In this week's episode of Flying Solo Cec is joined by Mark Chapman, Director of Tax Communication at H&R Block, to break down everything you need to know about end-of-financial-year preparation. Find out everything from how to get your paperwork in order, to avoiding common mistakes. Make sure you’re not leaving any money on the table when it comes to deductions. Mark offers practical advice on essential record keeping, explains which documents are a must-have, and even spots some tax traps...
Jun 19, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Cec Busby sits down with Luke Achterstraat, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), for a discussion about the current landscape for small businesses. With a major decision from the Fair Work Commission to raise the minimum wage by 3.75% set to take effect, Cec and Luke unpack what this change—and a host of other pressing issues such as rising business costs, increasing red tape, late payments, and compliance burdens—means for small business owners. Key topics 1. C...
Jun 12, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 15
If the mention of AI makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone—but what if AI could actually make your business smoother, more efficient, and free up valuable time? To help unravel the mystery (and bust a few myths), Cec is joined by Tracy Sheen, award-winning business tech expert, speaker, founder of The Digital Guide, and bestselling author. With over 30 years spent in the tech trenches—and a brand-new, jargon-free book called AI and You: Reimagine Business—Tracy shares practical advice for...
Jun 06, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Roxanne Calder is a recruitment expert, business founder, and author of the eye-opening book "Earning Power." In this episode Ce and Roxanne unpack the core moments that shape our financial futures, from pay negotiations and navigating maternity leave to the small, everyday decisions that can make a big difference over time. With the gender pay gap costing women a million dollars over their lifetime, this is one episode you don't want to miss. Roxanne shares hard-hitting facts, personal insights...
May 22, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Amy Jacobson is a human behaviour and emotional intelligence specialist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. She has made it her mission to help leaders and organisations embed emotional intelligence into their workplace culture—something she believes is often overlooked, yet crucial for business success. In this conversation, Cec and Amy explore what emotional intelligence really is, why it’s a gamechanger for business owners, and practical ways to develop these skills—whether you’re manag...
May 15, 2025•35 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Cec Busby sits down with Gary Waldon—a true master of transformation, whose career has spanned an incredible 44 different jobs, from teacher to topless waiter to CEO advisor, and now bestselling author. Together, they dive deep into the topic of reinvention and the inevitability of change, whether it comes by choice or crashes into your life unexpectedly. Gary shares stories from his colorful career, practical advice for embracing and managing major life and business shifts, and why detaching yo...
May 12, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 11
In this episode of Flying Solo, we chat with Fiona Campbell – founder of Thought Penny and the VA Lead Network – about how she turned redundancy on maternity leave into a booming remote business. Fiona shares her journey from C-suite EA to virtual assistant queen, her top tips for setting up systems that scale, and how she gets a whopping 70% open rate on her emails. If you’re drowning in to-dos, struggling with delegation or unsure whether a VA is worth the investment, Fiona’s got you covered w...
May 01, 2025•44 min•Season 2Ep. 10
This week's episode of Flying Solo focuses on the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of being a solo entrepreneur—our personal wellbeing and resilience. Melli O'Brien, renowned coach, mindfulness educator, and author of Deep Resilience has aided over a million individuals worldwide in finding inner calm and clarity. She shares her personal journey from dealing with mental health crises to becoming a beacon of mindfulness and strength. In this conversation, Melli dives into the key skills necess...
Apr 17, 2025•43 min
Shani Taylor is an award-winning business coach, speaker, best-selling author, and even hailed as the Global Coach of the Year by the Duchess of York. Her passion lies in empowering everyday Aussies to become masters of leadership, sales, and human behaviour, ensuring they can scale their businesses without facing burnout. In this episode, Shani shares her unique journey from a challenging upbringing to her phenomenal success, where she grew her business from scratch to an international success ...
Apr 10, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Todd Polke, is an investor, entrepreneur, and international educator in wealth creation. With over two decades of experience assisting thousands in mastering their finances, Todd is here to share insights from his new book, "Escape the Middle." This episode promises to equip you with strategies to tackle financial stagnation and construct a future tailored to your financial goals. Whether you're just beginning your financial journey or looking to elevate your wealth, Todd's expertise will motiva...
Apr 03, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Emma Lagerlow, a wealth and mindset coach, entrepreneur, and author of Worthy and Wealthy. In this episode of Flying Solo, Emma shares her journey and insights on building a life of abundance by aligning self-worth, purpose, well-being, and time. Listeners can expect to learn about the five pillars Emma believes make up a truly wealthy life, how self-worth influences financial empowerment, and why aligning your purpose with your work or passions is key to true wealth. Emma also delves into the i...
Mar 31, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 6
In the episode, we're joined by the incredible Ingrid Maynard, a renowned sales performance expert and founder of The Sales Doctor. Ingrid is here to revolutionise the way you think about selling! We'lll dive into Ingrid's game-changing approach that turns your entire business into a sales engine without the usual pressure. Ingrid shares why simply being customer-centric isn't enough anymore and how you can build value at every touch point in your business. We'll hear about Ingrid's journey from...
Mar 20, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Melissa Browne, an award-winning former accountant and financial advisor who has built three seven-figure businesses in different industries. In this episode of Flying Solo Melissa shares her journey from an accidental business owner to a strategic entrepreneur, She discusses why now is the perfect time to start a business and offers practical insights for soloists and small business owners on managing finances, pricing strategies, and creating successful business structures. Whether you're drea...
Mar 06, 2025•33 min•Season 2Ep. 4
In today's episode, we're joined by David Fastuca, co-author of the B2B Sales Playbook. David, who has successfully built a $150 million sales pipeline and scaled a SaaS business in a competitive market, shares his expertise on developing a simple, repeatable sales system that stands out from the pushy tactics many dread. We'll explore key aspects like the impact of AI on sales, the importance of having a structured sales operating system, and actionable insights for overcoming common sales chal...
Mar 03, 2025•36 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In this episode of Flying Solo, we dive into the inspiring journey of Irene Tsang, a trailblazer for female entrepreneurship in Australia. After a successful corporate career in Asia, Irene made a bold leap to establish LiftWomen, Australia's pioneering platform dedicated to empowering and funding female entrepreneurs. Motivated by her own experiences of gender bias in the corporate sector, she is now at the forefront of closing the gender funding gap, providing women with access to the capital,...
Feb 13, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Lisa Jones is a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship. The founder of several successful brands, Lisa shares her journey from corporate roles to building multimillion-dollar businesses, including the inspiring backstory of her eco-friendly nappy brand, Ecoriginals and the origins of her latest venture She-com. Lisa discusses the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, from funding and financial literacy to the societal pressures of balancing work and family. Lisa offers rich insights ...
Feb 06, 2025•37 min•Season 2Ep. 1
With a background rooted in a family skincare business, Olivia Jenkins brings over a decade of experience in navigating the ups and downs of the industry. From mastering the art of tenacity to juggling a career, pregnancy, and education, Olivia's journey is one of resilience and determination. She joins us on Flying Solo to share her top learnings from the world of e-commerce, brand strategy, and the power of platforms like TikTok to boost sales. Key topics: E-commerce Strategy and Marketing: - ...
Jan 30, 2025•34 min
Jaqui Scammell is the CEO of ServiceQ and an expert with over 35 years of experience in customer service. On this week's episode of Flying Solo, Jaqui shares her journey from working at McDonald's to leading major stadium events, to ultimately founding ServiceQ with a mission to redefine service. Jaqui unpacks the impact of the pandemic on customer service, the essential elements of leadership, the human touchpoints and emotional elements of service, and the future of customer service in the fac...
Jan 23, 2025•32 min
In this episode of Flying Solo, we're joined by business coach and entrepreneur and author Jim Cocks, as he shares his journey from performer to the corporate world to coaching and entrepreneurship. With a focus on understanding the ideal client, the significance of self-care, and strategies for building authentic connections, Jim provides valuable advice for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike. Join us as we delve into the importance of mindset, embracing failure, and the importance of...
Jan 16, 2025•30 min
Joe Pane is a seasoned psychologist and sociologist who has been aiding businesses and individuals in navigating uncertainty for over twenty years. Pane is the creator of the emotional fitness formula and is an authority on mindset. His new book, Courage To Be You, is filled with valuable advice on reframing feelings around uncertainty for a happier healthier existence. Key Topics: Emotional Fitness and Resilience: - Understanding the emotional fitness formula and its five core principles - Over...
Jan 09, 2025•31 min
In this episode, host Cec Busby is joined by Charlotte Blair, the founder of Strength Partners and author of Career Unstuck. Together, they dive into the intricacies of internal voices, self-assurance, and the power of community. Charlotte shares invaluable insights on managing limiting beliefs, harnessing personal strengths, and the transformative impact of building meaningful connections. Join us as we uncover practical tools and techniques for personal development and discover the courage to ...
Jan 02, 2025•37 min
Vesna Hrsto is a dedicated naturopath who has overcome burnout in her own business to continue helping others with their health and wellness. From a young age, she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in natural medicine and has been committed to her passion. Her experience with burnout has shaped her approach to her work, and she now strives to help others prevent and recover from similar experiences. From dietary changes to mental and emotional stress management, this conversation delves in...
Dec 26, 2024•35 min
Andrew Baxter is a financial expert with a remarkable journey that took him from a financially challenged upbringing to the bustling world of London's investment banking sector. In this episode of Flying Solo, Baxter shares his insights on the complexities of trading, the common pitfalls, and the necessity of a structured, process-driven approach to investment success. Discover how Baxter's transformative encounter on a golf course catalysed his mission to educate and empower over 50,000 individ...
Dec 12, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 435
Matt Jones is the co-founder of the globally acclaimed award-winning Four Pillars Gin. In this episode of Flying Solo we sit down to get Matt's insights on building an iconic brand. Matt unpacks how a small distillery transformed into a world-recognised name, thanks to the power of storytelling, a blend of creative strategy, innovative product development, and a commitment to quality. Discover Matt's perspective on fostering a culture of creativity, leveraging social media for brand growth, and ...
Dec 05, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 434
Colin D. Ellis is a workplace culture expert who is passionate about creating positive work environments, and his latest book, Detox Your Culture, shares valuable strategies for business owners looking to improve how they work. With 30 years of experience behind him, Colin discusses the significance of nurturing workplace culture, highlighting that toxicity is not an inevitable part of high-pressure industries. He offers practical advice for addressing issues with leadership, enhancing diversity...
Nov 28, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 433
Dr. Jenny Brockis is a bestselling author and expert in health and well-being in the workplace. In this episode of Flying solo we explore the profound benefits of reconnecting with nature. Dr. Brockis emphasizes the importance of spending time outdoors to reduce stress, boost productivity, and enhance social bonds. From the simple act of taking a daily nature break to joining community events like Park Run, discover how immersing yourself in natural environments can improve mental health, creati...
Nov 14, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 432
Glin Bayley is a negotiation specialist, coach, and author of The Negotiation Playbook. Glin shares her insights into the power of negotiation for both small and large businesses. We explore the dynamics of negotiation, from avoiding common pitfalls like focusing solely on price, to embracing a framework that enhances personal and mutual value. Glin uncovers the significance of character, integrity, and collaboration in negotiations, offering guidance on preparing for success and managing unexpe...
Oct 31, 2024•40 min•Season 1Ep. 431
Today we are joined by Simi Rayat, a global productivity expert, business psychologist and founder of Wellbeing Face. In our conversation, we delve into productivity and emotional wellbeing. Simi shares her journey from a budding interest in psychology to becoming an advocate for enhancing productivity through a scientifically backed approach. Together, we explore key concepts from her latest book, "Productivity Joy," which offers strategies for boosting productivity and energy in just five minu...
Oct 20, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 430
With an impressive following on TikTok and partnerships with top brands like later.com and Showpo, Maddi Ragno, host of Marketing and Margaritas, knows what it takes to get a business noticed. She joins us on Flying Solo today to share practical digital marketing strategies for your business. From retargeting email lists to using paid ads, to the nuances of influencer marketing, Maddi has plenty of advice to share. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting your entrepreneurial journey,...
Sep 05, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 429
Shivani Gupta is a successful entrepreneur, award-winning coach, keynote speaker, and author. In this episode of Flying Solo, she shares her incredible journey from being an engineer to becoming an entrepreneur and business coach. We discuss the lessons learned from her successes and failures, the importance of clear vision and effective communication for business owners, and strategies for nurturing and motivating teams, freelancers, and individuals. Join us as we explore the key strategies in ...
Aug 26, 2024•29 min
