the strictly business super-guide to small-biz success

The small-biz life is equal parts excitement and chaos – one minute you’re celebrating a sold-out drop, the next you’re Googling “how to do a BAS statement” after midnight. Whether you’re a maker, designer, freelancer or just dream of starting your own business one day, we’ve pulled together our most useful small-biz wisdom to make the ride a little smoother.

From marketing to sustainability and everything in between, this jam-packed guide combines our favourite Strictly Business articles with insights from real Square sellers who’ve turned their ideas into unique and exciting ventures.

GETTING STARTED

START WITH WHAT’S MISSING Pasta Prego started with a simple question: why isn’t there a restaurant chain focused on good, quick pasta? So they made one. It’s a reminder that noticing what’s missing in your world might just be your next big idea.

FIND YOUR VOICE Ever wish you could sound a little more sure of yourself when chatting in a meeting or pitching a big idea? Turns out, confidence isn’t about faking it – it’s about knowing how to shift your tone, posture and presence to suit the moment. These clever communication tips will help you feel (and sound) like your best self.

YOUR ADHD IS A FEATURE If you’re one of the many neurodivergent legends with ADHD who wants to start a small biz, it’s good to keep in mind that while it may feel like you’re always behind, you just need systems that work with your brain, not against it. Here are some ADHD-friendly small biz tips about how celebrating the wins and creating a rhythm that matches your brain’s wiring can help turn distraction into momentum.

SELLING SMARTER

CREATE YOUR OWN NICHE When everything seems done already, this guide reminds you that your unique way of doing things is the thing that will make you stand out. Pfft, trends are boring anyway!

THE PARENT JUGGLE Trying to juggle kid drop-offs and quarterly targets can feel pretty goddamn impossible, but these helpful tips show how business ownership and parenthood can actually fuel each other if you set a rhythm, celebrate the small wins and ditch the guilt (easier said than done!).

LESS IS MORE, FOR REAL Overwhelmed by your to-do list and dreaming of the day you’ll work less for more impact? This article cuts through the productivity noise and shows that the smarter move might be doing fewer things (hallelujah, etc).

FOLLOW YOUR HEART If you’re more dripping stacked sandwich than cute chia pot, don’t spend your days popping dainty flowers on top of breakfast bowls. That’s what Kosta’s Takeaway owner Benjamin Terkalas found when he traded his old hospo job for starting this successful sandwich store in Sydney. Hear his story in his own words in the video on the Square website (language warning!).

MONEY MATTERS

FLIP THE SCRIPT ON BANKRUPTCY
If debt’s got you sleeping with one eye open, this article shows how bankruptcy isn’t just failure – it can be a reset. But remember to tread carefully, explore your options and rebuild with intention.

BOOST YOUR SUPER Running your own gig means your retirement fund is on you – eek! This article turns superannuation from a dusty “yeah, one day” thought into a smart habit you’ll thank yourself for later in life.

DEBT ISN’T A DEAD END If your small biz is drowning in invoices and interest, this feature lets you in on what a debt-savvy financial counsellor actually advises – sooner is better than later (or never) when it comes to asking for help.

MARKETING AND MAKING NOISE

ADD CHARACTER TO YOUR BRAND Want your business to feel more human and less “aesthetic faceless creator on Instagram”? This article explains how adding character to your brand (quirks, voice and all) can make people stop scrolling and actually remember you.

PRE-CHRISTMAS MARKETING The silly season is sneaky and fast – if you don’t prep beforehand, you’ll end up scrambling and sobbing from feeling overwhelmed while Love Actually plays softly in the background. This guide gives smart, sensible tips for getting your brand noticed before Mariah Carey starts sending you loopy in shopping centres.

LET YOUR CUSTOMERS DO THE TALKING Don’t shout at audiences from behind a screen – speak with the people already loving your work. This article shows how a marketing strategy centred on your customers’ voices and experiences can build loyalty and make your business feel truly alive.

DESIGN YOUR SPACE THOUGHTFULLY Looking to make your business stand out? Lunetta in Canberra shows how a thoughtful location and warm, welcoming design can do just that. In the video on the Square website, they share how by creating a space that feels effortless and inviting, they make every visit memorable.

SUSTAINABILITY AND VALUES

MORE THAN BUZZ Want to make sustainability more than a buzzword in your business? Take a leaf from Bridget Amor and Mark Dundon from Melbourne coffee roasters Seven Seeds, who show that transparency, fair partnerships and smart tools (such as Square) can make doing good part of your daily grind.

MENTAL HEALTH COMES FIRST Running your own thing can mean 100 tabs open in your brain – this article reminds you that looking after your mental health isn’t a side hobby, it’s a business strategy.

MAKE GREEN YOUR DEFAULT Sustainability doesn’t have to be a big, scary overhaul – this guide shows how small, smart changes can add up, meaning you’re not managing the climate crisis and your business burn-out at the same time.

DON’T FAKE GREEN, BE GREEN If you’re shouting about your eco credentials but can’t back it up, this piece helps you spot when you’re flirting with greenwash and shows how being legit is better for your reputation and the planet.

This helpful compendium was produced in partnership with Square, the helpful (and beautiful!) technology that can help you supercharge your business. Take a look at more Square Seller Stories and learn more about how Square can help your small biz on the Square website.