Free Program Helps 350+ Business Owners Master Their Finances

Erin Hughes remembers the moment she realized running a business meant wearing every hat imaginable. The founder of Here, There, Everywhere, a platform for working mothers, found herself designing web pages, recording podcasts, and managing finances all in the same day.

Like many entrepreneurs, Hughes never learned financial management in school. "It's not taught to us in school," she says. "A lot of people are scared if they haven't done it before."

New research reveals the scope of this problem. Three in four small business owners say Australia's education system doesn't equip future entrepreneurs with basic financial skills. Even more concerning, 35% of small business owners don't know whether their business is profitable.

That knowledge gap inspired Xero For Good to create their Financial Fitness program. The free initiative offers short videos, easy guides, and one-on-one mentoring with accountants and bookkeepers.

The program already launched in New Zealand, where it's helped more than 350 business owners gain confidence with their numbers. Participants report feeling empowered to ask better questions about their finances instead of avoiding them.

"We truly believe that financial literacy shouldn't be a privilege but a right for every entrepreneur," says Angad Soin, Xero's managing director in Australia and New Zealand. The program was designed with input from actual small business owners, using language they understand and can digest quickly.

Hughes sees this education gap particularly affecting women in business. "I still hear about so many women that don't understand their own financial situation, and I think that's scary," she says. "Everyone needs to feel empowered and have confidence to make the right financial decisions."

The Ripple Effect

When business owners understand their finances, the benefits extend far beyond individual balance sheets. Confident entrepreneurs make better hiring decisions, invest in growth opportunities, and build stronger communities. They stop hiding from their numbers and start asking the right questions to get better advice.

Hughes uses the platform to keep her own finances simple while running her community for working mothers. She's living proof that financial education creates a foundation for success, especially for founders who are already juggling countless responsibilities every day.

Now hundreds of entrepreneurs have the tools they need to build sustainable businesses and chase their dreams with eyes wide open.