We started with a spreadsheet and a question

Back in early 2019, a group of financial planners noticed something odd. Businesses would come to us with elaborate financial models that looked impressive but didn't actually help them make better decisions. The models were too complex, too rigid, or just too disconnected from day-to-day operations.

Building something practical

elynothrae emerged from that frustration. We spent months working with small business owners across Canberra and surrounding areas, learning what actually worked when it came to financial forecasting. Not fancy algorithms or complicated software. Just clear thinking and realistic planning.

By 2021, we had developed our core approach. We focused on teaching people how to build forecasts that actually reflected their business reality. The kind of forecasts you could adjust when circumstances changed without starting from scratch.

What surprised us most was how much this resonated with people. Business owners appreciated having someone explain financial planning in plain language, without the mystique some consultants like to cultivate.

Financial planning workspace with documents and budget analysis

What guides our work

These aren't corporate values we stuck on a wall. They're the principles that emerged from years of actually doing this work.

Realistic expectations

Financial forecasting isn't fortune telling. We teach methods that acknowledge uncertainty rather than pretending it doesn't exist. Your forecast should help you prepare for multiple scenarios, not just the optimistic one.

Practical application

Every technique we teach has been tested in real businesses. We're not interested in theoretical models that look good on paper but fall apart when you try to implement them. If something doesn't work in practice, we don't teach it.

Ongoing adaptation

Business conditions change. Economic environments shift. Your forecasting approach should evolve with those changes. We focus on building skills that remain relevant regardless of what the market does next.

The people behind the programs

Stellan Bakker

Lead Financial Educator

Started his career analyzing budget variances for manufacturing companies. Spent years figuring out why forecasts failed and what actually made them useful. Now teaches others those hard-won lessons without the expensive mistakes.

Lachlan Thornberry

Budget Strategy Specialist

Worked in retail finance for a decade before joining us in 2022. Brings a perspective from businesses where profit margins are thin and forecasting errors have immediate consequences. Knows what it's like when there's no room for theoretical approaches.

Budget planning session with financial charts

How we actually work

Our programs run throughout the year, typically starting in autumn or early winter. We keep cohorts small because effective financial education requires interaction and feedback. You can't learn forecasting just by watching videos.

Each program combines structured learning with practical exercises based on real business scenarios. We use case studies from Australian businesses we've worked with, modified to protect confidentiality but keeping all the messy complexity that makes financial planning challenging.

Sessions take place both in Macquarie and online, depending on what works for participants. We've found that mixing formats gives people flexibility without sacrificing the collaborative learning that makes these programs effective.

Explore our programs