The 5 Minute Business Boost®

Hosted by SAM HICKS

BusinessInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

157

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

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 consulting Marketing strategy Workshops One-on-one mentoring Focused 1-hour sessions You can also sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost monthly newsletter via the website.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 26, 202611 min

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 inventory How to calculate the real cost of lost or unpaid time The difference between deliberately giving your time and simply losing it How booking systems, reminders and deposits can reduce no-shows Why boundaries around meetings, quoting and free advice matter A simple five-day exercise to identify where your time is disappearing Your 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.

August 19, 202616 min

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.

August 12, 202620 min

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 Marysville Gippsland Art Gallery Yea Wetlands Discovery Centre Shepparton Art Museum Or 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.

August 5, 20268 min

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.

July 29, 20268 min

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.

July 22, 202622 min

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.

July 15, 20269 min

Repurpose like a pro: one piece of content. Ten opportunities. ( Marketing )

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 episode you'll learn: • Why creating more content isn't always the answer. • How one photo can become ten pieces of marketing. • The difference between repurposing content for businesses and community groups. • Practical ways to build a simple content library. • How AI can help you turn one idea into many without losing your own voice. • A simple question to ask every time you create something. Whether you're a small business owner, volunteer, committee member or simply trying to make your marketing easier, this episode will help you work smarter—not harder. Key takeaway Before creating something new, ask yourself: "How many more times can I use this?" The answer might surprise you. Thanks for listening to The 5-Minute Business Boost® , where your next five-minute investment could make all the difference to your business. ------------------------------------------------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.

July 8, 202610 min

Stop starting from scratch every time you use Gemini ( Business Development )

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 every time is costing you time. How to create your first custom Gem in just a few minutes. What business documents to upload first. Better questions to ask AI that go beyond "write me a Facebook post." Why creating multiple Gems can give you your own team of AI assistants. A few important privacy considerations when using business information with AI. Whether you're just getting started with AI or you're already using Gemini every day, this episode will help you get more value from a tool you probably already have. This week's five-minute investment: Spend five minutes creating your first Gemini Gem. Teach it about your business, upload a few key documents and ask it to solve a real business problem instead of simply creating content. You might be surprised how quickly it becomes another member of your business team. --------------------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.

July 1, 20268 min

The tipping point: what retail giants can teach small business (Business Development)

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 difference between temporary setbacks and structural change • Why technology is influencing every industry, not just retail • How flexibility and diversification create resilience • The opportunities available to regional businesses in a digital world Sometimes the most valuable business lessons come from watching what happens to companies much larger than our own. The question is simple: Are you skating to where the puck is going, or are you still standing where it used to be? Thanks to Scott Phillips for the inspiration behind this episode and for highlighting the broader conversation around change, adaptation and the future of Australian business. ----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.

June 24, 202615 min

Food photography for smartphone users: 5 principles for better food photos ( Marketing & Photography )

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 improve your food images: • Light First • Clean Your Lens • Composition and Framing • Focus, Exposure and Portrait Mode • Styling and Storytelling You'll also learn how artificial intelligence is now helping smartphone cameras capture better images through computational photography, automatic scene recognition and smart editing tools. Most importantly, you'll discover why technology can enhance a photo, but creativity, storytelling and good photography fundamentals still matter most. If you'd like to create images that showcase your products, tell your story and attract more customers, this episode is for you. --------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.