Save Time and Money With These 3 Cloud Accounting Tips
Here are three straightforward cloud accounting tips to cut down on busy work and keep more cash in your pocket.
Featured Blogs
What’s Your MVL (Minimum Viable Lifestyle)?
MVL, or Minimum Viable Lifestyle, is a term I first coined when I started my business to help calculate the minimum amount of money I could live on without racking up debt. Here’s how to calculate yours.
Four practical alternatives to discounting
Discounting can be destructive to your business. Here are four alternatives to improve sales without lowering your prices.
Save Time and Money With These 3 Cloud Accounting Tips
Here are three straightforward cloud accounting tips to cut down on busy work and keep more cash in your pocket.
What’s Your MVL (Minimum Viable Lifestyle)?
MVL, or Minimum Viable Lifestyle, is a term I first coined when I started my business to help calculate the minimum amount of money I could live on without racking up debt. Here’s how to calculate yours.
Four practical alternatives to discounting
Discounting can be destructive to your business. Here are four alternatives to improve sales without lowering your prices.
Why discounting is killing your eCommerce business
Discounting is a dangerous habit that is entrenched in most online businesses. Here’s what happens when you discount, and why you should stop.
What’s a good gross profit margin for my eCommerce business?
The best businesses in the world have strong gross profit margins. Here’s how to calculate yours and check your financial health.
Four common Inventory Management System mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Jason Andrew Inventory issues rarely start in the warehouse. They show up as cash flow strain, shrinking margins, missed sales, and reports you don’t trust. For many growing eCommerce businesses, the problem isn’t demand — it’s an Inventory Management System that hasn’t been implemented properly. Inventory is often…
Do I have a Business or a Hobby? A Deep Dive into Ecommerce Unit Economics
Last Updated on June 12, 2026 by Jason Andrew At some point in our lives, we’ve all thought about a Shopify store. What if you printed the face of your dog and put it onto water bottles? Maybe you could design a better logo for the website… Or perhaps you’ve thought of a new product…
Why Expensing Inventory Correctly Matters
Last Updated on September 19, 2025 by Jason Andrew Running an Ecommerce store can feel like a juggling act. Sales are flowing, campaigns are running, cash is moving in and out — but underneath it all is one big question: “Are these sales actually profitable, or are we just pushing product out the door?” If…
Harvia: The Finnish Sauna Empire That’s Printing Money
Last Updated on September 12, 2025 by Jason Andrew How did a 75-year-old company from rural Finland become a €800m+ global juggernaut? While everyone was obsessing over tech unicorns and crypto moonshots, this unassuming sauna manufacturer from Muurame (population: 10,000) has been quietly building one of the most impressive cash-generating machines in Europe. Harvia is…
Profit Doesn’t Pay the Bills: Understanding Your E-commerce Cash Flow
Last Updated on September 5, 2025 by Jason Andrew If you run an ecommerce business, you’ve probably had this frustrating experience: sales are growing, profit looks solid on paper, but your bank balance tells a different story. This is one of the most common problems I see in ecommerce, and it often catches Founders off…
Wisetech Global: An Aussie SaaS Empire
Last Updated on August 27, 2025 by Jason Andrew What is the best homegrown Aussie business I’ve ever seen? It’s not a mining company. It’s not a bank. It’s not a telco. I’ll die on this hill: it’s the vertical software company Wisetech global. Why do I say this? Because in 1984, two Australian software…
Beyond the Sale: The 4 Essential Financial Metrics Every Ecommerce Founder Must Master
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Jason Andrew As an ecommerce Founder, you live and breathe product, marketing, and customer experience. But the hard truth is, a business with a great product and a growing customer base can still fail if its finances aren’t in order. Without a finance team, you’re responsible for the…
Earrings and Earnings: Lovisa’s $3bn Jewellery Empire
Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by Jason Andrew If you thought that the ‘Founder problem’ fit matters – think again. 60 year old Brett Blundy has made a killing selling trendy jewellery to 20-30 somethings looking to glam up their accessories. Earrings, necklaces, rings—you name it. Where most blokes would see female fashion and…
2025 Federal Budget: Not Much Changing for Aussie Businesses
Last Updated on March 26, 2025 by Another federal budget, another round of lukewarm leftovers for Australian businesses. You were hoping for bold reform, juicy tax incentives, or a game-changing handout to help you scale? At SBO Financial, we work with rapidly growing businesses that are driving innovation, creating jobs, and punching above their weight.…
Crush the Cash Flow Crunch: Smart Moves to Survive the Post-Holiday Hangover
Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Jason Andrew The holiday season has come and gone, and with it, a whirlwind of sales, festivities, and (if you’re lucky) a few lazy beach days. But now it’s nearly February, and suddenly your business feels like it’s nursing a NYE hangover. Cash flow is tight, bills are…
Black Friday Blowout or Business Bust? Why eCommerce Brands Should Think Twice
Last Updated on November 4, 2024 by Every November, Black Friday promises to fill carts and empty the shelves, hyped as the ultimate sales jackpot for eCommerce businesses. But behind the frenzied one-click shopping spree is a reality check many businesses overlook. Black Friday isn’t just a one-way ticket to revenue growth; it’s a risky…
5 growth lessons SaaS founders can learn from Atlassian’s billion-dollar journey
Last Updated on October 25, 2024 by Turning a small SaaS idea into a billion-dollar powerhouse takes more than just hard work—it’s about making the right moves at the right time. Atlassian’s rise from two uni mates with a side project to a global software leader is packed with smart strategies, tough calls, and bold…
Work-life balance just got legal: Employment legislation changes you should know.
Last Updated on October 22, 2024 by We all know the drill — work emails, calls, and messages never seem to stop, even after hours. But what if you and the team didn’t have to keep up with that anymore? Enter the “Right to Disconnect” law, which officially kicked off for larger Australian businesses on…
Managing your cash flow in a crisis
If your business is doing it tough right now, it might be time for some savvy cash flow management. Here’s what you can do to stay liquid and keep your head above water.
Buffett’s sweetest acquisition: A financial teardown of See’s Candies
Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by When it comes to investing, Warren Buffett is the GOAT – but of all his moves, it’s a Californian candy company that he rates as the “perfect business”. See’s Candies holds a special place in Buffett’s heart because it was one of the most transformational investments of his…
Cettire: A Financial Teardown
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by How does ASX-listed company Cettire manage to dominate the luxury eCommerce scene? Despite some fierce competition, Cettire is keeping its profits intact. In our latest financial teardown, Jason analyses the financials behind this fashion powerhouse. Cettire, an ASX-listed company, operates as a pure-play eCommerce dropshipper of luxury goods.…
Spilling the beans: A financial teardown of GYG
From burrito bowls to billion-dollar valuations, Jason Andrew takes a look at the financials behind Australia’s fastest growing Quick Service Restaurant, Guzman Y Gomez.
The Ultimate Guide to SaaS Pricing Strategies and Models
Coming up with a great SaaS idea is only half the battle – because now you have to figure out how to charge for it. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most common SaaS pricing strategies and models.
Inside Klaviyo’s IPO: A Financial Teardown
Explore Klaviyo’s journey into the IPO arena, the smart niche it’s carved out in ecommerce, and the financial insights shaping its future.
Elon’s Tweet Deal: Analysing the X-traordinary Purchase of Twitter
From significant layoffs to the daring rebrand to X.com, we analyse the financials behind Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition.
Pain and capital gain: Giving Mark Wahlberg’s F45 a financial workout
Leading Australian fitness brand F45 looked ripped when they went public in 2021 with a US$1.4 billion valuation – but they’ve hit the wall hard since then. Here’s the untold story behind F45’s downfall – and how they can get back on top.
The tax changes small businesses need to know about in 2023
Australia’s tax system is notoriously complex. From asset write-offs to amnesties, we’ll take you through the tax laws affecting small businesses in 2023.
Why the car wash industry is ripe for disruption
Here’s why owning a car wash actually has the potential to be a great little earner – and why the industry is ripe for disruption.
Beauty and the Bust: A Financial Teardown of BWX
From beauty powerhouse to financial failure, here’s the story of how BWX’s acquisition strategy, including Go-To Skincare, backfired.
What your accountant doesn’t tell you: Here’s why business owners have the edge in tax savings
Small business owners get the best tax deals in Australia. Here’s how we optimise our tax structure at SBO – and how you can do the same.
The rules of the game: A financial teardown of Games Workshop
Here’s why Games Workshop and the Warhammer franchise may be the best capital compounding business machine you’ve never heard of.
The hidden profits in pallets: A financial teardown of Brambles
Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Take a look around your house. Every item of furniture you own, every product in your pantry, every material of your house construction would have been transported, at some point, on a wooden pallet. The humble pallet is the vessel that transports $trillions of goods around the globe.…
The economics of accounting firms: A financial teardown of Kelly and Partners
Last Updated on November 8, 2022 by I didn’t become an accountant because I’m good with numbers. Despite the stereotype, my mental math is terrible. I need Excel to do basic arithmetic. I gravitated towards accounting because I love the money side of business. I love uncovering how much profit a business makes. What the…
Catchoftheday: A financial teardown
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by I’ve recently returned for my first international holiday since COVID – a hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies with the family. For the first time since I can remember, I intentionally switched off from work. I turned on my ‘OOO’. Deleted all work apps from my phone. “Lost”…
Why I walked away from buying a 7-figure vending machine business
Forget Bitcoin – vending machines are where the riches are at. Here’s how I almost bought a vending machine business.
How to prepare your business for an economic downturn
You’ve probably noticed there’s a bit of doom and gloom around the economy at the moment – but it doesn’t have to be a dark time for your business. Here’s how you can prepare for the challenge ahead.
What are the best digital checkout options for small businesses?
Here’s a selection of the main Buy Now Pay Later options, what they do, and what it will cost small businesses to use them.
The two killers of your eCommerce profits
While it might seem easy to leave these off your sales tally, here’s why you should be paying more attention to discounts and returns.
How much is your time worth as a business owner?
Understand the true value of your time so you can stop working in your business and start working on your business.
How to build a financial budget for your business (and why you need one)
Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Jason Andrew Most businesses don’t fail because of a lack of effort. They fail because they run out of cash. Not profit, cash. The fastest way to lose control of your cash is to operate without a clear financial plan. That is where a budget comes in. Too…
Why you should hold your business for the long-term: The lucrative strategy of capital compounding
Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by “If you own a wonderful business…the best thing to do is keep it. All you’re going to do is trade your wonderful business for a whole bunch of cash, which isn’t as good as the business, and you got the problem of investing in other businesses, and you…
Blog Articles
Save Time and Money With These 3 Cloud Accounting Tips
Here are three straightforward cloud accounting tips to cut down on busy work and keep more cash in your pocket.
Guide to SaaS Revenue: 8 Strategies for Scaling Your Subscription Business
Here are eight strategies worth building into your business as you scale in 2026.
The #1 eCommerce Finance Mistake: Why Your Stock Is Killing Your Profits
There’s a silent profit killer lurking in your eCommerce business, and it’s your stock. If you’re not managing it properly, it’s draining your cash fast.
Building a Profitable eCommerce Business: Three Levers That Actually Move the Needle
This article unpacks three of those levers: smart discounting strategy, inventory management and third-party logistics.
When Should Your eCommerce Business Use a 3PL?
This article walks you through a practical cost-benefit framework so you can make the call with confidence, not guesswork.
How to Run the Perfect Promotion for Your eCommerce Store
This article covers how to design a promotion that is genuinely attractive to buyers and financially defensible for your business, how to get it in front of the right people in the right order and what to measure when it is over.
The 5 Reasons why your eCommerce Business is a Cash Eating Monster
Last Updated on June 19, 2026 by It is the end of the month. You have just paid payroll and rent. You open your bank account expecting to see a healthy balance after a strong month of sales. Instead, you are staring at a number that does not add up. Where did it all go?…
Why Founders Should Celebrate Paying Themselves Dividends
For many Founders, the first time they formally declare a dividend and transfer real cash to their personal account is a significant milestone. Not a book entry. Actual money, earned from a profitable business, moved into your name. Six-figure sums going to pay down mortgages, fund school fees, build wealth outside the business. The kind of outcome that makes the years of risk and reinvestment feel worth it. And yet, almost universally, the first reaction is guilt. This article is about why that guilt is misplaced, and why paying dividends deserves to be celebrated.
Does Offering Free Shipping Actually Increase Sales?
The real question is not whether free shipping increases sales. It is whether it increases profitable sales. Getting that answer right requires understanding the mechanics behind it.
The True Cost of Discounting (And Why You Should Stop)
Last Updated on June 1, 2026 by Jason Andrew Discounting feels like a sales strategy. In practice, it is often a profit destruction strategy dressed up as one. It is the default move when uncertainty creeps in. Knock 10%, 15% or 20% off the price, make the proposal more attractive, make sales. Simple. Except…
What is Customer Lifetime Value and Why Does It Matter for Your Business?
Last Updated on May 29, 2026 by Emmaree Lozada Most business owners obsess over revenue. Revenue growth. Revenue targets. Revenue per quarter. And while revenue matters, there is a metric that tells you far more about the long-term health of your business. Most owners either ignore it or calculate it incorrectly. That metric is Customer…
How Much Can You Pay Yourself as a Founder or CEO?
Last Updated on May 27, 2026 by Most Founders underpay themselves for years, then overcorrect at exactly the wrong moment. Both mistakes are costly. One drains the Founder. The other drains the business. Getting your own salary right is one of the most consequential financial decisions you will make as a business owner. Too little…
Is your business model making you wealthy?
Last Updated on May 25, 2026 by Most Founders are working harder than ever and still wondering why the bank account does not reflect it. Revenue is growing. The hours are long. And yet profit feels like a moving target. If that sounds familiar, the problem might not be your effort or your product. It…
Lifestyle Break-Even: Bake Your Cake and Eat a Slice Too
Last Updated on May 22, 2026 by Most Founders either pay themselves too much too early, starving the business of capital it needs to grow. Or they pay themselves nothing, quietly burning through personal savings until the pressure forces a bad decision. The real question is not how much you deserve to earn. It is…
What’s Your MVL (Minimum Viable Lifestyle)?
MVL, or Minimum Viable Lifestyle, is a term I first coined when I started my business to help calculate the minimum amount of money I could live on without racking up debt. Here’s how to calculate yours.
Now That You Know What Your Time Is Worth, Here’s Where to Spend It
Last Updated on May 18, 2026 by In the previous post, we walked through a three-step framework for calculating what your time is actually worth. If you haven’t read it yet, start there. The rest of this post builds directly on it. One stat from that piece is worth keeping in mind as you read…
Why ‘Profit’ Is the Wrong Metric (And What to Track Instead)
Last Updated on May 15, 2026 by Here is something most accountants will not tell you: the number your board reviews every month is probably misleading you. Profit is not a bad metric. It is an incomplete one. It gets distorted by tax decisions, fails to capture what is happening to your cash, and can…
What Is Your Time Actually Worth? A Framework for Founders Who Are Doing Too Much
Last Updated on May 13, 2026 by There is a version of busy that feels productive but costs you money every single day. It looks like this: you are across everything. You approve the invoices, chase the overdue accounts, handle the IT issue, sit in on every meeting and somehow still find time to actually…
Your Business Is Not Your Baby. It’s a Machine.
Your business isn’t your baby, it’s a machine. And in 2026, the Founders who are scaling aren’t the ones who love their business the most. They’re the ones who see it most clearly.
Financial Governance: What Your Numbers Reveal About How You Operate
Last Updated on May 8, 2026 by When we conduct financial due diligence on a business, we are really asking one question: do the financials match the story management is telling? We have reviewed hundreds of businesses across many sizes and sectors. High performers and businesses that struggle to break even. What we consistently find…
Accounting vs Financial Management: Why Your Accountant Isn’t Proactive (And What to Do About It)
Want someone on your team focused on future financial growth? You need a totally different type of accountant working for your business.
Customer Acquisition Cost: What It Is, How to Calculate It and How to Improve It
Most businesses have a rough idea of what it costs to win a new customer. Very few actually measure it. This guide breaks down how to calculate your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), why the LTV:CAC ratio is one of the clearest indicators of a healthy business model, and the two most effective levers for bringing your CAC down without stalling growth.
The White Teeth Dream: How HiSmile turned Vanity Into a $150m brand
Last Updated on April 9, 2026 by Jason Andrew 12 years ago, two ~20-year-old Aussie guys decided that they were going to have a crack at starting a business. With $20k in savings, fresh after dropping out of university and leaving hopes of professional soccer behind, Nik Mirkovic and Alex Tomic realised there was a…
Teamshares: The Tech-Enabled Teledyne?
Last Updated on March 27, 2026 by Jason Andrew The most interesting tech-enabled rollup you haven’t heard of? Teamshares. The platform has quietly grown from inception to one of the largest independent owners of small businesses in the United States in a handful of years. 0 -> 87 portfolio companies. Teamshares goes where most buyers…
Four practical alternatives to discounting
Discounting can be destructive to your business. Here are four alternatives to improve sales without lowering your prices.
The Definitive Guide to eCommerce Financing
Last Updated on July 7, 2026 by Jason Andrew Cash moves through an eCommerce business faster than most Founders expect. One moment, your financial position seems secure, reflecting the strong performance visible on your sales dashboard. The next, however, you’re left questioning why your bank balance doesn’t align with that apparent sales momentum. A few…
From Bitcoin Mining to AI Infrastructure: The $12B Rise of IREN
Last Updated on March 13, 2026 by Jason Andrew In 2013, two Aussie brothers bought some Bitcoin, only to sell thinking the market had ‘topped’. “Yeah nah, mate, that’s probably as high as she goes.” But five years later, they took another look at Bitcoin, betting that Satoshi’s invention was the future of digital currency…
How to Use Your Break-even Point to Make Smarter Spending Decisions
What impact will added expenses have on your business? Instead of hoping for the best, calculate your break-even point and make informed spending decisions.
How to design your eCommerce accounting software stack
Last Updated on April 13, 2026 by Jason Andrew Most eCommerce Founders obsess over traffic, conversion, and growth. But the real engine of a profitable retail business isn’t performance marketing, it’s your inventory. If you don’t know what stock you have, what it costs, or when to reorder, you’re flying blind. And blind scaling is…
Why discounting is killing your eCommerce business
Discounting is a dangerous habit that is entrenched in most online businesses. Here’s what happens when you discount, and why you should stop.
5 tips and tactics to turn your eCommerce business into a cash-generating machine
A few simple financial tips can quickly turn your business from a cash-eating monster into a cash-generating machine.
Tai Lopez: Course Grifter to Ponzi Schemer
Last Updated on January 30, 2026 by Jason Andrew You know what I like more than a YouTuber trying to sell me a dropshipping course? A YouTuber running a Ponzi scheme. Sam Bankman-Fried, Elizabeth Holmes, and Charlie Javice. We have yet another legend joining their ranks, Tai Lopez. After reaching YouTube notoriety, Lopez decided to…
Labubunomics: A $50bn Empire built on Plush Toys
Last Updated on January 13, 2026 by Jason Andrew Two years ago, a man by the name of Wang Ning had the idea for a new kind of plush toy. Bang. Labubus. As a 48% shareholder in Pop Mart, that decision minted Wang a neat $15bn in equity value. Labubus are the hottest toys in…
Why revenue is a vanity metric
Revenue isn’t the only metric of “success” – what you should be really looking at is your gross profit margin. Here’s why sales really don’t fix everything.
What’s a good gross profit margin for my eCommerce business?
The best businesses in the world have strong gross profit margins. Here’s how to calculate yours and check your financial health.
Billion Dollar Teddy Bear: The Build-A-Bear Turnaround
Last Updated on December 18, 2025 by Jason Andrew Which stock has outperformed Palantir and NVIDIA over the past 5 years? It’s not a technology company… It’s not even a new business… It’s Build-A-Bear Workshop. In 2021, their business was completely written off by investors, trading for <$20m. Today, the business is closer to A$1bn…
How Austral Herbs Fixed Inventory Chaos and Built a Scalable Finance Function
Last Updated on December 17, 2025 by Jason Andrew SNAPSHOT When Paige Kohalmont acquired Austral Herbs, she stepped into a business with huge demand and huge complexity. Stock needed to be ordered months in advance, systems were disconnected, and there was no clear view of margins or cash flow. With no internal finance team, Paige…
From Acquisition to Clarity: How Austral Herbs Built Financial Leadership Without Hiring a CFO
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Jason Andrew SNAPSHOT When Paige Kohalmont acquired Austral Herbs through a Search Fund, she needed to raise capital, stabilise operations, and navigate a complex stock-heavy business, all without an internal finance team. SBO Financial stepped in as her embedded VCFO and full outsourced finance function, helping raise working…
Four common Inventory Management System mistakes (and how to avoid them)
Last Updated on April 15, 2026 by Jason Andrew Inventory issues rarely start in the warehouse. They show up as cash flow strain, shrinking margins, missed sales, and reports you don’t trust. For many growing eCommerce businesses, the problem isn’t demand — it’s an Inventory Management System that hasn’t been implemented properly. Inventory is often…
Figma S1 Teardown: Financials, Growth & IPO Outlook
Last Updated on December 8, 2025 by Jason Andrew This might be the hottest IPO of 2025. Figma just filed to go public. Bang. But is this Peter Thiel blessed, design first decacorn really worth the hype? Or is it just the best looking kid in a pretty ugly playground? Let’s break down the Figma…
Virgin x Bain Deal: Reshaping Virgin Australia
Last Updated on November 18, 2025 by Jason Andrew 5 years ago — Virgin was in an emergency landing. $5bn worth of debt. Planes were forced to stay grounded because of COVID. And the government wasn’t bailing them out. Once a cheeky upstart that dared to challenge the world led by Branson’s rock-star swagger —…
Do I have a Business or a Hobby? A Deep Dive into Ecommerce Unit Economics
Last Updated on June 12, 2026 by Jason Andrew At some point in our lives, we’ve all thought about a Shopify store. What if you printed the face of your dog and put it onto water bottles? Maybe you could design a better logo for the website… Or perhaps you’ve thought of a new product…
KKR x CHI Overheads – The Magic of Employee Equity
Last Updated on October 10, 2025 by Jason Andrew When most people think of private equity – they think of Barbarians at the Gate. Wall St guys in suits about to squeeze every last penny they can out of a company. Pack on debt. Slash jobs. Juice margins. Then sell to the next highest bidder.…
What Happened to Healthscope?
Last Updated on September 25, 2025 by Jason Andrew Private equity walks into a business. Promises “synergies.” Murmurs “operational excellence.” Says they’re here to unlock value. What actually happens? They lever it up 7x EBITDA. Sell the real estate. Attempt to trim costs by “streamlining operations” — a.k.a. cutting corners. Then they completely misread the…
Why Expensing Inventory Correctly Matters
Last Updated on September 19, 2025 by Jason Andrew Running an Ecommerce store can feel like a juggling act. Sales are flowing, campaigns are running, cash is moving in and out — but underneath it all is one big question: “Are these sales actually profitable, or are we just pushing product out the door?” If…
Harvia: The Finnish Sauna Empire That’s Printing Money
Last Updated on September 12, 2025 by Jason Andrew How did a 75-year-old company from rural Finland become a €800m+ global juggernaut? While everyone was obsessing over tech unicorns and crypto moonshots, this unassuming sauna manufacturer from Muurame (population: 10,000) has been quietly building one of the most impressive cash-generating machines in Europe. Harvia is…
Profit Doesn’t Pay the Bills: Understanding Your E-commerce Cash Flow
Last Updated on September 5, 2025 by Jason Andrew If you run an ecommerce business, you’ve probably had this frustrating experience: sales are growing, profit looks solid on paper, but your bank balance tells a different story. This is one of the most common problems I see in ecommerce, and it often catches Founders off…
Wisetech Global: An Aussie SaaS Empire
Last Updated on August 27, 2025 by Jason Andrew What is the best homegrown Aussie business I’ve ever seen? It’s not a mining company. It’s not a bank. It’s not a telco. I’ll die on this hill: it’s the vertical software company Wisetech global. Why do I say this? Because in 1984, two Australian software…
Beyond the Sale: The 4 Essential Financial Metrics Every Ecommerce Founder Must Master
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Jason Andrew As an ecommerce Founder, you live and breathe product, marketing, and customer experience. But the hard truth is, a business with a great product and a growing customer base can still fail if its finances aren’t in order. Without a finance team, you’re responsible for the…
From Search Fund to Scale-Up – How Austral Herbs Uses SBO’s VCFO Team to Stay One Step Ahead
Last Updated on August 14, 2026 by Jason Andrew SNAPSHOT After acquiring Austral Herbs via a Search Fund, CEO Paige Kohalmont needed to raise capital, overhaul financial systems, and run a stock-heavy business with zero internal finance team. SBO Financial became her embedded VCFO and full-stack finance function — helping raise working capital, create financial…
Earrings and Earnings: Lovisa’s $3bn Jewellery Empire
Last Updated on August 6, 2025 by Jason Andrew If you thought that the ‘Founder problem’ fit matters – think again. 60 year old Brett Blundy has made a killing selling trendy jewellery to 20-30 somethings looking to glam up their accessories. Earrings, necklaces, rings—you name it. Where most blokes would see female fashion and…
Black Friday Cyber Monday: Your Blueprint for Profit
Last Updated on February 6, 2026 by Jason Andrew The holiday season is approaching, and with it, the undeniable buzz of Black Friday Cyber Monday (BFCM). For many eCommerce founders, BFCM is seen as the ultimate sales goldmine – a chance to double revenue, clear inventory, and end the year with a bang. But here’s…
Beyond Cooked: How Beyond Meat Burned $4B (and Its Reputation)
Last Updated on June 18, 2025 by I hate to say it, but Beyond Meat is beyond cooked. What started as Silicon Valley’s next big thing is now an absolute dumpster fire. After raising money from Bill Gates, going public for >$4bn, and even partnering with Kim K., Beyond Meat is now the laughing stock…
Why do SaaS businesses burn through cash quickly?
Last Updated on June 16, 2025 by Growing your SaaS business can burn a hole in your wallet faster than you can say ‘subscription model’. If you’re in the software as a service (SaaS) game, you’ve probably noticed that cash seems to just poof into thin air. One minute, you’re celebrating a new client win;…
Portelli’s $1B LMCT+ Empire: Cars, Loopholes & Sky-High Margins
Last Updated on May 20, 2025 by He owns 40 supercars. His business has 75% EBITDA margins. And he’s only 34 years old. Who is he? No, it’s not Laurence Escalante — although his business is equally questionable. It’s Adrian Portelli. At 18, Portelli was working in his dad’s car repair business. By 2023, his…
The Business of HYROX: How Fitness Racing Became a $140M Beast
Last Updated on May 6, 2025 by Have you noticed the recent trend of dudes training shirtless? My Instagram feed is just littered with “influencers” trying to be their local Nick Bare — cutting meat on wooden chopping boards, gulping bone broth, lifting weights and clocking miles. In other words — they’re “getting at it”.…
What is a P&L Statement?
Last Updated on May 2, 2025 by Understanding your P&L Statement is the key to knowing whether you’re actually making money — or just making noise. You’ve launched the business. Customers are rolling in. Sales are happening. But where is the money? If you’ve ever wondered why your bank balance doesn’t match the “profits” your…
U.S. Tariffs: What Aussie eCommerce Brands Must Know
Last Updated on April 15, 2025 by If you’re an Aussie eCommerce merchant selling into the U.S., you’ve probably seen the headlines — and you’re not alone if you’re feeling confused. The short version? Yes, a 10% tariff applies to many Aussie-made goods entering the U.S., and yes, it’s already impacting brands like yours.This stuff…
MCoBeauty: The $1B Copycat Empire Tearing Up Your Supermarket Aisle
Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by Aussie scale-up MCoBeauty has built a $1bn beauty empire in only 8 years. Their business model? Lux for Less. ‘Duping’ other popular beauty products and offering a low-cost alternative. Today, MCoBeauty has grown to the #1 cosmetics retailer in Woolies, and is taking the US by storm. And…
Stacking Failing Retailers: The Costly Gamble That Sank Mosaic Brands
Last Updated on August 6, 2026 by Jason Andrew ASX-listed Mosaic Brands is the latest significant retail brand collapsing under its own weight. Just last month, the fashion retail business entered voluntary administration, owing $240 million in debt to a laundry list of creditors. In this financial teardown, I break down the history of Mosaic…
US Trade Tariffs: What You Need to Know Now
Last Updated on March 6, 2025 by Trump’s new US trade tariffs are shaking up global trade; here’s what it means for your business. If your business imports, exports, or operates in the US, you need to pay attention — like, now. The latest round of tariffs is set to disrupt supply chains, drive up…
Step One: The 400% Surge That Proved Me Dead Wrong
Last Updated on February 27, 2025 by This is the story of how I missed out on a 4x bagger in less than 18 months; all because of uncomfortable undies. In July of 2023 I posted this on Linkedin… Just 18 months later, the share price went on a tear! So what happened? EBITDA margins…
ATO Debt Update: What Founders Need to Know (and Do) Before 1 July
Last Updated on February 4, 2025 by Karen Parks Picture this: You’ve been using ATO debt as an unofficial low-interest loan, and it’s been a lifeline for your business. But just like binge-watching your favourite series, good things come to an end. Starting 1 July 2025, the rules are changing; you’ll no longer be able…
Crush the Cash Flow Crunch: Smart Moves to Survive the Post-Holiday Hangover
Last Updated on February 3, 2026 by Jason Andrew The holiday season has come and gone, and with it, a whirlwind of sales, festivities, and (if you’re lucky) a few lazy beach days. But now it’s nearly February, and suddenly your business feels like it’s nursing a NYE hangover. Cash flow is tight, bills are…
Sleigh the Season: 5 Financial Moves to Wrap Up the Year Right
Last Updated on January 23, 2025 by The holiday season is here, and it can be tempting to coast into December. via GIPHY But here’s the thing: this quieter time of year can pack a sneaky punch to your cash flow if you’re unprepared. And who wants to start January already scrambling to catch up?…
Black Friday Blowout or Business Bust? Why eCommerce Brands Should Think Twice
Last Updated on November 4, 2024 by Every November, Black Friday promises to fill carts and empty the shelves, hyped as the ultimate sales jackpot for eCommerce businesses. But behind the frenzied one-click shopping spree is a reality check many businesses overlook. Black Friday isn’t just a one-way ticket to revenue growth; it’s a risky…
5 growth lessons SaaS founders can learn from Atlassian’s billion-dollar journey
Last Updated on October 25, 2024 by Turning a small SaaS idea into a billion-dollar powerhouse takes more than just hard work—it’s about making the right moves at the right time. Atlassian’s rise from two uni mates with a side project to a global software leader is packed with smart strategies, tough calls, and bold…
High-Status Brands in Low Status Categories: A Financial Teardown on Yeti
Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by An underlooked aspect of building valuable consumer brands is uncovering mispriced assets. For example, what everyday items are undervalued? Everyone wants an iPhone. That’s fairly priced. Here’s one answer: Eskies, or as the Yanks put it: ‘Coolerrrrs’ Creating a ‘premium’ version of everyday items is one way of…
Work-life balance just got legal: Employment legislation changes you should know.
Last Updated on October 22, 2024 by We all know the drill — work emails, calls, and messages never seem to stop, even after hours. But what if you and the team didn’t have to keep up with that anymore? Enter the “Right to Disconnect” law, which officially kicked off for larger Australian businesses on…
Do the Dues – 5 Due Diligence Steps Before Acquiring a Business
Last Updated on October 22, 2024 by Thinking about snapping up a business? That’s a big move! Before you sign on the dotted line and pop the bubbly, there’s an important step you can’t skip: due diligence. This isn’t just a bit of paperwork or as quick as a building and pest inspection on a…
Laurence Escalante’s $5B gambling empire: A Financial Teardown
Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by Laurence Escalante built Virtual Gaming World (VGW) Holdings from his basement into a global gambling powerhouse that does nearly $5 billion in revenue. In 2023, VGW was the 6th largest private company in Australia by turnover and has 1200 employees globally. Today, you’ll find Laurence sunbaking on Lamborghini…
Can directors take cash out of the company for personal use?
Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by Running a company comes with its perks, but knowing how to tap into your business profits without triggering double taxation or catching the ATO’s attention is a whole other ball game. The good news? Yes, directors can take cash out of their company, but there’s a right way…
Building and keeping investor trust: a founder’s playbook
Last Updated on September 26, 2024 by Getting the right investors on board? Tough. Keeping investor trust? Even tougher! The struggle is real. While attracting investors is a big win, maintaining their trust is where the real work begins. Yes, investors want to see growth, but they also want to feel confident about their investment…
Building an $88 billion M&A Machine – The Journey of Mark Leonard’s Constellation Software
Last Updated on September 9, 2024 by Mark Leonard is one of my all-time investing heroes. His conglomerate Constellation Software (CSU) compounded C$25m in equity into a~C$89bn conglomerate in 29 years. That’s a 33% CAGR 👀 Today, they do over $6 billion in revenue – an absolute juggernaut of a company. It’s a cash flow…
From $4 Million to $1 Billion and Back – A Financial Teardown of Tiny Capital
Last Updated on September 4, 2024 by In the world of private markets investing, there are a handful of folks who I personally admire. One of them is a guy named Andrew Wilkinson – the founder of Tiny Capital. Tiny Capital’s story is absolutely bonkers. At 19, Andrew Wilkinson was a college dropout working as…
Let Go and Grow: Mitigating Key Person Dependency In Your Business
Last Updated on August 22, 2024 by Will your business hit a standstill if you or another key player suddenly need to step away? If you’re nodding along, you might be dealing with key-person risk, and it’s a bigger issue in business than you might think. If you’re running a successful business, but all the…
Is your business ready for financial reinforcements?
Last Updated on July 24, 2024 by Feeling the strain as your business grows, especially with managing your finances? As your business scales, it’s important to see if your current financial setup can handle the increasing demands, reporting requirements, and key financial insights required to make strategic decisions. Bringing in additional financial expertise is about…
In-house vs. outsourced accounting: Making the right choice for your business
Last Updated on September 2, 2024 by Are you wrestling with the decision to hire an in-house accountant or outsource it to the pros? This choice can significantly impact the efficiency and scalability of your business’s financial management. Understanding the pros and cons of each option can guide you to the best decision for you…
Growth opportunities: How to scale your service business
Growth isn’t always easy. Here are the key factors that impact scalability, and how to navigate the complexities of expanding your service business effectively.
Tax-free electric cars? What you need to know about the fringe benefits tax exemption for electric vehicles
Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by This article was updated on 17 May 2024. It’s not often that tax legislation gets anyone’s motor running, but a new bill from the Federal Government that exempts electric cars from fringe benefits tax (FBT) has people talking – and it might finally shift Australia’s transition towards EVs…
Managing your cash flow in a crisis
If your business is doing it tough right now, it might be time for some savvy cash flow management. Here’s what you can do to stay liquid and keep your head above water.
Buffett’s sweetest acquisition: A financial teardown of See’s Candies
Last Updated on April 18, 2024 by When it comes to investing, Warren Buffett is the GOAT – but of all his moves, it’s a Californian candy company that he rates as the “perfect business”. See’s Candies holds a special place in Buffett’s heart because it was one of the most transformational investments of his…
Cettire: A Financial Teardown
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by How does ASX-listed company Cettire manage to dominate the luxury eCommerce scene? Despite some fierce competition, Cettire is keeping its profits intact. In our latest financial teardown, Jason analyses the financials behind this fashion powerhouse. Cettire, an ASX-listed company, operates as a pure-play eCommerce dropshipper of luxury goods.…
Spilling the beans: A financial teardown of GYG
From burrito bowls to billion-dollar valuations, Jason Andrew takes a look at the financials behind Australia’s fastest growing Quick Service Restaurant, Guzman Y Gomez.
The Ultimate Guide to SaaS Pricing Strategies and Models
Coming up with a great SaaS idea is only half the battle – because now you have to figure out how to charge for it. Here’s your ultimate guide to the most common SaaS pricing strategies and models.
All in good thyme: How due diligence led to a thriving partnership with Austral Herbs
Here’s how we helped Austral Herbs’ CEO, Paige Kohalmont, to confidently acquire her business and cultivate financial growth.
How do holding companies work?
Holding companies usually don’t produce any goods or services themselves – but more and more people are interested in building them. Here’s why.
Why ‘sacking’ your clients can be good for business
In business, sometimes it’s not always about ‘more’ customers, but ‘better’ customers. Here’s how we revamped our strategy by ‘sacking’ bad clients, resulting in higher profits and reduced stress.
Inside Klaviyo’s IPO: A Financial Teardown
Explore Klaviyo’s journey into the IPO arena, the smart niche it’s carved out in ecommerce, and the financial insights shaping its future.
Book Review: ‘Profit First’ From An Accountant’s Perspective
Jason Andrew gives us his accountant’s take on the principles of Profit First, and how to weave them into your business and personal finances.
Elon’s Tweet Deal: Analysing the X-traordinary Purchase of Twitter
From significant layoffs to the daring rebrand to X.com, we analyse the financials behind Elon Musk’s Twitter acquisition.
Balancing creativity and profitability: Solving the digital agency’s dilemma
Here’s how The Content Division, a Brisbane-based marketing agency, partnered with SBO Financial to unlock the key to profitability and achieve sustainable growth.
Pain and capital gain: Giving Mark Wahlberg’s F45 a financial workout
Leading Australian fitness brand F45 looked ripped when they went public in 2021 with a US$1.4 billion valuation – but they’ve hit the wall hard since then. Here’s the untold story behind F45’s downfall – and how they can get back on top.
Gymshark revisited: Uncharted waters ahead for the direct-to-consumer darling?
Fitness apparel giant Gymshark just released its FY22 financials – so it’s time to take a deep dive.
The tax changes small businesses need to know about in 2023
Australia’s tax system is notoriously complex. From asset write-offs to amnesties, we’ll take you through the tax laws affecting small businesses in 2023.
Why the car wash industry is ripe for disruption
Here’s why owning a car wash actually has the potential to be a great little earner – and why the industry is ripe for disruption.
Beauty and the Bust: A Financial Teardown of BWX
From beauty powerhouse to financial failure, here’s the story of how BWX’s acquisition strategy, including Go-To Skincare, backfired.
What your accountant doesn’t tell you: Here’s why business owners have the edge in tax savings
Small business owners get the best tax deals in Australia. Here’s how we optimise our tax structure at SBO – and how you can do the same.
The rules of the game: A financial teardown of Games Workshop
Here’s why Games Workshop and the Warhammer franchise may be the best capital compounding business machine you’ve never heard of.
Home truths: A financial teardown of Brosa
Last Updated on October 24, 2023 by Furniture and homewares retailers are getting crushed right now. Made.com, the UK’s publicly listed furniture store, stopped taking orders last month, citing solvency issues. Interiordefine, a custom online furniture retailer in the US, entered voluntary administration last month. And Brosa, the Australian online furniture retailer, entered voluntary administration…
The hidden profits in pallets: A financial teardown of Brambles
Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by Take a look around your house. Every item of furniture you own, every product in your pantry, every material of your house construction would have been transported, at some point, on a wooden pallet. The humble pallet is the vessel that transports $trillions of goods around the globe.…
Boxing Day sales are a doozy. Do this instead.
Last Updated on December 20, 2022 by ‘Tis the season for sales, and Boxing Day is one of the biggest shopping events of the year. For most retailers, this post-Christmas financial injection is critical to their bottom line, and discounting is an ideal way of attracting new customers and boosting sales. The problem with discounting…
How we helped TradeMutt get on the (financial) tools
Last Updated on December 15, 2022 by TradeMutt is Australia’s biggest social impact workwear company. But while their vibrant clothing designs have kickstarted plenty of conversations about mental health, it was their financial health that needed a little bit of guidance. Here’s how we helped level them out. The company More than just a brand,…
The best-laid plans: Adjusting your expectations as the financial year unfolds
Last Updated on January 6, 2023 by They say life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans, and that’s certainly true when it comes to your cash flow plan. Believe it or not, we’re already almost halfway through the financial year. The second half of the year is shaping up to be an…
Christmas tax tips: How to minimise your tax bill for corporate gifting and spending
Last Updated on November 30, 2022 by The festive season is synonymous with corporate spending, so here are a few tips to help you avoid the ‘gift’ of a heaving EOFY tax bill. ‘Tis the season to whip out the corporate credit card, shout a round for your favourite clients and treat your employees…
Report: Digital Marketing Agency Benchmarks in 2023
Are you running a digital marketing agency? Wondering where you sit in relation to your competitors and the wider industry? In this ebook we share comprehensive industry benchmarks and unpack how you can improve the financial performance of your digital agency.
eBook: The Metrics Every SAAS Startup Needs to Monitor
Head spinning with the amount of data at your fingertips? Want to know how to make sense of it? In this ebook, we unpack the metrics every SaaS startup needs to monitor and how to build your dream financial team.
Diving into the deep end of eCommerce with Mr Pool Man
Last Updated on November 16, 2022 by Mr Pool Man is an eCommerce business that needed an accountant who could speak their language and guide them in the right direction. Here’s how we helped them learn to swim straight in open water. The company An Australian-owned and family-operated business based on the Central Coast of…
How Afterpay earns its margin
Last Updated on September 7, 2025 by Jason Andrew I have a love-hate relationship with Afterpay. The patriotic version of me is proud to see an Aussie fintech unicorn taking on the world. A brand that is changing the way consumers use credit. On the flip side, the fiscally responsible accountant in me despises…
Why you need to apply for your Director Identification Number NOW
Last Updated on November 8, 2022 by Hey, you! Yes, you! Do you have your Director Identification Number? If you’re staring blankly at us right now, it either means you’re not a company director – or you’re about to owe the ATO a big chunk of change. More than a million company directors have…
The economics of accounting firms: A financial teardown of Kelly and Partners
Last Updated on November 8, 2022 by I didn’t become an accountant because I’m good with numbers. Despite the stereotype, my mental math is terrible. I need Excel to do basic arithmetic. I gravitated towards accounting because I love the money side of business. I love uncovering how much profit a business makes. What the…
Come on, get appy: Three accounting apps that can help your eCommerce business thrive
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by If you run an eCommerce business, you’ll know the importance of having accurate (and stress-free) finances. But managing your sales channels together with your accounting software can be messy – and cost you hours. Luckily, there are some pretty great operational tools in place that easily integrate with…
Catchoftheday: A financial teardown
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by I’ve recently returned for my first international holiday since COVID – a hiking trip in the Canadian Rockies with the family. For the first time since I can remember, I intentionally switched off from work. I turned on my ‘OOO’. Deleted all work apps from my phone. “Lost”…
Spreading the wealth: Why we implemented equity-like compensation for our team
Last Updated on September 12, 2022 by Want to make your business more appealing to jobseekers, and incentivise your current employees to stick around and keep bringing their A-game? Then you should be looking at ways for your team to share in your company’s success. Over the past several years, we’ve had ongoing conversations here…
Three Profit Levers to Pull Before You Start Cutting Costs
Last Updated on August 20, 2026 by When someone asks how to improve business profitability, the default answer from a typical accountant is to ‘restructure your costs’. In plain English, that usually means cutting overheads and letting staff go. That advice often comes with a familiar playbook: swap the good coffee machine for instant, cancel…
What McDonald’s Can Teach You About Cross-Selling and Average Order Value
This article breaks down how McDonald’s applies cross-selling with near-mechanical precision, why the financial case for optimising your product mix is stronger than most Founders realise and how to translate these principles into a practical framework for your eCommerce or product business.
Why I walked away from buying a 7-figure vending machine business
Forget Bitcoin – vending machines are where the riches are at. Here’s how I almost bought a vending machine business.
How to prepare your business for an economic downturn
You’ve probably noticed there’s a bit of doom and gloom around the economy at the moment – but it doesn’t have to be a dark time for your business. Here’s how you can prepare for the challenge ahead.
How working at SBO Financial has changed how I see accounting
What’s it really like working at SBO Financial? Here are my key takeaways from my first 24 months working at an accounting firm that does things a little differently.
What are the best digital checkout options for small businesses?
Here’s a selection of the main Buy Now Pay Later options, what they do, and what it will cost small businesses to use them.
How to make yourself redundant
We’ve unpacked the business owner journey to help you understand how to move to the next stage and ultimately make yourself redundant.
ESOP Reporting: What happens when you don’t agree with your employer’s market value?
Get the lowdown on ESOP reporting and company shares at tax time, and what to do if you don’t agree with your company’s valuation.
Why your eCommerce business never has enough cash
When assessing the financial performance of an online business, most people look at profit to determine success. Here’s what you should be looking at instead.
The two killers of your eCommerce profits
While it might seem easy to leave these off your sales tally, here’s why you should be paying more attention to discounts and returns.
When is it okay to discount my product?
Last Updated on April 14, 2026 by Jason Andrew Discounting feels like an easy lever to pull when you want to boost sales, but it is rarely a simple decision. Done poorly, it erodes your margins, trains your customers to wait for sales, and quietly damages your brand. Done well, it can unlock cash flow…
Fringe Benefits Tax Returns are due soon. Are you ready?
Here’s how to get your business ready for lodging in time for EOFY.
How much is your time worth as a business owner?
Understand the true value of your time so you can stop working in your business and start working on your business.
What’s a good profit margin for my digital agency?
Wondering if your digital agency’s profit margin stacks up? Find out what your profit margin should be – and how to get there.
How to build a financial budget for your business (and why you need one)
Last Updated on April 3, 2026 by Jason Andrew Most businesses don’t fail because of a lack of effort. They fail because they run out of cash. Not profit, cash. The fastest way to lose control of your cash is to operate without a clear financial plan. That is where a budget comes in. Too…
How the rich get richer by minimising taxes and leveraging debt
Ever wonder how the super-rich have plenty of cash to splash, but only have to pay a minimal amount of income tax? Here’s what you need to know.
How to lose money on Black Friday Cyber Monday
Black Friday sales. Everyone loves them, but the reality is that you could be left with no actual profit to show for it if you don’t have a healthy contribution margin. Here’s how to protect your gross profit while discounting.
Why your digital agency is hard to scale
Agency and service-based business models don’t scale like software or product-based business do. But why is that?
The power of float: The secret sauce to building wealth like Warren Buffett
Warren Buffett is widely regarded as the world’s greatest investor – but what isn’t common knowledge is how he created his fortune.
Tax accounting is broken. Here’s how we’re fixing it.
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by “We don’t do tax.” – Us, up until three weeks ago. We’re ‘fessing up. We get it. We’ve built our reputation on being a not-your-typical-accounting-firm that doesn’t do tax returns. Our focus has always been (and still is) working alongside start-ups and eCommerce business owners to improve their…
How to calculate your digital agency’s charge-out rate
Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by Jason Andrew You did it! You branched out and started your own digital agency. No more working for the man – you’re the boss now, and one of the first things you’re going to need to figure out is how much you charge your clients for the services…
When can my agency afford to hire my next employee?
Last Updated on August 27, 2026 by Jason Andrew Growing pains are inevitable for any service based business. The good news is there are tried and tested formulas for knowing the right time to act, so growth stays sustainable from both a workflow and a cash flow perspective. This comes down to one practical question:…
Who Gives a Crap
Last Updated on November 5, 2024 by The Company Who Gives a Crap (WGAC) is an Australian based eCommerce business that sells forest friendly tissues, paper towels and toilet paper. They have business units operating in Australia, the USA and UK and sell their products products all around the world. WGAC is a social enterprise…
Okendo
Last Updated on March 5, 2025 by The Company Okendo is an Australian company that provides software as a service (SaaS) solutions. Their primary focus is on businesses on the eCommerce platform, Shopify. Okendo has a suite of tools that enable eCommerce merchants to collect reviews and user-generated content from their customers for their website…
Trademark Vision
Last Updated on September 27, 2024 by The Company Trademark Vision (TMV) is an Australian based image recognition AI startup servicing customers around the globe. The company focuses on brand protection and uses computer vision to detect and compare similar brands around the world for brand infringement. TMV’s aim is to be the leader in…
eCommerce Growth
Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by The Company Based on the sunny Gold Coast of Australia, eCommerce Growth is a boutique results-driven digital marketing agency specialising in advanced email marketing (Klaviyo), eCommerce growth strategy, and conversion optimisation. “My job is to develop and build effective long-term growth strategies for my eCommerce clients.” – Brynley King. The…
The projects
Last Updated on November 12, 2024 by The Company The projects is an independent brand consultancy, founded in Sydney, Australia. The company provides strategic and culturally relevant solutions to help brands thrive. Isobel Stackpool, Director of Finance and Operations is in charge of overseeing the operations of the Sydney business specifically, ensuring alignment to the…
Announcing SBO Financial’s new CEO
Last Updated on May 19, 2022 by Jason Andrew Today I’m thrilled to announce that from 1 March 2021, Vanessa Firth, our operations director will become our new CEO. Before diving into what that looks like, let me start with some context. I’ll explain why, why now, and what that means for Rowan and I.…
MrBeast: Influencer turned hamburger magnate
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Picture this. A brand new, 300 location burger restaurant chain launches OVERNIGHT. The company’s companion app hits #1 on the app store charts and does over $15M+ in revenue in the space of 48 hours. On launch day, the company actually pays you to eat their food. Wads…
Temple & Webster emptied my bank account!
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by My suspicions arose on the third consecutive day he visited the house. The overly friendly man. Pearly white teeth, charming smile. He comes bearing gifts. Gifts for my wife. She awaits this mysterious man every day, constantly checking her phone and emails for updates. She leaps with excitement…
Is Gymshark worth $1.4 Billion?
Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Jason Andrew I am probably the least fashionable person you’ll see at the gym. My workout attire is what most people regard as ‘home clothes’. You wouldn’t know if I was off to do a tip-run or 30mins on the treadmill. I never really understood why people bought…
eBook: The Business Cashflow Guide for Agencies
Want to know what the CFO of a digital agency would do to manage the current economic conditions?
We’ve created a comprehensive guide for agency owners and managers with strategies to weather this storm.
Are you a freelancer or an entrepreneur?
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by What’s the difference between an Entrepreneur and a Freelancer/Solopreneur? Many business owners label themselves “entrepreneurs”. Watch this video to understand if you’re acting like one. Transcript of the video below. https://sbo.financial/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SBO-Are-you-a-freelancer-or-an-entrepreneur.mp4 Are you a Freelancer or an Entrepreneur? That’s the first question I ask many of the founders…
Getting your accountant to understand your digital business
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by “My accountant doesn’t get my business” – something that we hear all the time from the entrepreneurs we work with. If you throw out terms like CLV, MRR, CAC and Churn to accountants, most of them will be left scratching their heads wondering if you are speaking finance,…
A reflection of FY20 at SBO
Last Updated on March 1, 2025 by As another financial year comes to close I make a habit of reflecting on the year that was. This is from the lens of personal development and company milestones -what we achieved, what we failed at, what we can do better. We don’t normally share these publicly. Not…
When Should You Offer Discounts in Your eCommerce Business?
We identified exactly two scenarios where discounting makes genuine financial sense for an eCommerce business, laid out the conditions that make each one defensible, and built a practical framework for knowing when to hold the line and when to act.
WEBINAR: Prepare your business for an economic recession
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by It’s critical to prepare for this outcome to ensure the survival of your business. Rowan Grant and I are hosting a special webinar where we will be unpacking a playbook we have developed on how to prepare your business for an economic downturn. It’s a framework we’ve kept…
LIVE: Business and Government concessions – COVID-19 response
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by The Australian Government and banking institutions have united to assist small businesses weather economic uncertainty. We have prepared a live document to monitor and track all of the grants, tax breaks and assistance packages available to Australian Small Business. The objective is to centralise all of the concessions…
The government is writing cheques to small business owners: This is how much you’ll get
Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Italy has basically shut down it’s entire country. India has closed the borders and suspended all tourist visas. Both demand and supply chains are being disrupted, with many economists fearing the virus could trigger the next economic recession. In order to stave off a looming recession, the Australian Government…
How Much is My Business Worth?
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by I cut my teeth in corporate advisory doing company valuations. Valuations of companies of all industries, shapes and sizes. The purpose of these formal valuations was to ‘tick a box’ due to one (or more) of the following events: A marriage breakdown – a business needs to be…
Some tax advice for End of Financial Year…
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by It happened again. A friend, who I haven’t spoken to since this time last year reached out to ask a quick question about his tax return. It went something like this: Hey Jason, hope you’re well! With end of financial year coming up is there any tax planning…
How Accountants, Lawyers and Consultants should negotiate a pay-rise
Last Updated on July 3, 2024 by And how understanding the business model of your employer will help you get one Brace yourself, promotion season is coming. The yearly event where every tired and overworked accountant, lawyer, consultant, [insert white-collar professional] eagerly awaits that meeting with their superiors to discuss one thing. Pay-rises! When I…
Should My Restaurant Offer UberEats?
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by An analysis on the ROI of delivery platforms I rarely had ‘takeaway’ meals as a child. For us, it was a luxury. My stereotypical Asian mother drilled into us that ‘eating-out’ was a waste of money. “Why spend money on expensive junk food when my home cooking is…
Should My Small Business Offer Afterpay?
Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by It is well known within my circle of friends and peers that I am not a fan of Afterpay. My personal reasons are best saved for a separate blog, but the TL:DR version is because it goes against everything I believe in when it comes to consumerism and…
New brand, same focus
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Rowan and I came up with our business name, SmartBooks Online over a few beers one evening. It was a very literal name, and that’s the way we intended it. Most people figured we were an accounting business. Some thought we were optometrists or book publishers. Either way,…
Can an Accountant add financial value to your small business?
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by and the Minimum Viable Finance Function Startup founders and small business owners often squirm at the idea of having a CFO in their business. I mean I get it, the value of a CFO in a young company is a highly contested subject. Do they add value? There is…
The psychology of financial budgeting
Last Updated on April 21, 2026 by Jason Andrew Few words in business create as much resistance as the word “budget”. For most people, budgeting triggers the same emotional response as dieting. It feels restrictive, tedious and designed to stop you from doing the things you want to do. That mindset is exactly why so…
Why outsourcing your bookkeeping will save you money
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Bookkeeping is by far the most annoying part of running a business. It’s boring, repetitive and tedious. But while it’s all those things – it is one of the most critical aspects to your business. The value of bookkeeping is in knowing how your business is performing. How…
The real cost of a subscription business: a payment gateway comparison
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by The real cost of a subscription business: a payment gateway comparison As a result, businesses are changing the way they sell their products and services. New business models have emerged to cater for this trend and focus on repeatable, recurring relationships. The emphasis is on Customer Lifetime Value.…
How much is bad data costing your accounting firm
Last Updated on May 26, 2022 by Jason Andrew The term Big Data has been used with increased frequency over the last 5 years. While many organisations are still scrabbling to understand the broader application of it, there’s no doubt that simple operational data is becoming more and more common as a source of a…
Your accounting firm isn’t worth squat – An open letter to a Senior Partner
Last Updated on May 26, 2022 by Jason Andrew Dear Bob, I started working with your accounting firm when I was a graduate, wide eyed and fresh out of university. I spent the first 12 months of my career learning the basics of ‘tax’ which included how to complete a form on horribly clunky software,…
The tools and tactics we use to manage our distributed team
Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Multimillion dollar companies like Zapier and Basecamp have their teams distributed all over the world. The WordPress parent company Automattic (valued at over $1.16B) boasts over 500 staff located in 57 countries. The notion of remote working has become a hot topic amongst professional services providers as of late.…
How small businesses can use Data to win
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Entrepreneurs are liars. We tell ourselves that everything is fantastic, that we’re solving the world’s problems and having fun in the process. But in fact we know that is rarely the case… Being a liar in this way is a good thing. Even when things are all going…
How to build real value in a “body shop” business
Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Last Christmas I read Peter Thiel’s book “Zero to One”. Anyone curious about, or actually in the world of startups should read it – it’s full of so many original and thought-provoking concepts. These concepts range from ‘why companies should always aim to create something new (0 to…
How to Build the Perfect Bookkeeper / Accountant Relationship
Last Updated on May 26, 2022 by Jason Andrew The bookkeeper / accountant relationship has always been a topical subject. Accountants blaming bookkeepers for dodgy work and the WIP they have to write-off as a result of it. Bookkeepers snarling at accountants for being elitists. Sound familiar? Looking back to when I was an undergrad…
Why Your Business Should Aspire to be Like McDonalds
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by While innovation must be a key value driver to every organisation, it’s not surprising that organisations become caught up in the Silicon Valley buzz word hype that they lose focus on the fundamentals of any successful business – executing amazing customer service and Delivering In Full, On Time…
Identifying and Retaining Top Performers
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Jason’s note: The barriers to entry to establishing your own accounting practice have never been so low. A tech stack of XPM + PI + Asana will set you back less than $200 per month. Sign up and away you go – off into Startup land. With the…
Let’s settle this ‘offshoring’ debate
Last Updated on August 30, 2022 by Jason Andrew People conjure up images of warehouses with rows of children punching away at excel spreadsheets, adding machines and industrial fans….LOL The global economy has thrived in the philosophy of ‘comparative advantage’, going back at least 9,000 years to the day of the Silk Road. Today, international…
The 3 step process to improving the productivity of your Digital Agency
Last Updated on August 30, 2022 by Jason Andrew Our recent digital agency whitepaper showed that the average productivity rates across digital firms in Australia is 83%. Yet among firms we talk to, it is not uncommon to see productivity as low as 60%. This observation brings about several questions which I will answer below,…
What Most Founders Get Wrong About Gross Profit (And Why It’s Costing You)
Last Updated on March 20, 2026 by Jason Andrew Most Founders think they’re profitable. They’re not. We consistently see businesses overstate their gross profit margin by 5–15 percentage points. Not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because their cost of sales is wrong. And if your margin is wrong, every decision built on top of…
Part II – Accounting as a Service – The new business model.
Last Updated on May 27, 2022 by Jason Andrew Jason‘s Note – following on from our last post on Metrics for the Modern Accounting Practice we received a bunch of feedback from accountants, interested in the “Accounting 2.0” business model. Questions like, why has the game changed? How do you move from time-based billing and what tools are…
The Metrics of the Modern Accounting Practice Part 1 – What are you Measuring?
Last Updated on February 11, 2025 by Jason Andrew “If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it” – Lord Kelvin It always amazes me that most businesses don’t practice what they preach. Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of it. Let’s face it – if we were to be ‘advisors’ of our perfect selves…
How we have (almost) killed email
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Initially hailed as a cheaper way for people to communicate – a killer app invented in the 90s, email is now considered a chore. The more organised of us block out periods of time in our day to tackle them with the goal of ‘inbox zero’ – apparently…
The 9 metrics Accountants must know when advising Startups
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by This post was written by my Co-Founder Rowan Grant. Startups are sexy, and everyone’s uncle is working on the next big calendar app (no jokes, I did get pitched another calendar app last week). As a result, professional service providers are now offering ‘startup’ packages or services to…
Lesson learnt #2: Know your customer. The 3 step process we used to determine our target market
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Niching for a Startup is critical. It levels the playing ground between small and large businesses. The challenge is however, when you start a new venture or develop a new product, you say yes to anything and everything. You take every meeting, every phone call, every bit of…
Lesson learnt #1 – Communication is King
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by SmartBooks Online is a virtual business, meaning an array of challenges are immediately apparent. Just to name a few, these include building trust with clients and their accountants, showing the world that we know our sh!t without warranting a face-to-face coffee promising everything, and most of all managing…
Fail Fast – The 5 invaluable lessons we’ve learnt @SmartBooks Online
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by SmartBooks Online has been floating around the internet over the last 12 months. During that time, Rowan and I were both working full time and progressing in our respective careers – jobs that we genuinely enjoyed doing – whilst running the business by night. Some called it part…
Australian Accounting Awards Winner
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by The team at SBO are both proud and humbled to have been named the 2015 “Rising Stars of the Year” in the Australian Accounting awards, hosted by Accountants Daily. It was an honour to share the stage with the leaders in our industry. However, we definitely didn’t make…
Timesheets are dead. Long live timesheets
Last Updated on May 27, 2022 by Jason Andrew Myself and timesheets have a love-hate relationship. While I detest completing them on a day-to-day basis, unfortunately I cannot live without them. Allow me to explain. If you have worked (or are working) as a practicing accountant, lawyer, consultant or in any other profession in the…
Give before you receive
Last Updated on May 27, 2022 by Jason Andrew ‘Giving before you receive (or ask)’ is an attitude central to every religion and is a fundamental component of all successful relationships. Collaborating and being willing to share is vital if humans are to coexist fruitfully. And this philosophy applies to business relationships as much as…
So, what the hell is a Startup?
Last Updated on May 27, 2022 by Jason Andrew The term ‘Startup’ has been thrown around with increased frequency over the past few years. It’s become the new ‘sexy’ way of describing your business/hobby/piece of software/concept. The problem is that it’s used in so many facets that I don’t know what it actually means anymore. …
The MOST important metric professional services businesses fail to capture
Last Updated on May 1, 2026 by Jason Andrew Attention lawyers, accountants, architects, creative agencies, recruiters, financial planners, consultants, and every other business that buys and sells time. Most professional services firms obsess over revenue growth, utilisation, profit margins, lock up, and cash flow. They are all important metrics. But there is one number that…
Happy 1st Birthday SmartBooks!
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Twelve months ago today Rowan and I had a a vision of disrupting the bookkeeping arena by offering automated, timely and subscription priced bookkeeping solutions to small business owners and accountants. We were sick and tired of the cost inefficiencies faced by both small business owners and accountants…
Going out on your own… Should you take the jump?
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by I read an interesting discussion on Quora this week about society being conditioned for employment as opposed to other sources of income, presumably being in business for yourself. I then recalled three conversations I’ve had this week with different friends, who each expressed how unhappy they were with their…
Expert Bookkeeping Need not be Expensive
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Even a small company should have a bookkeeper these days. There is no overstating the importance of the role this professional plays in the company. It’s the bookkeeper who enter, organises and updates your company’s financial records, checks your statements for errors and if they’re good process your…
Benefits of Outsourcing your Bookkeeping
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by The Benefits of Outsourcing Your Bookkeeping Bookkeeping is essential to any business; you have to keep track of your finances to determine if you are earning more than enough to keep your head above the water and not spending more money than you should. Be warned that bookkeeping…
Accounting Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Business
Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by So you think you have the accounting skills it takes to run a small or medium-size business? Good for you! However, there are still some things you should be aware of. You may not think much of these “little things”, but making the following accounting mistakes can cause…