Did you know that almost half of all small businesses in Australia have experienced a cyber attack of some kind in the last year, and the average cost of those attacks is $40,000 AUD?

In this episode of the Thriving Business Podcast, hosts Kate De Jong and Sam Morris welcome Peter Treneman from GroupSupport IT to discuss the critical role of IT and cybersecurity in small business. Together they explore the necessity of consistent data backups, the value of building a relationship with IT professionals and the ongoing rise of cyber attacks that are crippling small businesses across Australia. Through real-life case studies, Peter shares some of the critical ways you can protect your business from expensive disruptions to ultimately safeguard your operations and reputation.

Takeaways:

• Good IT service providers can liberate business owners from the burden of IT at an affordable cost.
• Backing up data is crucial for protecting your intellectual property and operations.
• Google and Microsoft have limitations in data recovery.
• Investing in IT support can save significant time and money in the long run.
• Small businesses are often targets for cyber attacks.
• Cybersecurity is not just a nice-to-have these days; it’s essential.
• The Essential Eight framework provides a baseline for cybersecurity in your business.
• Many businesses underestimate the cost of data breaches.
• Building a relationship with IT professionals is vital.
• Budgeting for IT security is a necessary investment.

For more information, please go to these links:

Essential 8 Framework for Cybersecurity

https://www.cyber.gov.au/resources-business-and-government/essential-cybersecurity/essential-eight/essential-eight-explained

Practical tips to protect your business

https://www.cyber.gov.au/learn-basics

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

This week, Kate sat down with Louise Matson, founder of the iconic shoe brand ‘Louise M Shoes’ to discuss her journey from a seasoned flight attendant to creating a successful and exquisite line of shoes tailored specifically for airline crew and corporate women, combining both comfort and style. Louise shares her experiences in the shoe industry, the art and science behind authentic shoe making and the challenges of an online retail business. The conversation delved into the impact of COVID-19 on retail, the importance of carefully choosing business partnerships, and her recent decision to change tack in business altogether.

Kate and Louise explore the signs that tell you it’s time to change direction, touching on the transition from direct sales to B2B opportunities, the importance of authenticity in marketing, and the power of acknowledging your progress and achievements. Louise shares the relief of letting go of certain business pressures, the excitement of new opportunities, and the lessons learned throughout her extensive entrepreneurial journey; including the fact that changing direction is not a failure but a part of the entrepreneurial journey.

Highlights:

• Louise's journey began as a flight attendant struggling to find suitable shoes that were both comfortable and stylish.
• Navigating the challenges of the shoe industry requires innovation and resilience.
• Shoe making is both an art and a science, requiring attention to detail.
• Business partnerships must be aligned in vision and goals.
• Finding joy in business is essential for long-term success.
• Transitioning from B2C to B2B can open new opportunities.
• Letting go of certain business pressures can lead to personal relief and positive change across the board.
• New opportunities lead to exciting ventures.
• And lots more!

To learn more about Louise M shoes go to: https://www.louisemshoes.com

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com

In episode 47 of the Thriving Business podcast, Sam and I discuss the unique business planning processes we’ve implemented for 2025. After nearly a decade of experimenting with different business planning methods and approaches, we’ve both come up with our own approaches: both a little different, but powerful. Our hope is that our insights inspires you to think differently this year also, with the intention to grow and expand more than ever before.

Highlights:

• Navigating Major Life Changes: Kate opens up about her emotional life journey of divorce in 2024 and the challenges of transitioning to a new way of life with her children.
• A Unique Approach to Business Planning: After a decade of experimenting with different business planning techniques, both Kate and Sam discuss the unique approaches they’ve developed to create solid business plans for 2025.
• Quiet Confidence: Both Kate and Sam reflect on the deep, internal confidence they have finally cultivated, allowing them to embrace their true strengths and grow in their businesses.
• And lots more!

Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, clarity, and embracing change in both business and life.

Connect with the Hosts:

Kate De Jong, PhD | Inspired Business

Website: https://katedejong.com/

Instagram: katedejong.inspiredbusiness

Email: kate@katedejong.com

Sam Morris | The Business Implementor

Website: https://thebusinessimplementor.com/

Instagram: sammorris.businesscoach

Email: sam@thebusinessimplementor.com