The report reveals that 76% of business owners experience ongoing stress or anxiety, and 57% are dealing with burnout.
That’s not just a statistic; that’s the silent cost of running a small business in today’s climate.

Owners are not only managing rising costs, wages, and regulation - they’re managing guilt about taking a day off, uncertainty about cashflow, and the mental load of keeping staff paid when profits fall short.

At Smart Business Consulting, we see this reality every day. We also see that clarity is one of the strongest antidotes to stress.
When business owners finally have visibility - into their numbers, their systems, and their future - anxiety starts to shift into action.

Financial stress and emotional fatigue are deeply connected. The report found that 60% of business owners couldn’t pay themselves regularly, and one in four used personal savings to keep their business running.

That’s not just a business issue - that’s a wellbeing issue. You can’t separate the books from the person running them. When owners lack clear data or strategy, every decision feels uncertain. But when they can see cashflow projections, profit margins, and strategic options clearly - that uncertainty transforms into control.

At Smart Business Consulting, our job isn’t just to interpret your numbers; it’s to give you back your headspace.
We build systems that make your finances work for you, not against you - helping you plan, breathe, and lead with confidence. 

The report also highlights another challenge: loneliness in leadership. Fewer than one in four small business owners have a strong support network.

That means most are facing economic volatility, regulatory change, and staffing pressures alone - without sounding boards or strategic partners.

This is where advisory support matters. Not as a luxury, but as a lifeline. When you have the right partner - one who understands both the financial and emotional sides of business - you don’t just get advice; you gain clarity, perspective, and relief.

Many small business owners describe their days as chaotic, reactive, or relentless. That chaos isn’t caused by a lack of effort - it’s caused by the absence of systems.

The good news is that systems can be built. The right structures - clear reporting, streamlined operations, automated cashflow monitoring - don’t just improve your bottom line; they protect your wellbeing.

A business that runs smoothly allows its owner to breathe again. And that’s where we come in, helping you turn overwhelm into order through strategy grounded in real financial insight.

The 2025 Small Business Perspectives Report reminds us that small business resilience shouldn’t mean enduring stress without support. It should mean building smarter foundations - operationally, financially, and personally.

Because when the numbers make sense, life does too. At Smart Business Consulting, we believe wellbeing and profitability aren’t opposing goals - they’re two sides of a healthy, thriving business.

For deeper insights into how Australia’s small business owners are managing pressure, performance, and purpose, download the full report here.