Technology advances combined with the pandemic have seen the number of online businesses out there (MicroChilli included!) increase dramatically in recent years. The overheads are lower than bricks-and-mortar retail, which means the barriers to entry are fewer, however there are still many things to consider to ensure success in this realm. Alex Tempany, Founder of Alex Tempany Jewelry has been in biz for over three years, so has some great tips, tricks and learnings to share when it ...

If you’re spending loads of time on proposals, struggle to respond to leads or follow up with prospects, or don’t have a clear client onboarding and offboarding process in place… Then your business could be in need of some process related R&R! Firstly, know that you’re not alone, and this is so common. Secondly, episode 15 of our podcast is going to be a must listen for you. Here Sharon and Charlotte Isaac, a Dubsado Strategist & Business Operations Consultant, cover the tools, tips...

So, you’ve started or are running a business… Amazing! However, like so many of us entrepreneurs, you might have found that aside from the fun client work – where you’re the expert – there are lots of other things to consider as a business owner. Think: bookkeeping, HR, IT, and… Legals! Having a sound set of legal documents in place is a must, however we get that navigating all things contracts can be a little overwhelming. So, in episode 13, Sharon chats with Tracey Mylecharane, a Business...

So, maybe you’re growing and aren’t sure where to go next, recognise that you need some advice from the experts but don’t know who to look to, or have big, bold plans for your business, and want to learn more about ways to fuel its growth… Well, episode 12 of our podcast is full of insights that relate to this, and more! Here Sharon spoke with Troy Trewin, a chairman, advisor and businessman, who is also the founder of Grow A Small Business. Some of the topics they cover include: Troy’s v...

If you think about what it is that inspires you to make a purchase or learn more about a company, chances are their branding has a big part to play. In fact, a beautiful, eye-catching brand is what could set your small business apart from the rest and build trust, resulting in more leads, and greater growth. In episode 11 of From Hot Mess to Flamin’ Success, Sharon and Gabby discuss some of the key pillars of good brand design, and how making the investment could benefit you. Som...

Whether personally or professionally, most of us will have received a suspicious looking email or text, or worse, had our website or social media platforms hacked at least once before. Managing our security online is super important these days, as so much of our work and communication is done through digital channels. All of this is what inspired the topic of our latest episode! Listen in to hear cybersecurity expert Richard Addiscott talk with Sharon about: How cybersecurity – or...

A personal budget is important not only if you’re an employee, but a business owner too, as the two are inextricably linked. Ideally, you’ll create your personal budget first, and this will then influence things like pricing in your biz. So, with a new financial year having just arrived, it’s time to get planning and goal setting! This prompted us to look to one of the personal finances pros for episode 9 of From Hot Mess To Flamin’ Success: Kate Campbell, the Editor & Founder o...

Did you know that registering for an ABN doesn’t necessarily mean you have exclusive rights to your business name, as well as brand assets like your logo and tagline? This is where trademarking comes in. Not just reserved for big corporations, it’s important when it comes to protecting your business, and what Raquel Garcia, a Trade Marks Attorney and Founder of Legiterati likens to “an insurance policy for brands.” So in episode 8 of From Hot Mess To Flamin’ Success, Sharon and Raquel c...

Just like bookkeeping and all things numbers, HR is one of those small business essentials, but if it’s not in your wheelhouse, it can be challenging – and time-consuming – managing this on your own. There are lots of legalities to be aware of, plus how do you know when it’s time to hire, among many other things?! We’re here to help! In this episode, Sharon speaks with Kerrie and Sally about the HR essentials for small business owners. These include: From casual and part-time, to fu...

Tax time is just around the corner, but don’t fret small business owner, we’ve got your back! While MicroChilli is here to support you with your books, it’s important to have an accountant on your team too. So in this episode Sharon and Zelda discuss all things accounting, tax and getting the most out of this time of the year, including: The importance of looking to an accountant not just at tax time, but all of the timeThe value of working with an accountant and bookkeeper who are ...

The team at One Roof have found women are often excluded from discussions in the boardroom, and this leads them to take the entrepreneurial journey, because they crave the flexibility that comes with it. One Roof recognises that being an entrepreneur can be isolating at the best of times though. So, in this episode Sharon and Fran chat about the value of communities that are dedicated to both supporting women in business (at various stages of their journey), and providing them with op...

If you think about the most memorable websites, social feeds, movies or even television ads you’ve seen, chances are, they are all highly visual. The thing is, we humans are super visual learners, so it makes complete sense to take this approach when it comes to the branding in your own organisation, right?! While getting professional photos can feel a bit awkward, shouty and even cringeworthy, they are an important part of every business. So in this episode Mel runs us thro...

Are you considering upping your digital marketing game to secure more customers, yet find it all a bit baffling? Or maybe you’re launching your business soon, and want to get the essentials right? In episode three of From Hot Mess to Flamin’ Success, MicroChilli’s CEO & Founder, Sharon Crombie discusses all things digital marketing for small business with Damien Elsing, the Founder of CLCK Media. Damien has a content and copywriting background, and throughout his career found companie...

A must-listen for anyone considering ‘throwing themselves in’ and going out on their own, or looking to master their socials, in episode two of From Hot Mess to Flamin’ Success MicroChilli’s CEO & Founder, Sharon Crombie chats with Mira Ciccone, Founder of The Life of a Virtual Assistant. Mira has a very interesting and inspirational small biz story. Devastated after being made redundant due to COVID and disheartened by the lack of jobs out there, instead of waiting around for som...

In episode one of From Hot Mess to Flamin’ Success MicroChilli’s CEO & Founder, Sharon Crombie speaks with Amy Hooke, Founder of The Savvy Bookkeeper. Leaning on her own experiences of attempting to launch her own biz, where while it was successful, she found it so stressful that she quit, Amy now supports smart bookkeepers on their journey to becoming business savvy bookkeepers. She helps them avoid the mistakes she made by helping them build professional, profitable online bookkee...