Are you wearing too many hats in your business? Whether you're still doing it all yourself or you're juggling a small team, chances are your resourcing model is holding back your growth. In this solo episode of Olive Insights , Sarah Petty unpacks one of the biggest levers for scaling your business: resourcing and how to do it strategically. Sarah breaks down the three stages of resourcing that most founders move through: Upskilling the founder – building your own capability Hiring for doing – g...
Jul 20, 2025•15 min•Ep. 32
Thinking about buying a business? If you’re considering growth through acquisition, whether it’s buying a competitor or expanding into a new service area, this episode of Olive Insights is packed with practical advice to help you make an informed decision. Sarah Petty and Kerrie McGilvray kick off the conversation by answering a listener question from Sean, a business owner exploring his first acquisition. Like many founders, Sean’s excited about the potential but also concerned about risks like...
Jul 06, 2025•27 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty interviews Jehan Perinpanayagam, CEO of Infomate, about the benefits of outsourced finance resourcing. They discuss the various services offered by outsourced finance teams, the challenges of finding good talent, and how virtual finance support can help small businesses manage their financial functions more effectively. Jehan shares insights on common financial mistakes businesses make and discusses the importance of data security when o...
Jun 22, 2025•24 min•Ep. 30
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Andrew Jepson, founder of The FBP Team, shares his journey from a traditional finance role to becoming a finance business partner. He discusses the importance of effective communication between finance professionals and non-finance stakeholders, the critical role of cash flow management in small businesses, and the tools that can enhance finance business partnering. Andrew also highlights common financial mistakes made by business owners and emphasi...
Jun 16, 2025•33 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty interviews Kiran Bhullar, Private Client Advisor at UniSuper, to discuss the critical importance of retirement planning for business owners, particularly focusing on superannuation. Kiran shares insights on the risks of relying solely on business success for retirement, the necessity of diversifying financial strategies, and the importance of developing financial literacy. They also talk about practical budgeting methods like the 50-30-20 rule and t...
Jun 08, 2025•30 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty chats with Steve Grace, CEO & Founder of The Nudge Group, who shares his extensive entrepreneurial journey, discussing the various businesses he has built and the lessons he learned along the way. He talks about the importance of taking entrepreneurship seriously, understanding cash flow, and the value of community and mentorship. Steve also reflects on his early challenges, standout moments, and the freedom that comes with being an entrepreneur...
Jun 01, 2025•31 min•Ep. 27
In this episode, Sarah Petty chats with Carla Canning, Founder of Connect Lead Achieve, to talk about the critical role of HR in business growth, focusing on the signs that indicate a company is ready to expand its team, common hiring mistakes startups make, and strategies for retaining talent. They discuss the importance of workplace culture, compliance, and capability, and explore the necessity of workplace wellness, especially in remote settings. Carla shares practical advice for business own...
May 25, 2025•33 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty interviews Ashwini Shankar, CFO at NAATI, to discuss the significance of digitisation in finance, emphasising its role in enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. She outlines practical steps for businesses to embrace digitisation, including starting with small wins and selecting the right technology. Ash also highlights the importance of measuring success through clear metrics and maintaining a balance between automation and human oversight. She sh...
May 18, 2025•31 min•Ep. 25
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty speaks with Graeme Poules, co-founder of EmpEx Consulting about his business journey. Graeme talks about the evolution of his business, the challenges of managing finances as a new entrepreneur, and the importance of networking and leveraging relationships for success. Graeme shares insights from his journey, including the transition from corporate roles to consulting and the strategies he employed to build a successful business. He prov...
May 11, 2025•32 min•Ep. 24
In this episode, Sarah Petty sits down with Jenna Paulin, founder of Now Actually, to discuss the intricacies of building a thriving remote work culture, the importance of hiring for cultural fit, and the challenges faced by businesses in managing remote teams. Jenna emphasises the need for effective communication, creating a sense of belonging, and treating offshore employees as integral members of the team. Jenna also shares insights on aligning remote teams with company values and the signifi...
May 04, 2025•33 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty interviews Fatimah Abbouchi, owner and director of Agile Management Office and mental health advocate. They discuss the challenges of scaling businesses, the importance of project management, and Fatimah's innovative "AMO Way" for facilitating change. Fatimah shares insights on integrating technology effectively, building resilience to avoid burnout, and the significance of experimentation in business growth. Links: Website: AMO | Agile Management O...
Apr 27, 2025•32 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty chats with Danielle Lewis, CEO and founder of Spark, to discuss the financial challenges and lessons learned throughout her entrepreneurial journey. They discuss the importance of understanding finances, the significance of a profit-first mindset, and the necessity of building strong relationships with financial experts. Danielle openly shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate career to entrepreneurship, the importance of tracking finan...
Apr 20, 2025•31 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty interviews Sarah Nayton, founder of Sapiens Consulting, about the critical role of values and culture in business success. They discuss how to embed values into company culture, the impact of culture on customer experience, and the importance of strong values during times of change. Sarah Nayton shares practical tips for business owners on defining and integrating values into their organisations, emphasising the need for being intentional when it co...
Apr 13, 2025•31 min•Ep. 20
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty speaks with Ilana Kosakiewicz, a business owner, kinesiologist and energy coach, about the importance of understanding and managing energy in both personal and business contexts. They discuss common challenges faced by business owners, including money blocks, imposter syndrome, and the need to reconnect with passion in their work. Ilana explains the significance of balancing masculine and feminine energies, creating sustainable business practices, a...
Apr 06, 2025•31 min•Ep. 19
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty interviews Meenakshi Bhayani, co-founder of Creatick Group, about the importance of fractional financial services for small businesses. They discuss the unique financial challenges faced by small businesses, including cash flow management, the significance of understanding operational finance, and strategies for managing costs effectively. Meenakshi talks about the need for small business owners to allocate time for financial management ...
Mar 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 18
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty speaks with Kerrie McGilvray, Founder of The Admin Superheroes, about the critical role of operational support in business success. They discuss the importance of establishing systems and processes early on, the need for flexibility during growth, and how to identify and address operational inefficiencies. Kerrie shares insights on the differences between operational roles, such as Online Business Managers (OBM) and Virtual Assistants (VA), and emph...
Mar 23, 2025•28 min•Ep. 17
In this episode of Olive Insights, host Sarah Petty speaks with Catalina Bonavia, founder of WeShift, about strategies for operational efficiency and business growth. They discuss common bottlenecks that business owners face, the importance of leveraging technology and AI, understanding customer needs, creating sustainable business models, and the significance of accountability in implementing changes. Catalina shares actionable insights and frameworks that can help entrepreneurs refine their of...
Mar 16, 2025•30 min•Ep. 16
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty chats with Tom Hunter, Managing Director of Edward Mann Australia, about the essential strategies for hiring finance professionals. They discuss the importance of understanding specific finance needs, assessing candidates effectively, and the significance of cultural fit in hiring. Tom shares insights on the skills currently in demand for finance professionals, the emerging role of AI in finance, and common mistakes businesses make durin...
Mar 09, 2025•29 min•Ep. 15
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty speaks with Dima Istambouli, founder of Mind Architecture, for an insightful conversation on personal transformation, resilience, and finding fulfillment in business. Dima shares her journey from being an architect to an entrepreneur, highlighting the power of self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and connection in building a purpose-driven business. They discuss the balance between financial success and true fulfillment, practical way...
Mar 02, 2025•35 min•Ep. 14
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty sits down with certified financial planner Trish Gregory to break down the often-overlooked role of insurance in protecting both business and personal financial stability. Trish introduces the "Goldilocks approach" to insurance - finding coverage that’s not too much, not too little, but just right. She explains the key types of insurance every business owner should consider and why early planning is essential. They discuss the importance...
Feb 23, 2025•30 min•Ep. 13
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty speaks with Billy Hosking, founder of Kavira IT, about the importance of technology and cybersecurity for businesses of all sizes. They discuss how businesses can build effective technology strategies, the critical elements of cybersecurity, and the importance of budgeting for IT solutions. Billy emphasises the need for businesses to stay updated with technology trends and the value of engaging with younger generations who are more adept...
Feb 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 12
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty speaks with Shay Thyer, founder and CEO of Pallas, about the importance of financial independence and how financial literacy can empower business owners. They discuss the barriers some women face in achieving financial independence, the mental load of running a business, and practical tips for managing finances effectively. Shay emphasises the need for business owners to understand their personal and business finances and the role of tec...
Feb 09, 2025•33 min•Ep. 11
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty talks with Rida Jafri, an experienced commercial finance professional, about the intersection of social impact and financial management in business. They discuss the importance of communicating a business's social impact, the growing consumer consciousness around ethical practices, and the balance between profit and purpose. Rida discusses the importance of intention in business practices, the significance of ESG reporting, and the respo...
Feb 02, 2025•34 min•Ep. 10
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty speaks with Stephannie Jonovska, Head of Finance Operations and Transformation at BlueScope, about the critical role of digital transformation in finance. They discuss the importance of viewing digital tools as co-workers, the need for data quality, and the challenges businesses face in implementing new technologies. Stephannie shares strategies for small businesses to embrace digital transformation, emphasising the significance of leadership and em...
Jan 26, 2025•34 min•Ep. 9
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty and Russell Dawson discuss the critical role of budgeting and forecasting in business success. They explore the importance of setting clear financial goals, understanding cash flow, and linking budgets to overall business strategy. Russell highlights key elements of effective budgeting, the balance between short-term and long-term planning, and practical steps for resource allocation. They also address common mistakes businesses make in ...
Jan 19, 2025•32 min•Ep. 8
In this episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty interviews Matthew Needham who shares his expertise on how businesses can focus on their "big rocks" - the strategic priorities that form the foundation of business success. He discusses the importance of understanding finances, setting clear goals, and prioritising effectively to achieve success. Matthew discusses common mistakes business owners make, the significance of referrals and testimonials, and the necessity of focusing on cash management. ...
Jan 12, 2025•31 min•Ep. 7
In this solo episode of Olive Insights, Sarah Petty openly reflects on her first six months of running Olive Business Partners, sharing six key lessons learned during her journey. She discusses the importance of investing in marketing, seeking expert help, networking, embracing opportunities, setting up a solid business structure, and valuing oneself as a business owner. Find out more about Olive Business Partners: Website: Olive Business Partners Instagram: @olivebusinesspartners LinkedIn: Oliv...
Jan 05, 2025•29 min•Ep. 6
In this episode of Olive Insights , Sarah Petty is joined by Steven Nicholson, a Fractional CFO, to discuss the critical role Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) play in measuring and driving business success. They explore how to identify the right KPIs, the importance of keeping tracking methods simple, and the need to regularly review and adapt KPIs as businesses evolve. Steven shares insights on the specific KPIs that are crucial for scaling a business and provides actionable tips for implement...
Dec 29, 2024•20 min•Ep. 5
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty speaks with Greg Harding, a business coach and CPA, about the importance of financial management for small business owners. They discuss common financial pitfalls, the significance of governance, and when to seek professional financial support. Greg emphasises the need for sound financial management and offers actionable tips for business owners, including understanding their break-even point and regularly reviewing pricing strategies. L...
Dec 22, 2024•29 min•Ep. 4
In this episode of the Olive Insights podcast, Sarah Petty interviews Sinead Mooney, the Head of Finance at Coles, discussing the intricacies of supply chain management. They explore key metrics for measuring supply chain effectiveness, the challenges faced by businesses, and strategies for managing cost inflation. Sinead talks about the importance of long-term planning, continuous improvement, and understanding profitability to drive business growth. The conversation also touches on pricing str...
Dec 15, 2024•24 min•Ep. 3
