Important
October is Small Business Month. There are just under 2.6 million small businesses in Australia — more than 97% of all businesses in the country. Together, they employ almost five and a half million Australians.
October is Small Business Month.
And before anything else, I just want to say this clearly:
Thank you.
To every person running a small business in Australia — thank you for what you do.
Because whether people realise it or not, this country has been built on two major forces:
- Small business
- Immigration
Together, they have shaped the Australia we live in today.
The Real Entrepreneurs
People love the word “entrepreneur”.
It gets thrown around in podcasts, conferences, and LinkedIn bios.
But here is the reality:
If you are running a business — especially a small business — you are an entrepreneur.
If you have:
- Put your savings into something uncertain
- Signed a lease
- Guaranteed a loan
- Backed yourself instead of taking a wage
That is entrepreneurship.
It does not have to involve venture capital or Silicon Valley. Sometimes it is just opening the doors every morning and hoping the phone rings.
The Numbers Matter
Let us step back and look at the scale of this.
There are just under 2.6 million small businesses in Australia.
That is more than 97% of all businesses in the country.
Think about that.
Almost every business you see — from your local café to a professional services firm to a trades operation — is small business.
Together, they employ almost five and a half million Australians.
Depending on how you measure it (public vs private sector definitions), that is roughly 35–40% of the entire Australian workforce.
That is not marginal.
That is material.
Without small businesses, the Australian economy simply does not function.
The Reality of Running a Small Business
Let us not romanticise it too much.
Small business is tough.
It often means:
- Long hours
- Financial risk
- Wearing multiple hats
- Constant decision-making
- Being the sales team, the technician, the admin officer and sometimes the counsellor
There are days when it feels like a thankless task.
There are months when cash flow is tight.
There are moments when you question whether the stress is worth it.
And yet, small business owners keep going.
Why?
Because there is something deeper driving it.
The Rewards (That Are Not Just Financial)
Yes, business can create wealth.
But that is not the only reward.
Small business gives you:
- Direct impact on people’s lives
- The ability to employ and mentor others
- The chance to build something that lasts
- A sense of ownership and control over your direction
For me personally, the most rewarding parts are:
- Creating a legacy for the next generation of employees.
- Positively impacting the lives of my staff and their families.
When your team grows, buys homes, raises children, develops professionally — and you know you played a small part in that — that is meaningful.
Likewise, when the clients you work with are real people — families, business owners, risk-takers — and your advice directly influences their outcomes, that is a privilege.
That is not something to take lightly.
After enough years doing this, you may even reach the point where you feel slightly unemployable.
I say that with a smile.
Because once you have experienced backing yourself, it is hard to imagine doing anything else.
Small Business Turns the Cogs
Small business owners:
- Take the risks
- Put their houses on the line
- Employ millions
- Adapt faster than large organisations
- Drive innovation at ground level
They are the ones who “turn the cogs” of the economy.
When small businesses are healthy, Australia is healthy.
When a small business is struggling, you feel it everywhere.
Thinking About Starting a Business?
If you are considering stepping into a small business, here is the practical advice:
- Weigh things up properly
- Run your numbers
- Do your due diligence
- Understand your risks
This is not a leap you take lightly.
But if it stacks up…
If the numbers make sense…
If the opportunity is real…
Then go for it.
Be prepared to bite off more than you can chew — and chew like hell.
It will test you.
It will stretch you.
It will likely be the ride of your life.
And the rewards, financial and otherwise, can be extraordinary.
A Final Word
So during Small Business Month this October:
Congratulations.
Thank you.
And well done.
To the 2.6 million small businesses employing nearly five and a half million Australians — you are not a small part of the economy.
You are the backbone of it.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not take into account your personal circumstances. It is not financial or tax advice. You should seek independent advice from a qualified professional before making decisions about tax, legal or financial planning matters, along with loan structures or entity structure.
