Flying Solo
Business & Finance
About
The show for those starting or running a one person business, hosted by Cec Busby. With over 100,000 members and stacks of resources, Flying Solo keeps you on track.
Episodes
- From cringe to confidence: how to make selling feel good
Does the thought of sales and selling make you squirm? You’re not the only one. Yet, selling a part and parcel of doing business, so how can you get over the ick? To help us reframe our thinking and banish that cringe factor for good we're…
- The rhythm of influence: mastering modern persuasion
In this episode of Flying Solo, Jeff Purser, communication strategist and author of Yes Yes Yes , shares insights on modern persuasion techniques. He emphasises the importance of timing, empathy, storytelling, and listening skills for solo…
- Small budget, big buzz: Jasmin Hyde’s PR playbook for soloists
Jasmine Hyde is the founder of strategic communications agency Hide & Seek. She sits down with Flying Solo to explore the ins and outs of PR for small businesses. Jasmine brings a wealth of insight on building visibility and telling powerf…
- Running on Empty? The health wake-up call for solo business owners
In today's episode,we're tackling a crucial yet often overlooked facet of entrepreneurship: your health. As a business owner, you enjoy unparalleled freedom, but it also means you're the sole safety net—no HR to check in and no one to noti…
- Preparing your business for sale: Insights on exit planning with Simon Bedard
Today we’re diving into a critical topic that many business owners overlook—your exit plan. After pouring years of passion and energy into your business, have you thought about how you’ll eventually move on? Simon Bedard is a seasoned expe…
- From million-dollar mistakes to marketing mastery with UNTMD Founder Maria Kathopoulis
Maria Kathopoulis, founder of UNTMD, shares her experience with ineffective marketing spend and her journey to building a consultancy focused on revenue and outcomes. The episode covers understanding business metrics, customer needs, marke…
- Rethinking networking: How to make real business connections
Karen Dennett discusses rethinking traditional networking, emphasizing the need for genuine connections over performative interactions. The episode highlights building psychologically safe communities, offering practical steps for friendsh…
- Mental health and wellbieng secrets for soloists
Graeme Cowan, an expert in resilience and workplace mental health, discusses his personal experience with severe depression and burnout. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing mental health warning signs, nurturing relationships, and…
- Late career transitions: How to design a meaningful third chapter
Robyn Greaves, a career transition specialist, joins Flying Solo to discuss designing a meaningful "third chapter" in one's career, particularly for those over 50. The episode covers rethinking retirement, navigating career changes, embrac…
- From spin to truth: Why integrity drives business growth
This episode features Dominic Thurbon discussing the crisis of truth and honesty in business, the three types of truth in organizations (they, we, and me), and the dangers of spin versus the importance of truth for trust and performance. T…
- Essential legals for soloists and small business owners
This episode features Tracey Mylecharane discussing the importance of legal foundations for soloists and small businesses. Key topics include common legal gaps, essential documents such as tailored contracts and privacy policies, and the b…
- The brave path to wealth: Mel Browne on money mindset and momentum
This episode of Flying Solo features host Cec Busby and financial educator Mel Browne discussing the societal and cultural barriers that affect women's financial literacy and wealth accumulation. They explore practical strategies for build…
- Shani Taylor on mentoring, scaling up, and authentic business growth
This episode of Flying Solo features business mentor Shani Taylor discussing authentic business growth, the value and challenges of mentorship, and scaling strategies for solo entrepreneurs. Taylor shares insights on moving beyond the solo…
- Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Why emotional intelligence is the key to business success
This episode highlights a conversation with human behaviour specialist Amy Jacobson on emotional intelligence (EQ) and its critical role in business success. They explore EQ as a learnable skill, the importance of empathy in the workplace,…
- Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Essential resilience skills for solopreneurs
Looking for a great listen this summer? Check out our highlights from the past year and learn a new skill today! This week's episode of Flying Solo focuses on the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of being a solo entrepreneur—our persona…
- Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Transforming busy into productive
Today we are joined by Simi Rayat, a global productivity expert, business psychologist and founder of Wellbeing Face. In our conversation, we delve into productivity and emotional wellbeing. Simi shares her journey from a budding interest…
- Summer Session 2025 Highlights: How to master your sales technique
Looking for inspiration to kick-start the new year? Check out our summer session highlights for the best advice we've heard from experts this year... In this episode, we're joined by David Fastuca, co-author of the B2B Sales Playbook. Davi…
- Summer Session 2025 Highlights: How to set the right money mindset
Summer's here, and we're taking a break, so we've put together a season of summer highlights for your listening pleasure. Kick back and enjoy! Money! How to manage it, how to make the most of it, and how to attract more of it, are question…
- Summer Session 2025 Highlights: Making AI your business ally
As you kick back over summer, check out our season highlights for great advice on hot topics for small business owners. If the mention of AI makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone—but what if AI could actually make your business smoo…
- Moving beyond good enough: Unlocking your business potential with Claire Gray
People and culture specialist Claire Gray, author of the new book Thriving Teams: When Teams Unite, Align and Achieve, dives into what truly makes a business excel—whether you’re leading a handful of people, working with an evolving group…
- The pulse of empathy: Melinda McCormack on creating real change in a disconnected worls
Melinda McCormack unpacks the growing sense of isolation many of us feel—at work, in our communities, and even at home—thanks to our fast-paced, tech-heavy lives. In this episode, we explore the art and science of empathy, drawing from Mel…
- From struggle street to wealth creation: Andrew Baxter on building your financial future
From his humble beginnings in a working-class family to conquering the high-stakes trading floors of London, Andrew Baxter shares how those early struggles shaped his money mindset—and why he believes financial freedom is possible for anyo…
- Embracing cringe moments: Jordana Borensztajn on humour, resilience, and authentic influence
Jordana Borensztajn is a comedian, keynote speaker, communication expert, and now, author of The Little Book of Influence . From being escorted off Facebook’s Silicon Valley campus when she was dressed as a giant, like button to being booe…
- The hardiness effect: How stress makes us stronger
Dr. Paul Taylor is a former Royal Navy air crew officer turned neuroscientist, psychologist, and exercise physiologist, to break down the concept of ‘Death by Comfort’, Dr. Taylor’s new book, The Hardiness Effect , explores how embracing a…
- Breaking up with busy: How doing less can boost your productivity
Donna McGeorge is a productivity expert and bestselling author. In her latest book, Red Brick Thinking’ Donna shares why our instinct to always add more—tasks, meetings, apps—might be holding us back, and how strategic subtraction can help…
- Finding your heart’s journey: Lessons from Peter Baines and Hands Across the Water
Peter Baines is one of Australia’s most impactful solopreneurs. After serving as a forensic investigator and responding to major disasters like the Bali bombings and Boxing Day tsunami, Peter found his purpose in building children's charit…
- Riding the waves of mental health: Cooper Chapman’s journey from pro surfer to wellbeing advocate
Cooper Chapman is a former top-100 professional surfer who has transformed his passion for riding waves into a mission for improving mental health and wellbeing. Cooper is the founder of The Good Human Factory, an organisation dedicated to…
- Building resilience and mental health for soloists with Leanne Faulkner
On this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby sits down with Leanne Faulkner, a small business mental health expert, researcher, and former entrepreneur. Leanne shares her inspiring journey from building Billy Goat Soap—a business sparked by h…
- How to negotiate more effectively
In this episode, Cec Busby sits down with negotiation whiz Glin Bailey. Glin's a coach, author, speaker, and all-around professional who has helped everyone from big-name executives to small business owners sharpen their negotiating skills…
- Why chasing growth can trap entrepreneurs: Brad Giles on building a better business
In today’s episode, host Cec Busby sits down with Brad Giles—business coach, entrepreneur, and author of the new book, "Bigger Isn’t Better, Better is Better." Brad brings over 25 years of experience, having founded multiple companies and…
- From rock bottom to redemption: Understanding men's mental health
[Trigger warning] This episode of Flying Solo discusses depression and suicidal ideation. Listener discretion is advised. On this episode of Flying Solo, host Cec Busby dives deep into a topic that too often remains in the shadows: men’s m…
- Breaking the entrepreneurial ceiling: Sustainable small business success
In this episode of Flying Solo, Cec Busby sits down with Chris Green. Chris has over two decades of experience helping entrepreneurs scale their businesses to success. So if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the chaos of running your own bus…
- Practical ways to nurture human skills and empathy
Cec Busby sits down with Renata Squario, an expert with over three decades of experience in learning and development and the founder of MaxMe. After 30 years in the corporate world, Renata made it her mission to democratise the development…
- From employee videos to personal branding: Social media strategies that work
Melissa Laurie is the founder of Oysterly Media—a fast-growing social video agency that’s making big waves across Australia, Asia, and beyond. With over 1000s of followers on TikTok, YouTube, and LinkedIn, plus brand collaborations with gi…
- Demystifying AI: Human-first strategies for small business success
Leanne Shelton is an AI coach, keynote speaker, and founder of Human Edge AI Training. Leanne’s journey from content marketer and copywriter to AI advocate proves that you don’t need a tech background to harness the power of AI in your bus…
- From burnout to balance: Science backed ways to beat burnout and boost energy
With hustle culture running rampant and burnout becoming all too familiar, Tim Jack Adams is on a mission to help Australians flip the script on stress, reconnect with ourselves, our communities, and nature. Drawing from his new book, "Ene…
- The $2 Million tipping point: essential shifts for small business success
Jenny Stillwell is a renowned business strategist, former CEO, and author of "The 7% Club." Jenny brings decades of experience guiding businesses through the ups and downs of growth. In this epsidoe of Flying Solo she dives deep into why t…
- Closing the Empathy Gap: Daniel Murray on Leadership Skills for Soloists and Entrepreneurs
Daniel Murray is a leadership expert, speaker, and author of the game-changing new book, The Empathy Gap . Daniel shares his personal journey from a highly analytical thinker who struggled with empathy, to an advocate who believes that emp…
- How to create a purpose driven personal brand
In today’s episode, host Cec Busby sits down with Vinisha Rathod—Sydney-based branding specialist, keynote speaker, and founder of P3 Studio. Vinisha isn’t just flipping the script on personal branding; she’s rewriting the whole playbook.…
- Mastering End of Financial Year: Tax tips for soloists
In this week's episode of Flying Solo Cec is joined by Mark Chapman, Director of Tax Communication at H&R Block, to break down everything you need to know about end-of-financial-year preparation. Find out everything from how to get your pa…
- Fair go for small business: Navigating red tape and rising costs
Cec Busby sits down with Luke Achterstraat, CEO of the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia (COSBOA), for a discussion about the current landscape for small businesses. With a major decision from the Fair Work Commission to ra…
- Making AI your business ally: Tech tips from Tracy Sheen
If the mention of AI makes your eyes glaze over, you’re not alone—but what if AI could actually make your business smoother, more efficient, and free up valuable time? To help unravel the mystery (and bust a few myths), Cec is joined by Tr…
- Unlocking earning power: Your guide to financial confidence and career success
Roxanne Calder is a recruitment expert, business founder, and author of the eye-opening book "Earning Power." In this episode Ce and Roxanne unpack the core moments that shape our financial futures, from pay negotiations and navigating mat…
- Why emotional intelligence is the secret to business success
Amy Jacobson is a human behaviour and emotional intelligence specialist, bestselling author, and keynote speaker. She has made it her mission to help leaders and organisations embed emotional intelligence into their workplace culture—somet…
- How to unlock the power of reinvention
Cec Busby sits down with Gary Waldon—a true master of transformation, whose career has spanned an incredible 44 different jobs, from teacher to topless waiter to CEO advisor, and now bestselling author. Together, they dive deep into the to…
- From burnout to boss: How Fiona Campbell built a thriving VA empire
In this episode of Flying Solo , we chat with Fiona Campbell – founder of Thought Penny and the VA Lead Network – about how she turned redundancy on maternity leave into a booming remote business. Fiona shares her journey from C-suite EA t…
- Mental strength for solopreneurs: Essential resilience skills with Melli O'Brien
This week's episode of Flying Solo focuses on the often overlooked yet crucial aspect of being a solo entrepreneur—our personal wellbeing and resilience. Melli O'Brien, renowned coach, mindfulness educator, and author of Deep Resilience ha…
- Shani Taylor's Blueprint for scaling micro businesses to millions
Shani Taylor is an award-winning business coach, speaker, best-selling author, and even hailed as the Global Coach of the Year by the Duchess of York. Her passion lies in empowering everyday Aussies to become masters of leadership, sales,…
- Achieving financial freedom: Todd Polke shares strategies for solopreneurs
Todd Polke, is an investor, entrepreneur, and international educator in wealth creation. With over two decades of experience assisting thousands in mastering their finances, Todd is here to share insights from his new book, "Escape the Mid…
- Solo success: How to build a wealthy and purposeful life
Emma Lagerlow, a wealth and mindset coach, entrepreneur, and author of Worthy and Wealthy . In this episode of Flying Solo, Emma shares her journey and insights on building a life of abundance by aligning self-worth, purpose, well-being, a…