20 Years Making A Mark

With Steve and Lanie Marks of Explore Property

Steve and Lanie Marks have just celebrated their 20th anniversary – two decades of love; but also of building businesses together, in a partnership that has changed the property landscape of the Whitsundays.

The pair began in hospitality, running Beaches in Airlie Beach, before entering real estate. Now they have three businesses – Loan Market, Accom Whitsundays, and Explore

Property rentals and sales.

Steve is a company director, a leader who strategizes, builds business and dreams up ideas - he shoots for the stars. Lanie, on the other hand, keeps her feet on the ground, and helps turn those grand ideas into concrete plans. She is a mortgage broker, property manager, and more, all whilst being the CEO of the Marks’ family life. Together, they’re a humble and hardworking team.

The couple transitioned into property after the birth of their first of two sons. Looking to pivot out of the unsociable hours of hospitality, the pair sought work that allowed them to make a change, and build something new.

“Steve was always looking at the real estate section of Airlie Beach. He fell in love with Hamilton Island and Airlie Beach the minute he got here, always following the growth of the town.” Lanie said

“And I was always really interested in real estate, and saw an opportunity to join Ray White, 20 years ago. I worked as a Property Manager and BDM before becoming a mortgage broker and opening Loan Market Whitsunday in 2018.”

Whilst Lanie grew Loan Market, Steve revelled in Project Marketing and became hooked by the satisfaction of seeing his impact growing the town he loved, naming streets and adding development housing.

Four years ago, the pair opened Explore Property, beginning in a small office in Cannonvale before upgrading in 2025, turning an old panel beater’s workshop on Shute Harbour Road into a gorgeous airy space, and growing a team of three to a team of twenty through hard graft and a clear vision.

Just six months ago, the pair further expanded their company and reach with the acquisition of the PRD Rental Business including Residential, Commercial, Storage and Holiday Let Business Accom Whitsunday  – their biggest challenge; but also, their biggest success.

With Lanie and Steve combining their skills, the business has become a unique multi-service agency offering bespoke, one-stop service for their clients.

“I think a lot of real estate agents can be very transactional.” Steve explained.

“So we always ask: How can I help? Every single transaction is different. We collaborate with our owners and tenants and vendors depending on their exact needs and wants- whether they’re moving overseas or interstate, buying an investment property, or holiday home – we give them suggestions and advice in-house, without referrals or extra fees.”

For Lanie and Steve, leading a business as a couple means some of their best strategy meetings pop up unexpectedly.

“We have a theory.” Steve confessed.

“We were on Hamilton Island last week for our wedding anniversary, drinking wine, and we come up with a really good strategy; we went: That's brilliant!

“The best ideas come when you are relaxed, when you step back, and have capacity for them.”

Their top advice to other couples is to maintain clear and independent roles within the business.

“We don't step on each other's toes in in the workspace.” Lanie said.

“He's got his things he excels at. I have mine.”

Lanie highlighted Steve’s business acumen, strategic planning, and quick thinking.

Steve says Lanie has incredible patience and can filter out the best ideas from the crazy ones.

Steve and Lanie have dream-teamed their way to success, with four businesses now growing independently and together, interweaving and creating a new way of approaching retail. After dedicating themselves to the growth of their business, they’ve reached a stage where they can enjoy the dividends.

“You’ve got to take the time to appreciate the accolades of owning a business; pressure is a privilege,” Steve said. “You’ve got to remember that you can't work all the time. You can't lose yourself in the business.”

The pair are now enjoying a rich family life earned through decades of hard work, spending time together and with their boys, finding work life balance and building the team.

And if they get hit with a genius business plan in a spa, at the bar or on the beach? That makes it even better.

What advice would you have for any other couples thinking of going into business together?

Define your roles and trust one another completely to do their job. Understand that there will be mistakes made and find solutions together.

What's the most unusual place you've had a business discussion?

Lanie: On a chairlift, snowboarding in Canada!

Steve: I actually had a really big idea when face down in the snow.

explorepropertywhitsunday.com.au

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