For small business owners ready for the next tech-enabled stage
The Next-Level Growth Program is designed for business leaders who are at a point where something needs to change.
Whether you feel stuck in the day-to-day, are working too hard for the results you’re getting, or are at a growth point and want to get it right, this program helps you move forward with clarity.
You will build a practical growth strategy you actually use and learn how modern businesses now make decisions, test ideas and execute actions in an AI-enabled world.
This is not about adding more to your workload. It is about thinking more clearly, focusing on what matters and using AI in a way that strengthens how you operate.
You leave knowing exactly what to do next and how to do it.
Award-winning Program
In 2025, Next-Level Growth Program was recognised for its economic impact on local communities in City of Whittlesea, City of Ballarat and Latrobe City at the Economic Development Australia Awards for Excellence.
Why AI matters now
This is one of the biggest opportunities ever presented for small businesses as technology is essentially levelling the playing field.
But, in an environment where knowledge is widely accessible, the advantage is no longer what you know. It is in your ability to:
make decisions
apply thinking
act effectively
AI accelerates this, but without the capability to use it well, it adds noise rather than clarity.
This program focuses on both:
building your capability as a leader
and embedding AI into how your business operates
We’ve been trusted by
This program focuses on building your capability as a business leader and showing you how modern businesses now approach growth. It:
Helps you understand what stage your business is truly at, where it is getting stuck and what needs to change to move forward
Guides you to develop a clear, evidence-based growth strategy that works in your business, not a generic model
Teaches you how to use AI to explore options, test ideas and improve decision-making without adding complexity
Builds your confidence to lead your business through uncertainty, growth and increasing demands
Moves you from reacting to problems to making deliberate, well-informed decisions
Shows you how to focus your time and energy on what will actually drive results
What the program really does
Time to grow your business
In a short space of time, you will feel clear about what is holding your business back and what needs to change to reach the next stage.
You will stop second-guessing decisions and start acting with intent, supported by a clear strategy and better ways of working.
You will begin to use your time more effectively, not by doing more, but by focusing on the right things and using AI to reduce noise, test thinking and move faster with confidence.
Instead of reacting to what is happening in your business, you will be leading it, with the capability to navigate growth, complexity and change.
A structured support system that builds real (human, leadership, business and digital ) capability
This is not a course you complete and move on from. It is a structured process that helps you think differently about your business and how you run it.
You begin with a comprehensive diagnostic to understand your current stage, capability gaps and growth opportunities. This is supported by AI to ensure a more complete and objective view of your business.
You then work through practical activities that build your strategy step by step, using proven frameworks alongside AI to explore scenarios, test assumptions and refine your direction.
As you progress, you are supported to apply what you are learning directly to your business so that by the end of the program, you are not starting from scratch. You are already operating differently.
The result is not just a strategy, but a new way of thinking, deciding and acting in your business.
Is the program right for you?
Take the Small Business Capability Gap diagnostic to get insight into your current business growth potential and AI readiness. The diagnostic is complementary and also highlights your strengths and program recommendation.
Choose from Self-Guided, Guided or Private Delivery
Two tracks based on your stage of business
Targeted support
Personalised to you and your business. We start with a comprehensive diagnostic and audit to pinpoint your growth potential, systems of scale and identify your unique needs. No generic approach here.
Expert business coaches trained to help you reach the best possible conclusion and implement AI intentionally so that you can design a successful business on your own terms. Build without burnout, overcome limiting beliefs and create a business that truly reflects your values.
MBA Accredited education. Navigate through micro activities teaching proven frameworks that help you incrementally develop and deploy strategies and help you make faster strategic decisions in the future. This toolbox of frameworks help you dynamically adapt to any market changes.
Industry mentors & peer-to-peer mentoring help you feel less isolated, provide guidance and support. They share their lived experience to inspire you and highlight different perspectives. Build your connections and network in a safe space.
AI is integrated throughout the program
AI is integrated into how you think, decide and act
This is not an add-on or a separate module.
Throughout the program, you will learn how to:
Use AI to analyse your business, market and opportunities faster
Apply AI to test ideas, refine your strategy and reduce risk
Build simple, practical AI workflows to improve efficiency
Make better decisions using AI as a thinking partner, not a replacement
You won’t just learn about AI. You’ll use it directly in your business as you build your strategy.
Feel motivated, clear and intentional in your business
What you’ll get
AI enabled comprehensive business diagnostic:
Understand your current stage, capability gaps and growth opportunities using data-driven insights
A clear and practical growth strategy:
Built specifically for your business using proven frameworks and AI to explore options, test assumptions and refine decisions.
Practical AI-assisted implementation plan:
With manageable and achievable tasks to execute each quarter as well as strategy rhythms for working on your business, rather than just in it.
A pathway forward:
Clarity and focus that reduces overwhelm.
A suite of frameworks, tools and AI-supported approaches:
Frameworks and tools you can reference long past the end of the program and provide your team with what they need to succeed.
Greater confidence in your leadership decisions:
And in what you do and why you do it, which translates into other areas of your life and often sees a renewed passion for your business.
Accountability and encouragement to stretch: Your expert business coach keeps you on track and helps you and the business get the very best outcomes for you.
Insights from other leaders: You’ll have a mentor session with someone matched to your industry and challenge to provide insights, guidance and connections. The majority of our Mentors are past program participants who’ve achieved success in their business and can share their experience with you on yours.
Like-minded online community:
Learn from others navigating similar challenges and stay connected to emerging thinking in business and AI.
Access to ongoing support through our ‘Chief of Everything’ CEO Circle and further learning only available to alumni when you need it
Finally stop questioning all of your decisions and know what to do, how to analyse whether it has worked and what to do next, helping you become the ‘guru’ of your own business.
87%
of past participants experienced significant increase in revenue within 12 months of completing the program
91%
Rated 9 or 10 out of 10 on whether they would recommend this to others
100%
felt more confident to continue to grow their business
Who this is for
You’ve move passed the just starting out phase and want clarity (not hype). You’re motivated want to invest in yourself, build your own capabilities as a strategic leader, rather than handing the power over to someone else.
You care about your business
This program gets the most transformative results for business owners who have been in business for more than a year and have some customers.
You may now have reached a plateau or a pivotal point in your growth journey and need that extra help to get to the next level.
This may be, but isn’t limited to:
Passionate Business Owners: who love what they do but ‘don’t know what they don’t know’ and want to increase their abilities to lead their business to its next stage.
Complex Industries. Those in sectors like advanced manufacturing, technology, space, defence, health, renewables who value high performance training that is specifically tailored to their complex and important market.
Female Leaders who seek a credible and structured approach to building their leadership skills, confidence and reputation in her (often male-dominated) industry.
Aspirational leaders. Those who are driven by the potential of their business and want the best support to help them achieve their goals faster.
“It really brought home what I had to focus on. I had to stand out and that’s exactly what I did!”
Strategy, Growth, Digital & Innovation
Sam Hurley, CEO and Head Coach has lead the growth of 25eight since 2015, navigating disruptive market changes and the development of new technology.
Prior to entrepreneurship, Sam spearheaded international growth for several large companies, working and living in Asia, the US and Europe. She is adept at helping business and its leaders adopt high performing strategies and operations to ensure the business and the people within it thrive.
She’ll keep you accountable and ensure the fastest path to your success, on your own terms.
You’ll develop your knowledge & skills across:
Strategy
Rowing harder doesn’t help if you’re going in the wrong direction. This is one of the most important areas to get right and one where new practices and tools can help you navigate ever-changing markets.
Growth
If you don’t have ‘customers’, you don’t have a business. The role of sales and marketing has changed considerably and you need to keep up to attract and connect with those who will love what you do.
Digital
Advancements in technology are accelerating and this can be a powerful enabler in your business. You need to choose the right systems for you and build internal confidence to optimise them.
Innovation
Innovation is vital for business that will survive into the future and the ability to creatively problem solve and generate and execute new ideas essential leadership skills that can be built through practise.
How 25eight compares
Build your skills & confidence
“I have more confidence to back myself, strategies that are helping my business grow and a crew of like-minded people to bounce ideas off.”
Industry Mentors
We work with a number of mentors from across industries, sectors, roles and responsibilities who love to help you get what you need to succeed.
Rather than just having one mentor, we can call on several to advise you in your current situation meaning you get super specific, tailored advise to fill your gaps of knowledge and build the right connections.
View some of 25eight’s Industry Mentors
Choose your level of support
Next-Level Growth Program
For business owners who want the 25eight methodology, tools and structure, and are confident working independently or with their own support.
- Self-directed business owners who are comfortable applying new ideas independently.
- Leaders who already have an expert coach, advisor or mentor to review outputs and support application.
- Businesses with an internal expert who can provide feedback, implementation support and accountability.
- Those who want to create a first version of their growth strategy before seeking further support.
- Online self-guided capability-building pathway.
- Business growth diagnostic.
- Growth stage and capability gap activities.
- Strategy, growth, digital and innovation tools.
- AI-supported thinking and planning activities.
- Growth strategy templates.
- Quarterly implementation planning tools.
- Online tutorials, worksheets, prompts and examples.
- Live group workshops.
- Personalised coaching sessions.
- 1:1 mentor session.
- Coach feedback on your strategy and outputs.
- Peer accountability and cohort support.
Next-Level Growth Program
For business owners who want expert guidance as they build a practical growth strategy and lead the next stage of their business with confidence.
- Business owners who feel stuck, stretched or unsure what to prioritise next.
- Leaders who want structure, momentum, accountability and expert feedback.
- Businesses ready to move from reacting to problems to leading with a clear strategy.
- Those who want support to apply AI intentionally while building their growth strategy.
- Four live group workshops facilitated by 25eight.
- Three 30-minute 1:1 sessions with an expert business coach.
- One 30-minute 1:1 session with an industry mentor.
- Coach feedback on key program outputs and artefacts.
- Peer learning, accountability and cohort support.
- Support to interpret and apply your diagnostic results.
- Guidance to refine your growth strategy, priorities and implementation plan.
- Support to use AI as a thinking partner to test ideas and improve decision-making.
Next-Level Growth Program
The same program delivered privately instead of in a group cohort, with dedicated support to clarify growth priorities and build your strategy.
- Business owners who want the program delivered privately.
- Small leadership teams who need alignment around growth priorities.
- Businesses that prefer dedicated facilitation instead of a public cohort.
- Leaders who want more direct support to create and refine their growth strategy.
- Private facilitation instead of group workshops.
- Full online program pathway.
- Business diagnostic and interpretation.
- 1:1 coaching and mentor support.
- Dedicated review of key strategy outputs.
- Growth strategy development support.
- Practical implementation plan.
- Set completion timeframe, usually 8–10 weeks.
- Team alignment workshop.
- Leadership coaching pack.
- Change management sprint.
- Implementation support.
Express your interest
Frequently Asked Questions
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The program is designed for small business leaders who have moved beyond the very early stages and are either stuck in their growth journey or at a pivotal point where decisions feel heavier and more consequential.
If you’re running a capable business but feel unsure what to prioritise next — or cautious about getting the next stage wrong — this program is likely a strong fit.
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There’s no single revenue threshold, but participants are typically beyond “just starting out.”
Most have:
an established product or service
paying customers
increasing complexity around people, systems, cash or growth
If you’re unsure, we explain some common challenges on this page and how the program would benefit
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Yes — and that’s exactly why the program exists.
The Next-Level Growth Program isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about reducing noise, improving focus, and helping you make better decisions with the time and energy you already have.
Many participants join feeling time-poor and leave feeling clearer and more confident about what actually matters.
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That’s very common and we help a lot of people in that way.
The challenge at this stage isn’t knowing more; it’s knowing what to do next and having confidence in those decisions.
The program focuses on applying thinking directly to your business, with support to help you translate ideas into action.
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That’s a sensible question and a sign you’re thinking like a leader.
If you’re unsure, the best place to start is with our mini Business Diagnostic to get some clarity or by joining one of our information sessions (which you will be emailed about when you join the waitlist). Both are designed to help you make an informed decision, not push you into a program that isn’t right.
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We understand that when clarity clicks, people want to move. That is why we have the self-guided and privately guided options.
However, for maximum impact, the Next-Level Growth Program is designed as a cohort-based experience because learning alongside other business leaders at a similar stage significantly increases:
completion rates
consistency and momentum
quality of thinking and reflection
The shared rhythm, accountability and peer context help leaders stay engaged and apply what they’re learning , which is why cohort participants are more likely to finish the program and get meaningful outcomes.
If you enrol ahead of a cohort start, you won’t be left waiting.
We’ll:
help you complete a Business Diagnostic
provide guidance on how to prepare so you get the most from the program
ensure you’re clear on what to focus on now, rather than trying to rush ahead
This means when the cohort begins, you’re already grounded, oriented and ready to engage fully — rather than starting cold or second-guessing your direction.
If timing is important, we’re always happy to talk through options and help you decide the best path forward.
Our waitlist businesses also receive earlybird offers and bonuses, so it won’t feel too long before you can get started.
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Trust matters most when the stakes are higher and growth transitions are exactly that.
25eight has supported thousands of small businesses across Australia through structured, capability-building programs delivered both directly and in partnership with governments and industry bodies. Our work is grounded in real-world business experience, not theory alone, and measured by outcomes rather than attendance.
What sets 25eight apart is our focus on decision-making and leadership capability — not quick fixes, generic advice, or one-size-fits-all solutions.
We get meaningful outcomes for all of our participants.
We are transparent about what we do, what we don’t do, and what meaningful progress actually requires.
If you value clarity, integrity and a program designed for long-term capability, not just short-term motivation then 25eight is a good fit.
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Our aim has always been to provide the most value for your investment. Where you may have to pay for a series of coaching sessions before the coach understands your business, our structured process enables them to know everything before your session, ensuring you get the maximum from the session.
This means you don’t have to have as many sessions, which brings the cost down in comparison to other coaching offerings.
Our price is similar to a course form a quality University, but heaps more relevant to you and twice as likely to get you results as well as build your knowledge and skills.
Comparable online courses from business ‘gurus’ usually have less 1:1s and what worked for them, may only work for you until too many people do that same thing and it stops working, meaning your investment is worth less.
And if you were to pay a consultant for a growth strategy, you’d pay a good one upwards of $10,000.
We believe in being transparent and upfront about cost.
The Next-Level Growth Program is priced at $2,995 (AUD), which we think offers incredible value for the outcomes you achieve and can be paid in a way that suits your circumstances:
One-time payment: $2,995
Payment plan: $495 enrolment fee, then $885 per month for three months
Weekly option: $495 enrolment fee, then $180 per week for 15 weeks
All options provide the same program experience, support and outcomes — the difference is simply how the investment is spread over time.
If you have questions about which option is most suitable, or want to talk through timing, we’re always happy to have a conversation.
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Most business programs focus on tactics or information.
This program focuses on decision-making and leadership capability — helping you understand:
what’s changing in your business
why previous approaches may no longer work
how to lead effectively as complexity increases
It’s structured, practical, and grounded in real business experience — not hype, theory or one-size-fits-all advice.
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Yes.
Participants leave with:
a clear, practical growth strategy
confidence in what to focus on next
improved decision-making capability
a stronger leadership mindset for the next stage
This isn’t a program you complete and forget — it’s designed to change how you think and lead.
You have 12 months access to the online resources so you can always finish those smaller details later. And you have a team of people dedicated to your success, we’ll keep you accountable and help every participant shift the needle in their business to some degree. However, you get out what you put in and this is a partnership. We help you run your best race, but you need to do the running.
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No. The program is designed for business leaders at all levels of experience with AI.
We focus on:
practical use
relevance to your business
building confidence, not complexity
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There are three tiers of support available. The first is self-guided which assumes you have support in place and just need the diagnostic and structured process.
The second is a group program.
The program combines:
structured group learning
one-to-one coaching
mentoring support
This balance ensures you benefit from shared insights and personalised guidance that reflects your specific business context.
The third is completely 1:1 which means you get 1:1 support from 25eight, coaches and mentors to complete the program. You have a choice on delivery dates and formats within a delivery period.
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If you choose self-guided, we assume you have your own coach.
If you choose the guided options, Sam Hurley is your head coach and brings deep experience in business leadership, education and strategic capability building, and has spent over a decade working directly with small business owners at critical growth stages.
She personally trains all of 25eight’s coaches who all have built successful businesses themselves.
You’ll meet Sam in a workshop or 1:1 and be matched with a coach and mentor who best meets your goals and industry needs.
Rather than positioning themselves as “gurus” or experts with all the answers, Sam and the Coach’s role is to help leaders think more clearly, ask better questions, and build confidence in their own decisions.
This approach is grounded in:
real experience working across industries and regions
a strong understanding of how adults learn and apply knowledge
a commitment to ethical, human-centred coaching practices
The goal isn’t dependency on the coach or mentor, it’s capability for you as a business leader to make your own decisions.
Leaders leave better equipped to make decisions long after the program ends.
Because this isn’t always visible, it can be hard for people to see the impact, however, the fact that most of our participants go on to be Industry Mentors with us, send staff through our programs and rate us so highly is testament to the impact felt.
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After completing the program, many participants choose to continue their development through the CEO Circle — an ongoing support option for leaders who want a trusted place to ask questions, test decisions, and stay focused as the business evolves. There are tiers based on your support needs.
25eight also offer a range of one-off support for topics such as pricing, managing, digital marketing and others only available to our alumni.
There’s no obligation, it’s there if and when it’s useful.
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We don’t promise unrealistic results or quick fixes.
What we do offer is a structured, proven approach that builds clarity, confidence and capability, supported by real outcomes from businesses who’ve completed the program.
Your results depend on engagement, context and application, and we’re transparent about that.
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We understand that when clarity clicks, people want to move. That’s why we have the self-guided and privately guided options.
However, the Next-Level Growth Program is designed to be delivered as a cohort-based experience because learning alongside other business leaders at a similar stage significantly increases:
completion rates
consistency and momentum
quality of thinking and reflection
The shared rhythm, accountability and peer context help leaders stay engaged and apply what they’re learning , which is why cohort participants are more likely to finish the program and get meaningful outcomes.
If you enrol ahead of a cohort start, you won’t be left waiting.
We’ll:
help you complete a Business Diagnostic
provide guidance on how to prepare so you get the most from the program
ensure you’re clear on what to focus on now, rather than trying to rush ahead
This means when the cohort begins, you’re already grounded, oriented and ready to engage fully — rather than starting cold or second-guessing your direction.
If timing is important, we’re always happy to talk through options and help you decide the best path forward.
Our waitlist businesses also receive earlybird offers and bonuses, so it won’t feel too long before you can get started.
Ready to take control of your business and confidently lead it to the next stage?
