Farmers are almost exclusively small businesses. In fact, small business makes up more than 95% of the Australian agricultural industry. The devastating floods in outback Queensland are hard to fathom and heartbreaking to witness. Hundreds of thousands of cattle have perished in the floods with some farmers losing 100% of their herd. They're powerless to do anything about it, nature can be heartless. The loses are mounting and it could take years - decades even - before they recover. These farmers are small business owners and they might not bounce back from this. John and Scott discuss the realities faced by farmers in Australia and the challenges of dealing with weather events, insurance companies, lumpy revenue and unreliable government support. Patrick Hick runs the Argyle Station north of Julia Creek in Queensland. Patrick estimates he's lost more than 6000 cattle from a herd of 16,000. He employs 8 staff members and explains to John and Scott why he might not be able to continue employing them. In our Workwise segment, Financial Planner Michael Abrahamson details why it's important to write a thorough and detailed business plan and update it as your business grows. And Peter Switzer charts the growth of Celebrity Chef and Restaurant tycoon Neil Perry - growth is on the menu!

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Kenneth Hayne’s Banking Royal Commission Report dealt a major blow to mortgage brokers when it recommended changes to the way big banks pay commissions. If enacted, the recommendation could lead to the demise of smaller mortgage brokerages whose business model relies on trailing commissions. Is Kenneth Hayne on the money? Or have mortgage brokers – many of which are family run businesses – been unfairly singled out? Our Workwise segment focuses on our increasingly cashless society. In the past, many small businesses couldn’t take credit card payments because of the need for expensive equipment. Square solved this problem by combining tap and go tech with smartphones and Dominic Yap from Square Australia explains why this is a big deal. It’s Valentine’s Day on the 14th and the hopelessly romantic, or the romantically hopeless, will spend more than $250 million showering our sweethearts with gifts. It’s great news for florists as Valentine’s Day is their grand final week. Courtney Ray was an accountant whose floristry side hustle Daily Blooms now employs 30 staff in Melbourne and Sydney, all busily building bouquets for star crossed lovers.

In the past, many small businesses couldn't take credit card payments because of the need for expensive equipment. Square solved this problem by combining tap and go tech with smartphones and Dominic Yap from Square Australia explains why this is a big deal.

In a win for small business owners, the government has decided to extend the instant asset write-off scheme to EOFY 2020 and increase the amount to $25,000.  But did you know that 47% of eligible businesses aren't aware the scheme even exists? John and Scott discuss the scheme with intrigued listeners. For those confused with the ins and outs of the instant asset write-off scheme, Mark Chapman from H&R Block shares tips and insights on how business owners can make the most of the scheme. Mentoring is an important part of your working life, but many small business owners don’t consider it a priority or are simply too time poor to build a relationship with a mentor. Business coach Julia Ewert reveals why mentoring shouldn't be overlooked. Shopping centres around the country have one thing in common - keen shoppers sipping on a Boost Juice. Boost Juice stands up as a rolled gold Australia success story, and Peter Switzer shares the secrets of how co-founder Janine Allis built the business.

Mentoring is an important part of your working life, but many small business owners don’t consider it a priority or are simply too time poor to build a relationship with a mentor. However, a mentor is a trusted advisor who you can turn to in search of advice or counsel. It takes time and energy to commit to a mentor and business coach Julia Ewert believes there are many benefits to having one -- and for mentoring others.

Small Business is emerging as one of the key battlegrounds in the upcoming federal election. The government has fired off an opening salvo by announcing the Instant Asset Write-Off Scheme will be raised from $20,000 to $25,000, and extended until the EOFY 2020. Tax expert Mark Chapman from H&R Block

In the 1990s, bread was limited to white, brown, and Turkish. In 1997, Infinity Bakery became Sydney's first baker of organic sourdough bread, which has since become a staple in cafes and pantries around the country. William Petersen owns Infinity Bakery, and he shared his story in the Workwise segment, thanks to Officeworks: helping you make bigger things happen.

It's the Australia Day long weekend but not everybody has the weekend off - plenty of small businesses will open their doors and trade on the public holiday. John Stanley and Scott Haywood chat about how national days like Australia Day are a prime opportunity for small businesses to build a creative marketing campaign around. Public Holidays are problematic for small businesses as wage bills can often triple due to penalty rates. Peter Strong is the President of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia and he joins John and Scott. In the 1990s, bread was limited to white, brown, and Turkish. In 1997, Infinity Bakery became Sydney's first baker of organic sourdough bread, which has since become a staple in cafes and pantries around the country. William Petersen owns Infinity Bakery, and he shared his story in the Workwise segment, thanks to Officeworks: helping you make bigger things happen. In Grow Your Business with Peter Switzer, we learned the secrets of Mark Bouris' success, and how he grew a small mortgage brokerage into one of the countries largest.

John Stanley and Scott Haywood discuss why small businesses should set financial resolutions in the new year. Also, new year, new challenges - what should businesses watch out for? Our Workwise segment poses the question: what are the signs that your employee might be about to quit, and how can you prevent it? Small business recruitment expert Jacqui Elliott from Astute Recruitment & HR shares insights. Sarah Holloway quit her job as a corporate lawyer and turned her side hustle into her main gig. Matcha Maiden is a big hit and it's changed Sarah's life. Will Small Business pay for the sins of the big banks? Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell admits concern.

Sarah Holloway was a hot-shot corporate lawyer who successfully turned her side hustle into her main gig. Sarah reveals how she built Matcha Maiden into a successful small business and vibrant communi-tea.