The Australian Small Business Show

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode we dive into the world of grants for small business owners with Australia’s own Grant Master, Prue Saxby. We explore what grants actually are, how they work and why so many small business owners either overlook them or put them in the too hard basket. If you’ve ever wondered whether grants are relevant to your business, this episode is a great place to start.We discuss where to find grants, how often they become available and why timing is so important when it comes to applying. One of the key takeaways we unpack is the importance of being prepared before a grant opens, including having a clear plan and understanding what you would actually use the funding for. We also talk about the concept of alignment and why your application needs to clearly match the purpose of the grant.In this episode we also highlight some of the common mistakes small business owners make when applying for grants, including not properly checking eligibility, misunderstanding the criteria and rushing applications without the right information or data. We explore how thinking beyond your business and considering the broader impact can significantly strengthen your application.Finally, we touch on the value of building momentum with grants and why getting expert guidance can make a real difference. If grants are something you’ve been curious about, this episode will give you the clarity and direction you need to start exploring the opportunities available to your business.To connect with Prue, sign up for her newsletter and grant list here:www.indigogold.com.auOr join her Facebook Group here:https://www.facebook.com/groups/grantwritingacademyConnect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode we’re diving into a topic that every small business owner needs to understand but many struggle to clearly define – the difference between sales and marketing, and why both are critical to your success. Following on from our recent conversation about sales with Author Kate Toon about here new book Six Figures in Saes, we unpack what marketing really is, what sales actually involves, and why treating them as the same thing could be costing you money in your business. We discuss how marketing is all about attracting people into your world, building your brand and credibility, and getting potential customers to consider working with you. From there, sales is the process of inviting those people to take the next step and become a customer. We also explore why so many small business owners feel uncomfortable with sales, and how shifting your mindset from “convincing” to “helping” can completely change your approach and results.Throughout the episode we share real world examples, including how simple missed opportunities in the sales process can lead to lost business, even when the marketing has done its job. We also talk about how rapidly changing tools like AI are impacting marketing, and why building trust, authority and a personal connection is more important than ever in today’s landscape.Ultimately, we break down why you can’t have one without the other. You can have the best marketing in the world, but without a clear and aligned sales process, you won’t convert. On the flip side, even the best sales skills won’t help if no one knows who you are. It’s about getting both working together seamlessly in your business.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode we are joined by award winning business mentor, digital marketing coach and author Kate Toon to unpack how to generate six figures in sales without relying on paid ads. We dive into why sales is one of the most important skills any business owner can develop and why so many of us avoid properly learning it. We also explore the challenges with paid advertising, particularly in today’s economic climate, and why building relationships and trust can be a far more effective long term strategy. We discuss the key differences between marketing and selling, and why simply putting content out into the world is not enough to drive results. In this episode we break down the moment where marketing ends and selling begins, and why actively asking for the sale is critical. We also explore the importance of consistency in your marketing efforts, even when business is busy, and how failing to do so can lead to those all too familiar quiet periods. Kate shares her simple and practical framework for selling, including understanding your customers needs, identifying emotional triggers, building rapport and trust, using persuasion techniques, overcoming objections and clearly communicating value. We also talk about why price is rarely the real objection, how to better qualify leads, and why long term customer relationships are far more valuable than one off sales. This episode is packed with actionable insights that you can start implementing straight away in your business. Finally, we explore what you can expect from the book Six Figures in Sales, including step by step guidance on writing sales pages, product descriptions, emails and social media content that actually converts. If you’re looking for practical, no fluff strategies to improve your sales and grow your business, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.About Kate:Kate is an award-winning business mentor and digital marketing coach. She’s a down to earth human on a mission to demystify the realities of running a successful online business. Her Stay Tooned group of companies include the Digital Marketing Collective, The Recipe for SEO Success, The Clever Copywriting School and The Umina Beach Book Nook. Kate’s helped more than 20,000 other businesses demystify digital marketing, grapple the Google Beast, and find their own version of success. Kate is a renowned speaker, podcaster and author, and was named Australia’s Most Influential Small Business Woman (2022), one of Australia’s Top 50 Small Business Leaders (2022), and Businesswoman of the Year and Training & Education Provider of the Year at the national My Business Awards (2020). She’s the author of Six Figures While You Sleep: How to turn your services and skills into high-profit, low-effort digital products (2024), Six Figures in School Hours: How to run a successful business and still be a good parent (2023), and most recently Six Figures in Sales: How to win more customers, without spending a cent on ads. Kate is a resident expert on Kochie’s Business Builders and founder of The Digital Marketing Collective Conference, The Digital Marketing Collective Retreat and The Digital Marketing Collective Mastermind.To grab your copy of Six Figures in Sales (and all of Kate’s books) go here: https://www.katetoon.com/writing/books/ Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode we’re diving into a really practical topic for small business owners, how to effectively use offshore virtual assistants in your business. Following on from a recent conversation with a VA provider, we unpack what offshore support actually looks like in practice and how to approach it in a way that sets you up for success, rather than frustration.We break down the common misconceptions around virtual assistants and why thinking of them as a “do everything” role can lead to poor outcomes. Instead, we explore how to get the best results by engaging offshore support for specific, task based work that is repetitive and easy to delegate. We also share real examples of how this can look in your business, from design work and website updates through to scheduling and admin tasks. A big part of the conversation focuses on how to actually make this work day to day. We talk about the importance of onboarding, training and setting clear expectations, as well as understanding cultural differences that can impact communication and performance. We also discuss the difference between treating offshore support as a quick fix versus integrating them as part of your broader team, and how that decision can significantly impact your results.Finally, we share practical tips to help you get started, including how to identify the right tasks to delegate, where to find the right people and how to manage the working relationship effectively. If you’re looking to buy back your time and streamline your operations, this episode will give you a clear and realistic view of how offshore VAs can support your business.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode we’re celebrating a huge milestone and diving into what it really takes to stay in business for 20 plus years – as Kristy-Lee is celebrating 20 years in business!We unpack the journey from those early days of starting a business, including the risks, the rapid setup and the reality of just getting started, through to what it takes to build something sustainable over the long term. We share some honest reflections on what worked, what didn’t and why longevity in small business is far less common than many people think.We also explore the key phases of growth and change that happen over time. From rapid early expansion, hiring a team and evolving services, through to navigating challenging periods like economic downturns and shifting markets. We talk about the importance of adapting your business model, learning from mistakes and making tough calls when something is no longer aligned. This includes transitioning services, changing delivery models and ultimately moving into an online business well before it became the norm. A big focus in this episode is on mindset and resilience. We discuss the importance of being gritty, staying consistent and being willing to do the boring but necessary work that builds a successful business. We also share why knowing your market, spotting opportunities and being willing to pivot quickly can give small businesses a real advantage over larger competitors.Finally, we wrap up with practical advice for anyone starting out or wanting to go the distance in business. We talk about the value of surrounding yourself with other business owners, learning continuously, seeking out mentors and backing yourself even when things feel uncertain. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a business that lasts, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.Today we are joined by returning guest Warwick Jackson from Fox Group Chartered Accountants to talk about buying a car in your business.We explore the key considerations you need to think about before making a purchase, including how your business structure impacts the tax treatment and why it is so important to plan ahead rather than making decisions at the dealership.We dive into the complexities of fringe benefits tax and why it often catches business owners out. We break down how it works in simple terms, the importance of understanding private versus business use, and why keeping a logbook can make a significant difference to your outcomes. We also bust some common myths, including the idea that signage on your car automatically makes it tax deductible, and share practical advice on how to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes.Throughout the episode we also explore the financial side of things, including GST implications, depreciation limits and the hidden traps that can come with purchasing higher value vehicles through your business. We also touch on electric vehicles and the potential tax advantages currently available, along with why it may still be worth keeping records even when certain exemptions apply.Finally, we round out the conversation with practical tips around financing your vehicle purchase, managing cash flow and avoiding common pitfalls like balloon payments. As always, we emphasise the importance of speaking with your accountant before making any big decisions so you can structure things in the most effective way for your business.If you’d like to connect with Warwick you can find the details on their website here:https://www.foxgroup.com.au/ Or connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warwick-jackson-2744b615/Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode we dive into a topic that so many small business owners struggle with, having difficult conversations. We unpack why these conversations are often avoided, how that avoidance can actually make things worse, and the hidden cost it can have on your team, your time and your overall business performance. We also explore the reality that difficult conversations show up in many forms, from underperformance and behavioural issues through to pay rise discussions, promotions and even interviews.We share real examples of the types of conversations that come up in small business and why putting them off can lead to bigger problems down the track. In particular, we discuss how delaying these conversations can create confusion for team members, impact team culture and even make your eventual response seem like an overreaction. We also touch on the importance of setting clear expectations early, especially during the hiring process, to avoid difficult situations later on.A big focus of this episode is giving you practical strategies to approach these conversations with more confidence. We talk about the importance of getting clear on your objective before going into the conversation, understanding your team members communication styles, and tailoring your approach so your message is actually heard. We also highlight the value of being specific, prepared and aligned, particularly if you are working with a business partner or leadership team.Finally, we share some simple but powerful tips to help you take action, including why you should not delay these conversations, how to structure them effectively, and the importance of following up afterwards. If this is something you find challenging, we also share details of an upcoming workshop designed to help you prepare, script and confidently handle your next difficult conversation. Want to join Kristy-Lee’s upcoming workshop on this topic? Get your free seat here: https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au/handledConnect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.Today we are joined by Kristy Smith from Virtual Elves to chat about how offshore virtual assistants can support you in your small business.Kristy and her team at Virtual Elves help busy entrepreneurs scale faster through virtual assistant support, without burn out or the high cost of hiring employees. Virtual Elves is an Australian-managed outsourcing agency connecting skilled Filipino virtual assistants with growing Australian businesses. Kristy started the business over 15 years ago and Virtual Elves has become a trusted partner to hundreds of business owners who value quality, consistency, and care. She is a speaker, mentor, and strategist, sharing what she has learned about building sustainable systems, leading with empathy, and growing teams that genuinely thrive — both in Australia and the Philippines. In this discussion we explore how the concept of a “VA” has changed over time and how businesses can now access a wide range of specialised skills from global talent, particularly in places like the Philippines. From admin and bookkeeping support through to marketing, SEO and customer service, we discuss the many ways virtual assistants can help small business owners free up their time and focus on higher value work. We also unpack some of the common misconceptions about working with offshore team members. We discuss why expectations need to be realistic, why one person cannot do every role in your business, and why it is often better to engage multiple specialists rather than expecting a single VA to handle everything. We also chat about why strong systems, clear processes and well written briefs are essential if you want to get the best results from any team member, whether they are local or overseas.We also touch on some of the legal considerations that small business owners should be aware of when hiring internationally, and why working with an agency or employer of record can help reduce risk.If you have ever wondered whether a virtual assistant could help you buy back time in your business, this episode is packed with practical insights and considerations to help you decide if it is the right step for you.To connect with Kristy and her team you can find their website here: https://virtualelves.com.au/Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode we discuss the importance of building and maintaining an email list for your small business. With so much attention placed on social media followers, likes and engagement, it can be easy to overlook one of the most valuable marketing assets you can have. We unpack why your email list is something you truly own, unlike social media platforms where algorithms change and accounts can disappear overnight.We explore why email remains one of the most effective ways to communicate directly with your audience and nurture relationships with potential and existing customers. From sharing useful insights and personal updates, through to promoting offers or important business updates, email gives you a direct line of communication that you control. We also discuss how authentic, human communication can dramatically improve engagement and open rates.In this episode we also dive into practical ways to start building your email list, regardless of your industry. Whether you run an online business, an accounting firm, a trade service or a hospitality venue, collecting customer email addresses can be simple when there is a clear exchange of value. We share ideas for encouraging sign ups, discuss different types of email lists you might maintain, and explain how nurturing your audience over time can lead to stronger relationships and more sales.Finally, we highlight some important considerations including the need to keep your list updated, communicate regularly, and comply with Australian email marketing laws such as providing clear opt in and opt out options. If you already have an email list, this episode will prompt you to ask whether you’re using it as effectively as you could be.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business ShowIn this episode we are following on from our conversation last week with returning guest Amy Lee from Heart Content, and picking up on one of the key threads she raised – business values. We unpack what business values actually are, how they differ from your value proposition, and why so many small business owners either overlook them or treat them as something that just gets written on a wall and forgotten.We discuss the difference between operational standards and true values, and why your values should act as your non negotiables and guiding principles in business. We explore how your values influence the customers you choose to work with, the decisions you make, the services you offer and even how brave you are in saying no when something does not align. We also share some honest reflections on how values evolve over time, both personally and professionally, and how that impacts the way we run our businesses.We dive into practical ways to ensure your values are not just words, but actually embedded in your systems, processes and customer journey. From onboarding your team to reviewing your website messaging, auditing your customer experience and even looking at your Google reviews, we share simple ways to check whether your business is truly aligned with what you say you stand for. We also talk about how clearly articulated values can help attract the right customers and repel the wrong ones.If this episode has prompted you to revisit your own business values, we would love to hear from you. Reach out and let us know what your top three values are and how you are bringing them to life in your business.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.Today we are joined by returning guest Amey Lee from Heart Content.With years of experience helping brands bring together story, strategy, and content, Amey shows business owners how to increase their impact, streamline their marketing, amplify their message and attract their tribe by harnessing the power of brand story. Her career in brand and marketing spans more than 20 years and includes clients such as Fernwood Fitness, Guild Insurance, Atherton and a role at the BBC where she helped deliver a learning campaign and broke a world record in the process. Amey’s creative brain can turn out winning ideas and brilliant copy, whilst her strategic half is an expert in finding your difference, establishing your value, identifying your audience and translating these ideas into tangible goals that help to grow your business. In this episode we dive deep into the power of brand story strategy and why it matters so much for small and medium sized businesses. We unpack the common misconceptions around brand story, and explore why it is so much more than just your ‘About’ page or a few social media posts. We discuss how every touch point in your business contributes to your brand story, from your marketing and messaging to your onboarding, customer service and even the decisions you make about which opportunities to say yes or no to.We also explore the difference between traditional brand strategy and brand story strategy, and why putting your customer at the centre of your brand is the real game changer. In this episode we break down the six key elements of brand story strategy including vision, mission, values, differentiators, tribe and personality, and we talk about how these pillars can become a practical decision making tool in your business. Whether you are assessing referral partnerships, marketing opportunities or new product ideas, having clarity in your brand story can save you time, money and a whole lot of misalignment.Importantly, we chat about why brand story is not something you just set and forget. We discuss when to revisit it, how it supports retention and advocacy, and why it can help you attract the right clients while repelling the wrong ones. If you have ever felt stuck, out of alignment or unsure about your next move in business, this conversation will give you a framework to bring everything back into focus and create a brand your customers genuinely feel part of.If you would like to learn more about Amey’s Brand Story Strategy Workshop, be sure to check out the details and join the waitlist for the next intake. You can do that here: https://www.heartcontent.com.au/bsswIf you’d like to contact Amey you can reach her:At her website: https://www.heartcontent.com.au/On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameylee/On Instagram: @heartcontentauOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartcontentauConnect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode we’re diving into the customer journey and why it’s time for small business owners to refresh and rethink how we attract, convert and retain customers in 2026. We unpack the difference between the buyer’s journey and the customer experience journey, and why both deserve intentional planning rather than being left to chance. From awareness right through to advocacy, we explore how we can be more strategic instead of simply chasing new leads and hoping for the best.We talk about how the role of websites is changing, how AI is influencing buyer behaviour, and why trust is becoming more important than ever. With shorter attention spans and more noise in the market, we discuss how to create a seamless, low friction experience that helps customers move from consideration to decision quickly. We also share a real life example of how something as simple as an easy payment process or a well placed QR code for reviews can make a huge difference in the overall journey.Importantly, we explore the often overlooked parts of the journey including repeat business, referrals, reviews and even offboarding customers well. We discuss why systems are critical if you want to consistently nurture relationships, encourage advocacy and handle feedback, both positive and negative, with confidence. If you have not reviewed your customer journey recently, this episode will prompt you to step back and look at the full picture from first touchpoint to long term loyalty.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you! Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode, Matt and Kristy-Lee are joined by returning guest Val from Viya Technology to explore a very timely topic for small business owners, how to automate your business without losing the human touch. With AI and automation tools becoming more accessible than ever, many business owners are keen to improve efficiency but are equally concerned about how technology might impact customer experience, relationships and trust.Val shares practical insights into finding the right balance between automation and human interaction. The conversation unpacks how to identify which parts of your customer journey are suitable for automation, and which areas should remain human-led to preserve value and connection. Using relatable examples, Val explains why understanding your ideal client and their expectations is critical before implementing any new technology.Matt and Kristy-Lee also share real-world experiences from their own businesses, discussing onboarding, client communication and content creation. They talk candidly about where automation has worked well, where it has not, and why transparency and feedback are essential when introducing AI or automated processes into your business.This episode is a must-listen for small business owners who want to leverage automation and AI thoughtfully, improve efficiency, and still deliver a genuine, human experience for clients, customers and teams. Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In this episode, Matt and Kristy-Lee tackle a big question many small business owners are asking right now, is employee loyalty dead? Drawing on their own experiences and observations of the next generation entering the workforce, they explore how the traditional idea of loyalty as a trade for long-term job security has shifted. With changing expectations, generational differences and the lasting impact of the pandemic, the old rules around work and loyalty no longer seem to apply in the same way .The conversation dives into why job security is no longer the primary driver of loyalty, and how employees are increasingly taking ownership of their own careers. Matt and Kristy-Lee discuss why modern loyalty looks less like a lifetime commitment and more like being engaged, committed and aligned while someone is part of your business. They also unpack how leadership, development, flexibility and feeling valued now play a far bigger role than simply a pay cheque.This episode is a must listen for business owners who are struggling with staff retention or feeling frustrated by changing workforce expectations. Matt and Kristy-Lee share practical insights into how employers can reset their mindset, evolve their leadership approach and build genuine loyalty that works for today’s workforce. Loyalty, as they explain, is not dead, it’s just different.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Hello and welcome to this week's episode of The Australian Small Business Show.In today’s episode, Matt and Kristy Lee dive into one of the biggest challenges facing small business owners right now hiring the right people in a rapidly changing landscape. With 2026 firmly on the horizon, they explore how the rules of recruitment are shifting, why hiring mistakes are more costly than ever, and how business owners need to adapt their approach to attract and retain great staff in a competitive market .Kristy shares her expertise in recruitment, unpacking how AI is impacting both sides of the hiring process. From AI written resumes and cover letters to smarter use of technology in screening and job ads, this conversation highlights why business owners need to be more discerning, faster in their processes, and clearer than ever on what they actually need from a role. They also discuss why cover letters are losing relevance, the importance of speed in hiring, and why passive candidates are often your best option.The conversation also looks beyond the hire itself, emphasising the importance of always on recruitment strategies, using platforms like LinkedIn effectively, and ensuring your online presence genuinely reflects what it is like to work in your business. Matt and Kristy also talk about hiring as a retention strategy, the need to reassess roles before replacing them, and why onboarding should begin the moment a job offer is accepted.If you are planning to hire in 2026, or are already feeling overwhelmed by recruitment decisions, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you hire better, smarter, and with confidence.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Subscribe to The Australian Small Business Show newsletter by visiting our website here: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we have a returning guest - James Brown from BizTach Guru. James is a Certified Master SYSTEMologist® | SME Technology Expert | Time-Saving Specialist | Business Systemisation Pro.James stands at the forefront of business operation simplification, with a rich 20-year history spanning from manufacturing to tourism, currently specialising in construction and building trades.Through his venture, BizTech Guru, he introduces business owners to SYSTEMology and works closely with David Jenyns, the founder of systemHUB and the SYSTEMology movement, diving deep into the methodology and building out course curriculums.James has presented to over a thousand people about SYSTEMology and has worked directly with over a hundred business owners himself to implement this methodology.Today we talk with James about when it might be time to outsource and get support systemising your business and how you might go about doing that.James helps us understand when our businesses need help systemising, what that means and how to go about getting specialist help.We have a look at how to identify the signs that your business needs some help, how to determine if a task is better to be outsourced rather than trying to do everything yourself and what the steps are for engaging a systems expert like James.Your business might be making good money, but you feel like you just don’t have your head above water. That may be the time to start thinking about improving your systems.If you’d like to connect with James, you can find his website here:https://www.biztechguru.com.au/Or connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/systemologist/Want to hear more from James? Listen to our previous chat on Episode 52 - The Core Systems Every Business Needs with James Brown from BizTech Guru | PodcastsConnect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are discussing our words of the year and why a word of the year can be more powerful than a New Year Resolution. It is not about perfection; it is all about direction.How you choose your word of the year will be personal to your journey as a small business owner. It should solve a current problem and help guide your decision when things get busy or messy.Your word of the year, like a New Year's Resolution, should make you fee slightly uncomfortable. So some thought is needed to ensure that it motivates change. Some prompt questions could be – What do I need more of this year?, What has been missing?In this episode Kristy-Lee and Matt share their own words of the year. You will be surprised how different they are.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show! Today we are discussing the importance of slowing down to speed up in business, and why we all find it so hard as entrepreneurs and small business owner to take a break, re charge, refill our cup and take the time we need to pause.When we don’t take time to slow down, pause and rest, it’s very easy to get stuck in the weeds, and feel like you’re constantly chasing everything and everyone – and getting nowhere.Taking a break, pausing, slowing down can lead to feelings of guilt, worry and concern about the business – but the reality is the reward is far higher than the risk.When you pause you recharge your battery, both physically and mentally. This allows you to make better decisions, innovate, be creative and strategize better.In this episode Kristy-Lee and Matt share their own experiences and strategies of how slowing down to speed up has helped them in their businesses.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode we’re joined by returning guest Anthony Hopson. When we last had Anthony on the podcast he was talking about his work as a Finance Broker with his business Urban Brokers and today he is back to talk about how he supports business owners in an entirely different way – through teaching Breathwork.As Anthony shares today, how we breathe impacts our work performance, stress management, decision making and emotional regulation. Put simply, our state of being affects our breath, and our breath affects our state of being.Being unable to emotionally regulate can affect our quality of life – relationships at home, work, school, and social interactions. Breathwork can help with this. How we breathe can influence our stress response and how we can regulate from stressful events.In business, this can help with things like decision making, navigating difficult conversations, analysing information and pretty much all aspects of running a business.Breathwork and Ice/cold water immersion can be used therapeutically to: down-regulate and heal from chronic stress’ and trauma; managing anxiety including workplace stress/ task overwhelm and burnout; up-regulate out of depression and enhance energy production; improve sports and workplace performance through achieving higher focus – making more consistent coherent, balanced and emotionally regulated decisions.If you’re interested in learning more and working with Anthony you can contact him on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/the_urbanbroker/Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode Kristy-Lee and Matt are talking through their 2025 years in review, from the lessons learnt to what went well. For many of us it’s been a tough year in business, so we’re not going to sugar coat it, this has been one of those years. Expectations have been high, budgets have been low and tensions have emerged.Then we turn our minds to 2026 and what we have on the horizon, both for the Australian Small Business Show and in our respective businesses, and life in general.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode Kristy-Lee is sharing a simple but really helpful reflection practice that she does at the end of each year to help her start to map out how she will start the year ahead. And to show we walk the talk, we’re going to walk through this exercise live with you.There are 3 questions to ask yourself before the year wraps up:1)    What will you stop doing in 2026?2)   What will you keep doing in the new year?3)   What will you start doing next year?You can ask these questions of yourself for your business as a whole, every part of business, your health, your relationships, or just life!Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you! To sign up to our newsletter, head over to the website at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode we up from last week’s conversation with Elise from Thryv, shifting the focus away from tech tools and toward the deeper systems and processes that make a small business more resilient. As the year winds down and business owners across the country juggle school events, holidays, deadlines, and fatigue, they explore what it really takes to run a business that doesn’t constantly feel like a roller coaster. Our goal: helping small business owners put structure around the day-to-day so the whole operation doesn’t depend on one person showing up perfectly every single day.We begin with the backbone of every successful business, communication. From predictable team meetings to clear communication channels and consistent follow-through, we look at how these rhythms build trust and stability inside a team. Communication isn’t just internal; it’s also how you update customers, manage workflows, and keep everyone aligned when things change. Operations come next, including SOPs, flow charts, calendar structures, and review cycles. We speak candidly about how often small business owners keep everything in their head, even though it’s now easier than ever to capture processes using screen recordings or AI tools. Well-documented processes mean work can continue even when key team members are away, sick, or overloaded. We also explore decision-making frameworks, structures that prevent reactive choices, protect the business from wrong-fit clients, and guide consistent responses when things go wrong, such as losing a major client. Of course we also need systems for how you deliver your product or service. Whether it’s a client experience flow, consistent advice delivery, or using templates and scripts to ensure quality, we highlight how predictable delivery creates trust and scalability. Then there are financial systems. Not just bookkeeping, but true financial visibility. Knowing your numbers, tracking budgets, understanding acquisition metrics, and building recurring revenue models to reduce financial pressure. Finally, we wrap with a reminder that business resilience also depends on personal resilience. Burnout is real, especially at this time of year.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/We’d love to hear from you!Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we’re joined by Elise Balsillie from Thryv to talk about building business resilience and growth through smarter technology.As Head of Thryv Australia and New Zealand, Elise leads teams across customer channels, helping businesses streamline operations, embrace technology and grow with confidence through digital transformation.With more than 25 years of experience in media, education and technology, including two decades at Thryv, Elise is passionate about empowering small businesses and delivering solutions that provide them a competitive edge.Under her leadership, Thryv has been recognized as an 'Employer of Choice' for two consecutive years, reflecting her commitment to people and culture.Elise completed leadership programs from the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Harvard Business School.Connect with Elise and the team at Thryv at www.thyrv.com.auConnect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we’re talking about a time of year we all look forward to, but can often come with unnecessary headaches – Christmas close downs. Here’s what we cover:Communicating the Closure Early:Start telling people now, if you haven’t already. Use every channel: website banner, Google Business Profile, email list, socials, invoice footer, and phone voicemail. Be explicit about things like final working day, re-opening day, response times during shutdown and your emergency contact process (if you offer it). Preparing Your Team: With your staff, ensure you are following the correct process according to the relevant Modern Awards. Lock in leave dates early so there are no surprises and people have time to prepare. Make clear who’s “on call”, if anyone. Double-check payroll runs, public holidays, award requirements, leave loading, contractor cut-off dates.Client Expectations & Boundary Setting: Set boundaries like you mean them: “We are closed — emails will not be answered until X date.” “Urgent work must be booked before X.”Operational Wrap-Up Before Shut Down Checklist to run through:Final billings & invoices outChase debtors before Christmas (January money is imaginary money)Stocktake and re-ordering set for JanuaryAuto-responses set upBackups doneClient files and jobs moved to “ready to resume” status Update your phone voicemail (rookie mistake if you forget)Security & Risk Management:Be sure things are secure. Turn off what should be off. Lock what should be locked. If you’re a physical premises: alarms, cameras, shutters, utilities. If you’re digital: revoke any temp access, update passwords, check MFA settings.Cashflow Strategy for December/January:December can be a cash-in month, use it. If January is quiet considering things like bringing forward billings, pre-sell work for mid-January, offer early-bird discounts for Feb start dates and set aside a “silly-season float” to cover BAS, wages, and GST surprises.Use the Break Properly: This may be the only time that you genuinely get to rest – use it!Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are sharing 6 Sales Tips for Small Business Owners Sales is the lifeblood of every small business. But let’s be real, most of us don’t love it….This episode breaks down how to sell more effectively without feeling “salesy,” and how small business owners can turn conversations into conversions.1. The Mindset Shift: From Selling to Helping People hate being sold to but love being helped. Position your offer as a solution, not a transaction. Reframe sales as serving, you’re solving a problem that matters.2. Know Your Customer:Identify your ideal client, what keeps them up at night? Use their language, not yours. Mirror the way they describe their challenges. Don’t sell to everyone; speak directly to your niche.3. Nail Your Offer:Clarity beats cleverness. Make your product or service easy to understand and buy. Know the what it is that your thing does for your ideal client. 4. Build Trust Before You Pitch:People need at least 6-7 touch points before they will buy. You really need to build the know like and trust factor. Use content (podcasts, blogs, emails, social proof) to show your expertise. Case studies and testimonials are gold. Consistency and authenticity build familiarity, and familiarity builds trust.5. Close the Sale (Without Feeling Awkward):Don’t be afraid to ask for the business. The magic phrase: “Would you like to go ahead?” Handle objections by asking questions: “What’s holding you back?” or “What would make this a yes for you?” Remember, silence isn’t rejection. Give the prospect space to think.6. Follow-Up Like a Pro:Most sales happen after the 5th contact so persistence pays off. Automate where possible (CRM, email reminders). Keep the follow-up warm and human: “Just checking in to see if you had any questions,” not “Are you ready to buy?”Bonus Tip: The Numbers Don’t Lie and Measure What Matters:Track conversion rates, lead sources, and average sale value. Small tweaks in conversion % can create huge profit jumps. Learn from what’s working — then double down.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are joined by returning guest Adrienne Donnelly from Seed Virtual Assistants and Organised by Adrienne to discuss the tricky topic of how to choose the right VA for your small business. Knowing you need (or want) a VA is one thing, but selecting the right one is quite another challenge. In this discussion we unpack how to make a great decision on who you engage as a Virtual Assistant for your small business. Adrienne is an experienced personal virtual assistant and mentor to other established and aspiring VA’s across Australia.Since the beginning, Adrienne has held a passion (and a knack) for all things organisation and facilitation and has made it her business to ensure all the t’s are crossed and the i’s are dotted, offering the ultimate peace of mind to the businesses and individuals she supports. Since launching her business, Adrienne has connected with industry professionals of all kinds. Now, she has a team of specialists that work with her on projects, including other VAs, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, copywriters, website developers and editors. With ever-growing opportunities in the digital world, and the capacity to work remotely, flexibly and often immediately, Adrienne believes that virtual assistants are becoming increasingly sought-after. Adrienne is also a co-founder of The Newcastle Virtual Assistants Network, which has fulfilled a need for connection and collaboration in the industry, and has become an incredible opportunity for local business owners since its inception in 2019. Connect with Adrienne: https://www.organisedbyadrienne.com.au/https://www.seedvirtualassistants.com.au/Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are talking about something that you might think we would have already covered here on the show – what actually is a ‘small business’. We’re looking at this both in terms of what the definitions various government agencies have, as well as our own perception of what small business means.The Definitions that Matter The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) defines a small business as one with under $10 million in annual turnover.The Fair Work Act on the other hand defines a small business as one with fewer than 15 employees.Then we can look at definitions under Australian consumer law, which has elements of both with under 100 employees and less than $10 million in turnover.The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) have other definitions and they say a small business has 5-19 employees (less than that is deemed as a Micro Business).But do these definitions really matter? Or is it how you perceive yourself that mattes more? The reality is Small Businesses make up over 97% of Australian businesses, and we employ around 5 million people. We contribute over one-third of Australia’s GDP, yet we often sell ourselves short in importance as being small.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ ** Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are talking about the support networks we have around us as small business owners with Dr Leanne Faulkner from Fortitude at Work.A little about Leanne:Many people in the business community might know me as “the soap lady” or the “goat lady”. Our youngest son had suffered with eczema from birth and in an effort to ease his discomfort I learned how to make goat’s milk soap as a gentle protective skin care alternative. In 2004, Billie Goat Soap began. It was a humble affair initially and started in my kitchen. By 2010 we had grown to employ over 20 people and sold the products in over 2000 outlets around the country. Billie Goat Soap was the NSW Business Chamber Business of the Year in 2010 and the Myer Supplier of the Year (general cosmetics) at around the same time. I sold Billie Goat in 2012.  The challenges that came with growing a small business came at a cost to my mental health. Needing support, I was shocked to learn that there was nothing available specifically for me – a small business owner.  There were resources available for employees and the general public, but nothing for entrepreneurs and business owners. That put me on a path to lobby for change…Today, I work at the intersection of small business ownership and mental health. It’s quite a unique position. It means I know the realities that come with small business ownership and I am able to link that to our understanding of workplace mental health support strategies. I think it’s fair to say I am obsessed with supporting the mental health and wellbeing of small business owners. To connect with Leanne you can go to: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leannefaulkner/Or her website: https://fortitudeatwork.com.au/Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are tackling the challenging topic of mental health and wellness as an Australian Small Business Owner.Let’s be real – being a small business owner is at times tough, stressful and can feel overwhelming. It’s difficult some days, weeks and months.October is Mental Health Month here in Australia, so we thought this was the perfect time to have a discussion about this.Matt and Kristy-Lee share their experiences on the impact running a small business has had on their mental health over the years, and some of the strategies they have put in place to try and protect their mental wellness.If you need support, there are many options available, including calling Lifeline: 131114Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!This week we are having a follow up discussion from last weeks chat with Amey Lee from Heart Content about Authentic Intelligence.In this episode we discuss how we’re using AI in our businesses, but keeping it real and authentic at the same time. We discuss the current challenges of using AI, and what we are seeing in the industries we work in, service and support when it comes to using AI really effectively.How are you using AI? And how are you balancing not using your true voice in the process? We’d love to hear from you.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are joined by special guest Amey Lee from Heart Content.With years of experience helping brands bring together story, strategy, and content, Amey shows business owners how to increase their impact, streamline their marketing, amplify their message and attract their tribe by harnessing the power of brand story. Her career in brand and marketing spans more than 20 years and includes clients such as Fernwood Fitness, Guild Insurance, Atherton and a role at the BBC where she helped deliver a learning campaign and broke a world record in the process. Amey’s creative brain can turn out winning ideas and brilliant copy, whilst her strategic half is an expert in finding your difference, establishing your value, identifying your audience and translating these ideas into tangible goals that help to grow your business. In this episode we aren’t talking about Brand Strategy though – we’re talking about the other AI – Authentic Intelligence. Amey shares her brilliant thoughts on how to integrate your own authentic intelligence into your content and messaging, in a world where we are all using AI every day.If you’d like to contact Amey you can reach her:At her website: https://www.heartcontent.com.au/On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameylee/On Instagram: @heartcontentauOn Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartcontentauConnect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we’re talking about dealing with difficult people – because let’s face it, if you’re in business, you’ll need to deal with difficult people at some point or another. Whether it’s a customer, client, supplier, even the ATO. It’s not a maybe, it’s a guarantee.As business owners there are different types of difficult people we might encounter. Customers or clients is one type. This might be the complainers, the slow payers, the ones who “know better” or the boundary breakers.Then there are suppliers, ones who provide unreliable deliveries, shifting terms, or ghost you when things go wrong. We also have Referral Partners, perhaps they promise too much and underdeliver, or send you nightmare clients. Then of course there is staff – but that’s for a whole other episode.We then share some practical strategies to help you deal with difficult people:Set Boundaries EarlyContracts, clear payment terms, upfront expectations.Don’t let “just this once” become the norm.Stay Calm, Stay ProfessionalDon’t mirror aggression or emotion — it escalates.Script for customers: “I hear your concern. Here’s what we can do.”Know When to Walk AwayFire a client/referral partner if they’re draining your business.Red flag: If they cost more than they bring in (time, energy, money).Document EverythingEspecially with suppliers and regulators. Email > phone call.Keeps emotion out, creates a paper trail.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are talking about surviving your first firing! When you start hiring staff, you don’t exactly think about how you might fire them, but at some point in your small business journey, terminating the employment of one of your team will be a reality, and let’s be honest, it won’t be fun.In this discussion we look at the emotional toll firing might have on you, and why this causes so many of us to put it off way longer than we should.Kristy-Lee also shares her expertise in the technical legal and compliance side of terminating staff, both within probation and beyond.We then look at what to do after the firing, both when it comes to the individual involved and the team. Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are joined by Shandra Moran from The Transit Lounge to chat about the rise of the service based side business.The Transit Lounge helps Women grow a service-based Side Business to support them in the future – so they can earn great money, doing work they love, without burning out.Before creating the Transit Lounge, Shandra had an eclectic career as…• A national multi-award winning Promotions & Marketing Director in the dynamic Radio industry• Talent Manager for the Merrick & Rosso Show on Foxtel• Head of People & Operations at a human performance consultancy– including managing one of the largest organisational culture change programs ever undertaken in AustraliaShe is also a qualified Executive, Business and Results coach, has completed the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction [MBSR] program, is an accredited international Money Breakthrough Coach, Podcast Host and co author of international best selling book Elevate Your Success.Shandra believes in lifelong learning, applying what I learn and sharing it with others so they can apply it too. I want to help as many people as possible to earn great money doing what they love, without burning out on the way.Shandra wants to help as many people as possible to create that world, by helping them to earn great money, doing what they love, without burning out on the way.If you’d like to connect with Shandra, you can visit her website here: https://thetransitlounge.com/You can connect with her on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shandramoran/Or on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/thetransitloungeConnect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are unpacking the results of a recent report produced by Xero called ‘It’s Your Business – How Entrepreneurs are Redefining Their Success in Today’s World’.There are 2.6m small businesses in Australia, making up 97% of all businesses, contributing $590bn to GDP and employing 5.4m people.Xero surveyed 500 Australian small business owners for this survey and the findings were really interesting. We really enjoyed unpacking some of the key concepts and findings in this discussion. Entrepreneur ArchetypesThe research identifies three main archetypes:Lifestyle Entrepreneurs (47%)Motivated by freedom, work-life balance, and doing work they enjoy. Success= time with family, flexibility, and meaningful work.Ambitious Achievers (30%)Motivated by growth, brand-building, and financial independence. Success = scaling fast, creating legacies, building household names. Situational Founders (23%)Motivated by circumstance (redundancy, migration, lack of jobs). Success = stability, independence, and serving their communities. Success, Goals & GapsMost entrepreneurs feel successful (96% say they are or on the way), but:Only 31% have an endgame (succession or exit strategy).Nearly half (49%) lack long-term goals beyond 3 years.43% don’t have a succession plan – leaving future continuity at risk.Power of Advisory & Support Networks86% of entrepreneurs use an advisor (accountant, bookkeeper, coach). Those who do: 62% reported revenue growth (vs 37% without) and 74% feel confident running their business (vs 53% without). Advisors influence more than compliance – trust, emotional support, strategy, tech adoption, and HR guidance.Beyond advisors, owners rely on Google, peers, and family/friends for advice – not always reliable.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live –check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/ * Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are taking a look at the recently implemented Right to Disconnect Laws which came into place for small businesses on the 26th August 2025.In this episode we unpack what the right to disconnect is and what it actually means, we discuss the implementation, pathway and why this matters for small business now and we take a look at what will it actually mean for your businesses in practical terms.I also share some real life examples of what I am seeing play out with the clients I am working with and how they are implementing the right to disconnect. If you need support with the Right to Disconnect, I’d love to invite you to the People Powered HR community – you can get all the details and join us here: https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au/pphrConnect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are welcoming back returning guest Ryan Griffin from Chunky Duck.Like many of us entrepreneurs, Ryan’s journey to his current business has not been a straight line. Initially a professional baseball player, he returned to Australia ready to start his career in digital marketing. He worked for many years in marketing agency before turning to scuba diving and juggling freelancing. As Covid hit he went all in on his own digital agency – now known as Chunky Duck.In today’s discussion Ryan talks to us about engaging a creative, digital or full service agency – like Chunky Duck for your small business. In this discussion we unpack: What an agency can do for your small business When to outsource to an agency Why specialist help might be the right move Why doing it yourself is (often) not the best answer.If you’d like to connect with Ryan you can find him on LinkedIn here, or head over to Chunky Duck to check out their work.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live –check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In today’s episode we are chatting about your zone of genius, and asking you how much time you’re spending there…This concept comes from a great book, called The Big Leap by author Gay Hendricks (you can pick it up at your favourite book store).In the book the author explores the premise that there are 4 distinct ‘zones’ that we can work in, and that many of us spend our live (both work and personal) not doing things that are aligned with our zone of genius – which is where we can have the biggest impact on the world, and those around us.The 4 zones as we unpack them are:The Zone of Incompetence: doing things you’re not good at and are better done by someone else The Zone of Competence: doing things you’re good, but not great at. Doing the ‘busy’ work rather than the important work.The Zone of Excellent: doing things you’re great at, and get paid well for, often what you’ve built a career from. But the things that ultimately don’t light you up, that make you feel burnt out and can become bored of.The Zone of Genius: where things flow, feel easy and time seems to disappear. Doing work here is where you can have the biggest impact and create the most value.With this in mind, where are you spending your time? Let us know on our socials.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In today’s episode we are posing the question: what traits to successful small business owners have in common? To prepare for this recording, Kristy-Lee and Matt wrote down their own observations and thoughts on the 5 traits they see most often amongst the successful small business owners they work with, and compared notes in the discussion.From resilience to knowing your numbers and how much grit you have – we only had one shared trait, but they all circled in similar territories.What about you? What traits do you think it takes to be a successful small business owner? Let us know on our socials.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/Exciting news: our website is live – check it out at: https://www.theaustraliansmallbusinessshow.com.au/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of TheAustralian Small Business Show!In this episode we are joined by Tony Caine from Grow Wealth Solutions to talk about his book MoneyLife: A Blueprint for Financial Success and Happiness.Tony is a Finance Coach who has helped thousands of clients, including hundreds of professional athletes, take control of their finances and build wealth through expert finance coaching. With over a decade of experience since 2008, Tony is a published author, podcaster, and holds an MBA. In this discussion Tony discusses his background and journey to being a financial coach (and spoiler: it wasn’t his original career plan) and also what inspired him to write his book, and how the book can support you to achieve financial success and happiness in your life as a small business owner.To get a copy of Tony’s book you can do so via his Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/tonycaine/Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small BusinessOwner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode we’re talking about our employees, and specifically setting KPI’s for your team.We start by looking at what a KPI actually is. KPI is an acronym that stands for Key Performance Indicator. They are also sometimes referred to as KRA’s – Key Result Area or simply goals.Put simply they are a measure of how successful someone is in their role. Matt had some great questions about the difference between ‘doing your job’ and performing your job description, and KPI’s.We also discuss when, how and why to set KPI’s and then how to assess and measure them.Importantly we also chat about what to do when an employee isn’t meeting their KPI’s.What about you? Do you set KPI’s for your team members?Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this episode we’re discussing a new topic – shrinkflation. Shrinkflation is the strategy of reducing the size or scope of a product or service while keeping the price the same. It’s a strategy that has long been popular in big business, especially in times like this where the rising cost of doing business is really escalating.Some examples you might have noticed as a consumer:Chocolate blocks shrinking from 250g to 200g. Toilet rolls with fewer sheets. Coffee bags that say “250g” but contain 200g.Often unnoticed at first – it’s a stealth inflation strategy. But when people do notice, they do talk about it. So the key is subtlety and value alignment.Why Shrinkflation Matters for Small Business OwnersMost small businesses are feeling the squeeze. Cost of materials has gone up. Labour is more expensive. Delivery, packaging, software – all up.In this environment you’ve often got two options: raise prices or tweak your offer.Shrinkflation gives you a third lever: adjust quantity or scope without jarring your customers.Communicating Shrinkflation Without Damaging TrustThis is the line between strategy and “sneaky.” Be transparent when customers will notice quickly or compare, it gives you a chance to reinforce value (e.g., “we’ve streamlined the package to make it more focused”) or when quality has improved in another way (e.g., faster turnaround, better experience).It’s not about tricking people – it’s about staying in business without pricing yourself out of the market. Be strategic. Be smart. And always keep value front and centre.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show! In this episode we are joined by Alex Solo from Sprint Law to talk legal essentials for small businesses. Alex is a lawyer, entrepreneur and co-founder of Sprintlaw, an international law/tech firm that’s transforming the way legal services are delivered to small businesses. Sprintlaw operates in Australia, New Zealand and the UK and has won many industry awards, including being listed as the fastest growing legal business in the Asia Pacific region by the Financial Times in 2022. As a lawyer, Alex specialises in the technology space and was named one of Australia’s Most Influential Lawyers by Australasian Lawyer in 2022, one of Asia Law Portal’s “30 People to Watch” in the Business of Law in Asia in 2020 and was selected by Lawyer’s Weekly as the top under 30 technology & media lawyer in Australia in 2019.In this discussion we talk to Alex about the core fundamentals from a legal perspective in terms of protecting your business from risk.Specifically we chatted about:·       Business structures, getting it right, and making sure you have the right things in place legally·       Branding, business names and protecting your Intellectual Property·       Key contracts to have both for customers and suppliers·       Privacy, digital presence and data protectionIf you’d like to connect with Alex and the team at Sprintlaw visit their website here: https://sprintlaw.com.au/Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this weeks episode we are unpacking key 1 July updates that Australian small businesses need to be across, and what they might mean for your business.Specifically in this episode we discuss the following changes which begin in 1 July 2025:·       Updates from ASIC including an increase in business name registration fees, company registration fees and annual company renewal fees;·       The previously discussed 3.5% increased to the National Minimum Wage and the Modern Award minimum rates of pay·       Superannuation increasing from 11.5% to 12%·       The expansion of the Parental Leave Pay Scheme both in relation to the increase in days and the addition of superannuation to this payment·       The removal of the ability to claim a tax deduction on ATO debt interest charges ·       The energy bill relief that eligible small businesses will get access to In addition, we talk about the upcoming changes to superannuation legislation which will have a big impact not only on funds with over $3 million dollars, but the flow on effect this will have on superannuation more broadly.We discuss the right to disconnect laws that will be in place for small businesses from the 26th august and what this means. And finally we take a look at new obligations for tax practitioners and how this will impact all small businesses.Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information sharedon The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does notconstitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consultingwith your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this weeks episode we are following up with our conversation last week with James Brown from BizTech Guru – on systems!Today we’re talking about why a new financial year is a great time to re visit your systems and look at what’s working, what’s not, and what you need to fix first.We chat about doing an audit on where you’re spending your time, and where you’ve experienced some pain points or bottle necks over the last 12 months to look at where things need to change, and then zooming up to take a helicopter view to look at systems in all areas of your business including:Client OnboardingFinancesPeople & HRMarketing & Social MediaInternal Communications & SOPsSo, how to choose what to work on first? Take a look at where you can get maximum impact with smallest effort and pick a quick win to get you started and get the momentum moving.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are joined by special guest James Brown from BizTech Guru to talk all things systems and processes in your business.James is a Certified Master SYSTEMologist® | SME Technology Expert | Time-Saving Specialist | Business Systemisation Pro.James stands at the forefront of business operation simplification, with a rich 20-year history spanning from manufacturing to tourism, currently specialising in construction and building trades.Through his venture, BizTech Guru, he introduces business owners to SYSTEMology and worksclosely with David Jenyns, the founder of systemHUB and the SYSTEMology movement, diving deep into the methodology and building out course curriculums.James has presented to over a thousand people about SYSTEMology and has worked directly with over a hundred business owners himself to implement this methodology.In this episode we chat to James about the core systems every business needs, and it doesn’t start where you think. It starts with where the business owner is spending their time, and what systems we need to free us up, to focus on the important things.James talks about systemising to create leverage – at every level. If you’d like to connect with James, you can find his website here: https://www.biztechguru.com.au/ Or connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/systemologist/Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!In this weeks episode we’re sharing something we’ve noticed amongst the clients we are working with at the moment – that business is a little tough for some right now.So we decided to share our belief that self care is not selfish, and discuss some of the strategies that we are using to help us stay resilient even when things are tough.We share the routines, activities and hobbies that help us now, and how these have evolved over the years, but these are just ideas, this is about finding strategies that work for you – things you can do to keep yourself grounded and present, no mater what else is happening.Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!This week we have a brief but important technical update for you after the Fair Work Commission announced its decision around the National Minimum Wage increase effective 1 July.This year we have a 3.5% wage increase being applied to the National Minimum Wage and all Modern Award Minimum Wages effective 1 July 2025. But really, in the scheme of the changes happening in the Industrial Relations legal landscape over the last 2 years, this isn’t the biggest change we need to ensure we’re across.We have yet another increase to Superannuation on the 1st July 2025, and of course the final implementation phase of the Right to Disconnect laws in August 2025.This is on top of the last 12 months significant changes to the casual employment definition, the new pathway for casual conversion and the constantly murky area of employees v’s contractors conundrum – all of which employers are still struggling to grapple with.The reality is, as an employer it is our responsibility to proactively keep up with these changes, so if you’re not across them, now is the time to get support and ensure your business is not at risk. Connect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today we are joined by special guest Warwick Jackson from Fox Group Chartered Accountants to talk tax planning.Warick shares his expertise in our discussion about:·      When effective tax planning should occur·      What to ask your accountant (and what they should be talking to you about)·      Tax planning basics·       More complex tax planning considerations·       The Instant Asset Write Off options·       Tax planning depending on your business structure ·       Plus more!If you’d like to connect with Warwick you can find the details on their website here:https://www.foxgroup.com.au/Or connect with him on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/warwick-jackson-2744b615/ Connect with Us:If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Pagea like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here:https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.

Welcome to this weeks’ episode of The Australian Small Business Show!Today Kristy-Lee is sharing her insights into the different ‘Boss Types’ that she teaches about and we discuss why it matters, and why you don’t need to change.Understanding this is something that most business owners overlook… and it’s the reason so many people feel like they’re constantly fixing things, chasing people, and wondering why their team still leans on them for every little decision. The way you naturally lead — your Boss Style — is either helping your team step up… or keeping them stuck.This is not about changing who you are. It’s about leveraging your leadership superpowers and filling the gaps.Kristy-Lee's 4 key boss types are:The Decision Driver - fast-moving, results-focused, thrives on making calls and getting stuff doneThe Influential Inspirer — charismatic, idea-driven, the team cheerleader who brings the energyThe Supportive Stabiliser — calm, loyal, reliable, the one keeping everyone groundedThe Calculating Conductor — strategic, detail-oriented, always thinking 5 steps aheadEach style has amazing strengths… and some blind spots.Also, Kristy-Lee shared some insights about her brand new People Powered Leaders Club. If you’re interested to learn more, simply follow this link: https://www.peoplepoweredbusiness.com.au/clubConnect with Us: If you're an Australian Small Business Owner, we'd love to connect with you on socials. You can give our Facebook Page a like here: https://www.facebook.com/theaustraliansmallbusinessshowOr follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/* Disclaimer: The information shared on The Australian Small Business Show is general in nature and does not constitute professional advice, legal or otherwise. We recommend consulting with your advisors on your specific circumstances.