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Most business owners know what they should be doing but knowing and doing are two very different things.

In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal explore why business owners procrastinate, avoid important decisions and stay busy without necessarily moving their business forward.

They discuss:

• Why being busy doesn’t always mean being productive or profitable
• The hidden cost of putting off bookkeeping, marketing and client follow-up
• How overwhelm and too many choices can stop you from taking action
• The difference between an employee mindset and a business-owner mindset
• Fear of failure, fear of success and imposter syndrome
• Why business owners must take responsibility even when tasks are delegated
• How poor leadership affects employees, customers and cash flow
• The value of systems, procedures and a business “playbook”
• Why habits are more reliable than motivation
• How accountability, peer groups and business coaching can help
• A simple “to-do” and “to-don’t” list to make priorities more manageable

You’ll also hear the memorable story of the dog on the side of the road and why ignoring warning signs can allow a business to become progressively “sicker.”

The challenge from this episode is simple: choose one important task you’ve been avoiding and decide whether to do it, delegate it or deliberately remove it from your list.

If you’re a small business owner, tradie, consultant or service-business operator who struggles with procrastination, business overwhelm, time management or accountability, this episode will help you take back control.

Subscribe to Small Business Sorted for practical, honest conversations about running and growing a small business.

Small Business Sorted with Kay and Crystal is also broadcast on Radio Northern Beaches on 88.7 and 90.3 FM.

#SmallBusiness #BusinessOwners #BusinessCoaching #Procrastination #Productivity #TimeManagement #BusinessMindset #Leadership #SmallBusinessTips #AustralianBusiness

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

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In this powerful and deeply human episode, Kay and Crystal sit down with Northern Beaches business owner, caterer, event producer, author, and funeral director Karin Slade—a woman reshaping how Australians think about saying goodbye. After experiencing “eight deaths in five months” and attending “three funerals on three Fridays in a row” , Karin realised how impersonal, rushed, and emotionally disconnected traditional funerals can feel. That experience sparked her mission to help families create farewells that are meaningful, personal, and truly reflective of the person being celebrated.

Karin shares how her event‑production background and decades of bringing people together now inform her work through Funerals by Design, where she asks deeper questions, challenges outdated norms, and empowers families to slow down, breathe, and honour their loved one in a way that feels right—not just “the way it’s always been done.” From holding ceremonies at meaningful locations to involving children in the process, to rethinking flowers, wakes, and the role of celebrants, Karin offers practical guidance that removes stress and brings dignity back to the farewell.

You’ll hear stories of grief, anger, healing, and courage—including Karin’s reflections on how personalised rituals can support families through shock, sudden loss, long goodbyes, and everything in between. This conversation is honest, warm, and full of insights that will change how you think about funerals forever.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

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Are you overwhelmed by administration and wondering whether outsourcing or hiring a virtual assistant could help your small business?

In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal sit down with Angie Beale from Offshore Virtual Assistants to explore the realities of outsourcing for small-business owners.

Angie explains what business owners should delegate first, why clear systems and processes are essential, and how to build a productive relationship with an offshore virtual assistant.

She also shares the story behind her longstanding Filipino team, the valuable cultural strengths they bring to their roles and the common mistakes businesses make when outsourcing.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL LEARN:

• What tasks a small business should outsource first
• How to decide what to delegate and what to retain
• Why systems and documented processes matter
• How a virtual assistant can reduce administrative pressure
• The importance of communication, training and expectations
• Common outsourcing mistakes and how to avoid them
• How to integrate an offshore team member into your business
• The strengths Filipino virtual assistants can bring to a team
• How outsourcing can support sustainable business growth
• Why outsourcing is more than simply finding cheaper labour

This practical and honest conversation is ideal for small-business owners, tradies and service-based businesses who want to save time, reduce chaos and build a business that can operate without the owner managing every task.

CONTACT ANGIE BEALE:

Angie Beale is the founder of Offshore Virtual Assistants, helping Australian businesses save time, reduce administrative pressure and grow through carefully selected and supported offshore team members.

With extensive experience building and managing a longstanding team in the Philippines, Angie understands that successful outsourcing involves much more than delegating tasks. She helps business owners establish clear systems, improve communication and integrate virtual assistants into their teams effectively.

Angie is passionate about connecting businesses with reliable, capable professionals who can provide ongoing support and become valued members of the organisation.

Website: https://www.offshorevirtualassistants.com.au
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelabeale/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OffshoreVirtualAssistants/

Listen to the episode:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2600368/episodes/19757828

Small Business Sorted with Kay and Crystal delivers practical, jargon-free conversations for Australian small-business owners.

#SmallBusinessOutsourcing #VirtualAssistant #OffshoreVirtualAssistant #Outsourcing #DelegateToGrow #BusinessSystems #BusinessAutomation #SmallBusinessAustralia #FilipinoVirtualAssistant #BusinessGrowth #TimeManagement #BusinessOwner #SmallBusinessTips #OffshoreTeam #SmallBusinessSorted

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

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Thinking about selling your business, retiring or stepping away one day?

In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal unpack the real-world process of exiting a small business and explain why successful business exit planning should begin well before you are ready to sell.

They share honest stories about rushed business exits, unexpected valuations, staff reactions and the emotional impact of leaving a business that has been a major part of your life.

YOU WILL LEARN HOW TO:

• Start planning your business exit early and establish a realistic timeline.
• Work out your financial freedom number.
• Understand your personal financial position before selling.
• Prepare accurate books and financial records for a business sale.
• Improve profitability and cash-flow sustainability.
• Reduce the business’s dependence on you as the owner.
• Build reliable systems that allow the business to operate without you.
• Diversify your customer base and reduce concentration risk.
• Identify the risks that could reduce your business valuation.
• Protect your staff, customers, reputation and legacy during the transition.

THIS EPISODE ALSO COVERS:

• How small businesses are valued.
• Goodwill and what creates genuine business value.
• Preparing a business for sale.
• Staff communication and transition planning.
• Customer and client retention strategies.
• Succession planning for small-business owners.
• Protecting the legacy you have worked hard to build.
• Creating a more valuable, saleable and owner-independent business.

Whether you are planning to sell your business soon, preparing for retirement, considering succession or simply want to build a stronger business, this episode will help you understand what buyers look for and what you can do now to improve your options.

Small Business Sorted with Kay and Crystal delivers practical, jargon-free advice for Australian small-business owners, tradies and service-based businesses.

#BusinessExit #ExitPlanning #SellingABusiness #BusinessValuation #SuccessionPlanning #SmallBusinessAustralia #BusinessForSale #RetirementPlanning #BusinessGrowth #SmallBusinessTips #BusinessSystems #CashFlow #Goodwill #BusinessOwner #SmallBusinessSorted

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

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What really happens behind the scenes in Australia’s most recognised handyman franchise Hire A Hubby?
In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal sit down with Jim Kelly (Hire A Hubby Mona Vale & Balgowlah) and Giles Smith (Hire A Hubby Forestville) two of the Northern Beaches’ highest‑rated handyman franchisees.

Jim brings 30+ years of franchising and customer service experience, multiple Franchisee of the Year awards. Giles shares his journey from Cornwall farm kid → CIO → children’s book author → one of Sydney’s most Google‑rated handymen.

Together, they unpack:

• How they got into Hire A Hubby including surfing conversations, failed ventures, and “do what you love” moments
• Why franchising reduces risk and how buying an existing customer base changes everything
• The three biggest complaints in the handyman industry (and how good operators avoid them)
• How to manage staff, avoid burnout, and stop the boom‑and‑bust cycle of tradie work
• The real misconceptions about handymen and why the job requires massive skill breadth
• Their biggest mistakes, warranty nightmares, and how they fixed them fast
• The habits and systems that keep their businesses profitable and customers loyal

You’ll also hear brilliant stories from spray‑painting a neighbour’s house by accident to the infamous “wrong letterbox saga” plus practical advice for any small‑business owner about hiring, quoting, communication, and protecting your sanity.

Perfect for:
Small business owners, tradies, franchise buyers, Northern Beaches locals, and anyone curious about what it really takes to run a successful service‑based Handyman Property Maintenience business.

Contact - Hire A Hubby - https://hireahubby.com.au/

Giles Smith - Hire A Hubby Forestville
Jim Kelly - Hire A Hubby Mona Vale and Balgowlah

#SmallBusinessSorted #HireAHubby #BNIAustralia #BNISydney #HandymanBusiness #TradieBusiness #FranchiseBusiness #SmallBusinessAustralia #NorthernBeachesBusiness #PropertyMaintenance #BusinessGrowth #CustomerService #BusinessSystems #TradieLife #PodcastAustralia

Hire A Hubby, Giles Smith, Jim Kelly, Hire A Hubby Forestville, Hire A Hubby Mona Vale, Hire A Hubby Balgowlah, handyman franchise Australia, Australian franchise podcast, tradie business advice, property maintenance business, Small Business Sorted podcast.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

Thinking about exiting your business - now or someday?
In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal dive deep into the 10 real reasons small business owners choose (or are forced) to exit their business, and what you can do to prepare long before the pressure hits.

From retirement, burnout, losing passion, industry changes, health issues, partnership breakdowns, and financial decline, we unpack the honest conversations business owners rarely have but absolutely should.

You’ll hear real stories from our own experiences, including:

• Kay selling her First Class Accounts franchise and rediscovering her passion for bookkeeping after finding The Strategic Bookkeeper (“she just reignited something in me” )
• Crystal’s wake‑up call during emergency surgery (“no one knows everything about what I’ve got” )
• Clients who faced sudden illness, unexpected offers, industry disruption, and the harsh reality of declining profitability
• Why burnout often shows up as snapping at family, heart palpitations, and feeling constantly “on” (“I don’t relax. I can’t relax.” )

We also explore:
-How AI and automation are reshaping industries
-Why selling when your business is performing well matters
-The danger of handshake partnerships
-What happens when your wealth is tied up in the business
-Why every owner needs an exit plan even if you’re not ready to leave

If you’ve ever wondered “Would I buy my business today?”, this episode will give you clarity, direction, and a few laughs along the way.

#SmallBusinessSorted #BusinessExitStrategy #ExitPlanning #BusinessSuccession #SuccessionPlanning #SellingABusiness #BusinessValuation #SmallBusinessAustralia #AustralianBusiness #BusinessOwners #BusinessGrowth #BusinessPlanning #BusinessBurnout #BusinessPartnerships #FutureProofYourBusiness

#NorthernBeachesBusiness #SydneySmallBusiness #WomenInBusinessAustralia #BusinessPodcast #AustralianPodcast

#SmallBusinessSorted #ExitPlanning #BusinessExitStrategy #SuccessionPlanning #SellingABusiness #BusinessValuation #SmallBusinessAustralia #BusinessOwners #BusinessBurnout #BusinessPodcast

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

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Are you undercharging, doing everything yourself or running your business without fully understanding your numbers?

In this episode of Small Business Sorted, business growth coach Crystal Petzer and bookkeeper Kay Godfrey reveal 10 common small business mistakes and practical ways to avoid them.

Drawing on their experience running businesses and helping Australian business owners, Kay and Crystal explore the problems that can damage your cash flow, profitability, team, customer experience and long-term business growth.

The 10 small business mistakes covered are:

1. Not knowing your numbers
2. Pricing too low and undercharging
3. Trying to do everything yourself
4. Operating without proper systems and processes
5. Hiring employees too quickly—or waiting too long
6. Avoiding difficult conversations
7. Not marketing consistently
8. Ignoring the customer experience
9. Failing to plan ahead
10. Not looking after yourself as the business owner

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why understanding profit, cash flow and job profitability matters
• How undercharging affects every part of your business
• Why delegation is essential for sustainable business growth
• How systems and procedures reduce business chaos
• When to hire your next employee
• How to approach difficult conversations with staff and customers
• Why marketing must continue when you’re busy
• How customer experience affects referrals and repeat business
• How a simple 90-day business plan can create direction
• Why business-owner burnout affects decision-making and performance

Whether you’re a tradie, service provider, consultant, entrepreneur or established business owner, this episode will help you recognise the habits and decisions that may be holding your business back.

If you recognise several of these mistakes, don’t panic. Choose one area, take one practical step and start improving it today.

#SmallBusinessSorted #SmallBusinessMistakes #SmallBusinessAustralia #BusinessGrowth #BusinessCoach #KnowYourNumbers #BusinessPricing #CashFlow #Profitability #BusinessSystems #Delegation #CustomerExperience #BusinessPlanning #BusinessOwnerBurnout #TradieBusiness #ServiceBusiness #AustralianBusinessPodcast #NorthernBeachesBusiness

Connect with Small Business Sorted:

Crystal Petzer – Business Growth Coach
https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/

Kay Godfrey – Up Up and Away Bookkeeping
https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches – 88.7 or 90.3 FM
https://www.rnb.org.au/

Email: radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

Follow Small Business Sorted for practical Australian small business advice covering business growth, finance, pricing, leadership, staffing, marketing and business systems.

#SmallBusinessMistakes #SmallBusinessAustralia #BusinessGrowth #BusinessAdvice #CashFlow #BusinessPricing #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessSorted

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.