someone who understood the messy reality of running a business in Australia's unique market conditions.
Derek Walsh
Former corporate finance director turned independent consultant. Believes capital allocation is about judgment, not just mathematics. Lives in Cairns, works with clients across Australia.
What drives our work
Values sound nice on paper. But here's what actually shapes our client relationships and the advice we give.
Honest assessment over optimism
We won't tell you what you want to hear. If your planned investment looks questionable, we'll say so—and explain exactly why. Business owners deserve straight talk, not cheerleading. Sometimes the best capital allocation decision is to wait, even when everyone's excited to move forward.
Long-term thinking wins
Quarter-to-quarter decisions create quarter-to-quarter results. We help businesses think in years, not months. That might mean lower returns initially, but it means sustainable growth that doesn't require constant course correction. Patience isn't glamorous, but it compounds.
How we got here
Building foundations
Started with three manufacturing clients in Brisbane. Developed our core assessment framework by testing different approaches and seeing what actually worked in practice. Made plenty of mistakes, learned from all of them.
Expansion and refinement
Grew to twenty-plus active clients across different sectors. This forced us to adapt our methods—what works for retail doesn't work for professional services. Developed industry-specific approaches while maintaining core principles.
Focus and depth
Deliberately limited new clients to maintain service quality. Started developing educational resources to help businesses improve their capital allocation independently. Because not everyone needs full consulting—some just need better frameworks.
Let's talk about your capital decisions
If you're thinking about major investments or wondering whether your current allocation makes sense, we should have a conversation. No pitch, just a practical discussion about your specific situation.
Get in touch