The 5 Minute Business Boost®

In this episode, Pt. 1, Sam discusses the challenges of those first 12 months.

The first five are identified by Business.Gov.Au plus another 3 or so that Sam has identified.

Some reflections, some heavy parts, but overall something to think about for those first 12 months!

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this episode, Sam asks; did you know your packaging can be a silent salesperson? Craft a design that wows and protects, leaving a lasting impression on your customers.

She will discuss the many hats of packaging

1. Protection: The primary function - ensure your product arrives safely.

2. Brand Ambassador: packaging as an extension of your brand identity (colors, logos, messaging).

3. Marketing Tool: Creating a buzz with unique designs or interactive elements (e.g., QR codes, games).

4. Customer Experience: The "unboxing" moment is part of the overall brand experience.

If you love the episode, subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, www.samhicks.com.au, and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In the second series of the podcast, Sam sits down with local business owners!

Today we are speaking with a small business owner to find out about their business journey, so there are 5 questions!

Sounds easy, right?

So get ready for some great insights, reflections, and some laughter.....potentially some real serious bits too.

Please note our discussion today, meaning the content we create in this episode is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Each person and their business journeys are different.

So, let me introduce my guest, Jenn Donovan (based in North East Victoria/Southern NSW, Mulwala NSW), and founder of Social Media and Marketing Australia.

Jenn Donovan is a global marketing strategist, best-selling author, and Australia’s sort after-speaker and media commentator on all things marketing, with a big heart for helping rural and regional small businesses.

If you don't know who she is, listen in for some valuable insights...and then listen to her podcasts...a wealth of information.

Want to know more about Jenn?

Check out her story and offerings here - https://socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/

and don't forget to buy her book: - https://socialmediaandmarketing.com.au/product-category/book/

If you love the episode, subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

(If you want to be included in a chat on an up-and-coming episode, reach out )

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau), and remember, anything is possible in business.

Today Sam is speaking to a small business owner to find out about their business journey, so there are 5 questions!

Sounds easy, right?

So get ready for some great insights, reflections, and some laughter.....potentially some real serious bits too.

Today's guest is the co-founder of Issimo, Jay Cooper, who is a specialist in user experience (UX) and graphic design with a techy twist.

The major brand is Issimo, and Jay and his brother Nick are responsible for Issimo Markets.

What does Issimo do? They service the nation with their SaaS, which means a complete software-as-a-service solution that is on demand when you need it for your business or event.

So their product makes markets simple—event applications that happen in minutes, not days.

So tune in and be ready for a business journey from a start-up—a small business success story from the North East!

https://www.issimomarkets.com/ is where they are at.

If you love the episode, subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this second series of the podcast, Sam sits down with local business owners.

Today we are speaking with a small business owner to find out about their business journey....so it's 5 questions!

Sounds easy, right….so get ready for some great insights, reflections, and some laughter—potentially some real serious bits too.

Please note our discussion today, meaning the content we create in this episode is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Each person and their business journeys are different.

Today we are speaking with a small business owner, Jo Anne Kasch from Pack Saddling Australia, to find out about her business journey.

For those who know Jo, she is a down-to-earth, authentic powerhouse of inspiration who has a huge national following with her passion and extensive knowledge for all things pack saddling with horses and Mules.

Jo and John's glamping trips are booked 12 months in advance, and their workshops are extremely popular.

Hear Sam and Jo talk about the business journey for Pack Saddling Australia.

Check out their website: https://www.packsaddlingaustralia.com.au/

Small Businesses, Big Hearts! – The Power of Community Sponsorship Part 2 🌟 Unleashing the Power of Community Partnerships! 🌟

This is for community groups and events.

In Part 1, I discussed the power of community sponsorship and identified all the components of the benefits, the process, and how sponsorship works...

Now it’s time for community groups and events.

I have been involved in both sides of the sponsorship landscape, and I have seen some shockers over the years, from forgotten logos to the wrong logos, no sponsorship thanks, missed networking opportunities, and budget runovers.

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this episode, Sam discusses the power of community sponsorship (part 1).

Sam identifies all the components of the benefits, the process, and how sponsorship works...

If you love the episode, subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, www.samhicks.com.au, and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this second series of the podcast, Sam sits down with local business owners.

Today we are speaking with a small business owner to find out about their business journey....so it's 5 questions!

Sounds easy, right….so get ready for some great insights, reflections, and some laughter—potentially some real serious bits too.

Please note our discussion today, meaning the content we create in this episode is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. Each person and their business journeys are different.

So, let me introduce my guest

Today being the 7th of February, it's appropriate that I catch up with a local Megan Buntine.

Megan has a particular passion for working with not-for-profits, both online and in person, with organisations across Australia and New Zealand.

Megan uses her knowledge, skills, experience, and vast connections to support the governing bodies and senior staff of all sorts of organisations to build greater governance, leadership, and strategic capabilities, so they, in turn, can then deliver better support and services to their stakeholders.

Megan conducts a range of services, including group sessions, 1:1 coaching for CEOs, retreats, and webinars. This includes training programs, good governance workshops, and support packages.

Check out her range of up-and-coming events: - https://mjbconsulting.net.au/events/

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On a side note, Megan and her husband Marty survived the 2009 bushfires, and they both continue to inspire those around them with their ability to be so damn resilient—they never gave up.

Megan's ability to just get on with it is amazing.

There is a photo of them both walking away from the camera after the biggest fight of their lives on that fateful day and night on February 7 2009 it resonates strongly with me on how far our communities have come after that time.

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If you love the episode, subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic, or if you are in the North East, reach out for a catch up and podcast chat!

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau), and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this episode, Sam shares 10 tips for building brilliant websites, and in an era where people increasingly turn to AI platforms for information and assistance, the vitality of maintaining a website remains crucial.

If you love the episode… subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.

In this episode, I'm chatting about stepping outside your comfort zone as a business owner.

Stepping outside one's comfort zone is an invaluable character-building experience for small business owners. In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship, where adaptability and resilience are key, embracing new challenges fosters personal and professional growth.

Operating a small business demands a diverse skill set, and willingly venturing beyond familiar territories sharpens these skills, promoting versatility in decision-making and problem-solving.

So why would I do this??

Listen to Sam as she reflects on a recent experience that has built character.

If you love the episode, subscribe, share, like, or let me know about a future topic.

Head over to the website, samhicks.com.au and sign up for the 5-minute business boost newsletter.

Or see how we can work together to reach your small business goals by visiting https://samhicks.com.au/old-home/lets-go/

Follow me on social media (@samhickscomau) and remember, anything is possible in business.