Michelle and Stacey - All Things Small Business

Selling your business? Don’t leave money on the table.

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey sit down with Robyn Jacobson, Senior Advocate at The Tax Institute and host of its “Tax by Podcast,” to demystify Australia’s capital gains tax (CGT) rules for small business owners.

In plain English, we cover:

• CGT basics — what a capital asset is and how gains are actually taxed.

• The four small business CGT concessions and when they may apply:

  1. 15-year exemption (potentially tax-free on retirement)

  2. 50% active asset reduction

  3. Retirement exemption (lifetime cap of $500k)

  4. Replacement asset rollover (deferral strategies)

• Eligibility essentials — the <$6m net asset value or <$2m turnover tests, “active asset” rules, and why structures, timing and documentation matter.

• Real-world traps: valuations, grouping rules, signing in the right capacity, and why you need both your accountant and lawyer aligned.

If you’re planning an exit (now or in a few years), this is your friendly heads-up on what to discuss with your adviser—so you can plan early and avoid nasty surprises.

General information only—get personal advice for your situation.
Listen now and catch the rest of our “Selling Your Business” series for more practical, no-jargon tips.

Learn how to build a realistic value range for your business—not just a number. We cover valuation methods (profit/revenue/goodwill), normalising accounts and add-backs, why outside experts help, and how a buyer’s motives (customers, team, tech, location, market share) shape price and negotiation. Sell with clarity and confidence.

Selling your business isn’t just about the price tag — it’s about timing, structure, and what comes next.

Stacey and Michelle unpack how to decide when to exit, define your deal-breakers, and map out life after the sale — from staying on for a handover to taking a sabbatical, starting something new, or investing the proceeds.

Real talk on cash vs earn-outs/shares, staff considerations, premises, timelines, and making sure the net-in-hand funds your next chapter.

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey unpack the three big questions every seller must ask about a potential buyer: Can they run the business? Why do they want it? Can they pay for it?

They compare internal vs external buyers, share smart ways to research and validate a buyer (from ASIC checks to real-world references), and flag mindset clues—like values, problem-solving under pressure, and willingness to roll up their sleeves.

Plus, how to protect relationships, time and confidentiality while you figure it out. Perfect for owners preparing to sell a small business and wanting to avoid costly detours.

In this episode, Michelle and Stacey, Small Business Specialists, dive into the real value of a business—what it truly means beyond just the numbers. They explore the key drivers of business valuation such as customer base, people, intellectual property, reputation, supplier relationships, agreements, location, technology, and market share. To bring it to life, they walk through a real-world example: valuing a local restaurant and translating intangible strengths like loyal customers, strong reputation, and prime location into financial terms. The conversation highlights the balance between the art and science of valuation and why factors like leases, key staff, and brand reputation can significantly impact the final price when selling a business. A must-listen for anyone focused on small business growth and preparing for a successful sale.

This is the first episode in series 1 on Selling your Business.

We outline all things to be considered when selling your business.

This includes:

- Valuing your business

- Understanding your purchaser

- Timing of your exit

- Tax and legal advice

- Impacts on your staff

- Who should negotiate

- Due Diligence

- Identifying risks

- Common sale problems