The Hidden Cost of Too Much Technology in Small Business: Elise Balsillie

Overcoming Small Business Burnout: Why You Need Simpler Systems, Not More Tech

Welcome to another episode of the Owner to Owner Podcast. If you’ve ever wondered how to reduce small business burnout, the answer often starts with simplifying your small business tech stack. Are you feeling overwhelmed by the endless apps, subscriptions, and communication channels required to run your business today? You aren't alone.

In this episode, Michael sits down with Elise Balsillie, Head of Thryv ANZ, to unpack why modern technology often adds complexity instead of freedom for small business owners. They explore the best systems for service based businesses and dive deep into the burnout epidemic. You'll learn exactly how to build a business that runs without you, which is the ultimate key to reducing owner dependency for business sale and preserving your day-to-day sanity.

Whether you want to learn about using AI for small business marketing, improving local visibility for contractors, or leveraging Thryv for small business growth, this conversation covers the practical steps to get your time back.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Burnout Reality: Why Thryv’s recent research shows 45% of Australian small business owners have considered stepping away due to workload pressure.
• The "Mishmash" Tech Stack: Why stringing together too many isolated tools creates process gaps rather than fixing your core problems.
• The 3 a.m. Rule: How to stop trying to fix everything at once and focus strictly on the one issue keeping you awake at night.
• Real-World Success: How Booth Contracting saved 10 hours a week and scaled from a single van to a national operation using better local SEO and lead generation.
• Building for the Future: Actionable ways to reduce owner dependency to boost both your current profit and your eventual exit valuation.
• Practical AI Adoption: How to take practical, baby steps into AI to save time on everyday tasks without feeling overwhelmed.

Episode Chapters:

00:00 – The modern small business trap: Why tech promises freedom but delivers pressure

05:22 – The "mishmash" tech stack and how to solve your 3 a.m. problem

09:06 – How Thryv helps service businesses grow (featuring the Booth Contracting case study)

18:37 – Surprising data from the Thryv Business Index: Burnout, rising costs, and wearing too many hats

25:29 – Reducing owner dependency to improve saleability and transition out of the day-to-day

30:22 – Building AI-powered marketing systems that outlast the owner

38:24 – The future of online discovery and how AI is changing local search

43:30 – Elise’s final advice for overwhelmed owners and how to take the first step

Thanks for listening. Visit the Owner To Owner Podcast website to subscribe, listen back, or check out any resources or information mentioned on the show.

Search @ownertoownerpodcast on your favourite podcast player to subscribe and listen to the episodes.

Reach out to Michael Kerr via the website if you need personal assistance or advice for your small business.

michael.kerr@kerrcapital.com.au

www.ownertoownerpodcast.com.au