Hello and welcome to this weeks episode of The Australian Small Business Show!

In this episode we dive into the rapid rise of AI and why, despite all the benefits, there are some real risks small business owners need to be aware of.

We explore how easy it is to get caught up in the time saving and efficiency gains, and why that can sometimes lead to using AI in areas where it simply should not be trusted. From hallucinations to confidently incorrect answers, we unpack why AI can sound convincing even when it is completely wrong.

We also discuss the high risk areas where using AI can create serious consequences for your business. This includes legal advice, financial reporting, HR decisions and contracts, where getting it wrong is not just inconvenient but potentially very costly.

We share real examples and scenarios where relying on AI could land you in trouble, and why the responsibility always sits with you as the business owner, not the technology.

Another key focus in this episode is the importance of critical thinking, human oversight and knowing when to seek expert advice. We talk about the hidden risks around data security, AI agents and team usage, and why having a clear AI policy in your business is becoming essential. We also reflect on when using AI can actually cost you more time rather than save it, especially when you factor in reviewing and correcting its output.

Finally, we wrap up with practical guidance on how to approach AI in your business. We are not saying do not use it, because there are incredible benefits, but we are encouraging you to be intentional, cautious and clear on where it fits. If the stakes are high, it is simply not worth the 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/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow

Or follow us on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/aussmallbizshow/

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.

Intro Music Credit: Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):

https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/funky-junk

License code: 5IA1B1XF5NGPXI2T

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.au

Or join her Facebook Group here:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/grantwritingacademy

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’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/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’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/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’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/handled

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.