Starting a business is exciting. Building one that lasts is something else entirely.

In this episode of The Pay Off, Sylvia Jeffreys is joined by Edible Blooms Co-founder and Managing Director Kelly Jamieson and Westpac Managing Director of Business Lending Tamara Bryden to unpack what it really takes to launch and grow a successful business.

Kelly shares how she turned a kitchen-table idea into one of Australia’s best-known gifting businesses, while Tamara explains why women still receive just a fraction of startup funding—and what can be done to change it.

Together, they discuss the realities of entrepreneurship: testing an idea before investing heavily, managing cash flow, securing finance, scaling beyond the “messy middle” and why building a business often means working harder than you’ve ever worked before.

Whether you’re dreaming of leaving your corporate job, growing a side hustle or taking your business to the next level, this episode is packed with practical advice from two women who’ve helped thousands of businesses get off the ground.

You’ll learn:

• Why women still face bigger barriers when raising capital
• How to test a business idea before investing thousands
• What banks actually want to see in a business plan
• The biggest cash flow mistakes new founders make
• How to scale beyond the “messy middle” of business growth
• Why your network can be as valuable as your funding
• The mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from everyone else
• Why “freedom” isn’t the best reason to start your own business