#77: Dream Big, Plan Smart: Finance in the Bush with Brecken Curtis from Seasoned Finance

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G’day and welcome to the A Place to Call Home Podcast.

In this episode, I sit down with Brecken Curtis — rural finance specialist, business owner, investor, and long-time Longreach local.

Brecken originally moved west for what was meant to be a two-year stint in banking… and more than 20 years later, he’s still there — having built a career in agricultural finance and stepped out to create his own brokerage, Season Finance.

This is a conversation about rural lending, risk, vision, and what it actually takes to build assets in agriculture.

From understanding how banks assess deals…
 To why rural finance is completely different to city lending…
 To the small financial decisions that quietly impact your long-term borrowing power…

It’s honest, practical insight from someone who’s seen it from both sides of the desk.

It’s about backing yourself.
 It’s about having a clear plan.
 And it’s about starting somewhere — even if it’s small.

In this episode, we chat about:

Growing up in the South Burnett and building a career in ag bankingWhy rural finance is assessed differently to commercial or residential lendingThe three C’s of credit — collateral, capacity and characterCommon mistakes producers make when applying for financeThe impact of equipment loans, credit cards and cashflow on borrowing powerWhy young people need to start building appreciating assets earlyPartnerships in agriculture — opportunities and risksStepping away from corporate banking to launch Season FinanceThe realities of starting a business with young kids and financial pressureWhy having a clear vision is critical to long-term success in agricultureHis investment journey across property, livestock and hospitality

Resources mentioned:

🎙️ Brecken’s podcast: Dollars In The Dirt - YouTube 

📘The Compound Effect Resources
📘The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life : Manson, Mark: Amazon.com.au: Books

Follow Brecken and Seasoned Finance

📘 Facebook: Seasoned Finance
📘 Linkedin: Seasoned Finance: Overview | LinkedIn
🌏 Website: Home - Your Trusted Regional Finance Brokerage

Stay connected with A Place to Call Home:

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🔗 LinkedIn: A Place to Call Home Podcast
🌏 Website: www.aplacetocallhome.com.au

This episode is proudly supported by Walkabout Brangus & Ultrablacks

Walkabout Brangus & Ultrablacks is a northern-focused bull breeding enterprise established in 2023, shaped by real experience in Northern Australian agriculture.

Their cow herd has been built from the north, for the north — with every breeding decision grounded in tough seasons, heat, and country that demands cattle earn their keep.

Their program focuses on fertility, structure, temperamen

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