Running a business often comes with the constant pressure to reduce expenses and improve profit. But what if cost cutting alone isn’t the right answer? What if the real opportunity lies in rethinking how you resource, structure, and invest in your business rather than simply slashing spending? In this episode, host Paul Sweeney sits down with entrepreneur […]
Running a business becomes overwhelming when your data, systems, and processes slip into chaos—making it harder to make smart decisions, stay profitable, and plan for the future. In this episode, you’ll learn exactly how to clean up your business data, streamline your systems, and set up a structure that gives you clarity, confidence, and control. […]
If you’ve ever wondered how to scale your business from a solo operation to a multimillion-dollar enterprise — without outside investors — this episode is for you. Bryan Clayton, CEO and co-founder of GreenPal, joins host Paul Sweeney to share his journey from mowing lawns to building a $30 million tech company serving over 300,000 […]
What if your business could run smoothly—even grow—without you being the one to make every decision, solve every problem, or put out every fire? It’s not a fantasy. It’s completely possible. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney chats with Ryan Cassin, founder of Superpowers HQ, about how entrepreneurs can finally […]
If you’ve ever struggled to find funding for your start-up or early-stage business, this episode is for you. Many founders assume that capital raising is only for big corporations or venture-backed tech firms—but as Dr David Cunic reveals, small business owners can access funding too, if they know where to look and how to prepare. […]
What if your business was built to outlast you? In this inspiring episode, Dave Munson, founder of Saddleback Leather Company, shares how he turned a simple idea for a long-lasting leather bag into a global brand known for its craftsmanship, purpose, and impact. Listeners will learn how to create a purpose-driven business that combines quality, sustainability, and […]
Are you treating your LinkedIn profile like just another digital résumé? If so, you’re missing one of the most powerful business tools available. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with Al Kushner—LinkedIn strategist, keynote speaker, and author of The AI LinkedIn Advantage—to uncover how business owners can use LinkedIn and […]
If you think ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) only applies to big corporations, think again. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney welcomes back author and small business champion Bronwyn Reid to explain why ESG matters for SMEs. Bronwyn shows how ESG isn’t just box-ticking—it’s about building resilient businesses that attract […]
Building a business that lasts isn’t about luck, start-up capital, or chasing every new trend—it’s about discipline, structure, and creating harmony between your work and personal life. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with serial entrepreneur Lance Cayko, co-founder of F9 Productions and host of the Inside the Firm podcast. […]
In today’s digital world, it’s easy to get caught up in chasing algorithms and producing content at scale—only to lose sight of the real goal: connecting with people. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney sits down with TEDx speaker, author, and social media strategist Robin Nathaniel to explore how […]
In today’s digital world, standing out as a small business feels harder than ever. Between endless noise, flashy marketing tactics, and conflicting advice, many business owners are left frustrated with wasted time and money. But what if narrowing your focus could actually unlock growth? In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, Paul Sweeney sits […]
Too many business owners chase revenue while overlooking the bigger picture—building wealth and long-term value. In this episode of The Business Behind Your Business, host Paul Sweeney speaks with Stephanie Hayes, business and exit strategist and founder of Assets to Exits. Stephanie explains why every business owner, regardless of size or stage, needs to think about an […]
Have you been reflecting on your business over the holidays? Maybe you have found some things that aren’t working well, things that you want to do differently. Or perhaps you aren’t even sure where to start. Don’t worry, we have some inspiration to help you kick-start your business this year. Paul Sweeney shares some of […]
We hope you got some inspiration from last week’s ‘kick-start your business’ podcast. We have another dose ready for you this week on The Business Behind Your Business. While we have all been experiencing many challenges over the past couple of years, we want to see businesses flourishing, despite the bumpy road. That is why we […]
Is your business losing profits to expensive and unnecessary FX conversions? These costs are often ‘hidden’ but can go up to 5% each time you bring money back, or pay global expenses. In this episode we talk to Henry Broad from Airwallex who have developed a solution to this problem. Essentially, Airwallex provide a cheaper […]
Planning for your retirement? Or do you look at retirement as something to think of ‘down the track’? Many business owners don’t plan properly for their retirement. And many rely on selling their business to fund their retirement. But will that provide the lifestyle that you’ve been dreaming of? Find out what else you should […]
Did you know there are many grants and incentives to help fund early stage innovation companies? And small and medium businesses can access them – they are not just for the large companies. Peter Towers from ESS BizTools explains what opportunities are available around research and development. Find out about the application process and steps […]
How do you determine what your business strategy and plan should be? How do you identify what your successful business should look like? What goals and targets should you set for your business this year? The first question you should be asking is ‘why?’ Asking ‘Why’? Has become a key process for business owners, made […]
What is revenue and why is it so important? Let’s start with looking at profit. Profit is the outcome; the end result. It’s quite simply what’s left over from your revenue when you deduct your expenses. Profit is the final score. Just looking at the final result and saying how much you want it to increase won’t make any […]
Do you feel like your days are spent running from one thing to another and never getting anything done? Do you look at those 5 and 10 minute gaps between speaking to this client and invoicing that client and picking the kids up from school and think, “That’s not enough time to do anything, why […]
How can we support better mental health in our communities and workplaces? What training is available to help workplaces promote mental health and recognise when someone needs help? Who can you turn to if you are worried about the mental health of someone at work or at home? Michael van Dyk from The Black Dog […]
As an employer, what are you doing to look after your employees? These days, employers are investing more into employee wellbeing than ever before. Employee relations and getting the most out of your employees is one of the most critical things for any business, but it’s particularly important for small businesses. Paul Cripps from PK […]
As a business owner, have you ever avoided getting advice because it was too expensive, then had to fix up a legal problem which cost even more money? Have you turned down opportunities because getting advice was too hard and too expensive? Do you worry about being appropriately covered for risk but not sure who […]
Do you have a great business idea, but not sure where to start? Are you confused about what you need to do first? If this is you (too many questions and not enough answers) then you are in the right place! Paul Sweeney, chartered accountant and business advisor, explores what you need to know before […]
Is being passionate about your product or service enough to warrant starting a business? What about skill or quality – if your product or service is ‘the best’, does that mean you should start a business selling it? A successful business requires more than just passion, skill and an amazing product or service. Paul Sweeney (Pretium Solutions) […]
Are you ready to turn your passion into a business? Sister2Sister pop duo did exactly that when they opened the popular Sister2Sister School of Singing in 2004. They successfully moved from a performance career to balancing running a singing school with being professional freelance, session vocalists. So how did they do it? Learn about the […]
Do you understand your employer obligations under the National Employment Standards? Whether you have one employee (even if it’s just you, the business owner) or many, these are rules you must follow, including understanding changes in the past couple of years. Paul Cripps (PK People Solutions) gives an overview of the eleven points of the […]
What’s the difference between a ‘start-up’ and ‘starting a business’? A start-up is all about scale, it’s about creating a business that is built to grow quickly. We are joined by Meryl Johnston from Bean Ninjas. Meryl looks at start-ups and ways you can scale your business. She also looks at supports for businesses such […]
So you have just started your business – why would you want to look at exit planning? Well, the more you focus on having a great exit plan, the more profitable and successful your business will be. A good business plan is a long-term plan, with both a start and a finish. By planning your […]
Intellectual property (IP) is frequently overlooked by businesses. But by looking at your IP issues early, when you are setting up your business, you are both protecting your business, as well as adding value to it. André Meyer, founder of Meyer West IP, joins us to take a closer look at intellectual property and the […]
What traps do you need to avoid this end of financial year? What is the simple strategy behind tax planning? End of Financial Year (EOFY) activities should include, but not be limited to taxation planning. There are some traps that every business owner should avoid at this time of year. So what do you need […]
What can you do to gain a competitive advantage over other businesses? Raj Nathoo from Keystone Active Learning discusses how business owners can use the knowledge within their business to its greatest capacity. Some important points that Raj discusses include the following: Identify training needs within your organisation Offer staff training – this helps keep […]
Do you have a business that buys and sells products? Or do you manufacture products to sell? Or, maybe you are looking at starting a business that will have stock? If your business has inventory, then you need a tool to help you manage your stock and grow your business. If you don’t already have […]
Do you have trouble keeping track of what is going on in your business? Does the idea of business planning leave you feeling overwhelmed? Are you ready to grow your business, but not sure where to start? If any of this sounds familiar, maybe you need an ‘all-in-one’ business tool! Chris Palmer, from Maus Software, […]
Do you struggle to forecast the right amount of stock to order? Are your manual systems and processes letting you down? Find out how ERP (enterprise resource planning) software, like Jiwa, can help your business be successful. It combines inventory management, accounting and other tools in one complete package. Getting the right business tools can […]
Are you ready to grow your start-up but not sure how to attract funding? It is important to have your business ready before you try to gain investors. Roshan Sidhu from Frank Law looks at some important things you need to do to make your business investment ready: Make sure your business structure, documentation and processes are […]
