Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, small business podcast, Crystal and Kay talk about what happens when you're still running your business off whiteboards, diaries, and what's stuck in your head, and why making the switch to proper systems is one of the biggest game changers for any small business.

They share a real story of a trades business owner who was waking up stressed, couldn't get invoices out, and had everything scattered across whiteboards and paper. They walk through what changed when he moved to a job management system, and why so many business owners start using new software but never fully commit to it.

If everything in your business lives in your head and you're up at 2am remembering things you forgot, this one's for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why whiteboards, diaries, and spreadsheets only get you so far
• The real reason most people give up on new systems (and how to avoid it)
• How job management tools like Tradify and ServiceM8 can save you hours every week
• Why using a system halfway is almost worse than not using one at all
• How tools like Dext take the pain out of receipts and expenses
• The link between accurate data and knowing your profit per job
• How AI in tools like Xero is already changing the game for small business
• Why having everything in your head is one of the biggest risks in your business

The key takeaway: automation isn't about replacing people. It's about getting in control of your data, your time, and your future.

Find your no charge Checklist on Automation at https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/resources/

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

You're flat out. The work keeps coming in. You've got staff, you've got jobs on the books. So why does it feel like there's nothing left at the end of the month?

In this episode, small business podcast, Crystal and Kay dig into one of the biggest frustrations in small business: being busy but not profitable.

They talk through why this happens, including pricing that doesn't stack up, growing without keeping an eye on the numbers, and the difference between cash flow and actual profit.

If you've ever looked at your bank account and thought, "Where did it all go?", this one's for you.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why busy doesn't equal profitable
• Common pricing mistakes that eat into your margins
• The difference between cashflow and profit (and why it matters)
• Simple steps to start getting your finances under control

Crystal and Kay also share our no charge Cashflow Chaos Checklist you can download at https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/resources/

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

You're the boss, but sometimes it doesn't feel like it. Your staff are turning up late, doing things their own way, and you're starting to wonder if they even care anymore.

In this episode, small business podcast, Crystal and Kay get into one of the most common frustrations in small business: staff who seem to have checked out. They share real stories from clients who were ready to walk away from profitable businesses because of one difficult staff member, and what actually turned things around.

Spoiler: most of the time, it's not a people problem. It's a communication problem.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why "I hate my business" often comes back to one staff issue
• The conversation most business owners avoid (and why having it earns respect)
• Why your staff might not actually know what you expect of them
• How a simple daily priorities list changed everything for one business
• When to hire, how to start small, and why cheap hires can cost you more
• The difference between being liked and being respected as a boss

The key takeaway: if your staff don't seem to care, the first place to look is in the mirror. Not because you're doing everything wrong, but because 95% of the time, better communication, clearer expectations, and regular check-ins will turn things around.

Find your no charge Checklist on Hiring Staff at https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/resources/

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

In this candid and practical conversation, Kay and Crystal dive into one of the most misunderstood topics in small business: what actually makes a good bookkeeper.

From keeping your books accurate and up to date, to building strong client relationships, to spotting red flags before they become disasters the duo unpack the real traits that separate average bookkeepers from truly great ones.

They explore:

• Why “up to date” isn’t enough accuracy matters more than ever
• How communication styles (and even DiSC profiles) shape the bookkeeper–client relationship
• The blurred line between admin work vs bookkeeping and why mixing them can cost you
• The rise of AI, automation, and tools like Dext, Syft, and Xero’s auto‑reconciliation
• Why proactive bookkeepers save businesses and reactive ones cost them
• The role of BAS agents vs bookkeepers, and why business owners often misunderstand the difference
• Real stories of cashflow surprises, tax debts, and how the right bookkeeper can prevent them

Whether you’re a business owner trying to understand your numbers or a bookkeeper wanting to sharpen your craft, this episode is packed with relatable stories, practical insights, and the kind of straight-talking advice Kay and Crystal are known for.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

In this candid and comforting episode, Kay and Crystal dive into what it really looks like to run a small business during tough times whether those challenges come from the economy, rising costs, industry shifts, or life itself. From cashflow pressure and pricing decisions to mental health, doom‑scrolling, and the weight of constant bad news, they unpack the practical steps and mindset shifts that help business owners stay steady when everything feels uncertain.

Drawing on real stories including fuel shortages, Xero outages, tricky clients, and the emotional load business owners carry they explore how to take stock, go back to basics, strengthen communication, review pricing, reduce unnecessary costs (hello, subscriptions!), and stay close to your numbers. Most importantly, they remind you that tough times don’t mean you’re failing they mean your business is asking for clarity, leadership, and action.

A supportive, honest conversation for any business owner feeling the pressure right now.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

Pricing isn’t just numbers — it’s psychology.
In this episode, Kay and Crystal dive into the money mindsets we inherit, how childhood sayings like “waste not, want not” or “money doesn’t grow on trees” shape our pricing decisions, and why so many business owners undercharge.

We unpack imposter syndrome, confidence, attracting the right clients, and how understanding your value (and your clients’ pain points) transforms your pricing. Real stories, real laughs, and real talk about charging what you’re worth.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Small Business Sorted, Kay and Crystal interview entrepreneur Deborah Mott, former owner of the e‑commerce and wholesale homewares brand Zakkia. Deborah shares the full story behind buying an existing business, scaling an online store, managing international manufacturing, and growing a product‑based brand across Australia and New Zealand.

We dive deep into the realities of running an e‑commerce business, including sourcing from artisans in India and Vietnam, managing US‑dollar purchasing, dealing with freight forwarders, navigating wholesale vs online sales, and protecting your brand from copycat competitors. Deborah also breaks down the systems she relied on, the staffing challenges that come with small business, and how she balanced design, manufacturing, logistics, and marketing.

Deborah opens up about the impact of COVID on e‑commerce, the spike in online sales, the explosion in shipping costs, and the moment she realised the business model was no longer sustainable. With insights on Instagram growth, product pricing, margins, and the hidden costs most new e‑commerce owners overlook, this episode is packed with practical lessons for anyone running — or thinking about starting an online store or retail brand.

If you’re building an e‑commerce business, importing products, selling wholesale, or trying to scale a creative brand, this conversation is a must‑listen.

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.

Send us Fan Mail

Business planning doesn’t have to be boring or a 50‑page document you never look at again. In this episode, Crystal and Kay walk through a simple, practical one‑page business plan that any small business owner can use to get clarity, direction, and momentum.

To make it real, Kay steps into the shoes of “Maddie”, a mobile dog groomer on the Northern Beaches, and together they map out her vision, goals, revenue targets, ideal clients, new services, personal goals, and the critical actions she needs to take to grow her business.

You’ll learn:
• Why a one‑page plan beats a long document
• How to set realistic revenue and client targets
• How to choose your ideal customers
• How to create new income streams
• How to balance business goals with personal goals
• How to identify your “champagne moment”
• And why your plan should be a living, breathing tool not a file gathering dust

Connect with us:
Crystal Petzer - https://businessgrowthcoach.com.au/
Kay Godfrey - https://upupandaway.net.au/

Radio Northern Beaches 88.7 or 90.3 FM - https://www.rnb.org.au/
Email us - radio@businessgrowthcoach.com.au

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61590811295505
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/small_business_sorted/

If this episode hits home, share it with a business owner who needs to hear it.