Michelle and Stacey - All Things Small Business

Business Loans Made Simple: How to Get Finance Before You Need It

Need finance for your business? Don't wait until you're desperate for cash!

In this episode of Michelle & Stacey Talking All Things Small Business, we're joined by special guest Anthony Alabakov, Founder and CEO of My Mortgage Freedom, to break down business lending in simple, practical terms.

Whether you're looking to improve cash flow, manage ATO debt, purchase equipment or grow your business, understanding your finance options can make a big difference.

We discuss:

• What lenders really look for – How to put your business in the best position to secure finance.
• Understanding your borrowing options – From business loans and overdrafts to asset finance, lines of credit and low-doc loans.
• Managing ATO debt – How refinancing could help ease the pressure on your cash flow.
• Preparing for Payday Super – New finance options that could help businesses manage their superannuation obligations.
• Why timing matters – The importance of arranging finance before you actually need it.

Our biggest takeaway? Be prepared! Keep your financial information up to date, understand your options and plan ahead. Having access to finance when you need it can give you greater flexibility, peace of mind and confidence in running your business.

Tune in as Michelle, Stacey and Anthony make business lending easier to understand and share practical tips to help you make smarter financial decisions.

Because running a successful business isn't just about making a profit – it's about having the cash when you need it!

Cash Flow Forecasting Made Simple: Know What's Coming

Will your business have enough cash when you need it?

You might be making great sales and turning a profit, but if you don't have enough cash in the bank to pay your bills, wages and other expenses, your business could be in trouble.

In this episode of Michelle & Stacey: Talking All Things Small Business, Michelle and Stacey break down how to build a simple, practical cash flow forecast so you can stop guessing, plan ahead and make better business decisions.

No complicated financial jargon, just practical advice you can put into action!

In this episode, we cover:

- Why every business needs a cash flow forecast, even when things are going well.

- How to get started using your bank transactions and understanding your money coming in and going out.

- How to plan for regular expenses, unexpected costs and seasonal changes.

- Why the timing of payments from customers and payments to suppliers matters.

- How to factor business growth and future plans into your cash flow.

- How to track, review and adjust your forecast as your business changes.

- How to stress-test your cash flow so you're better prepared if sales slow down.

Our key takeaway?

A cash flow forecast doesn't need to be complicated or perfect. It just needs to be realistic, regularly reviewed and useful in helping you make decisions.

Because a profitable business can still run out of cash!

Whether you're starting out, growing your business or simply wanting more control over your finances, this episode will help you take the guesswork out of managing your cash flow.

Tune in and take one step closer to being in control of your business finances!

Coming up next: We're joined by a special guest to talk all things business borrowing, including what lenders look for and the different funding options available to business owners.

Smart cashflow strategies every business owner should know

Good cashflow doesn’t just happen. It takes good habits, planning and knowing where your cash is tied up.

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey share practical cashflow strategies that every business owner should have in their toolkit. From getting customers to pay you faster and managing when bills and tax are due, to avoiding too much cash being tied up in stock, they break down some simple ways to keep more cash available when your business needs it.

They also explore the difference between everyday working capital and the cash you may need to grow, why planning ahead matters, and why the best time to arrange access to finance can be before you actually need it.

A practical episode to help you take a closer look at how cash moves through your business and make smarter decisions before cashflow becomes a problem.

Your accountant tells you the business made a profit, but when you check the bank account, there’s barely any money there. Sound familiar?

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey unpack one of the most common frustrations for small business owners: understanding the difference between profit and cash flow.

They explain in simple terms why a profitable business can still run into cash flow problems, how unpaid invoices, stock purchases, loan repayments, GST, tax and the upcoming Payday Super changes can all impact the cash sitting in your bank account.

You'll learn:
• Why profit and cash are not the same thing
• How customers can unknowingly become a "silent loan" on your business
• The impact of debtors, creditors and stock on cash flow
• Why loan repayments affect your bank balance but not your profit
• How GST, PAYG and tax obligations can create cash flow pressure
• What Payday Super means for small business cash flow from July 2026

If you've ever wondered where the money went despite making a profit, this episode will help you understand the numbers behind your business and avoid some of the most common cash flow traps.

🎧 Tune in now and discover why cash is still king in small business.

Selling your business is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make — and there are plenty of tips, tricks and traps to be aware of along the way.

In this final episode of the Selling Your Business series, Michelle and Stacey unpack the common mistakes business owners make during the sale process and share practical ways to avoid them. From understanding the true value of your business and choosing the right buyer, to handling negotiations, managing staff, avoiding deal fatigue, and getting the right legal and tax advice — this episode is full of real-world insights for small business owners.

They also discuss the emotional side of selling a business, why communication is critical, how poor planning can cost you money, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right professional team.

Whether you’re planning to sell soon or just thinking ahead for the future, this episode will help you navigate the tips, tricks and traps of selling your business with more confidence and clarity.

🎧 Listen now for straightforward advice and practical insights designed specifically for small business owners.

Selling a business can be exciting — but it can also be full of hidden risks that many owners don’t see coming.

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey break down the real risks involved when selling your business, from losing key staff and customers to deal delays, due diligence blow-ups, negotiation mistakes, legal traps, tax surprises and even competitors taking advantage during the process.

Using real-world examples and practical advice, they explain:

• How to protect the value of your business during a sale
• Why employee management is critical before and after the deal
• What buyers look for during due diligence
• The importance of strong contracts, legal advice and tax planning
• How to avoid taking your eye off the business while negotiating
• Why negotiation strategy can make or cost you thousands

If you’re thinking about selling your business now or in the future, this episode will help you understand the common traps and how to prepare for a smoother, more successful sale.

🎧 Tune in for practical small business advice in simple terms from Michelle and Stacey.

Selling your business is one thing — surviving the due diligence process is another.

In this episode with Michelle and Stacey - talking all things small business, Michelle and Stacey break down what due diligence actually means when selling a business, why it matters, and how being prepared can make or break your sale.

They cover:
• What buyers are really looking for during due diligence
• Why confidentiality agreements and NDAs are critical
• The key documents every business owner should have ready
• Financial statements, employee contracts, leases, supplier agreements, and intellectual property
• Common mistakes that slow down or derail a sale
• The risks of poor preparation — including litigation and failed deals
• How timing, transparency, and planning help build buyer trust

Whether you’re thinking about selling now or years from now, this episode will help you understand how to prepare your business properly and avoid costly surprises.

If you want your business sale to move smoothly — and achieve the best possible outcome — this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Negotiation is one of the most important parts of selling your business, and it starts much earlier than most business owners realise.

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey continue the Selling Your Business series with a practical conversation about negotiating well. They explore why negotiation should not be about “winning at all costs”, but about achieving the best possible outcome for both the seller and the purchaser while protecting relationships, trust and the legacy of the business.

They discuss when negotiation really begins, why consistency and integrity matter, how emotional intelligence can influence the outcome, and why mindset, listening skills and clear boundaries are so important. They also cover who should be involved in negotiations, when to bring in advisers, and why every business owner should know their minimum acceptable price, preferred terms and deal breakers before serious discussions begin.

This episode is a must-listen for any small business owner thinking about selling, preparing for succession, or wanting to understand how to approach important business conversations with more confidence.

Bonus Episode: Payday Super – What Small Business Owners Need to Know Before July 2026

Big changes are coming, and they’re closer than you think.

From 1 July 2026, “Payday Super” will require businesses to pay superannuation at the same time as wages — not quarterly. In this bonus episode, Michelle and Stacey break down exactly what this means for small business owners, who it applies to, and why you need to act now.

We cover:

• Who is affected (hint: if you pay anyone, including yourself — this is for you)
• What “payday super” actually means in practice
• The cash flow impact and how to prepare
• The July 2026 “double whammy” risk many businesses aren’t ready for
• New ATO data matching and stricter penalties for late payments
• Why super is one of the biggest compliance risks for business owners
• Practical steps you can take now to avoid stress, penalties, and personal liability

We also discuss the closure of the ATO Small Business Super Clearing House and what you need to do before it’s gone for good.

If you employ staff (or plan to), this is one episode you can’t afford to miss. The rules are changing — and the consequences of getting it wrong are getting bigger.

Moral of the story? Pay your super on time, every time.

What if the biggest risk in selling your business isn’t the deal… but your people finding out the wrong way?

In this episode, we dive into one of the toughest parts of selling a business—telling your staff. From timing the conversation to protecting morale and retaining key people, we unpack how to balance transparency with strategy. Because handled poorly, you don’t just lose trust—you risk losing the very business you’re trying to sell.