Today’s episode is for every small business owner who’s ever felt like the system is stacked against them — and wondered why it’s taken so long for anyone to really call it out. This conversation is part of the Small Business Fights Back series, where we’ve been unpacking what happens when small business owners stop suffering in silence and start using their voices, platforms, and visibility to push back against systems that quietly cause real harm. My guest today is Sam Kemp, founder of Sarestore (pronounced Sar-rey) — a thriving fashion boutique run from a tiny country town in rural Victoria, with a very big online community. Sam has built an audience of 30,000+ followers by showing up consistently, trying on stock, styling outfits, and bringing her customers along for the ride. But what really put Sam on the map was a raw, emotional reel she shared about something that’s quietly destroying small businesses: illegal chargebacks. In this episode, Sam explains how chargebacks actually work, when customers deliberately order hundreds (sometimes thousands) of dollars’ worth of product, receive it, then dispute the payment through their bank. The bank often refunds the customer with no questions asked, pulls the money straight out of the small business’s bank account, and then charges the business a hefty fine, even when the business can prove they’ve done nothing wrong. It’s fast becoming one of the easiest ways to steal online and get away with it. That one reel Sam shared back in November went viral.And instead of letting the moment pass, we leveraged it, turning social media traction into mainstream media coverage, political conversations, and real pressure on governments, banks, and small business ministers to actually respond. In this conversation, Sam shares what happened when she spoke up, how visibility became leverage, and why she’s determined to keep fighting — not just for her own business, but for small business owners everywhere who’ve been absorbing the impact in silence for far too long. This episode is about what happens when small business stops whispering and starts being heard. In This Episode, We Cover: What chargebacks really are, and why they’re devastating small businesses How one honest Instagram reel sparked national attention The emotional toll of running a small business behind the scenes Why social media can be more than marketing - it can be leverage How visibility turns into mainstream media coverage Putting pressure on banks, governments, and decision-makers Why small business owners need to speak up, not stay silent Resources & Mentions Small Business Fights Back series - available on Instagram Follow Liz on Instagram: @liz_nable Follow Sam & SARE Store on Instagram Final Note If you’re a small business owner who’s ever felt exhausted, overlooked, or powerless - this episode is for you. You’re not alone, and your voice matters more than you think.
