17/02/2026
Own a Service Business in Australia?
I found this SHOCKING! 👇
97% of Australian businesses are small (under 20 staff).
Now look at insolvency trends:
📊 ASIC Company Insolvency Stats
âś… 2022: ~3,900
âś… 2023: ~7,900
âś… 2024: ~11,000
âś… 2025: ~14,700
That’s a steep climb in just a few years.
Why is this happening? 🤔
Small businesses typically operate on thinner margins. 📉
Thinner margins mean less room for error.
Less room for error = more stress.
Most owners are excellent operators.
But they prioritise operations — because that’s their expertise.
Which means growth activities often slip:
âś… Consistent content
âś… Building and training a team
âś… Implementing robust systems
âś… Structured sales processes
When those aren’t prioritised:
Revenue becomes unpredictable.
Marketing becomes inconsistent.
Systems stay half-built.
Team development stalls.
After speaking directly with around 10,000 business owners over 21 years, I see the same pattern repeatedly:
Hard-working people.
Skilled operators.
Buried in the day-to-day.
The real risk?
Being busy feels productive — so the uncomfortable growth work gets delayed.
Again. And again.
Do you see this happening in your industry—or am I off the mark?