EPISODE 232 : Hey Google ... Where's my Money Going?

EPISODE 232 : Hey Google ... Where's my Money Going?

"Where's my money going?" If you've ever found yourself typing those words into Google (or ChatGPT), you're certainly not alone. In fact, it's one of the most common questions business owners search for. The problem is... Google can give you thousands of possible answers, but it can't tell you what's actually happening in your business. In this episode, we're exploring why so many business owners are searching for quick fixes, why those answers often leave us feeling even more overwhelmed, and why understanding your numbers is about so much more than simply finding another expense to cut. We'll talk about: * Why "Where's my money going?" might actually be the wrong question. * The difference between information and understanding. * Why business owners aren't really searching for answers—they're searching for certainty. * How small financial decisions quietly compound over time. * Why the real shortcut isn't another Google search... it's knowing what to look for. After almost 30 years working alongside small business owners, I've learnt that the biggest breakthroughs don't come from finding more information—they come from asking better questions and understanding what your numbers are really trying to tell you. If you've ever looked at your bank account and wondered where all your hard work has gone, this episode is for you. Ready to stop guessing? If you'd like to understand your business finances without spending months trying to piece everything together yourself, my Small Business Cashflow Course [http://www.amybajada.com.au/cashflow] was created for exactly that. I've taken nearly 30 years of experience and distilled it into five practical, easy-to-follow modules designed specifically for small business owners—no accounting degree required. Because the real shortcut isn't finding more information... It's learning what actually matters. Thanks for listening! If this episode resonated with you, I'd love it if you subscribed, left a review, or shared it with another business owner who might need to hear this conversation.

EPISODE 231 : Would You Buy Your Own Business?

Would you buy your own business? It's a strange question... until you really stop and think about it. This episode, I'm inviting you to do something a little different. Forget your to-do list. Forget your inbox. Forget the fact that you're the owner for just a little while. Instead, imagine you've just walked into your business for the very first time... with one goal. Would you invest your own money in it? Before you panic... this isn't an episode about selling your business. It's about seeing it. Because when you've been inside your business for years, it's easy to stop noticing the things that have quietly become "normal." The customer you've outgrown. The problem you've been avoiding. The process that's harder than it needs to be. The opportunities hiding in plain sight. In this episode, I'll become the buyer, and together we'll walk through your business with a completely different perspective. Not to criticise it. Not to judge it. But to become curious about it. Because sometimes the biggest breakthrough doesn't come from working harder. It comes from asking better questions. 🎧 In this episode, we'll explore: * Why business owners often become too close to their own business to see what's really happening. * The first questions a curious buyer would ask... and why they're probably different from the ones you're asking yourself. * Why being busy and being profitable aren't always the same thing. * How shifting from defending your business to becoming curious about it can change the decisions you make. * Why you don't need to sell your business to start thinking like someone who just bought it. If this episode leaves you looking at your business a little differently, then we've achieved exactly what we set out to do. So grab a coffee, pull up a chair... And let's buy your business.   💬 I'd love to hear from you. After listening, ask yourself one question: Would you buy your own business today... and if not, what's the very first thing you'd change? Come and share your biggest insight with me on social media or send me a message. I'd genuinely love to hear what this exercise uncovered for you. Because remember... You don't need to sell your business to start thinking like someone who just bought it. Book a discovery call 👇🏼 www.amybajada.com.au/discoverycall [http://www.amybajada.com.au/discoverycall]  Join my Small Business Cashflow Course [http://www.amybajada.com.au/cashflow]

EPISODE 230 : GUEST INTERVIEW : Karen Ahl from Web-Sta Web Design

What happens when a business owner stops believing that more sales will solve everything and starts understanding what is really driving the business? In this episode, I sit down with Karen Ahl, founder of Web-sta, a marketing agency celebrating almost 20 years in business. Karen was actually the very first person to purchase my Cashflow Course, and after first appearing on the podcast back in 2022, she's back to share what has changed, what she has learned, and what continues to drive her success. This conversation goes far beyond websites and marketing. We dive into the financial realities of running a business, the pricing mistakes many business owners make, the lessons that come from growth, and the importance of understanding what is really happening behind the numbers. Together we explore: • Why "if I just make more money" is one of the most dangerous beliefs in business • The financial lessons that changed the way Karen runs her business • Understanding the difference between margin and actual profitability • How she discovered some customers were costing her money • The reality of increasing prices and what happened when she finally did it • Building systems, processes and a team that supports growth • Why self-belief becomes one of the most valuable business assets you can develop • The surprising challenges that come with success and visibility • Learning to work with the right people and building a business that aligns with your values This is an honest conversation about business ownership, growth, resilience and making better decisions with both confidence and data. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, there are plenty of lessons in this episode that will challenge the way you think about money, pricing, growth and what success really looks like. Connect with Karen and Web_Sta: www.web-sta.com.au [http://www.web-sta.com.au/] karen@web-sta.com.au [karen@web-sta.com.au] As always, if this episode resonates with you, I'd love for you to share it with another business owner who needs to hear it.

EPISODE 229 : The new financial year isn't giving you a fresh start. It's giving you fresh information.

It's the start of a new financial year here in Australia, and everywhere you look, business owners are setting new goals, making new plans, and promising themselves that this year will be different. But what if we're asking the wrong question? Instead of focusing on what's next, perhaps we should first understand what the last 12 months were trying to teach us. In this episode, we'll explore why your business is constantly leaving clues about what's working, what's not, and where your biggest opportunities for growth may be hiding. From capacity and pricing to cashflow and profitability, you'll discover how to stop guessing, start listening, and use the information your business has already collected to make better decisions moving forward. Because the new financial year isn't a reset button. It's a report card. And the businesses that grow aren't always the ones that work the hardest. They're often the ones that learn the fastest. In this episode you'll discover: • Why "new year, new you" isn't the answer most business owners need • How to identify the lessons your business has been trying to teach you • The difference between being busy and being profitable • Why capacity issues are often mistaken for sales problems • How forecasting creates confidence and control • The importance of building better rules and rhythms in your business • Three powerful questions every business owner should answer this week If you've ever felt like you're working hard but not getting the results you want, this episode will help you uncover the clues your business has been leaving behind all year. Because better decisions start with better information. Connect with me: www.amybajada.com.au [http://www.amybajada.com.au/]

EPISODE 228 : The dangerous truth about taking financial advice from AI

Have you ever asked ChatGPT a business question and thought: "Wow... that's actually a really good answer." You're not alone. More and more business owners are turning to AI for guidance on everything from pricing and cashflow to hiring, growth, and profitability. And while AI can be an incredibly powerful tool, there's one thing it can't do: Understand your business the way you do. In this episode, I'm exploring the growing trend of business owners relying on AI for financial advice and why the biggest risk isn't that AI gets things wrong... it's that the answers often sound incredibly convincing. You'll discover: * Why a confident answer isn't always the right answer * The question every business owner should ask before acting on AI advice * Why two businesses can ask the same question and require completely different answers * The difference between information and insight * What AI can do exceptionally well * Where human judgement still matters most * How to use AI to improve your decision-making without outsourcing it completely This isn't an anti-AI conversation. It's a practical discussion about context, accountability, and making better business decisions in a world where answers are available faster than ever before. Because AI can help you think. But it can't take responsibility for your decisions. And when it comes to your money, that distinction matters. Take a listen ...