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PODCAST

The 5 Minute Business Boost®

The 5-Minute Business Boost® with Sam HicksSmall business is a big job. Sometimes you just need a little boost.Join Sam Hicks for practical advice, honest conversations and fresh ideas to help you move your business forward. From marketing and business development to AI, digital tools and the realities of running a regional business, each episode brings something useful to your working week.Expect simple strategies, guest conversations and the occasional reality check. Short episodes that fit around

business entrepreneurship

All Episodes

7:39

Everything’s Urgent. Now What? ( Business Development )

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/10/06

Flat out all day, but your to-do list hasn’t budged? When you run a small business, everything can feel urgent—especially when you’re running low on energy.This week, Sam shares an honest look at those overloaded days and a practical way to choose what deserves your attention next.Tune in for a little breathing room and one simple Business Boost to try tomorrow.Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share it with another small business owner, or leave a review—it helps more people find the show.For the

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14:11

90 Days Left: Your Small Business End-of-Year Check...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/09/30

With October upon us and the Reserve Bank announcing another interest rate increase, the final quarter of 2026 is a timely opportunity to take stock of your small business.Are your everyday systems working for you? Is your marketing ready for the Christmas rush? And are you making time to look after the person running the business?In this episode, Sam shares five practical areas worth reviewing before the year ends, plus a simple 30-minute Business Boost exercise to help you identify your priorities

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11:35

Before you trust AI with your business: 5 simple...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/09/23

AI is now built into more of the tools we use every day — from ChatGPT and Canva to websites, email platforms and business software.But as AI becomes more useful, small business owners also need to think about how they’re using it. In this episode, Sam looks at a few simple safety checks around privacy, accuracy, human oversight and responsible use — without turning it into a compliance lecture.If AI is becoming part of your business, this episode is a good reminder to use it with your eyes

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11:06

Substack for Small Business: worth it or just another...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/09/16

You may have heard of Substack, but what actually is it — and does it have any real value for small business owners?In this episode, Sam looks at how Substack combines blogging, email, podcasts and social discovery, who it could suit, and whether it’s worth adding to your marketing mix.Before you sign up for yet another platform, tune in and find out whether Substack could actually help you build a stronger audience — or just create more

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17:53

Special Guest Series - Lets meet Mel from GIVIT (...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/09/09

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

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18:41

5 business lessons from Dolly Parton: building more...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/09/02

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

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11:10

Your time is inventory: stop giving it away (...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/08/26

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

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16:20

AI and Photography: It’s already in your Camera Bag (...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/08/19

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

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20:56

Guest Series - Kate from Zaza & Douglas ( Art and...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/08/12

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

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8:44

I upgraded my webcam… and it changed more than just...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/08/05

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

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8:36

From Chatbot to Business assistant: 5 Chat GPT...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/07/29

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

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22:15

From Clay to Customers: The 5 stages every small...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/07/22

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

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9:22

Repurpose like a pro: one piece of content. Ten...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/07/15

Creating content can feel like a full-time job, especially when you're running a small business or volunteering for a community group.But what if you didn't need to create more?In this episode, Sam shares one of the simplest marketing strategies that can save you hours every month: repurposing your content.Discover how one photo, one blog post or one event can become multiple pieces of content across your social media, website, newsletter, podcast, LinkedIn, grant applications and more.In this

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10:15

Stop starting from scratch every time you use Gemini...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/07/08

Are you using Google Gemini to write social media posts and emails?If so, you're only scratching the surface.In this week's episode of the 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam shares one of the most practical ways small business owners can save time with AI by using Gemini Gems.You'll also learn the difference between Gemini, Gems and NotebookLM—three Google AI tools that are often confused.In this episode you'll discover:The difference between Gemini, Gems and NotebookLM.Why repeating the same prompts

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8:48

The tipping point: what retail giants can teach small...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/07/01

What can a fabric retailer and a barbecue chain teach small business owners?Quite a lot, actually.Inspired by recent commentary from Scott Phillips on the challenges facing Lincraft and Barbecues Galore, this episode explores what happens when customer behaviour changes, technology reshapes industries and business models reach a tipping point.In this episode, Sam discusses:• Why customers are always voting with their wallets• How small declines in sales can have a major impact on profitability • The

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15:09

Food photography for smartphone users: 5 principles...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/06/24

People eat with their eyes first.In this episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam explores how small business owners can create better food photographs using nothing more than the smartphone already in their pocket.Whether you're a café owner, baker, winery, restaurant, market stallholder or food producer, great food photography doesn't require expensive equipment. It starts with understanding a few simple fundamentals.In this episode, Sam shares five practical principles that can dramatically

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9:21

Food photography for DSLR users: 5 principles for...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/06/17

People eat with their eyes first.In this episode of The 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam shares five practical food photography principles that can help cafés, wineries, food producers, bakers, restaurants and small businesses create more appealing food images using a DSLR camera.Drawing on years of commercial food photography experience, Sam explains why great food photography isn't about expensive equipment—it's about understanding light, texture, composition, camera settings and storytelling.Whether

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12:41

What Canva, Boost Juice, Redballoon and iVorey can...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/06/10

What do Canva, Boost Juice, RedBalloon and iVorey have in common – and what can their stories teach you as a small business owner?In this short, practical episode, I break down five lessons from some of Australia’s most recognisable brands: starting with a problem (not a product), launching before you feel “ready”, backing yourself through rejection, adapting as markets change, and thinking bigger than your postcode.You’ll walk away with three simple reflection questions and one tiny action you can

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12:58

Why buying local helps your business (Business...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/06/03

We often ask customers to support local, but how often do we think about where our own business dollars are going?In this episode, Sam explores why buying local isn't just good for the community — it's good business.From building stronger relationships and improving service levels to supporting local jobs and creating economic resilience, buying local can have a significant impact on your business and the region around you.Drawing on Australian research and real-world examples, Sam explains the

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12:49

The art of selling: monetising your creativity online...

The 5 Minute Business Boost® ·

2026/05/27

Creative talent is only part of the equation, artists also need visibility, confidence and practical business skills to grow sustainably.In this episode of the 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam shares five key lessons artists can learn from creative business workshops delivered across regional Victoria.From photographing artwork properly and telling the story behind your work, to social media, pricing and building confidence as a creative business owner — this episode is packed with practical insights

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