Media Magnet

Enough of the box-tickers. My guest today says most small business owners have, at some point, buried their head in the sand about their numbers, come to her flying completely blind, and finally hit the point where enough is enough. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with Natalie McDermott, Partner at Kelly+Partners, to talk about what actually separates a great small business accountant from a box-ticker, and what it really means to "know your numbers." Liz found Natalie the way most small business owners find a good accountant: word of mouth, after searching high and low. The recommendation came from Hayley and Jade of By Sid, who featured earlier in this series. Natalie has spent close to a decade at Kelly+Partners, starting out as an unpaid intern and building a career that now sees her working with 500 to 600 small business clients, with a particular focus on e-commerce and retail brands. This is a genuinely practical, jargon-light conversation about the mistakes that quietly cost business owners the most: not separating personal and business money, misunderstanding GST, ignoring tax obligations until the ATO comes knocking, and not knowing the difference between revenue and profit. It's also about what happens on the other side, the moment the numbers finally click, and running a business stops feeling like guesswork. In this episode Liz and Natalie cover Why so many business owners arrive at Natalie's door having "flown completely blind," and the aha moment that happens once clean, monthly reporting is in place Natalie's path into accounting, from offering herself up as a free intern a year out of university to becoming a Partner at Kelly+Partners a decade later Why the right accountant should feel less like a box-ticker and more like someone who understands your goals, your family and your exit plans Business structure basics: when it's fine to start as a sole trader, and the point at which it starts costing you not to switch to a company The Div 7A trap: what happens when business owners treat company profits as their own money to pull out at will Why GST is not yours to keep, and the tax fundamentals Natalie wishes were taught in school instead of learned the hard way after an ATO knock on the door The single biggest tax trap Natalie sees: using the ATO as an unofficial creditor, and why that no longer flies now enforcement has ramped up Revenue versus profit versus gross profit margin, explained in plain English, and why GP is the number product-based business owners need to understand first Rough benchmark figures for staffing and marketing spend as a percentage of revenue, for both product and service-based businesses What business owners are cutting back on right now: supplier renegotiations, consultants, subscriptions, team size, and the two biggest levers of all Practical first steps for getting financially set up from day one, including paying yourself a proper wage and taking superannuation and payday super seriously The non-financial numbers most business owners overlook: aging inventory, customer retention, repeat purchase rate, return rates, and for e-commerce specifically, customer acquisition cost and lifetime value When to graduate from a bookkeeper to monthly reporting, to a fractional CFO, to an internal finance team, and why "what got you here won't get you there" The three or four simple rules Natalie's most successful clients live by, including one founder's iron-clad $5 cap on gift-with-purchase spend Why discipline, not luck or intelligence, is the real differentiator Natalie sees between businesses that scale well and businesses that struggle A line worth writing down "Get a good accountant that is going to help educate you, and get someone with a bit of personality who can excite you a bit around understanding the numbers." — Natalie McDermott About Natalie Natalie McDermott is a Partner at Kelly+Partners, specialising in working with high-growth businesses, particularly in the e-commerce and retail space. She works closely with founders to help them get a better handle on their numbers, improve profitability and cash flow, and build the financial foundations needed to scale. Beyond the numbers, Natalie is passionate about community and bringing great founders and brands together through events, partnerships and industry collaborations. She's known for making finance practical and easy to understand, with a focus on helping business owners use their numbers to make better decisions, rather than just looking backwards at what's already happened. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Natalie LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-mcdermott-07a95947/ LinkedIn Kelly+Partners team profile: https://www.kellypartners.com.au/team/profile/natalie-mcdermott Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

"I think we've attached a lot of success to raising capital." When a business raises $25 million and gets a $100 million valuation, we treat it like a win. My guest today says that's not actually a marker of success at all, and understanding the difference could change how you think about your own business. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with Carolyn Breeze, CEO of Scalari Partners, to demystify the world of outside investment, equity, venture capital, SAFE notes and all, in plain English. Liz never did a business degree. Hers was journalism and communications, and when she opened her first bricks-and-mortar business, outside investment never crossed her mind; it took years before she even had the courage to ask what "bootstrapping" meant. If that sounds familiar, this episode is for you. Carolyn is CEO of Scalari Partners, a listed investment firm that's made over 30 investments and now supports a community of around 40,000 business owners through brands like Tech Ready Women, Tank Stream Labs, Planet Startup and Fishburners. In this conversation Carolyn breaks down what terms like equity, venture capital and SAFE notes actually mean, the biggest mistakes she sees founders make when raising money, and why she says the businesses with the best outcomes are often the ones that never took a cent of outside investment at all. They also get into the red flags that make investors walk away, including one founder request that genuinely made Carolyn's jaw drop. Even if you're happy building slowly and have zero interest in raising capital, this information is gold for having educated conversations at any stage of your business journey, whether you decide to sell, scale, acquire another business, partner with someone, or invest in something yourself. In this episode Liz and Carolyn cover Why raising capital gets treated as a marker of success when it's really just one founder deciding they need someone else's money to grow faster Revenue versus profit, and why a company doing a million dollars in revenue can still be giving away 15% of a future $100 million business for just $500,000 today Why some of the most successful founders Carolyn has seen are the ones who bootstrapped their whole way to an exit without ever bringing an outside investor onto the cap table Dilutive versus non-dilutive capital, and funding options most small business owners have never heard of, including bank loans and specialist lenders like Lighter Capital and Tractor Ventures The three main ways an investor can actually put money into your business: direct equity, SAFE notes and convertible notes, explained without the jargon Why terms like pre-seed, seed and series A don't mean nearly as much as we think they do, and why a series A round in Australia might be a seed round in the US Why it's a false economy to "ChatGPT your agreement" for a $25,000 raise, and how a poorly structured early agreement can come back to bite you at every future raise The biggest mistakes Carolyn sees founders make: giving away too much equity too early, being unclear on how they'll deploy the money, and building the polished, feature-complete version of the product before proving anyone wants to pay for it How to know it's actually time to raise: validated demand, proof that a dollar spent generates real revenue, and a clear plan for what more money will turn into The jaw-dropping founder request Carolyn saw in a forecast, and why "no one's going to invest in you to pay yourself" The red flags that make an investor walk away, and the difference between a passive investor and a strategic one who can open doors and fill your skill gaps The accelerator deal structure that can quietly hand a small early investor a veto over every future funding round, and the real story of a $10 million-plus revenue company left waiting over a month for approval on a multi-million-dollar raise Why Australia has one of the highest returns per dollar invested of any innovation ecosystem in the world, and why we still lose founders overseas because of culture, tax settings and infrastructure Where to go to get free access to resources, grants, accelerators and the wider Scalari ecosystem if you're curious what's possible for your business A line worth writing down "We've attached a lot of success to raising capital... that's not really a marker of success." — Carolyn Breeze About Carolyn Carolyn Breeze is the CEO of Scalari Partners, a listed investment firm that has made more than 30 investments in early-stage companies across AgTech, FinTech, RegTech and SaaS, and now supports a community of around 40,000 business owners through brands including Tech Ready Women, Planet Startup, Tank Stream Labs and Fishburners. Her career began at eBay in the early days of its Australian launch, before moving to payments company Braintree, which was acquired by PayPal, where she spent several years learning about tech, payments and entrepreneurship from the inside. She's now focused on making early-stage tech investment accessible to everyday retail investors, not just the "sophisticated investor" crowd, while helping founders grow and scale with more than just a cheque. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Carolyn The Founders Union (free resources, grants, accelerators and events): https://www.thefoundersunion.com Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

Most people who sell a business they've poured five years of blood, sweat and no salary into would take the win and put their feet up for a while. My guest today looked at her payout and thought, "Great, let's do it all again, but harder, faster, and with a lot more on the line this time." In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with Hayley Crannage, co-founder of Love Lu Eyewear (with her sister Jade) and now co-founder of the fashion label Buy Sid, to talk about what it actually feels like to sell something you built from nothing, and why you'd ever choose to start again. Hayley and Jade built Love Lu in their parents' garage on Sydney's Northern Beaches with no savings, just a nervous conversation with a family member about borrowing the startup cash. It grew into a brand worn by influencers and celebrities before it was acquired by a much bigger Australian eyewear company. Jade couldn't join this episode; she's seven days postpartum with a new baby girl, so Hayley stepped in solo, though this is every bit her story too. This is a candid, unfiltered conversation about the number that made their accountant say stop, the email that changed everything, and the one piece of advice about selling a business Hayley says she'll never forget. Then, why the sisters went and built a second brand almost immediately instead of enjoying the spoils of the sale, and what they're doing completely differently this time around. In this episode Liz and Hayley cover The number that made their accountant tell them to stop, and the six to eight months where sales kept climbing while cashflow quietly went backwards Why "revenue isn't profit" was the biggest lesson of Hayley's business life, and how chasing growth nearly ran a healthy brand into the ground Financing a first business with zero savings: borrowing around $30,000 from a partner and parents, and what it's like handing money to a supplier overseas before the stock even lands Why eyewear, at an accessible price point, was the gap Hayley and Jade spotted between fast fashion and $800 designer sunglasses The organic, plan-free path from a home-based online launch to wholesale stockists to landing a spot with The Iconic The out-of-the-blue email that kicked off the acquisition conversation with Sunshades Eyewear, the Australian company behind Le Specs and the local licensing for Gucci and YSL The one piece of advice about selling a business Hayley says she'll never forget: sell it when you don't want to sell it Why a strong, honest brand mattered more to the sale than the raw numbers, and the reality of not having the finances to take a brand global alone Launching a second brand, Buy Sid, on her dad's birthday just months after selling the first, and going back to casual teaching in the meantime What's different the second time round: a tight priority list instead of saying yes to everything, and watching the numbers from day one instead of year three Marketing on a shoestring: why imagery came first, gifting over paid influencers, and staying conservative with paid ads The Afterpay Day and discount dilemma every product-based small business owner wrestles with Why Hayley believes "anyone can start a business" if you say yes to opportunities and build real community and connection Hayley's small business advice squad: her accountant, a business mentor, a graphic-designer friend, and her mortgage broker The mindset shift for round two: building a life and a brand you're proud of, not just an empire A line worth writing down "Sell your business when you don't want to sell it." — Hayley Crannage About Hayley Hayley Crannage is the co-founder of Love Lu Eyewear, the accessible, quiet-luxury sunglasses brand she built with her sister Jade from their parents' garage on Sydney's Northern Beaches, before it was acquired by Australian eyewear company Sunshades Eyewear. She and Jade have since launched a second brand together, the fashion label Buy Sid, which they founded in April this year. Hayley previously worked as a full-time teacher while building Love Lu in her spare time, and still teaches casually today. She's a mum of two, Dusty and Honey, and credits her small business "advice squad", her accountant, mentor, closest friends and family, with helping her navigate both businesses. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Hayley [Add Hayley/Buy Sid social links here] Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

There are 2.2 million self-employed Australians. Nearly half of small business owners aren't contributing to their own super. And most of them are telling themselves the same thing: my business is my retirement plan. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with Julie Slapp, Director of Growth and Customer Solutions at AMP Super, to unpack why that plan is riskier than it feels, and what to do about it without adding another overwhelming job to your list. This is not a lecture about being behind. It's a super practical conversation for business owners who have been putting their heads in the sand about superannuation, whether that's because cashflow is tight, the rules feel impossibly complicated, or retirement feels like future you's problem. Julie breaks down the jargon, the incentives most business owners don't know exist, and the small moves that quietly build a safety net while you get on with running your business. If super makes your eyes glaze over, this is exactly the episode to listen to the end. In this episode Liz and Julie cover Why superannuation was designed for employees, and the incentives built in for small business owners that most never use The "I want to live now" question: is it valid to prioritise travelling with your kids over building wealth for a future that may never come? Why we're the pioneer generation of super, and why nobody is on the perfect mathematical path to retirement Whether a $20 a week contribution is even worth it (spoiler: yes), and why $100 a week from age 30 can grow to roughly $500,000 by retirement Concessional contributions explained in plain English: the tax deduction, the 15% rate, and the annual cap of just over $32,000 The May reminder every business owner should set, and the conversation to have with your accountant before 30 June Catch-up contributions for lumpy, seasonal or unpredictable income, so a lean year now doesn't lock you out later Government co-contributions of up to $500 a year, and who qualifies Spouse contributions and contribution splitting: how couples can grow super as a shared asset even when one of you is self-employed The Blind Side analogy: why super is the left tackle protecting you if the business doesn't go to plan Why it's never too late to start at 50, 55 or 60, especially for the fastest growing group of new founders: women in midlife Why selling your business as your retirement plan makes a financial planner non-negotiable, and the $100,000 CGT mistake you don't want to discover at the end The practical first steps: find your balance, get simple contribution advice from your fund, and hire an accountant who plans rather than just lodges A line worth writing down "I don't think there is too late. I think there is 'I just need to start.'" — Julie Slapp About Julie Julie Slapp is the Director of Growth and Customer Solutions at AMP Super. An economist by training, Julie spends her days talking to customers and working out how to help everyday Australians prepare for retirement with confidence, not anxiety. She comes to the conversation with a small business lens too: her uncle ran a newsagent, and she's watched firsthand how founders push their own retirement to the bottom of the list while they build something for everyone else. Her message is simple: the system may have been designed for employees, but the incentives are there for business owners who know where to look. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Julie Connect with Julie Slapp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-slapp-83846252/ Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

They beat out 14 other applicants for the lease. They opened with 5,000 local social media followers already waiting for them. They had a line out the door on winter mornings. Their biggest day was 444 coffees in a little suburban cafe with just two people behind the counter. And now they're closed. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with sisters Chryssie Swarbrick and Angie Markou, the founders behind Two Franks, a nostalgic cafe and general store in Coburg that everyone thought was smashing it. Because on the surface, it was. In the queue. In the media. In the community. The reality behind the counter is a different story, and it's the story every small business owner in Australia needs to hear. This is not a cautionary tale. This is a masterclass in the numbers, the red tape, the rising costs and the quiet erosion no one talks about until it's too late. It's also a masterclass in something rarer: how to close a business with grace, gratitude and a community still standing behind you. If you have ever wondered how a busy business can still not survive, this one is for you. In this episode Liz, Chryssie and Angie cover The 13 months of rent paid on an empty shop while waiting for a council permit, and why every founder needs to check permits before they sign a lease Why "busy" is not the same as "profitable", and what the numbers behind Two Franks actually looked like The cake analogy that explains where all your money is going and why your slice keeps shrinking Payday Super, credit card surcharge changes, wage rises, and the July 1 storm that hit every hospitality business at once The letter Chryssie wrote to Angie 13 months before the closure, and how the sisters navigated the decision without losing the relationship Why the media narrative around $6 coffees is the wrong conversation, and where founders should really be cutting costs What every small business owner is quietly feeling but no one is saying out loud Their key learnings for founders: the accountant they wish they'd hired sooner, the systems they wish they'd built earlier, and the delegation lesson that would have changed everything Why cutting quality is the fastest way to lose the customers who came to you in the first place Grief and relief: how to close a business without calling yourself a failure A line worth writing down "Your business is a cake. Everyone just takes a little piece, and some of the pieces keep getting bigger. And then you're looking at your plate and it's empty, and you have no crumbs left." — Chryssie Swarbrick About Chryssie and Angie Chryssie Swarbrick and Angie Markou grew up on Coburg's Reynard Street in the house their grandparents once owned. Across the road stood a 100-year-old butcher shop run in succession by two men both named Frank. When the lease came up for the first time in 40 years, the sisters took it, gutted the space with the help of Angie's husband, and opened Two Franks in September 2023: a nostalgic cafe and general store that quickly became a community hub and press darling. Chryssie has a degree in communications majoring in PR and 15 years working in social and content. She also writes a regular column for Smart Company documenting the highs and lows of running a hospitality business in real time. Angie ran the finance and admin side of Two Franks and has now opened businesses across four different Melbourne councils. Together they represent the reality behind every "cute new cafe" opening in Australia right now. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Chryssie and Angie Follow Two Franks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twofranksisters Read the Broadsheet feature on Two Franks: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/now-open-two-franks-nostalgic-cafe-and-general-store-inside-former-butcher-shop-run-two-sisters-who-grew-across-street Read Chryssie's regular column in Smart Company: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/author/chryssie-swarbrick/ Read the Yahoo Finance coverage of their closure: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/popular-aussie-cafes-nail-in-the-coffin-as-small-businesses-battle-cost-of-living-not-viable-034127556.html Read Smart Company on the ripple effect of the Two Franks closure: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/hospitality/two-franks-cafe-closure-announcement-cost-of-business/ Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

When Liz Nable opened her first bricks-and-mortar business back in 2012, she borrowed money from her bank against her home. She signed the paperwork. And then she waited for the advice, the guidance, the products, the support she assumed would follow. It never came. Sound familiar? In this first episode of the What I Wish I Knew About Small Business series, powered by AMP Bank GO, Liz sits down with John Arnott, the man leading a brand new digital bank built specifically for small business owners. This is not a bank interview dressed up as a podcast. This is a conversation about why banks have failed small business, what small business owners are still getting wrong with their money, and the exact stats that prove just how brutal the last five years have been on Australia's 2.8 million small operators. If you have ever felt invisible to your bank, this one is for you. In this episode Liz and John cover Why small businesses are the most underserved segment in banking (and what that has cost owners) The single biggest financial mistake most small business owners are still making The Tuesday night wedding planning analogy that will change how you think about your money Why running your business through your personal account is quietly bleeding you dry The truth about "fee-free" banking and what to actually look for How to build the muscle of financial literacy without hating every second of it Why switching banks is nowhere near as hard as you think The stats that will stop you in your tracks AMP Bank GO's Small Business Cost Pressure Index revealed just how much harder it has become to keep the doors open since COVID. Small business costs are up more than 25% in the last five to six years Insurance up 52% Fuel up 38% Borrowing costs up 36% Electricity up 26% Rent up 23% Wages up more than 20% As John puts it in the episode, these are real costs. They are non-negotiable. But there is still real value on the table for owners who take the time to look. A line worth writing down "Look after the cents and the dollars will look after themselves. It is going to the gym to build financial acumen." About John Arnott John Arnott is the head of AMP Bank GO, a digital bank purpose-built for Australia's small business owners. Before AMP, John worked across major banking brands globally, but his interest in small business runs deeper than the boardroom. His first job was in a small coffee shop in the north of England at age 15, grating cheese and washing dishes for the two owners who ran the place. He has been thinking about how small businesses survive and thrive ever since. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering a cashback deal for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with John Arnott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-andrew-arnott/ Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series.

This is not a political episode. It is a small business episode, and there is a difference. In this episode of Media Magnet, I sit down with Tim Wilson MP - Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Small Business, and Federal Liberal Member for Goldstein, inside Parliament House, Canberra, for a raw, honest and at times genuinely uplifting conversation about the state of small business in Australia right now. This episode came about in the most Liz Nable way possible. A few days after the federal budget, I slid into the Shadow Treasurer's DMs, told him I know small business like the back of my hand, and asked if he'd come on the podcast. He said yes immediately. I panicked, did my research in the car on the way to Canberra, and the rest, as they say, is history. This is also the beginning of something bigger. I want to take you on a journey with me, through this podcast and through socials, as we figure out together how the political system works, what it means for small business, and how we start to get ourselves a real seat at the table. We are not politicians by nature. But it is becoming glaringly obvious that we need to start paying attention. In This Episode We Cover: The proposed capital gains tax changes - what they actually mean for small business owners and why "it doesn't affect you" might not be the whole story The decline of small business in Australia over the last 20 years and what's driving it Why Tim believes, despite everything, there has never been a better time to start a small business How AI is levelling the playing field for small business owners right now The story of Sienna, a 17-year-old entrepreneur who went viral, got trolled after being named in the Budget Reply Speech, and came back stronger What YOU can do right now to make your voice heard The Stand With Small campaign and what a dedicated federal small business act could mean for all of us Why small business owners being scattered and disorganised is exactly what governments are counting on, and how we change that. Resources Mentioned: notthetax.com.au - share your small business story standwithsmall.org - Tim Wilson's small business campaign Media Masters Academy - https://www.liznable.com/ Connect With Tim Wilson: Instagram: @timwilsonmp Website: timwilsonmp.com.au Connect With Liz: Instagram: @liz_nable Website: https://www.liznable.com/

Guest: Ashleigh Gleeson, National Health Editor, News Corp Australia Host: Liz Nable Ashleigh Gleeson oversees health content across the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, and Adelaide Advertiser. With 14+ years in journalism spanning federal politics, courts, crime, and education (plus stints as chief of staff at the Herald Sun and deputy chief of staff at the Daily Telegraph), she now leads a digitally focused health section launched 14 months ago that prioritises relatable, audience-led storytelling over traditional clinical reporting. This episode is a masterclass in what one of Australia's most influential health editors actually wants in her inbox. Ashleigh breaks down the topics driving massive reader engagement, the pitching mistakes that get you ignored, and why playing the long game with journalists pays off more than 100 generic emails ever will. Key Topics: Health Reporting Evolution : Shift from clinical, formulaic coverage to personal, relatable, audience-led storytelling. News Corp's health section is test-and-learn, guided by analytics and digital engagement data. What's Clicking Right Now : Perimenopause/menopause (can't-get-enough territory), weight loss and weight loss drugs, fertility/IVF, dementia prevention, mental health/happiness, and everyday health issues like cholesterol and heart health. New Story Formats : Diary-style pieces (quitting social media for two weeks), Breaking Bad series (quitting alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks), first-person experiences that readers can see themselves in. Pitching That Works : Lead with the hook/headline in the first two lines. Include strong case studies with photos and video availability. Show you've read the masthead and tailored the pitch. One targeted pitch beats 100 generic emails. Pitching Mistakes to Avoid: Burying the hook under too much backstory. Sending generic mass pitches (journalists can always tell). Not being available or responsive when a journalist says yes. Pitching case studies who aren't actually available for interview. The Case Study Goldmine : Finding case studies is one of the hardest, most time-intensive parts of journalism. If you can be a reliable source who responds fast and delivers people willing to share their story (with photos, on deadline), journalists will never forget you. Playing the Long Game : First pitch might not land, but building rapport is the win. Polite persistence works. Once a journalist knows your name and trusts you, your emails get opened every time. Exclusivity Matters : News Corp wants to be first. They position as a premium product, so exclusive stories and angles are far more appealing than something pitched to 50 outlets. Opportunities for Business Owners: Health & Wellness Niches : If you work in perimenopause, gut health, fertility, mental health, longevity, or dementia-related fields, News Corp's health section is actively looking for stories and case studies. Be the Go-To Source : Position yourself as someone who can supply case studies fast, respond to tight deadlines, and make a journalist's job easier. That reputation compounds. Speed Wins : When a journalist reaches out (even at 7pm for a next-day turnaround), say yes. That one moment of reliability can build a relationship that lasts years. Personalise Everything : Reference a recent piece the journalist wrote. Show you understand their masthead. It takes five extra minutes and puts you ahead of 95% of pitches. Timestamps (Approximate): Timestamps: 00:00 Hook: What Australia's top health editor is actually looking for in her inbox. 03:00 Intro: Liz's journo-to-coach story. 05:00 Ashleigh's Role: National health editor across News Corp's state mastheads; digitally focused health section launched 14 months ago. 07:00 Evolution of Health Reporting: From clinical to relatable; audience-led, analytics-driven content. 10:00 Hot Topics: Perimenopause, weight loss drugs, fertility, dementia, mental health, happiness. 12:00 New Formats: Diary pieces, Breaking Bad series, first-person experiments. 17:00 What Makes a Good Pitch: Hook first, strong case studies, photos/video, tailored to the masthead. 20:00 Exclusivity & Generic Pitches: Why mass emails fail and one great pitch outperforms 100 lazy ones. 23:00 Patience & Persistence: Evergreen stories take time; polite follow-up is always welcome. 26:00 Being the Go-To Source: Fast turnarounds, reliable case studies, building journalist relationships. 31:00 Final Tips: Availability, organisation, reliability, and the long game. Quotes: "Doing that once is probably more valuable than sending out 100 generic emails. You'll get a much better result." – Ashleigh on tailored pitching "We don't have a shortage of stories, we just have a shortage of time to get them done." – On journalist reality "If you can prove yourself as a reliable person that will get onto that right away, that would be very, very much appreciated." – On becoming a go-to source Listen on Apple Podcasts : [ https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266 ]

Guest: Acacia Clarke, Co-Founder of PureYou Host: Liz Nable Acacia Clarke shares her raw journey from registered nurse battling decade-long acne to co-founding PureYou, a multi-million-dollar brand that's helped 50,000+ people via gut-skin supplements—without patented secrets, just smart formulations targeting root causes like hormones, inflammation, and detox. After a pharmacy chain ghosted them post-$500K stock investment, Acacia turned setback into viral gold: community rallied via social videos, tagging retailers and scoring Terry White spots, plus mentorship from Thankyou's Daniel Flynn. This episode unpacks e-com realities, PR power (Channel 7 traffic surges), and why authentic social sharing beats silence—proving underdogs win by leaning in publicly. Key Topics: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> PureYou Origins: Nurse duo fixes own acne via naturopath gut insights; evolves gross tonics to TGA-listed capsules/powders (probiotics, fibers, collagens). p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Launch Struggles: COVID e-com slow-burn; manual PR pitches land news.com.au/Daily Mail wins amid doom headlines. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> PR Breakthroughs: Channel 7 segment crashes site (5K visitors); logos build endless credibility in trust-heavy supplements. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Retail Heartbreak: Half-mil stock prepped for major chain's March launch—ghosted in Feb after forms/warehouse moves. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Community Pivot: Viral reels tag pharmacies; Terry White Noosa concept store + manager outreach; Daniel Flynn intros/weekly calls. Opportunities for Founders: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Retail Hustle: No contracts pre-DC stock? Demand better; use social to rally buyers/community proof. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> PR Leverage: Early wins (news/TV) fuel growth; experts endorse what ads can't. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Social as News: Share messes publicly—attracts support, mentors, opps (e.g., Terry White ripple). Timestamps (Approximate): p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 00:00 Hook: Don't wait for media—use social to create buzz. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 03:00 Intro: Liz's journo-to-coach story. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 05:00 PureYou: Acne-to-empire via gut-skin link. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 09:00 Formulations: Naturopath-backed, TGA-listed programs (30-90 days + maintenance). p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 15:00 Early PR: Manual pitches score COVID success stories. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 22:00 Channel 7 Chaos: Site crash, 5K visitors, expert cred. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 28:00 Retail Saga: $500K stock ghosted; no pre-DC contracts. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 35:00 Viral Turnaround: Reels tag chains; Daniel Flynn mentors. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 42:00 Terry White Win: Noosa store + grassroots demand. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 48:00 Founder Advice: Reps build confidence; focus light at tunnel's end. Quotes: "Confidence comes from doing it... What’s the worst that could happen? Your brain makes the risk seem bigger than it is." – Acacia on public vulnerability "You can advertise forever, but money can't buy a credible expert saying it works." – On PR in supplements "Half a million in stock sitting there was a constant reminder—but we chose to find the light." – Retail resilience Listen on Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266]

Episode 65: “You Don’t Have to Wait to Be Chosen” with Mandy Richards, Founder of Global Sisters Guest: Mandy Richards, Founder & CEO of Global Sisters Host: Liz Nable Social entrepreneur and founder of Global Sisters, Mandy Richards, shares how she built a one‑stop support ecosystem that has helped almost 10,000 Australian women start and grow micro businesses, particularly those facing barriers to traditional employment like caring responsibilities, disability, migration, trauma and domestic violence. Mandy unpacks her unconventional journey through social work, business, international development and human rights law, and explains why she believes self‑employment is a powerful path to economic security for women who need flexibility, community and a sense of agency. Together, Liz and Mandy dive into the real (often invisible) obstacles women face when starting a business – from confidence and self‑doubt to childcare, regional isolation and systemic barriers – and how Global Sisters combines education, coaching, microfinance, corporate partnerships and storytelling to make business a genuine option, not a last resort. They also talk about social media, self‑promotion and why women tend to minimise their achievements, plus the mindset shifts and simple, practical steps that help founders show up, back themselves and create a ripple effect of change in their families and communities. Key Topics: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Mandy’s non‑linear career path: social work, business, social enterprise, innovation and human rights law. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> How childhood years in Indonesia and exposure to poverty shaped her drive for social justice and women‑focused work. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Early work with Hamlin Fistula hospitals in Ethiopia and business incubation projects with the Botswana government. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The impact of Dragons’ Den, startup burnout and why Mandy moved decisively into social enterprise. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The origin story of Global Sisters: from an “Etsy‑style” marketplace idea to a national platform and community. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Who Global Sisters supports: women facing DV, trauma, disability, caring responsibilities, migration and refugee backgrounds, age discrimination, regional isolation and long‑term welfare. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Why self‑employment can be a powerful, flexible income option when standard 9–5 roles are out of reach. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> What the Global Sisters platform actually offers: education programs, coaching, microfinance, financial capability support, “runway” programs and long‑term community. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Corporate partnerships with brands like Mecca, Google, AMP and Kip & Co, and the real‑world opportunities they create. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Success story – Yoko: from homesick and jobless to running a mindful miso business, featuring on MasterChef and publishing a bestselling Japanese pickling book. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Success story – Sana: from migrant student and homelessness to running a multi‑six‑figure floral and installation business with major retail activations. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Global Sisters’ systems‑change work, including developing a home‑ownership and mortgage model for women on low incomes. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Confidence as the number one barrier: why identity, language (“I am a businesswoman”) and community matter so much. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Social media, comparison and why authenticity and “real life” content are outperforming polished influencer‑style marketing. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The ripple effect: how one woman’s business success lifts children, families and whole communities. p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Liz’s perspective on media, thought leadership and why women struggle more with visibility and self‑promotion than men. Timestamps (Approximate): 00:00 Introduction – meet Mandy Richards and the mission behind Global Sisters. 03:00 Liz’s background as a TV journalist and how that led to Media Magnet. 05:00 Mandy’s early career in social work, business and social enterprise. 07:00 International development, Hamlin Fistula hospitals and Botswana business incubation. 09:00 Dragons’ Den, startup burnout and the move into social enterprise. 11:00 The spark for Global Sisters: Vietnam, hill‑tribe women and market access. 13:00 Growing up in Indonesia, seeing poverty up close and the pull toward women’s rights. 15:00 Family breakdown, a solo mum in a country town and living the reality of limited options. 17:00 What Global Sisters is (and isn’t): a long‑term, dip‑in‑and‑out platform for women’s micro businesses. 19:00 Who Global Sisters serves and why flexibility is non‑negotiable. 21:00 Juggling disability, caring responsibilities, regional living and work. 23:00 Inside the platform: education, coaching, community and microfinance. 25:00 Corporate partnerships and “runway” programs with Mecca, Kip & Co and others. 27:00 Ten‑year anniversary, the $10,000 Big Idea scholarships and backing high‑impact founders. 29:00 Confidence as the biggest barrier and how Global Sisters designs for confidence‑building. 31:00 The identity shift: from “I could never” to “I am a businesswoman.” 33:00 Yoko’s story: organic miso, MasterChef features and a bestselling book endorsed by Nigella Lawson. 35:00 Sana’s story: from homelessness to a high‑revenue floral and installation business. 37:00 Social media, comparison culture and why messy, authentic content wins. 39:00 The ripple effect when women step into leadership in their families and communities. 41:00 Systems‑change work: from income generation to pathways into home ownership. 43:00 Liz on media, self‑promotion and the gender gap she sees between male and female founders. 45:00 Mandy’s practical advice: start small, don’t wait for perfect and use community as your safety net. Quotes: “You don’t have to wait to be chosen. You can create the opportunity yourself.” – Mandy on why she founded Global Sisters. “Confidence is the number one barrier we see – not ideas, not talent, not work ethic.” – Mandy on what really holds women back in business. “You learn to navigate bumps if you’ve had them in your life before – and that resilience makes incredible entrepreneurs.” – Mandy on adversity and grit. “People want to feel good and feel seen, not inadequate. Authenticity is what cuts through now.” – Mandy on social media and showing up as yourself.

Episode 64: Inside Small Business Editor: “I Want to Hear From Founders” with Tim Ladhams Guest: Tim Ladhams, Editor of Inside Small Business Host: Liz Nable Editor of Inside Small Business, Tim Ladhams, lifts the curtain on what it really takes to get your small business story published in one of Australia’s leading SME platforms. From founder features and Q&As to op-eds and data-led news stories, Tim explains exactly what he looks for in a pitch, why he actively prefers hearing directly from business owners (not PR agencies), and how to position yourself as a genuine thought leader rather than just another self-promotional voice in the crowd. If you’ve ever wondered how to get featured, share your lived experience, or turn your hard-won lessons into media coverage, this episode is packed with practical, actionable insights you can use straight away. Get in touch with Tim here: tim@octomedia.com.au ​ Key Topics: Inside Small Business 101: How the publication works, the daily mix of founder features, news stories and expert op-eds, and who their audience really is. What Editors Want: Why Tim cares more about your “why, what, when and where” than your revenue, and the simple story elements that make a founder pitch stand out. Op-Eds That Get Run: The exact guidelines for opinion pieces (500–750 words, specific topic, clear takeaways) and why he ruthlessly cuts anything that feels like thinly veiled self-promotion. Feature vs Q&A vs Op-Ed: How Tim decides which format your story belongs in, when he’ll turn an email Q&A into a narrative feature, and the kinds of quirky, challenger or “against the odds” stories he loves. Data, Research and Policy Stories: How research from organisations like Xero and COSBOA turns into news, and why issues like payment times, government red tape and platform shutdowns (hello, Meta) matter so much to his readers. Print Magazine Opportunities: The bigger, deeper stories that make it into the quarterly print edition – from AI and social media acquisition costs to “devil’s advocate” debates and systemic barriers holding small businesses back. Thought Leadership vs Selling: Why being featured in Inside Small Business builds credibility in a way social media alone can’t, and how to use media to position yourself as a trusted voice among your peers. Pitching Etiquette: How to email Tim, what to put in the subject line, how long to wait before following up, and why a clear one-page bio or bullet-pointed backstory works better than a glossy PR pitch. Opportunities for Small Business Owners: Founder Features: Strategic, story-driven profiles focused on challenges, strategies and lessons – not fluff or hero worship. Q&As: Ideal for micro-businesses, side hustles and quirky ventures, where Tim crafts targeted questions and you supply succinct, insightful answers. Opinion Pieces: 500–750 word, tightly focused articles on one specific topic (e.g. staff retention, AI, digital marketing, psychological safety, payment terms) with 2–3 clear, practical takeaways. Advocacy Columns: Stories that highlight systemic issues like government policy failures, broken schemes or big-business behaviour that harms small operators. ​ Tim’s Editorial Non‑Negotiables: Story over sales: No external links in articles, no sales copy masquerading as “insight”, and no paragraphs that exist purely to promote your product or service. Integrity and balance: Strong views are welcome, but not personal attacks or anything that could land the publication in legal hot water. Clear categories: Pitches should broadly fit within finance, technology, sales and marketing, planning and management, or growth and development (with subtopics like people/HR inside those). Respect for process: Expect an 8-week lead time on op-eds, be patient around magazine deadlines, and follow up politely if you haven’t heard back after about a week. Timestamps (Approximate): 00:00 Introduction, secret “code word” to get Tim to open your pitch email, and why this episode matters if you want media coverage. 03:00 Liz’s background as a TV journalist and why she created Media Magnet to teach founders how to DIY their PR. 05:00 What Inside Small Business is, who reads it, and how the online and print arms of the brand operate. 07:00 Daily content mix: news, founder features and expert opinion pieces designed for time-poor business owners. 09:00 The real challenges small business owners face right now – cost of living, rent, insurance, late payments – and how those issues show up in stories. 10:00 New recurring print features: “The Quarter Event” (system-level obstacles) and “The Smart No” (opportunities you should walk away from). 13:00 Case studies: Australian Open tie-in stories, impact-driven startups and creative founder angles that hook into broader news. 14:00 How op-eds work: word counts, structure, author bios and why specificity is key. 16:00 Q&A format for micro and quirky businesses (like teen founders and niche product makers). 17:00 What to include in your first pitch email: the who/what/why/when/where plus a one-page bio or bullet points. 18:00 How Tim chooses between op-ed, Q&A or feature and why email interviews often become long-form narrative pieces. 20:00 Why Tim prefers direct pitches from founders over big PR agencies and what instantly gets deleted from his inbox. 24:00 The print magazine: longer, in-depth, commissioned features on topics like AI, LinkedIn, and the rising cost of social media acquisition. 28:00 The real value of being featured: thought leadership, credibility, brand awareness and being seen by major small business service providers. 31:00 Editorial standards: no sign-off rights for features, why self-promotional paragraphs get cut and how house style editing works. 33:00 Links, legalities and integrity: where author promotion belongs and why article copy must stay non-commercial. 35:00 Content pillars and subcategories, including people/HR, psychological safety and women in small business. 36:00 Tim’s scheduling process and examples of time-sensitive pieces (e.g. International Women’s Day, LinkedIn’s 20th birthday). 37:00 Pitching etiquette: subject lines, timing, follow-ups and understanding the reality of production cycles. 39:00 Final advice, encouragement for early-stage founders, and an open invitation for genuine small business stories. ​ Quotes: “Those are the people I want to speak to – people who are genuinely small business owners.” – Tim on who should be pitching him. ​ “If you’re exclusively on social media, everyone is shouting. That thought leadership aspect goes out of the window.” – Tim on why media coverage still matters. ​ “I ultimately have the final call on what does and doesn’t go on my site.” – Tim on maintaining editorial integrity and trust. ​ “It’s not about sales. It’s about the story and the ethos behind the business.” – Tim on what makes a publishable pitch. The secret code word is: LIZ NABLE Tim's email address is: tim@octomedia.com.au Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266

Episode 63: When Meta Shut Down 95% of My Business Overnight – Nancy McDonald Guest: Nancy McDonald, Founder of La Casa Homewares ​ Host: Liz Nable ​ Nancy McDonald shares her shocking story of losing access to her entire Meta ecosystem (Instagram, Facebook, and ad accounts) on New Year's Eve, wiping out 95% of her e-commerce revenue overnight. What started as a single customer complaint escalated into a 60-day nightmare, costing her business an estimated $500,000. ​ Key Topics: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> The Incident: Accounts disabled mid-scaling without warning or human support, despite heavy ad spend ($130K in December alone). ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Appeals Hell: 38-40 emails to Meta staff ignored; only Federal MPs' intervention got responses after 27 days. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Root Cause: One furious customer (possibly Meta-linked) triggered manual shutdown over a delivery mix-up, despite no policy breaches. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Financial & Emotional Toll: Two months offline during peak sales; ad money taken but no returns. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> La Casa Homewares: Built from a single elevated white dinner plate into a cult brand for chic, affordable tableware between Kmart and luxury. ​ Lessons for Business Owners: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Never exceed 20-30% revenue from one platform like Meta—diversify now. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Prioritize owned channels: Build email lists early via loyalty programs and CTAs. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Test Google Ads, SEO, TikTok (10-20%), and wholesale for balance. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Grow organic reach (YouTube, transparency) over spend-dependent ads. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Nancy's revenue bucket strategy: 30% email, 20-30% Meta max, rest diversified. ​ Calls to Action: p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Overhaul Meta's appeals: Require docs, 30-day warnings, human reviews. ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> Push for government big tech oversight and small business ombudsman. ​ Timestamps (Approximate): p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 00:00 Intro & Nancy's background (journalist to e-com founder) ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 05:00 La Casa's origin: White plates that beat skeptics ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 09:00 Meta dependency exposed (95% revenue) ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 15:00 Shutdown night & initial panic ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 22:00 Appeals rabbit hole & MP intervention ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 30:00 Financial hit & ad spend losses ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 40:00 Post-recovery plan: Diversification blueprint ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 50:00 Customer migration tactics & transparency ​ p]:pt-0 [&>p]:mb-2 [&>p]:my-0"> 60:00 Final warnings & resilience ​ Quotes: "I watched my entire business blow up in front of me." – Nancy on Day 1 ​ "If you're over 30% revenue in Meta, I'd walk away as an investor." – Nancy's rule ​ Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266

🎙️ Episode Overview Today’s episode dives into a topic that’s brand new for many small business owners — but is about to become impossible to ignore: GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) and how it’s changing the way people discover brands through AI search. I’m joined by Ellie Sumner , Digital PR Director at Prosperity Media , an SEO and digital PR agency specialising in research-driven PR campaigns, backlinks, and online authority. In simple, non-techy language, Ellie explains what digital PR actually is, how it differs from traditional PR, and why backlinks, online mentions, and trusted media coverage are now critical signals not just for Google — but for AI platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity . We unpack how AI search is changing buyer behaviour, why conversion rates from AI recommendations can be more than four times higher than traditional search, and what this means for small business owners who are already pitching for earned media. The good news? You don’t need to throw out everything you’re already doing. You just need to get more strategic about where your coverage appears, how it’s published, and how it shows up online . 👀 In This Episode, Liz & Ellie Cover: ✅ What GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) actually means ✅ The difference between digital PR and traditional PR ✅ Why backlinks matter more than ever ✅ How AI platforms decide which brands to recommend ✅ Why AI-driven search converts better than Google ✅ How media coverage feeds AI visibility ✅ Choosing the right publications for GEO ✅ Reverse-engineering AI search results ✅ Beginner-friendly ways to get started without overwhelm ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Why GEO is the next big shift for small business 01:30 – What digital PR really is (in plain English) 04:00 – Backlinks explained without jargon 06:30 – How AI search is changing discovery 09:00 – Why AI recommendations convert better 11:00 – How media coverage feeds AI trust signals 14:00 – Traditional media vs niche authority sites 16:00 – Using social media content in AI search 18:30 – Choosing the right publications strategically 21:00 – Reverse-engineering ChatGPT & Perplexity results 23:45 – Tools to check site authority (Moz, DA scores) 25:30 – Practical GEO tips for small business owners 27:00 – Why this doesn’t replace PR — it amplifies it 🚀 Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners You don’t need a new strategy — you need a smarter version of your current PR Media coverage now works harder when it includes links and authority signals AI search rewards clarity, consistency, and credibility Being featured in trusted publications helps position your brand as the “answer” AI recommends GEO is not about gaming the system — it’s about building authority properly 🔗 Resources Mentioned Moz Chrome Extension (to check domain authority) AI platforms: ChatGPT, Perplexity Authority publications & niche blogs in your industry 💼 Work With Liz Nable Liz helps women-led businesses and founders become visible, credible, and in demand through strategic media, PR, and authority-building storytelling. If you want your brand to be the one journalists — and now AI — trust and recommend, this is where it starts.

🎙️ Episode Overview If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do without over-explaining, underselling yourself, or slipping into jargon, this episode will completely change how you think about pitching. In this conversation, Liz Nable is joined by startup founder and pitch expert Sarah-Jane Kurtini , co-founder of Tinybeans — the much-loved Australian family photo-sharing app she helped grow from two people to IPO before exiting in 2020. Sarah-Jane now helps early-stage and scaling founders nail their narrative and pitch for investment using a story-first approach , including through her cleverly named tool, Pitch Slap , which “roasts” and rewrites your startup story so it actually lands. Together, Liz and SJ unpack the surprising overlap between pitching to investors and pitching yourself to the media — from speaking in human language, to understanding your audience, to confidently owning your experience without minimising it. Whether you’re a tech startup founder, a bricks-and-mortar business owner thinking about franchising, or a side-hustler who wants to communicate your value more powerfully, this episode will help you clarify your story and pitch with confidence. 👀 In This Episode, Liz & Sarah-Jane Cover: ✅ Why pitching is always about humans, not just money ✅ The crossover between investor pitching and media pitching ✅ How to structure a pitch using story before slides ✅ Common pitching mistakes founders (especially women) make ✅ Founder storytelling and why credibility matters ✅ How investors think about risk, traction, and team ✅ Why minimising language hurts your pitch ✅ How to handle feedback without taking it personally ⏱️ Episode Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & why pitching stories matter 02:00 – Sarah-Jane’s journey from founder to IPO & exit 05:00 – Why pitching is storytelling, not selling 07:30 – Investor stages explained (pre-seed to Series A) 11:00 – Risk, equity, and what investors actually look for 13:30 – Choosing the right investor for your lifestyle 16:30 – Women, confidence, and pitching bias 18:00 – Why founder stories build trust 21:30 – Pitching vs dating: why less is more 26:00 – Minimising language and credibility gaps 29:45 – Grit, failure, and resilience in pitching 35:00 – The biggest pitch mistakes founders make 38:00 – Sharing failure without losing authority 42:30 – How to learn pitching faster 44:00 – What Pitch Slap is and how it works 🚀 Next Steps & Resources 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast for more conversations on media, visibility, and authority-building. 🧠 Try Pitch Slap — Sarah-Jane Kurtini’s free AI tool designed to give honest feedback on your pitch story before you build slides. 📣 Share this episode with a founder or business owner who

Today’s episode is for every small business owner who’s been quietly building behind the scenes - posting sporadically on LinkedIn, wondering if anyone is actually paying attention - and questioning whether the platform is really worth the effort. Because here’s the truth: LinkedIn isn’t just a place to park your CV. It’s one of the most powerful visibility tools available to small business owners right now, and most people are barely scratching the surface. My guest today is Natalie MacDonald, former TV journalist, former LinkedIn News Editor, and founding member of the LinkedIn News Australia team. Natalie didn’t just use LinkedIn. She helped build the editorial engine behind it. During her seven years inside LinkedIn, she shaped professional news coverage, surfaced expert voices, led editorial campaigns across APAC, and launched LinkedIn’s first global International Women’s Day campaign, featuring leaders like Jacinda Ardern and Melinda Gates. In this episode, we go far beyond generic “post three times a week” advice. Natalie shares how LinkedIn News actually works behind the scenes, how professionals get featured, why journalists are actively using LinkedIn to find sources, and how small business owners can position themselves as trusted industry authorities, without waiting for traditional PR. We talk about the evolution of LinkedIn from online CV to global knowledge marketplace (now with over 1 billion members), and why showing up with thought leadership, not just marketing, is what creates real opportunity. This episode is about stopping the wait for PR… and starting to build visibility strategically. In This Episode, We Cover: What LinkedIn News actually is - and how editors choose which voices get featured How to reverse-engineer newsworthy content for LinkedIn The four types of LinkedIn content that build authority Why journalists use LinkedIn to source experts and case studies How visibility on LinkedIn can lead to speaking gigs and business opportunities The difference between promotional content and thought leadership Why personal storytelling is powerful on professional platforms How to future-proof your career and business through personal branding Simple profile tweaks you can make today to strengthen your LinkedIn presence Why comments are the most underrated growth strategy on the platform Resources & Mentions Follow Natalie MacDonald on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-macdonald/ Follow Working At It (Natalie’s consultancy): https://www.linkedin.com/company/working-at-it/ Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz_nable: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ Learn more about the Media Masters Academy: https://www.liznable.com/mediamastersacademy

Today’s episode is for every small business owner who’s ever felt like the system is stacked against them — and wondered why it’s taken so long for anyone to really call it out. This conversation is part of the Small Business Fights Back series, where we’ve been unpacking what happens when small business owners stop suffering in silence and start using their voices, platforms, and visibility to push back against systems that quietly cause real harm. My guest today is Sam Kemp , founder of Sarestore ( pronounced Sar-rey ) — a thriving fashion boutique run from a tiny country town in rural Victoria, with a very big online community. Sam has built an audience of 30,000+ followers by showing up consistently, trying on stock, styling outfits, and bringing her customers along for the ride. But what really put Sam on the map was a raw, emotional reel she shared about something that’s quietly destroying small businesses: illegal chargebacks . In this episode, Sam explains how chargebacks actually work, when customers deliberately order hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars’ worth of product, receive it, then dispute the payment through their bank. The bank often refunds the customer with no questions asked , pulls the money straight out of the small business’s bank account, and then charges the business a hefty fine, even when the business can prove they’ve done nothing wrong. It’s fast becoming one of the easiest ways to steal online and get away with it. That one reel Sam shared back in November went viral. And instead of letting the moment pass, we leveraged it, turning social media traction into mainstream media coverage , political conversations, and real pressure on governments, banks, and small business ministers to actually respond. In this conversation, Sam shares what happened when she spoke up, how visibility became leverage, and why she’s determined to keep fighting — not just for her own business, but for small business owners everywhere who’ve been absorbing the impact in silence for far too long. This episode is about what happens when small business stops whispering and starts being heard. In This Episode, We Cover: What chargebacks really are, and why they’re devastating small businesses How one honest Instagram reel sparked national attention The emotional toll of running a small business behind the scenes Why social media can be more than marketing - it can be leverage How visibility turns into mainstream media coverage Putting pressure on banks, governments, and decision-makers Why small business owners need to speak up, not stay silent Resources & Mentions Small Business Fights Back series - available on Instagram Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz_nable Follow Sam & SARE Store on Instagram Final Note If you’re a small business owner who’s ever felt exhausted, overlooked, or powerless - this episode is for you. You’re not alone, and your voice matters more than you think.

In this episode of The Media Magnet: Summer Series , Liz is joined by journalist, TV presenter and confidence coach Shelly Horton — the founder of Shell-Shocked Media and the woman who helps experts and business owners “find their inner Beyoncé.” With nearly 30 years across radio, digital video and television (including Channel Nine and Nine Honey), Shelly brings a refreshingly practical take on media training, presentation skills and showing up with confidence — whether you’re on TV, on Zoom, on stage or pitching clients. Shelly shares why media training isn’t just for people who want to be famous, how clarity can directly translate into sales (including the story of a PR owner who landed three new clients in a week), and why confidence and energy matter far more than being “photogenic.” From Zoom setup tips and camera confidence to storytelling, anecdotes and preparation, this is a fun, no-nonsense and incredibly empowering episode for any small business owner who is the face of their brand and wants to show up polished, human and memorable.

In this episode of The Media Magnet: Summer Series , Liz chats with acclaimed journalist, publisher and media entrepreneur Angela Priestley — the co-founder and driving force behind Women’s Agenda , one of Australia’s most influential independent news publications focused on leadership, politics, business, tech and culture through a women’s lens. Angela’s journey from freelance journalist to owning and scaling a daily news platform is a masterclass in media, purpose-driven content and the power of independent journalism. In their conversation, Angela and Liz explore what it takes to build media that matters , how stories about women leaders cut through in today’s crowded landscape, and what role journalists and media owners play in shaping public conversation. They also dig into the why behind Women’s Agenda’s evolution — from a niche startup to a respected media brand that runs awards, events and multiple digital titles — and how small independent media outlets can create real influence without the resources of legacy publishers. This episode is packed with insight for founders, communicators and anyone curious about the intersection of journalism, visibility and societal impact.

In this inspiring episode of The Media Magnet: Summer Series , Liz sits down with globally recognised leadership expert, best-selling author, and founder of Women Rising , Megan Dalla-Camina . After a 20-year corporate career shaping strategy and gender diversity at companies like PwC, GE and IBM, Megan transitioned into leadership coaching and empowerment, blending evidence-based tools with feminine wisdom to help women step into their power with clarity, confidence and purpose. Her transformative work has featured in top media outlets including Forbes , Fortune and CNN , and she’s the author of multiple best-selling books that guide women and leaders toward authentic success. In this episode, Megan and Liz explore what it really takes to rise into influence and visibility, not just in business, but in everyday life. They dive into reframing leadership, dismantling internal barriers, and redefining success in a world still shaped by outdated expectations. Whether it’s embracing your intuition, rewriting the stories that hold you back, or creating a life that honours both ambition and soul, Megan’s insights will challenge and empower you in equal measure. This is a conversation about visibility that goes deeper than PR, it’s about showing up fully and boldly in your own narrative.

In this episode of The Media Magnet: Summer Series , Liz sits down with leadership coach, workplace strategist, and performance expert Claire Pitman — a seasoned consultant with 20+ years experience helping organisations and individuals unlock their potential across recruitment, retention, leadership development, team cohesion and personal resilience. From facilitating full-day workshops and keynote presentations to coaching hiring managers and executives through real-world challenges, Claire brings clarity, evidence-backed frameworks and actionable insight to the complex human side of business. In this candid conversation, Claire and Liz break down the media-visibility side of leadership and personal brand , exploring how thought leadership, reputation and human-centric storytelling intersect with organisational performance. Claire shares her proven strategies for communicating with influence, building emotional competence in teams, navigating conflict, and presenting yourself as an authority in your field — whether that’s on stage, in the press, or across LinkedIn. This episode is full of eye-opening ideas and tactical takeaways for founders, creatives and leaders who want to show up with confidence and be heard in today’s crowded media landscape.