Australian small business owners often hear federal budget announcements framed around households, housing, and economic growth, but the real question is what those announcements mean for the people running businesses. This budget includes several tax, compliance, and cash flow measures that may affect business owners both professionally and personally. While some initiatives provide opportunities, others may increase complexity, change investment decisions, or influence long

Life as a small business owner can feel isolating, especially when the people around you do not fully understand the pressure, uncertainty and constant decision-making that comes with business ownership. Many business owners want connection, support and practical advice, but struggle to find communities that are genuinely helpful rather than sales-focused. This is particularly true for owners who are time-poor, work remotely, run lean teams or simply do not enjoy traditional

Artificial intelligence is helping Australian small business owners save time, create content faster, automate repetitive tasks and streamline operations. But there are also areas where using AI can create serious legal, financial and operational risks if you rely on it too heavily or without proper oversight. The biggest danger is that AI tools sound confident even when they are completely wrong, which makes it easy for business owners to trust inaccurate information. This i

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 fin

Small business owners across Australia often blur the line between sales and marketing, which leads to missed opportunities and lost revenue. Understanding how these two functions work together is critical if you want consistent growth, not just bursts of activity. When you treat marketing and sales as separate but connected systems, you stop leaving money on the table and start converting more of the effort you are already putting in. This is especially important in today’s

Running a business for two decades is rare, especially in Australia where many small businesses don’t make it past the first few years. Longevity comes down to a mix of adaptability, market awareness, and resilience, not just a good idea at the start. For small business owners, the real challenge is not launching but staying relevant, profitable, and sustainable over time. This is about what it actually takes to build a business that lasts through economic shifts, industry ch

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 define

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. 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.

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,

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 gui

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 h

Why Resilience Isn’t a Personality Trait Resilience is often framed as something you’re born with, but in business, it’s far more practical than that. Resilience isn’t about being tougher, grittier, or more determined than the next business owner. It’s about structure. The most resilient businesses are run by business owners with dependable systems that continue working even when the market is unpredictable. And while technology plays a role, no piece of software can compensa

Most small business owners didn’t start their business because they love selling. You started because you have a skill, a passion, or a dream. But as you know: without sales, there’s no business. And yet many of us freeze at the word “selling.” It conjures pushy brochures, cold calls and uncomfortable conversations. What if I told you it doesn’t have to feel that way? What if you could sell simply by being helpful? Here are some quick sales tips. The Mindset Shift: From “I’ve

Is it a silly question to ask. If Kristy asked me who our target audience is, I say someone that is running their own small business. The term is used everywhere— in government policy, in media headlines, and in the conversations we have with other business owners. But have you ever stopped to ask: what actually makes a business “small”? Depending on who you ask, the definition changes — sometimes a little, sometimes a lot. But understanding which version applies to you can m

Working in Your Zone of Genius Lest take a look back at Episode 60 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

When running your business, there is one thing that is certain - you will meet difficult people. It’s a client who never listens, a...

Welcome to this week’s episode of The Australian Small Business Show! Today, we’re diving into a topic that every small business owner...

Yes, we are now on YouTube. Let's take a look back at Episode 37, wh ere we dive into the essential mindset shifts, systems, and...

Introduction: In the ultra-connected ‘always contactable’ world, the lines between work and personal time have been becoming increasingly...

Ever feel like you’re busy all day but not actually moving your business forward? You’re not alone. Most small business owners I work...