Small businesses aren’t going under because of one big expense anymore, it’s the slow bleed of subscriptions.

In this episode, Sam unpacks how $10, $30, and $99 monthly tools quietly stack up and eat into profit, often without businesses even realising it.

From design software to SEO tools, scheduling platforms to AI subscriptions — it all adds up.

The good news? Most businesses don’t need more tools… they need better decisions.

What You’ll Learn

• Why subscription creep is one of the biggest hidden costs in small business
• The shift from owning software to renting everything
• How to decide whether to build, buy, or borrow tools
• Real examples of cutting costs without losing capability
• Practical swaps to reduce your monthly spend immediately
• A simple 10-minute audit to review your subscriptions

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.

In this episode of 5 Minute Business Boost, Sam dives into one of the most overlooked (and underestimated) parts of showcasing your work — framing.

Based on a hands-on workshop series delivered with Yea Arts across 2025, this episode explores how artists, makers and small business owners can better capture their work through photography and video using tools they already have — whether that’s a smartphone or an SLR camera.

The big takeaway:

Framing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional — so your work is seen, understood, and valued the way it should be.

Want to go further?

This episode is based on a practical, hands-on workshop designed to help artists and creatives confidently photograph and film their work for social media, websites, and marketing.

Want a workshop in your patch? Reach out.

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.

In this episode, Sam talks through what community-led recovery really means on the ground following the 2026 Longwood fires in Murrindindi Shire.

Moving beyond theory, this episode unpacks the reality of recovery in rural communities — from large-scale agricultural losses to the emotional impact of losing homes, landscapes and long-held landmarks.

Key insights include:

• What community-led recovery (CLR) actually is — and why it matters
• The scale of impact from the Longwood fires, including livestock, fencing and economic losses
• Why fencing — not buildings — is one of the biggest barriers to recovery
• The real and ongoing business impact across small communities
• How grief shows up in disaster recovery (and why it’s not linear)
• Why every community recovers differently depending on landscape, demographics and loss
• What recovery actually looks like on the ground — one step, one paddock, one conversation at a time

This is a practical, honest reflection from someone living and working within the recovery — not observing it from the outside.

If you’ve ever wondered what recovery really involves, or how communities rebuild after disaster, this episode gives you a clear and grounded perspective.

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If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, or community group 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.