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/bssw

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: @heartcontentau

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heartcontentau

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!

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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/

1. 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/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 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/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.

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 | Podcasts

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!

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/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow

Or 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/theaustraliansmallbusinessshow

Or 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.