The 5 Minute Business Boost®

SAM HICKS
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Podcast Overview In this weekly podcast, Sam shares real, practical insights on small business — from marketing and business development to what’s actually happening on the ground in regional Victoria. Expect honest conversations, simple strategies, and the occasional reality check to help you move your business forward. Show notes and resources are available with each episode via the Sam Hicks website. About Sam Sam Hicks is a small business advisor specialising in business development, marketing, and photography. Based in North East Victoria, she’s been running businesses since she was 18 and works closely with small business owners to simplify, focus, and grow. Her approach is grounded in real-world experience — both in business and through active involvement in community and regional initiatives. Work With Sam If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, you can work with Sam through: Small business consultingMarketing strategyWorkshopsOne-on-one mentoringFocused 1-hour sessionsYou can also sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost monthly newsletter via the website.

  1. 6d ago

    Special Guest Series - Lets meet Mel from GIVIT ( Not for Profits )

    In this episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam chats with Mel Peverill, Victorian Engagement Officer with GIVIT, to learn more about the organisation and the role it plays in connecting generosity with genuine community need. GIVIT is a national Australian not-for-profit that has been leading responsible donation management for more than 15 years. Its online platform connects people, businesses and community groups wanting to give with charities, councils and support services requesting specific goods and services for people experiencing hardship. Sam and Mel talk about how GIVIT works, why giving people exactly what they need matters, and how businesses and individuals can make their generosity count — particularly when communities are facing disaster, recovery or difficult times. If you wish to help or simply see what we have been chatting about visit https://givit.org.au If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    Special Guest Series - Lets meet Mel from GIVIT ( Not for Profits )

  2. Sep 2

    5 business lessons from Dolly Parton: building more than a business ( Business Development )

    Dolly Parton was one of the world's most recognisable entertainers, but behind the rhinestones, music and humour was also an extraordinary businesswoman who understood branding, intellectual property, partnerships, tourism and the power of investing back into the community that helped shape her. In this special episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam looks beyond Dolly's music to explore five practical lessons small-business owners can take from the way she built her career and legacy. From refusing to give away the publishing rights to I Will Always Love You, to helping transform tourism in East Tennessee through Dollywood, Dolly's story is a fascinating example of knowing the value of what you create and remaining unmistakably yourself as you grow. We also explore Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which began in her home county in 1995, inspired by her father who could not read or write, and grew into an international program delivering free books to children from birth to age five. It's a wonderful example of solving a real problem, removing barriers and building something capable of becoming much bigger than the person who started it. In memory of Dolly Dolly's family has asked those wishing to honour her memory to consider supporting Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in lieu of flowers. Donate to Dolly Parton's Imagination Library A fitting way to continue a remarkable legacy — helping put books into the hands of children. ------------------------------------------888---------------------------------- If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    5 business lessons from Dolly Parton: building more than a business ( Business Development )

  3. Aug 26

    Your time is inventory: stop giving it away ( Business Development )

    If you run a service-based small business, your time is one of your most valuable assets — but how much of it are you accidentally giving away? In this episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam Hicks looks at the hidden cost of no-shows, unpaid advice, meetings that run overtime, endless “quick questions” and other small time leaks that can quietly add up to thousands of dollars each year. You'll also hear about three simple booking options — Google Calendar appointment scheduling, Calendly and Setmore — and why the most important question isn't necessarily “What does this software cost?” but “What is the problem costing my business?” In this episode: Why your available time should be treated like inventoryHow to calculate the real cost of lost or unpaid timeThe difference between deliberately giving your time and simply losing itHow booking systems, reminders and deposits can reduce no-showsWhy boundaries around meetings, quoting and free advice matterA simple five-day exercise to identify where your time is disappearingYour time is inventory. Make sure you're deciding what happens to it. If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    Your time is inventory: stop giving it away ( Business Development )

  4. Aug 19

    AI and Photography: It’s already in your Camera Bag ( Business Development )

    AI is already changing photography — and not just through completely generated images. In this episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam looks at how AI is becoming embedded in the photography tools we already use, from iPhones and Photoshop to specialist platforms such as Magnific and online galleries like Zenfolio. Sam explores how AI can help with editing, image enhancement, culling, face recognition and workflow, as well as the questions worth asking before you add another subscription: what problem does it solve, is it already included in something you pay for, and are there tutorials to help you actually use it well? The goal isn’t to use more AI. It’s to choose the right tools to save time, improve your images and make your photography workflow a little smarter. If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    AI and Photography: It’s already in your Camera Bag ( Business Development )

  5. Aug 12

    Guest Series - Kate from Zaza & Douglas ( Art and Business Development )

    In this special guest episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam chats with artist and ceramicist Kate from Zaza & Douglas about the journey of turning creativity into a successful handmade business. From studying dance at the Victorian College of the Arts to travelling the world with Qantas and visiting some of the world's greatest galleries, Kate shares how each chapter of her life has shaped her artistic style and inspired her work. Discover how Kate creates deeply personal commissioned artworks by weaving together the stories, emotions and values of her clients with the symbolism found in Australian native plants and wildlife. She also shares the inspiration behind her expressive paintings, handcrafted ceramics and the importance of creating art that brings calm, connection and meaning into people's homes. Whether you're an artist, maker and or a small business owner, this episode is full of practical wisdom about backing yourself, putting your work out into the world and not being afraid to "try another table" if the first opportunity doesn't work out. It's an inspiring conversation about creativity, resilience and building a business by staying true to your passion. Zaza & Douglas works are available from the following art spaces : Mira MarysvilleGippsland Art GalleryYea Wetlands Discovery CentreShepparton Art MuseumOr Contact Zaza & Douglas directly via : email: zazadouglas@outlook.com Mobile: 0407 017 694 If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    Guest Series - Kate from Zaza & Douglas ( Art and Business Development )

  6. Aug 5

    I upgraded my webcam… and it changed more than just the picture ( Business Development )

    If you spend a lot of time on Zoom, Teams or Google Meet, you may have wondered whether upgrading your webcam is actually worth the investment. In this week's episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam shares her experience upgrading from a basic HD 1080p webcam to the iContact Pro after delivering more online workshops, mentoring sessions and webinars. This isn't a technical review filled with camera specifications. It's a practical look at whether better video quality and natural eye contact can help build stronger relationships with clients online. Sam also shares where business owners should spend their money first before investing in premium camera equipment. In this episode you'll discover: • Why a $50 webcam was enough for years. • What changed as more of Sam's business moved online. • How the iContact Pro creates more natural eye contact during video meetings. • Whether an iPhone might already be the best camera you own. • The order you should upgrade your lighting, audio and camera equipment. The biggest lesson isn't about buying new technology it's about investing in equipment that supports the way your business has evolved. As always, this isn't about having the fanciest setup. It's about communicating better, building trust and making a stronger impression online. -----------------888----------------- If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    I upgraded my webcam… and it changed more than just the picture ( Business Development )

  7. Jul 29

    From Chatbot to Business assistant: 5 Chat GPT features every small business should be using ( Business Development )

    Think ChatGPT is just for writing social media posts or emails? Think again. In this week's episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam explores five of the biggest new ChatGPT features that are changing the way small business owners can work. From setting reminders and monitoring important information to connecting your Google tools, creating dedicated business projects and exploring the new Codex capability, AI is rapidly evolving from a simple chatbot into a genuine business assistant. If you've been curious about what ChatGPT can actually do for your business beyond writing content, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can start using today. In this episode you'll discover: • How ChatGPT can remind you about important business tasks • Why AI can now monitor information instead of you constantly checking • How connecting Google Calendar, Drive and Gmail can save time • Why Projects make ChatGPT far more useful for ongoing work • What Codex is and why it's worth knowing about even if you can't write a single line of code As always, this isn't about replacing people it's about reducing repetitive tasks so you have more time to focus on your customers and growing your business. If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review it helps more people find the show. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    From Chatbot to Business assistant: 5 Chat GPT features every small business should be using ( Business Development )

  8. Jul 22

    From Clay to Customers: The 5 stages every small business should know ( Business / Product Development )

    Have you ever wondered why some new products and services take off while others quietly disappear? In this episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam Hicks shares a simple five-stage framework that has helped some of the world's biggest brands develop successful products—and shows how small business owners can use exactly the same thinking. Drawing on personal stories from her early ceramics business, years working in tourism and regional marketing, and insights from the marketing classic New Products Management by Professors C. Merle Crawford and C. Anthony Di Benedetto, Sam translates an academic model into practical steps any business owner can use. You'll learn how to: • Spot opportunities your customers are already telling you about • Turn observations into new products or services • Test ideas before investing too much time or money • Develop and refine your offer with confidence • Launch new products without feeling overwhelmed Whether you're thinking about introducing a new menu item, workshop, tourism experience, online course or service, this episode will help you move from random ideas to a repeatable process. Your 5-Minute Business Boost challenge this week: Choose one idea that's been sitting in your notebook and work it through the five stages. You might just discover your next best-selling product. If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review and share it with another small business owner. Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session. New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly. Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

    From Clay to Customers: The 5 stages every small business should know ( Business / Product Development )
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About

Podcast Overview In this weekly podcast, Sam shares real, practical insights on small business — from marketing and business development to what’s actually happening on the ground in regional Victoria. Expect honest conversations, simple strategies, and the occasional reality check to help you move your business forward. Show notes and resources are available with each episode via the Sam Hicks website. About Sam Sam Hicks is a small business advisor specialising in business development, marketing, and photography. Based in North East Victoria, she’s been running businesses since she was 18 and works closely with small business owners to simplify, focus, and grow. Her approach is grounded in real-world experience — both in business and through active involvement in community and regional initiatives. Work With Sam If you’re ready to take your business to the next level, you can work with Sam through: Small business consultingMarketing strategyWorkshopsOne-on-one mentoringFocused 1-hour sessionsYou can also sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost monthly newsletter via the website.

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