Yellow Brick Road Leichhardt celebrated the opening of its new office on Thursday, 15 October, with owner Firas Toma joined by YBR founder and executive chairman Mark Bouris for an occasion centred on community, ambition and the courage to build a new beginning.

Guests gathered at the Norton Street premises to congratulate Toma and his team, with the speeches highlighting both the business milestone and the personal relationships behind it.

Welcoming those attending, Toma described the office as a place where his team and the wider Yellow Brick Road network could grow together while supporting their clients.

“It’s a place where our team, along with the Yellow Brick Road team, can work together, continue to grow, and provide exceptional service to our clients and the community,” he said.

Toma also thanked Bouris and the YBR team for their support, encouragement and kindness, describing a sense of belonging that extended beyond the business itself.

“This is more than a workplace; it’s genuine family,” he said.

An accounting foundation and a focus on support

Listed by Yellow Brick Road as principal mortgage broker Firas Ghazi Toma, the branch owner brings a tax and accounting background to his work in lending.

According to A & F Taxation Services’ business history, Toma established the practice in 2015. Its services cover tax returns, accounting, bookkeeping and business administration, supporting individuals and businesses with their financial paperwork and obligations.

The practice also offers NDIS plan management, helping participants handle claims and payments for their funded supports. This work concerns the financial administration of participants’ plans, rather than the direct delivery of disability care.

That background provides context for Toma’s move into mortgage broking, where understanding clients’ circumstances and explaining financial processes are central to his approach. The Leichhardt branch lists home loans, property investment loans, small business loans and equipment finance among its services.

At the opening, Toma emphasised the standards he wanted the team to uphold.

“These values today demonstrate our everyday commitment and dedication to our clients, our referral partners, and everyone associated with us,” he said.

Bouris recognises the courage to start again

Addressing the gathering, Bouris praised its “wonderful blend of ethnicity” and reflected on cultural heritage, aspiration and the experiences that shape Australian business owners.

Having heard Toma’s personal story, Bouris said it brought to mind his own father and others whose journeys reflected qualities including “courage, humility, the ability to start again”.

He described those gathered as “people with ambition, people with aspiration, people who want to improve their lives”, placing the opening within a broader story of people working to create opportunities for themselves and their families.

Bouris concluded by congratulating the team on the premises and wishing them well.

“So thank you, I wish you luck, and congratulations on a brilliant fit out, and good luck to you, mate,” he said.

For Toma and his family, the opening marked a new chapter, supported by the colleagues, clients and business relationships gathered to celebrate it.

Yellow Brick Road Leichhardt is located at 34 Norton Street, Leichhardt.