MYB086: Small Business Budgeting Made Easy - Stop Guessing and Start Growing
Release Date: 05/08/2025
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Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked marketing tools for small businesses: the lead magnet. If your website isn’t collecting leads, or your lead magnet is sitting in a folder doing nothing, this is the episode for you. Ben and David break down what a lead magnet really is, why it matters, and how to create one that does more than gather email addresses. It builds relationships and leads to real sales conversations. They also dive into the common mistakes businesses make with lead magnets, how to...
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MYB096: You’ve Got Leads. So Why Aren’t You Making More Sales?
Max Your Business
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MYB095: Stop Losing Leads: Why Every Small Business Needs a CRM
Max Your Business
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MYB094: How to Tell If Your Business Is Actually Making Progress (Not Just Keeping Busy)
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, hosts Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore one of the biggest challenges for business owners: how to measure real progress, not just busyness. It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day, but are you truly building a business that gives you more money and more time, or have things ended up a bit different than you’d hoped? Ben and David break down the blind spots that keep business owners from moving forward, share stories from clients who’ve turned things around, and offer practical tools for getting clarity on where you’re at and...
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MYB093: Planning the Year Ahead? Don’t Miss These 5 Key Steps
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin dive into a timely topic: getting your plan together for the new financial year. Whether you’re scrambling to close out June or already looking ahead, this episode gives you a practical framework to reset, refocus, and get results. If you’ve ever found yourself saying “Where did the year go?” or if your business plan is still sitting in your head instead of on paper, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down why planning doesn’t need to be complicated—and how keeping it simple is the key to...
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MYB092: How to Stop Discounting and Start Making Real Profit
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin tackle a challenge that hits home for so many business owners: You’re making sales… but where’s the profit? If you’ve ever looked at your revenue and wondered why there’s nothing left over at the end of the month, this episode is for you. Ben and David break down the real reasons why businesses stay busy but broke and what to do about it. From silent cost creep to outdated pricing and the dangerous mindset of discounting, Ben and David will help you uncover the financial leaks and get back on track to...
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MYB091: The Mindset Formula Every Business Owner Needs to Know
Max Your Business
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MYB090: Building a Real Team vs. Just Hiring People
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin get real about one of the most common business complaints: “It’s hard to find good people.” But is it really a people problem or a leadership one? If you’ve ever hired someone who didn’t work out, struggled to keep staff accountable, or found yourself doing everything because “it’s easier that way,” this episode is a must-listen. Ben and David unpack why most small businesses don’t have teams—they have groups of people—and how to fix that. From sports analogies to real hiring mistakes, they...
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MYB089: Should You Be Using AI in Your Business?
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way business owners work, plan, and grow. If you’re picturing robots or complex coding, think again. This is about simple, practical uses that save time, reduce admin, and help you make better decisions. From writing emails and analysing financials, to handling job applications and quoting systems, AI is now a real, affordable tool for small businesses. Ben and David break down the possibilities and share examples from their own clients (and lives) to show...
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MYB088: How to Get Your Customers Spending More (Without Being Salesy)
Max Your Business
In this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin break down one of the easiest, most overlooked ways to grow your revenue—getting your customers to spend more, without resorting to hard-selling or gimmicks. From supermarkets to service-based businesses, the strategies shared in this episode apply to any industry. Whether it’s bundling products, using checklists, or simply asking the right questions at the right time, Ben and David unpack real-world tactics you can implement straight away. If you’ve been focused on getting more customers, this episode will...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Max Your Business Podcast, Ben Fewtrell and David Carlin unpack a topic that too many business owners avoid – budgeting.
If you’re making sales but still struggling to pay the bills, this one’s a must-listen. Ben and David dive into why most small businesses react to their finances instead of planning for them, and how flipping that approach can help you build a business that actually works for you.
Ben and David share simple strategies, personal lessons, and practical tools that show you budgeting isn’t about cutting back – it’s about making confident, well-informed decisions to grow your business and stay in control.
Episode Highlights:
0:00 - Welcome to Max Your Business Podcast
2:00 - The common belief that budgeting is only for large businesses
5:14 - Planning for profit, not just tracking spending
7:15 - Why now is the perfect time to start budgeting
12:35 - How poor P&L setup hides insights and impacts decision-making
17:03 - Why most accounting software isn’t enough on its own
22:39 - Profit First, the concept of underdrafts, and the stress of reactive cash flow
26:03 - Three scenarios when budgeting becomes mission-critical
32:16 - The confidence, control, and clarity that a budget provides
Key Takeaways:
Start with profit, not expenses: A good budget begins with your income goals, not what you want to spend.
Fix your P&L layout: If you can’t read it easily, it’s not helping you run your business.
Talk to your accountant early: Especially before the end of the financial year—don’t wait until it’s too late to optimise.
Don’t rely on software alone: Most accounting platforms don’t give you the clarity you need to make good decisions.
Budget for growth, not just survival: Whether you’re scaling or stabilising, budgeting puts you in the driver’s seat.
Forecasting brings peace of mind: When you can see your money, you can sleep better at night.
“Miscellaneous” isn’t a category
📘 Download your free Cash Flow Workbook here: maxmyprofit.com.au/cash
If you want to stop flying blind and start building a more profitable, stress-free business, this episode is a great place to start. Subscribe for more straight-talking advice from Ben and David to help you max your business potential.