Prior to COVID-19, I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity to host a 6 part podcast series for the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources.  The series has been released through the  Ahead for Business website.

For many small business owners, failure is an inevitable part of their business experience. When people experience failure it can greatly affect their internal image. This podcast series seeks to reframe the failure narrative. It also aims to provide audiences with a greater understanding of the emotional impact of failure, how to contextualise and ‘normalise’ failure within a small business framework and provide practical advice and tips on dealing with feelings of failure.

“Success in business is confronting yourself as much as the outside forces. It comes back to why you’re doing it in the first place. It’s not failure holding us back – it’s our view of failure.” – Leanne Berry

Episode 1 discusses the idea of imposter syndrome. Entering the small business world tends to involve a steep learning curve. This can result in feelings of being out of your depth and ill-equipped to manage business challenges. This episode emphasises the normality of this experience and how it can impact your wellbeing.

Listen to Australian small business owners and experts including:

• Rob Hartnett, business adviser, leadership expert and author of ‘It’s All Possible’
• Helen Tricarico who founded Health on the Inside (HOTI) – a home-made, organic kombucha
• Julian Mather, former SAS sniper, then cameramen at the ABC, then magician and now helps businesses use video
• Suzanne Mercier, business adviser, author of ‘Liberate Leadership’.

I hope you’ve enjoyed listening to Episode 1 this podcast series on Bouncing Back.

Below are links to further resources for small business people helping you to look after yourself and your business.

My Business Health

https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/my-business-health/home

My Business Health

https://www.asbfeo.gov.au/my-business-health/home

Ahead for Business

https://aheadforbusiness.org.au/

Beyond Blue

https://www.beyondblue.org.au

Beyond Blue Support small business owners to improve their mental health and wellbeing at work guide

https://das.bluestaronline.com.au/api/prism/document?token=BL/1908

Five Minute Mental Health Check Up (Ahead for Business)

https://aheadforbusiness.org.au/mental-health-screen

It’s such a pleasure to host this wonderful series on Bouncing Back and speak with all these amazing Australian small business people and share their journey, experience and insights with you.

Remember

• Setbacks and challenges are an inevitable part of running a small business.
• There is no one-size-fits-all approach and mistakes happen.
• Failing is a normal part of life and often teaches us the most important business lessons.
• ‘It’s not failure holding us back – it’s our view of failure’.
• It is important to reach out for support when you are struggling.
• It is normal to need to ask for help from time to time.

Thank you to Sound Cartel and the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources