Experience Matters is your go-to resource for small businesses that want to thrive by
putting customers first.

Each episode features award-winning local businesses sharing practical insights, proven strategies, and real-world examples of how great customer experiences drive loyalty, growth, and long-term success.

Learn how to make customer experience not just a value, but a sound business practice.

Experience Matters is your go-to resource for small businesses that want to thrive by putting customers first.
Each episode features award-winning local businesses sharing practical insights, proven strategies, and real-world examples of how great customer experiences drive loyalty, growth, and long-term success.
Learn how to make customer experience not just a value, but a sound business practice.

Welcome to the Local Business Sessions, where we invite business owners and operators from across the Mornington Peninsula to dive into strategies for overcoming challenges and leveraging strengths. From marketing insights and customer retention, to operational tips and being an employer of choice, we cover it all.
They discuss challenges, success stories, marketing tactics, collaboration, networking, and more. 

Welcome to the Local Business Sessions, where we invite business owners and operators from across the Mornington Peninsula to dive into strategies for overcoming challenges and leveraging strengths. From marketing insights and customer retention, to operational tips and being an employer of choice, we cover it all. They discuss challenges, success stories, marketing tactics, collaboration, networking, and more.

The Local Business Sessions

Welcome to The Local Business Sessions, where we invite business owners and operators from across the Mornington Peninsula to dive into strategies for overcoming challenges and leveraging strengths. 

From marketing insights and customer retention, to operational tips and being an employer of choice, we cover it all.


They discuss challenges, success stories, marketing tactics, collaboration, networking, and more. 

Welcome to The Local Business Sessions, where we invite business owners and operators from across the Mornington Peninsula to dive into strategies for overcoming challenges and leveraging strengths. 
From marketing insights and customer retention, to operational tips and being an employer of choice, we cover it all.
 They discuss challenges, success stories, marketing tactics, collaboration, networking, and more.

Experience Matters: Small Business Success Stories

In this episode of The Local Business Sessions, Shannon Smit sits down with Olympic champion turned business leader Grant Hackett to explore what it takes to perform at the highest level and sustain it over time. From breaking world records in the pool to leading an ASX-listed financial services company, Grant shares the mindset, discipline and leadership lessons that have shaped his journey from elite athlete to CEO. 
Grant reflects on his transition from sport to business, why he now finds greater fulfilment in leadership, and how the habits built through elite training became the foundation for his approach in the corporate world. He also shares a defining career moment where he was given the chance to prove himself, delivering strong results and setting the foundation for long-term business growth. 
The conversation dives into what separates high performers from the rest, highlighting the importance of consistency, clear goals, and disciplined routines. Grant also shares a powerful lesson from the Olympic stage about blind spots and awareness, and how that experience continues to shape his decision-making in business today. 
Grant Hackett will be speaking live at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference at Mornington Racecourse on 5 August, where he’ll expand on these insights and share practical leadership strategies for business owners and leaders.

In this episode of The Local Business Sessions, Shannon Smit sits down with Olympic champion turned business leader Grant Hackett to explore what it takes to perform at the highest level and sustain it over time. From breaking world records in the pool to leading an ASX-listed financial services company, Grant shares the mindset, discipline and leadership lessons that have shaped his journey from elite athlete to CEO.&nbsp; Grant reflects on his transition from sport to business, why he now finds greater fulfilment in leadership, and how the habits built through elite training became the foundation for his approach in the corporate world. He also shares a defining career moment where he was given the chance to prove himself, delivering strong results and setting the foundation for long-term business growth.&nbsp; The conversation dives into what separates high performers from the rest, highlighting the importance of consistency, clear goals, and disciplined routines. Grant also shares a powerful lesson from the Olympic stage about blind spots and awareness, and how that experience continues to shape his decision-making in business today.&nbsp; Grant Hackett will be speaking live at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference at Mornington Racecourse on 5 August, where he&rsquo;ll expand on these insights and share practical leadership strategies for business owners and leaders.

From The Pool To The Boardroom With Grant Hackett 

For many small business owners, “doing it all” has become the norm, but it’s also often the very thing holding growth back. In this conversation, Shannon Smit reframes AI not as a complex or intimidating technology trend, but as a practical tool that can reduce pressure and create more time in the business.

Rather than thinking of AI simply as something that writes content, Shannon encourages business owners to see it as their first digital team member—one that can take care of repetitive tasks, streamline decision-making, and support day-to-day operations in meaningful ways.

A key theme explored is the shift from using basic AI tools to embracing AI agents. While many people are familiar with platforms like ChatGPT for rewriting copy or generating ideas, Shannon explains that the real opportunity lies in tools that can take action—drafting emails, pulling information, triggering workflows, and supporting tasks across marketing, customer service, admin, and sales. This allows business owners to move beyond small productivity gains and start removing entire layers of low-value work, freeing up time for the parts of the business that truly drive growth.

What makes this especially exciting is the position small businesses are in right now. Without the layers, approval processes, and slower adoption cycles of larger organisations, smaller businesses can move quickly, experiment easily, and integrate AI in ways that feel immediate and practical. As Shannon explains, this isn’t about becoming more technical—it’s about becoming more effective. The businesses willing to test, adapt, and learn now are the ones most likely to gain a real competitive edge.

Importantly, getting started doesn’t require a full overhaul. Shannon’s advice is simple: start small and stay practical. Pick one repetitive task, try one tool, and build from there. The goal isn’t automation for the sake of it—it’s about creating real time savings that make a genuine difference to how your business runs.

Ultimately, the biggest shift is mindset. Moving away from “I have to do everything myself” and towards asking, “What can I stop doing?” Once that shift happens, AI becomes less about technology—and more about creating space to focus on the work that matters most.

Shannon will be diving deeper into these ideas in her upcoming keynote at the B.I.T.E Business Conference on 5 August 2026 at Mornington Racecourse, sharing practical, step-by-step ways to integrate AI into everyday business operations. Designed specifically for non-technical business owners, the session will focus on real-world application, with clear actions attendees can implement straight away to reduce workload, improve efficiency, and wear fewer hats in their business.

For many small business owners, &ldquo;doing it all&rdquo; has become the norm, but it&rsquo;s also often the very thing holding growth back. In this conversation, Shannon Smit reframes AI not as a complex or intimidating technology trend, but as a practical tool that can reduce pressure and create more time in the business.
Rather than thinking of AI simply as something that writes content, Shannon encourages business owners to see it as their first digital team member&mdash;one that can take care of repetitive tasks, streamline decision-making, and support day-to-day operations in meaningful ways.
A key theme explored is the shift from using basic AI tools to embracing AI agents. While many people are familiar with platforms like ChatGPT for rewriting copy or generating ideas, Shannon explains that the real opportunity lies in tools that can take action&mdash;drafting emails, pulling information, triggering workflows, and supporting tasks across marketing, customer service, admin, and sales. This allows business owners to move beyond small productivity gains and start removing entire layers of low-value work, freeing up time for the parts of the business that truly drive growth.
What makes this especially exciting is the position small businesses are in right now. Without the layers, approval processes, and slower adoption cycles of larger organisations, smaller businesses can move quickly, experiment easily, and integrate AI in ways that feel immediate and practical. As Shannon explains, this isn&rsquo;t about becoming more technical&mdash;it&rsquo;s about becoming more effective. The businesses willing to test, adapt, and learn now are the ones most likely to gain a real competitive edge.
Importantly, getting started doesn&rsquo;t require a full overhaul. Shannon&rsquo;s advice is simple: start small and stay practical. Pick one repetitive task, try one tool, and build from there. The goal isn&rsquo;t automation for the sake of it&mdash;it&rsquo;s about creating real time savings that make a genuine difference to how your business runs.
Ultimately, the biggest shift is mindset. Moving away from &ldquo;I have to do everything myself&rdquo; and towards asking, &ldquo;What can I stop doing?&rdquo; Once that shift happens, AI becomes less about technology&mdash;and more about creating space to focus on the work that matters most.
Shannon will be diving deeper into these ideas in her upcoming keynote at the B.I.T.E Business Conference on 5 August 2026 at Mornington Racecourse, sharing practical, step-by-step ways to integrate AI into everyday business operations. Designed specifically for non-technical business owners, the session will focus on real-world application, with clear actions attendees can implement straight away to reduce workload, improve efficiency, and wear fewer hats in their business.

Smart and Practical Hacks to Wear Less Hats in Small Business with Shannon Smit

What does it really take to stop discounting yourself and start charging what you’re truly worth?In this episode of the The Local Business Sessions Podcast, Shannon Smit sits down with Andrew Griffiths, Australia’s #1 small business author and one of the most respected voices in business and personal growth. 

With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience and fourteen bestselling books sold in more than sixty‑five countries, Andrew brings a rare mix of street‑smart insight, lived experience and powerful storytelling. From his early journey as an orphan navigating survival, to becoming a global authority on future‑proofing businesses, Andrew shares the lessons that have shaped his work, his writing, and his belief that business is always personal. 

Andrew is also a keynote speaker at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026, where he will take the stage with his powerful message:

“Someone has to be the most expensive – why not make it you?” 

In this conversation, Andrew and Shannon explore why so many small businesses undervalue themselves, how pricing is deeply connected to confidence and identity, and why being the cheapest option is one of the biggest risks in today’s business environment.

This episode is essential listening for business owners who want to rethink their value, reinvent how they position themselves, and reignite sustainable growth. Want to watch on YouTube? Click here: https://youtu.be/FYmVoG0GxM0

What does it really take to stop discounting yourself and start charging what you&rsquo;re truly worth?In this episode of the&nbsp;The Local Business Sessions Podcast, Shannon Smit&nbsp;sits down with&nbsp;Andrew Griffiths, Australia&rsquo;s #1 small business author and one of the most respected voices in business and personal growth.&nbsp;
With over four decades of entrepreneurial experience and fourteen bestselling books sold in more than sixty‑five countries, Andrew brings a rare mix of street‑smart insight, lived experience and powerful storytelling. From his early journey as an orphan navigating survival, to becoming a global authority on future‑proofing businesses, Andrew shares the lessons that have shaped his work, his writing, and his belief that business is always personal.&nbsp;
Andrew is also a keynote speaker at the B.I.T.E. Business Conference 2026, where he will take the stage with his powerful message:
&ldquo;Someone has to be the most expensive &ndash; why not make it you?&rdquo;&nbsp;
In this conversation, Andrew and Shannon explore why so many small businesses undervalue themselves, how pricing is deeply connected to confidence and identity, and why being the cheapest option is one of the biggest risks in today&rsquo;s business environment.
This episode is essential listening for business owners who want to rethink their value, reinvent how they position themselves, and reignite sustainable growth. Want to watch on YouTube? Click here: <a href="https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Sd0KC71GXMHmzxMvc8fAUoLhAz?domain=youtu.be" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/Sd0KC71GXMHmzxMvc8fAUoLhAz?domain%3Dyoutu.be&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1778115975913000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3CSYHnK44PwAZQoawV38-9">https://youtu.be/FYmVoG0GxM0</a>

Experience Matters: Small Business Success Stories

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