You don’t need us to tell you that the world currently feels like it’s going to shit. Between a cost-of-living crisis and climate catastrophe, the year of our lord 2026 has also already blessed us with a whole bunch of crazy international political stuff. A little closer to home, you may have noticed the effect of this stuff on your own small business. From supply chain shortages to astronomical petrol prices, you don’t have to tough all this hard stuff alone. We’ve rounded up a slew of nifty tips and resources to help you through the current situation – and all forthcoming ones – as well as some professional biz whizzes to reach out to if it’s all feeling a bit much.

IF YOU’RE FEELING THE PINCH OF THE PRICE OF PETROL OK, so the rising cost of petrol is the obvious and probably most common squeeze on your biz’s bank account right now. Despite the Australian Government confirming that the country’s fuel supply remains secure in the short term, the price at the bowser is reflecting a wider panic. The current advice is to not stockpile or hoard fuel, and to consider utilising public transport where you can. But we get it – there’s no lugging a million and one packages to the post office on the bus. Besides using alternative transport means, there’s not a whole lot that can be done about the price of petrol at the moment. However, with the fuel excise (the government’s tax on petrol) halved until the end of June, you should notice somewhat of a dip in prices. Make sure to download a petrol price tracker app to keep on top of the lowest fuel costs in your local area. Plus, if the petrol price hike is affecting the shipping costs of getting your goods to your customers, it’s OK to adjust your shipping rates (or other rates) if needed.  

IF INFLATION AND RATE HIKES ARE IMPACTING YOU Inflation hasn’t exactly been awesome the last little while, but if there’s one thing to push it way higher, it’s rising energy costs. Higher or sustained interest rates will impact your biz’s borrowing costs, investment decisions and your customers’ spending and demand, which basically could affect your entire business. Your best bet in surviving this hectic period of inflation uncertainty is chatting to a financial counsellor. These free, confidential and super-helpful biz professionals have all the best tips and tricks up their sleeves, and will help you keep your business troubles in perspective. They might suggest anything from declaring bankruptcy to setting up a hardship arrangement. Whatever it is, they’re a nifty cost-free resource for small-biz owners. Plus, the Australian Financial Security Authority and the Small Business Debt Helpline also have some ace resources for you to check out.

IF YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE BUYING LESS It’s not just small bizzes feeling the economic pinch – it’s your customers, too. When the essential items we buy day-to-day are getting more expensive, it’s not surprising that some shoppers are forgoing the lovely extra stuff to save a few bucks. If you’ve noticed a decline in sales as of late, it’s important to remember that it’s not personal. You can’t force your market to buy your bits, but what you can do is spend this quiet period investing time and effort into tools that can widen your customer reach. Diversify your customer base by revamping your social media profiles to invite in new followers and make your business stand out. Also – while a smaller income from your biz may tempt you to push things like superannuation down the priority list, it’s vital to still be adding to your super (even just a little) if you’re self-employed.

IF THE STATE OF THE WORLD IS GETTING YOU DOWN Remember! There’s some good stuff going on in the world, too. Now more than ever – and whenever your biz is in a bit of strife – it’s extremely important to check in with yourself. It can be tempting to over-stuff your work plate in an attempt to get ahead of how this worldly mess is impacting your biz, but your mental health – and that of your team or co-workers – is a gazillion times more important to nurture right now. Trade out working harder for working smarter, and keep an eye on any approaching shadows of burnout making its way over the biz horizon. There are a slew of professionals that you can talk to, and some that are even specialised in the small-biz world. Life can be a bit shit – there’s no denying that – but you’re not the only one dancing your way through flames at the moment. Lean on your peers, your support networks and your loved ones – at the end of the day, there’s more to life than just business.

*Quick financial disclaimer. The information above doesn’t constitute financial advice, and it doesn’t account for your specific circumstances or financial goals. Make sure you get some independent guidance from a professional you trust. 

For more small-business stories like this, visit frankie.com.au/strictly-business, or sign up to our monthly e-newsletter. Have a small-business story you’d like to share? Pitch it to us.