Case Study: Blushed Salon + Collins Hume When Melissa Edwards, founder of Blushed salon in Ballina, lost three staff members in a single week, she feared her business might not survive. “I lost many clients due to their departure and I felt that my professional reputation had taken a hit,” Melissa recalls. “I had to rethink my strategy and reassess what it was that I wanted in my business and life.” Like many creative entrepreneurs, Melissa knew her strengths lay in vision, service and style (not bookkeeping). What she needed was guidance, support and the financial clarity to rebuild stronger than ever. That’s where Collins Hume came in. Building Confidence Beyond the Salon Mirror Blushed is more than a beauty destination. With its signature blend of blonde perfection, hairstyling, makeup and lash and brow services, the Tamar Street salon is a sanctuary for self-care and confidence. But running a thriving personal service business comes with financial complexity and cash flow doesn’t style itself. Melissa knew she needed financial advisers who not only understood numbers but could help her understand them too. “ Peter and Kim  of Collins Hume are literal angels,” says Melissa. “I was not a numbers gal; I am a creative that knows hair! I have been very supported to learn the basics of Xero, BAS and GST, and have learnt how to do bookkeeping practices under the guidance of my CH team.” Structuring for the Future With Collins Hume’s support, Melissa found her rhythm. Our team worked closely with Melissa to build her knowledge of compliance, cash flow principles and digital systems like Xero – empowering her to make confident business decisions and stay aligned with ATO requirements. “Melissa’s resilience and passion are undeniable,” says Peter Fowler , Partner at Collins Hume. “She came to us at a point where many business owners might have walked away, but instead she leaned into learning and took control of her financials. It’s been a privilege to support that transformation.” A Beautiful Business Built on Purpose Melissa attributes her longevity to “understanding our WHY, and having like-minded business people in your corner.” Her advice to other business owners? “Understand your numbers. Business can be expensive and you must understand cash flow principles. Outsource elements to free up your time. Ensure you have a business mentor that understands business.” With a renewed sense of purpose, a growing team and solid financial systems in place, Blushed continues to be a source of inspiration – not just for the community it beautifies, but for business owners determined to bounce back. Need financial clarity in your business? Get in touch with Collins Hume to help turn your business challenges into defining moments. Explore Blushed: www.blushedandbeautiful.com.au Instagram: @blushed_salon_ballina Facebook: facebook.com/blushedsalonballina

The Organiser Everyone Needs in Their Life! For Collins Hume Executive Assistant Lani Winston, a typical day involves more than just making diary appointments and keeping clients compliant — it’s about bringing order, optimism and a spark to her role. Growing up in the hills of Nimbin and later relocating to Lismore, Lani now calls Caniaba home. Her journey to Collins Hume is rich in community spirit and experience, shaped by diverse roles in local business, fuel wholesaling and retirement financial planning. These taught her everything from corporate speak to the value of perseverance and connection — all before landing at Collins Hume in 2024. Lani joined Jamie Doyle’s team as Executive Assistant, and quickly found herself becoming a go-to organiser, compliance anchor and all-round social glue. With a Certificate III in Business Administration and an unstoppable “say yes” attitude, Lani thrives on variety bringing structure and energy to every task. Her work includes managing schedules, implementing client requests, establishing corporate structures and driving post-meeting action plans. The boys do the tax,” she laughs, “and I make sure everything else gets done.” But it’s not just about process — it’s about people. Lani is energised by others, often describing herself as the type of friend who organises everything — from flights to dinner bookings to dress codes and even your pantry! That flair has proven invaluable, especially as she plays a key role supporting Collins Hume’s Strategy360  rollout and leading database clean-up projects. It’s also why she’s the unofficial social secretary, organising EOFY and Christmas events that bring the team together. “I came from a small firm and missed the daily interaction with colleagues. When I met Naomi and Jamie , I asked about the social side of Collins Hume and soon was organising team events — now there’s always something fun in the pipeline,” she says. When Lani’s not streamlining systems or boosting morale at work, she’s embracing every moment of life. A sunrise-lover and morning person, she balances her dedication with downtime — whether that’s picnics with friends, exploring local wineries with her partner, reading classic literature, or caring for the “big dogs” (aka: donkeys) on their property. “I work to live, not live to work,” she says. “And I work hard so we can really enjoy life.”

How to Boost Your Business Value Before You Exit Succession planning tips for business owners who want a profitable future Australia is on the verge of the biggest intergenerational transfer of business wealth in its history. As thousands of Baby Boomer business owners prepare for retirement over the next decade, a wave of businesses will hit the market, creating both opportunity and risk. But here’s the catch: more businesses for sale doesn’t mean more buyers. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Unless your business is in top shape, there’s a very real chance it will struggle to sell or, worse, not sell at all! That’s why now is the time to take a serious look at how your business is positioned and what will drive its appeal to future buyers or successors. Why Succession Planning Can’t Wait At Collins Hume, we work closely with business owners to help them prepare for sale or succession, and one truth stands out: businesses that plan ahead get better results. With more businesses on the market, buyers will gravitate toward high-performing, low-risk opportunities. Those without strong fundamentals may be left behind. Here’s how to make sure you’re not in that boat. Four Key Drivers of Business Value If you want to make your business more attractive and profitable – no matter whether you’re selling in five or 15 years – these are the areas that count most: 1. Sustainable Growth Buyers are looking for revenue they can rely on and scale. Businesses with a clear growth trajectory command higher prices. Demonstrating year-on-year growth or recurring revenue streams shows resilience and future earning potential, making your business a safer bet. 2. Capacity for Scale Does your business have the systems, people and infrastructure in place to keep growing? Buyers want to see that your business isn’t overly reliant on you or a few key people. Strong leadership teams, documented processes and scalable systems signal a well-run operation, and give confidence that performance will continue post-sale. 3. Profitability and ROI The numbers matter. Profit margins, strong cash flow and a high Return on Investment (ROI) are critical to valuation. Compare your business against top performers in your industry. Those in the top 25% consistently achieve better valuations. Ideally, your ROI should exceed 25% to make your business stand out. 4. Risk Management Perceived risk lowers value. Buyers don’t want surprises. They want certainty. The more your business has its legal, financial and operational risks covered, the more desirable it becomes. This includes solid governance, compliance, up-to-date contracts and documented policies. The Bottom Line: Why It Pays to Start Early Preparing your business for sale or succession isn’t just about exiting It’s about increasing your return The difference between a sale that maximises your life’s work and one that underdelivers often comes down to preparation. In a crowded market, high-quality businesses will always win. If you’re not where you want to be today, that’s okay – but now is the time to make changes that shift the needle. At Collins Hume, we help business owners like you understand your business’s value, identify improvement opportunities and put strategies in place to boost both performance and market appeal. Want to maximise your business value before you exit? Start the conversation today. Contact Collins Hume’s Strategy360 Business Advisory team to map out your strategy and secure the future you’ve worked so hard to build.

Collins Hume | We have one focus — YOU —with us, you'll be looking way beyond the traditional horizons most accountants are restricted to. Welcome to Collins Hume (Flipbook) 2025 TAX PREPARATION FEES GUIDE Individual Tax Return Preparation Checklist Is It Tax Deductible? Tax Deduction Checklist Tax Items to Consider Deduction substantiation requirements Rental Property Tax Deductions (ATO Factsheet) 2025-26 Federal Budget Guide FBT01 What You Need to Know About 2025 FBT FBT13 Should you lodge an FBT return? FBT14 Potential FBT Audits FBT15 What is a car fringe benefit? FBT16 Providing cars to employees FBT17 Entertaining, meals and FBT FBT18 Minor and infrequent benefits exemptions FBT20 Workhorse Vehicles 2024 Tax Preparation Fees Guide Client to Agent linking_Online Services for Business already set up Client to Agent linking_Online Services for Business not set up Achieve Ultimate Financial Freedom Your Financial Safety Checklist DIY Business Structures Should you give your employees shares in your company Testamentary Trusts Everyone Needs an Estate Plan

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