23 hr ago

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 4: The Sisters Who Sold a Business & Went Straight Back In with Hayley Crannage (A Media Magnet Special Series)

Most people who sell a business they've poured five years of blood, sweat and no salary into would take the win and put their feet up for a while. My guest today looked at her payout and thought, "Great, let's do it all again, but harder, faster, and with a lot more on the line this time." In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with Hayley Crannage, co-founder of Love Lu Eyewear (with her sister Jade) and now co-founder of the fashion label Buy Sid, to talk about what it actually feels like to sell something you built from nothing, and why you'd ever choose to start again. Hayley and Jade built Love Lu in their parents' garage on Sydney's Northern Beaches with no savings, just a nervous conversation with a family member about borrowing the startup cash. It grew into a brand worn by influencers and celebrities before it was acquired by a much bigger Australian eyewear company. Jade couldn't join this episode; she's seven days postpartum with a new baby girl, so Hayley stepped in solo, though this is every bit her story too. This is a candid, unfiltered conversation about the number that made their accountant say stop, the email that changed everything, and the one piece of advice about selling a business Hayley says she'll never forget. Then, why the sisters went and built a second brand almost immediately instead of enjoying the spoils of the sale, and what they're doing completely differently this time around. In this episode Liz and Hayley cover The number that made their accountant tell them to stop, and the six to eight months where sales kept climbing while cashflow quietly went backwards Why "revenue isn't profit" was the biggest lesson of Hayley's business life, and how chasing growth nearly ran a healthy brand into the ground Financing a first business with zero savings: borrowing around $30,000 from a partner and parents, and what it's like handing money to a supplier overseas before the stock even lands Why eyewear, at an accessible price point, was the gap Hayley and Jade spotted between fast fashion and $800 designer sunglasses The organic, plan-free path from a home-based online launch to wholesale stockists to landing a spot with The Iconic The out-of-the-blue email that kicked off the acquisition conversation with Sunshades Eyewear, the Australian company behind Le Specs and the local licensing for Gucci and YSL The one piece of advice about selling a business Hayley says she'll never forget: sell it when you don't want to sell it Why a strong, honest brand mattered more to the sale than the raw numbers, and the reality of not having the finances to take a brand global alone Launching a second brand, Buy Sid, on her dad's birthday just months after selling the first, and going back to casual teaching in the meantime What's different the second time round: a tight priority list instead of saying yes to everything, and watching the numbers from day one instead of year three Marketing on a shoestring: why imagery came first, gifting over paid influencers, and staying conservative with paid ads The Afterpay Day and discount dilemma every product-based small business owner wrestles with Why Hayley believes "anyone can start a business" if you say yes to opportunities and build real community and connection Hayley's small business advice squad: her accountant, a business mentor, a graphic-designer friend, and her mortgage broker The mindset shift for round two: building a life and a brand you're proud of, not just an empire A line worth writing down "Sell your business when you don't want to sell it." — Hayley Crannage About Hayley Hayley Crannage is the co-founder of Love Lu Eyewear, the accessible, quiet-luxury sunglasses brand she built with her sister Jade from their parents' garage on Sydney's Northern Beaches, before it was acquired by Australian eyewear company Sunshades Eyewear. She and Jade have since launched a second brand together, the fashion label Buy Sid, which they founded in April this year. Hayley previously worked as a full-time teacher while building Love Lu in her spare time, and still teaches casually today. She's a mum of two, Dusty and Honey, and credits her small business "advice squad", her accountant, mentor, closest friends and family, with helping her navigate both businesses. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Hayley [Add Hayley/Buy Sid social links here] Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

18 Aug

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 3: our Business Is Not Your Retirement Plan with Julie Slapp (A Media Magnet Special Series)

There are 2.2 million self-employed Australians. Nearly half of small business owners aren't contributing to their own super. And most of them are telling themselves the same thing: my business is my retirement plan. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with Julie Slapp, Director of Growth and Customer Solutions at AMP Super, to unpack why that plan is riskier than it feels, and what to do about it without adding another overwhelming job to your list. This is not a lecture about being behind. It's a super practical conversation for business owners who have been putting their heads in the sand about superannuation, whether that's because cashflow is tight, the rules feel impossibly complicated, or retirement feels like future you's problem. Julie breaks down the jargon, the incentives most business owners don't know exist, and the small moves that quietly build a safety net while you get on with running your business. If super makes your eyes glaze over, this is exactly the episode to listen to the end. In this episode Liz and Julie cover Why superannuation was designed for employees, and the incentives built in for small business owners that most never use The "I want to live now" question: is it valid to prioritise travelling with your kids over building wealth for a future that may never come? Why we're the pioneer generation of super, and why nobody is on the perfect mathematical path to retirement Whether a $20 a week contribution is even worth it (spoiler: yes), and why $100 a week from age 30 can grow to roughly $500,000 by retirement Concessional contributions explained in plain English: the tax deduction, the 15% rate, and the annual cap of just over $32,000 The May reminder every business owner should set, and the conversation to have with your accountant before 30 June Catch-up contributions for lumpy, seasonal or unpredictable income, so a lean year now doesn't lock you out later Government co-contributions of up to $500 a year, and who qualifies Spouse contributions and contribution splitting: how couples can grow super as a shared asset even when one of you is self-employed The Blind Side analogy: why super is the left tackle protecting you if the business doesn't go to plan Why it's never too late to start at 50, 55 or 60, especially for the fastest growing group of new founders: women in midlife Why selling your business as your retirement plan makes a financial planner non-negotiable, and the $100,000 CGT mistake you don't want to discover at the end The practical first steps: find your balance, get simple contribution advice from your fund, and hire an accountant who plans rather than just lodges A line worth writing down "I don't think there is too late. I think there is 'I just need to start.'" — Julie Slapp About Julie Julie Slapp is the Director of Growth and Customer Solutions at AMP Super. An economist by training, Julie spends her days talking to customers and working out how to help everyday Australians prepare for retirement with confidence, not anxiety. She comes to the conversation with a small business lens too: her uncle ran a newsagent, and she's watched firsthand how founders push their own retirement to the bottom of the list while they build something for everyone else. Her message is simple: the system may have been designed for employees, but the incentives are there for business owners who know where to look. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Julie Connect with Julie Slapp on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-slapp-83846252/ Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

11 Aug

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 2: Beloved, Busy...and Closing: Inside the Two Franks Story (A Media Magnet Special Series)

They beat out 14 other applicants for the lease. They opened with 5,000 local social media followers already waiting for them. They had a line out the door on winter mornings. Their biggest day was 444 coffees in a little suburban cafe with just two people behind the counter. And now they're closed. In this episode of What I Wish I Knew About Small Business, brought to you by AMP Bank GO, Liz Nable sits down with sisters Chryssie Swarbrick and Angie Markou, the founders behind Two Franks, a nostalgic cafe and general store in Coburg that everyone thought was smashing it. Because on the surface, it was. In the queue. In the media. In the community. The reality behind the counter is a different story, and it's the story every small business owner in Australia needs to hear. This is not a cautionary tale. This is a masterclass in the numbers, the red tape, the rising costs and the quiet erosion no one talks about until it's too late. It's also a masterclass in something rarer: how to close a business with grace, gratitude and a community still standing behind you. If you have ever wondered how a busy business can still not survive, this one is for you. In this episode Liz, Chryssie and Angie cover The 13 months of rent paid on an empty shop while waiting for a council permit, and why every founder needs to check permits before they sign a lease Why "busy" is not the same as "profitable", and what the numbers behind Two Franks actually looked like The cake analogy that explains where all your money is going and why your slice keeps shrinking Payday Super, credit card surcharge changes, wage rises, and the July 1 storm that hit every hospitality business at once The letter Chryssie wrote to Angie 13 months before the closure, and how the sisters navigated the decision without losing the relationship Why the media narrative around $6 coffees is the wrong conversation, and where founders should really be cutting costs What every small business owner is quietly feeling but no one is saying out loud Their key learnings for founders: the accountant they wish they'd hired sooner, the systems they wish they'd built earlier, and the delegation lesson that would have changed everything Why cutting quality is the fastest way to lose the customers who came to you in the first place Grief and relief: how to close a business without calling yourself a failure A line worth writing down "Your business is a cake. Everyone just takes a little piece, and some of the pieces keep getting bigger. And then you're looking at your plate and it's empty, and you have no crumbs left." — Chryssie Swarbrick About Chryssie and Angie Chryssie Swarbrick and Angie Markou grew up on Coburg's Reynard Street in the house their grandparents once owned. Across the road stood a 100-year-old butcher shop run in succession by two men both named Frank. When the lease came up for the first time in 40 years, the sisters took it, gutted the space with the help of Angie's husband, and opened Two Franks in September 2023: a nostalgic cafe and general store that quickly became a community hub and press darling. Chryssie has a degree in communications majoring in PR and 15 years working in social and content. She also writes a regular column for Smart Company documenting the highs and lows of running a hospitality business in real time. Angie ran the finance and admin side of Two Franks and has now opened businesses across four different Melbourne councils. Together they represent the reality behind every "cute new cafe" opening in Australia right now. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering 10% cashback, up to $300* for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with Chryssie and Angie Follow Two Franks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/twofranksisters Read the Broadsheet feature on Two Franks: https://www.broadsheet.com.au/melbourne/food-and-drink/article/now-open-two-franks-nostalgic-cafe-and-general-store-inside-former-butcher-shop-run-two-sisters-who-grew-across-street Read Chryssie's regular column in Smart Company: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/author/chryssie-swarbrick/ Read the Yahoo Finance coverage of their closure: https://au.finance.yahoo.com/news/popular-aussie-cafes-nail-in-the-coffin-as-small-businesses-battle-cost-of-living-not-viable-034127556.html Read Smart Company on the ripple effect of the Two Franks closure: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/hospitality/two-franks-cafe-closure-announcement-cost-of-business/ Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series. *10% cashback up to $300. Terms and conditions apply. Visit amp.com.au for full offer details, eligibility criteria and conditions. AMP Bank GO is a division of AMP Bank Limited ABN 15 081 596 009, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 234517.

4 Aug

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 1: What I Wish I Knew About Banks and Money With John Arnott (A Media Magnet Special Series)

When Liz Nable opened her first bricks-and-mortar business back in 2012, she borrowed money from her bank against her home. She signed the paperwork. And then she waited for the advice, the guidance, the products, the support she assumed would follow. It never came. Sound familiar? In this first episode of the What I Wish I Knew About Small Business series, powered by AMP Bank GO, Liz sits down with John Arnott, the man leading a brand new digital bank built specifically for small business owners. This is not a bank interview dressed up as a podcast. This is a conversation about why banks have failed small business, what small business owners are still getting wrong with their money, and the exact stats that prove just how brutal the last five years have been on Australia's 2.8 million small operators. If you have ever felt invisible to your bank, this one is for you. In this episode Liz and John cover Why small businesses are the most underserved segment in banking (and what that has cost owners) The single biggest financial mistake most small business owners are still making The Tuesday night wedding planning analogy that will change how you think about your money Why running your business through your personal account is quietly bleeding you dry The truth about "fee-free" banking and what to actually look for How to build the muscle of financial literacy without hating every second of it Why switching banks is nowhere near as hard as you think The stats that will stop you in your tracks AMP Bank GO's Small Business Cost Pressure Index revealed just how much harder it has become to keep the doors open since COVID. Small business costs are up more than 25% in the last five to six years Insurance up 52% Fuel up 38% Borrowing costs up 36% Electricity up 26% Rent up 23% Wages up more than 20% As John puts it in the episode, these are real costs. They are non-negotiable. But there is still real value on the table for owners who take the time to look. A line worth writing down "Look after the cents and the dollars will look after themselves. It is going to the gym to build financial acumen." About John Arnott John Arnott is the head of AMP Bank GO, a digital bank purpose-built for Australia's small business owners. Before AMP, John worked across major banking brands globally, but his interest in small business runs deeper than the boardroom. His first job was in a small coffee shop in the north of England at age 15, grating cheese and washing dishes for the two owners who ran the place. He has been thinking about how small businesses survive and thrive ever since. Grab the AMP Bank GO cashback offer for small business owners AMP Bank GO is offering a cashback deal for small business owners who open a new business transaction account. It is fee-free, mobile-first, and backed by a real human call centre when you need one. Check the current offer here: https://www.amp.com.au/campaigns/bank/business-cashback-offer?utm_portfolio=bank_go&utm_product=tran&utm_channel=email&utm_source=smartco&utm_campaign=biz_cashback&utm_objective=acquisition&utm_creative=tradie_solusban Connect with John Arnott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-andrew-arnott/ Connect with Liz Nable Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liz_nable/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liznable/ Website: https://www.liznable.com/ If this episode landed, hit follow and leave a review. It is the single fastest way to help other small business owners find the series.

5 Jun

68: Taking a Seat at the Table: Inside Parliament House with Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson

This is not a political episode. It is a small business episode, and there is a difference. In this episode of Media Magnet, I sit down with Tim Wilson MP - Shadow Treasurer, Shadow Minister for Small Business, and Federal Liberal Member for Goldstein, inside Parliament House, Canberra, for a raw, honest and at times genuinely uplifting conversation about the state of small business in Australia right now. This episode came about in the most Liz Nable way possible. A few days after the federal budget, I slid into the Shadow Treasurer's DMs, told him I know small business like the back of my hand, and asked if he'd come on the podcast. He said yes immediately. I panicked, did my research in the car on the way to Canberra, and the rest, as they say, is history. This is also the beginning of something bigger. I want to take you on a journey with me, through this podcast and through socials, as we figure out together how the political system works, what it means for small business, and how we start to get ourselves a real seat at the table. We are not politicians by nature. But it is becoming glaringly obvious that we need to start paying attention. In This Episode We Cover: The proposed capital gains tax changes - what they actually mean for small business owners and why "it doesn't affect you" might not be the whole story The decline of small business in Australia over the last 20 years and what's driving it Why Tim believes, despite everything, there has never been a better time to start a small business How AI is levelling the playing field for small business owners right now The story of Sienna, a 17-year-old entrepreneur who went viral, got trolled after being named in the Budget Reply Speech, and came back stronger What YOU can do right now to make your voice heard The Stand With Small campaign and what a dedicated federal small business act could mean for all of us Why small business owners being scattered and disorganised is exactly what governments are counting on, and how we change that. Resources Mentioned: notthetax.com.au - share your small business story standwithsmall.org - Tim Wilson's small business campaign Media Masters Academy - https://www.liznable.com/ Connect With Tim Wilson: Instagram: @timwilsonmp Website: timwilsonmp.com.au Connect With Liz: Instagram: @liz_nable Website: https://www.liznable.com/

19 May

67: What the Health Editor Wants: Pitching Stories to News Corp with Ashleigh Gleeson

Guest: Ashleigh Gleeson, National Health Editor, News Corp Australia Host: Liz Nable Ashleigh Gleeson oversees health content across the Herald Sun, Daily Telegraph, Courier Mail, and Adelaide Advertiser. With 14+ years in journalism spanning federal politics, courts, crime, and education (plus stints as chief of staff at the Herald Sun and deputy chief of staff at the Daily Telegraph), she now leads a digitally focused health section launched 14 months ago that prioritises relatable, audience-led storytelling over traditional clinical reporting. This episode is a masterclass in what one of Australia's most influential health editors actually wants in her inbox. Ashleigh breaks down the topics driving massive reader engagement, the pitching mistakes that get you ignored, and why playing the long game with journalists pays off more than 100 generic emails ever will. Key Topics: Health Reporting Evolution: Shift from clinical, formulaic coverage to personal, relatable, audience-led storytelling. News Corp's health section is test-and-learn, guided by analytics and digital engagement data. What's Clicking Right Now: Perimenopause/menopause (can't-get-enough territory), weight loss and weight loss drugs, fertility/IVF, dementia prevention, mental health/happiness, and everyday health issues like cholesterol and heart health. New Story Formats: Diary-style pieces (quitting social media for two weeks), Breaking Bad series (quitting alcohol, caffeine, energy drinks), first-person experiences that readers can see themselves in. Pitching That Works: Lead with the hook/headline in the first two lines. Include strong case studies with photos and video availability. Show you've read the masthead and tailored the pitch. One targeted pitch beats 100 generic emails. Pitching Mistakes to Avoid: Burying the hook under too much backstory. Sending generic mass pitches (journalists can always tell). Not being available or responsive when a journalist says yes. Pitching case studies who aren't actually available for interview. The Case Study Goldmine: Finding case studies is one of the hardest, most time-intensive parts of journalism. If you can be a reliable source who responds fast and delivers people willing to share their story (with photos, on deadline), journalists will never forget you. Playing the Long Game: First pitch might not land, but building rapport is the win. Polite persistence works. Once a journalist knows your name and trusts you, your emails get opened every time. Exclusivity Matters: News Corp wants to be first. They position as a premium product, so exclusive stories and angles are far more appealing than something pitched to 50 outlets. Opportunities for Business Owners: Health & Wellness Niches: If you work in perimenopause, gut health, fertility, mental health, longevity, or dementia-related fields, News Corp's health section is actively looking for stories and case studies. Be the Go-To Source: Position yourself as someone who can supply case studies fast, respond to tight deadlines, and make a journalist's job easier. That reputation compounds. Speed Wins: When a journalist reaches out (even at 7pm for a next-day turnaround), say yes. That one moment of reliability can build a relationship that lasts years. Personalise Everything: Reference a recent piece the journalist wrote. Show you understand their masthead. It takes five extra minutes and puts you ahead of 95% of pitches. Timestamps (Approximate): Timestamps: 00:00 Hook: What Australia's top health editor is actually looking for in her inbox. 03:00 Intro: Liz's journo-to-coach story. 05:00 Ashleigh's Role: National health editor across News Corp's state mastheads; digitally focused health section launched 14 months ago. 07:00 Evolution of Health Reporting: From clinical to relatable; audience-led, analytics-driven content. 10:00 Hot Topics: Perimenopause, weight loss drugs, fertility, dementia, mental health, happiness. 12:00 New Formats: Diary pieces, Breaking Bad series, first-person experiments. 17:00 What Makes a Good Pitch: Hook first, strong case studies, photos/video, tailored to the masthead. 20:00 Exclusivity & Generic Pitches: Why mass emails fail and one great pitch outperforms 100 lazy ones. 23:00 Patience & Persistence: Evergreen stories take time; polite follow-up is always welcome. 26:00 Being the Go-To Source: Fast turnarounds, reliable case studies, building journalist relationships. 31:00 Final Tips: Availability, organisation, reliability, and the long game. Quotes: "Doing that once is probably more valuable than sending out 100 generic emails. You'll get a much better result." – Ashleigh on tailored pitching "We don't have a shortage of stories, we just have a shortage of time to get them done." – On journalist reality "If you can prove yourself as a reliable person that will get onto that right away, that would be very, very much appreciated." – On becoming a go-to source Listen on Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266]

1 Apr

65: Sisters Doing It for Themselves: How Global Sisters Is Creating a Rising Tide for Women in Business (with Mandy Richards)

25 Mar

64: Inside Small Business Editor: “I Want to Hear From Founders” with Tim Ladhams

Episode 64: Inside Small Business Editor: “I Want to Hear From Founders” with Tim LadhamsGuest: Tim Ladhams, Editor of Inside Small BusinessHost: Liz Nable Editor of Inside Small Business, Tim Ladhams, lifts the curtain on what it really takes to get your small business story published in one of Australia’s leading SME platforms. From founder features and Q&As to op-eds and data-led news stories, Tim explains exactly what he looks for in a pitch, why he actively prefers hearing directly from business owners (not PR agencies), and how to position yourself as a genuine thought leader rather than just another self-promotional voice in the crowd. If you’ve ever wondered how to get featured, share your lived experience, or turn your hard-won lessons into media coverage, this episode is packed with practical, actionable insights you can use straight away. Get in touch with Tim here: tim@octomedia.com.au Key Topics: Inside Small Business 101: How the publication works, the daily mix of founder features, news stories and expert op-eds, and who their audience really is. What Editors Want: Why Tim cares more about your “why, what, when and where” than your revenue, and the simple story elements that make a founder pitch stand out. Op-Eds That Get Run: The exact guidelines for opinion pieces (500–750 words, specific topic, clear takeaways) and why he ruthlessly cuts anything that feels like thinly veiled self-promotion. Feature vs Q&A vs Op-Ed: How Tim decides which format your story belongs in, when he’ll turn an email Q&A into a narrative feature, and the kinds of quirky, challenger or “against the odds” stories he loves. Data, Research and Policy Stories: How research from organisations like Xero and COSBOA turns into news, and why issues like payment times, government red tape and platform shutdowns (hello, Meta) matter so much to his readers. Print Magazine Opportunities: The bigger, deeper stories that make it into the quarterly print edition – from AI and social media acquisition costs to “devil’s advocate” debates and systemic barriers holding small businesses back. Thought Leadership vs Selling: Why being featured in Inside Small Business builds credibility in a way social media alone can’t, and how to use media to position yourself as a trusted voice among your peers. Pitching Etiquette: How to email Tim, what to put in the subject line, how long to wait before following up, and why a clear one-page bio or bullet-pointed backstory works better than a glossy PR pitch. Opportunities for Small Business Owners: Founder Features: Strategic, story-driven profiles focused on challenges, strategies and lessons – not fluff or hero worship. Q&As: Ideal for micro-businesses, side hustles and quirky ventures, where Tim crafts targeted questions and you supply succinct, insightful answers. Opinion Pieces: 500–750 word, tightly focused articles on one specific topic (e.g. staff retention, AI, digital marketing, psychological safety, payment terms) with 2–3 clear, practical takeaways. Advocacy Columns: Stories that highlight systemic issues like government policy failures, broken schemes or big-business behaviour that harms small operators. Tim’s Editorial Non‑Negotiables: Story over sales: No external links in articles, no sales copy masquerading as “insight”, and no paragraphs that exist purely to promote your product or service. Integrity and balance: Strong views are welcome, but not personal attacks or anything that could land the publication in legal hot water. Clear categories: Pitches should broadly fit within finance, technology, sales and marketing, planning and management, or growth and development (with subtopics like people/HR inside those). Respect for process: Expect an 8-week lead time on op-eds, be patient around magazine deadlines, and follow up politely if you haven’t heard back after about a week. Timestamps (Approximate): 00:00 Introduction, secret “code word” to get Tim to open your pitch email, and why this episode matters if you want media coverage. 03:00 Liz’s background as a TV journalist and why she created Media Magnet to teach founders how to DIY their PR. 05:00 What Inside Small Business is, who reads it, and how the online and print arms of the brand operate. 07:00 Daily content mix: news, founder features and expert opinion pieces designed for time-poor business owners. 09:00 The real challenges small business owners face right now – cost of living, rent, insurance, late payments – and how those issues show up in stories. 10:00 New recurring print features: “The Quarter Event” (system-level obstacles) and “The Smart No” (opportunities you should walk away from). 13:00 Case studies: Australian Open tie-in stories, impact-driven startups and creative founder angles that hook into broader news. 14:00 How op-eds work: word counts, structure, author bios and why specificity is key. 16:00 Q&A format for micro and quirky businesses (like teen founders and niche product makers). 17:00 What to include in your first pitch email: the who/what/why/when/where plus a one-page bio or bullet points. 18:00 How Tim chooses between op-ed, Q&A or feature and why email interviews often become long-form narrative pieces. 20:00 Why Tim prefers direct pitches from founders over big PR agencies and what instantly gets deleted from his inbox. 24:00 The print magazine: longer, in-depth, commissioned features on topics like AI, LinkedIn, and the rising cost of social media acquisition. 28:00 The real value of being featured: thought leadership, credibility, brand awareness and being seen by major small business service providers. 31:00 Editorial standards: no sign-off rights for features, why self-promotional paragraphs get cut and how house style editing works. 33:00 Links, legalities and integrity: where author promotion belongs and why article copy must stay non-commercial. 35:00 Content pillars and subcategories, including people/HR, psychological safety and women in small business. 36:00 Tim’s scheduling process and examples of time-sensitive pieces (e.g. International Women’s Day, LinkedIn’s 20th birthday). 37:00 Pitching etiquette: subject lines, timing, follow-ups and understanding the reality of production cycles. 39:00 Final advice, encouragement for early-stage founders, and an open invitation for genuine small business stories. Quotes:“Those are the people I want to speak to – people who are genuinely small business owners.” – Tim on who should be pitching him.“If you’re exclusively on social media, everyone is shouting. That thought leadership aspect goes out of the window.” – Tim on why media coverage still matters.“I ultimately have the final call on what does and doesn’t go on my site.” – Tim on maintaining editorial integrity and trust.“It’s not about sales. It’s about the story and the ethos behind the business.” – Tim on what makes a publishable pitch. The secret code word is: LIZ NABLE Tim's email address is: tim@octomedia.com.au Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/media-magnet/id1612225266

Media Magnet

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 4: The Sisters Who Sold a Business & Went Straight Back In with Hayley Crannage (A Media Magnet Special Series)

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 3: our Business Is Not Your Retirement Plan with Julie Slapp (A Media Magnet Special Series)

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 2: Beloved, Busy...and Closing: Inside the Two Franks Story (A Media Magnet Special Series)

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 1: What I Wish I Knew About Banks and Money With John Arnott (A Media Magnet Special Series)

68: Taking a Seat at the Table: Inside Parliament House with Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson

67: What the Health Editor Wants: Pitching Stories to News Corp with Ashleigh Gleeson

65: Sisters Doing It for Themselves: How Global Sisters Is Creating a Rising Tide for Women in Business (with Mandy Richards)

64: Inside Small Business Editor: “I Want to Hear From Founders” with Tim Ladhams

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Welcome to Nable My Business - The Podcast

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Media Magnet

Episodes

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 4: The Sisters Who Sold a Business & Went Straight Back In with Hayley Crannage (A Media Magnet Special Series)

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 3: our Business Is Not Your Retirement Plan with Julie Slapp (A Media Magnet Special Series)

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 2: Beloved, Busy...and Closing: Inside the Two Franks Story (A Media Magnet Special Series)

What I Wish I Knew About Small Business – Ep. 1: What I Wish I Knew About Banks and Money With John Arnott (A Media Magnet Special Series)

68: Taking a Seat at the Table: Inside Parliament House with Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson

67: What the Health Editor Wants: Pitching Stories to News Corp with Ashleigh Gleeson

65: Sisters Doing It for Themselves: How Global Sisters Is Creating a Rising Tide for Women in Business (with Mandy Richards)

64: Inside Small Business Editor: “I Want to Hear From Founders” with Tim Ladhams

Trailer

About

Information

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