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.

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/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 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 Show

In 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/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.