O’Brien Palmer is pleased to welcome Kylie Bennett to the team as Business Development Manager.
Kylie brings more than 17 years of experience in insolvency, restructuring and business advisory, having worked across major firms in Sydney and supported directors across a wide range of industries.
Her role at OBP is simple, but incredibly important: To help business owners understand their options when financial pressure becomes too much to ignore.
Whether the issue is tax debt, creditor pressure, cashflow stress, a Director Penalty Notice, statutory demand, garnishee notice, or uncertainty about whether a business can continue, Kylie is often one of the first people a director can speak to.
A calm conversation when things feel overwhelming
For many directors, reaching out for help can feel daunting. There is often fear, embarrassment, confusion and pressure from every direction.
As Liam Bailey explains, the old image of insolvency professionals arriving “like a pack of corporate undertakers” is not what people need when they are already under stress.
Kylie’s approach is very different.
“I make the time to sit down with the client and go over what’s been going on with them… We just sit down and have a good chat or a coffee, and we work on what the problems are.”
That is often where relief begins. Not with judgement or complicated industry jargon. But with a clear conversation about what is really happening.
Small business owners are under pressure
In the current economic climate, Kylie is seeing significant pressure across industries including building and construction, transport, hospitality and retail.
Many small business directors have been trying to push through for months, or even years, hoping things will improve. But as Kylie explains, many are now being contacted by the ATO through statutory demands, Director Penalty Notices, garnishee notices and other enforcement action.
When that happens, business owners often need help quickly. The challenge is that many directors know their business, but they may not fully understand the financial or legal framework around their situation.
As Kylie says: “They can be a great electrician or a great tradesman… but they’re not bookkeepers. And most of the time they have no idea what the position is or where they’re up to.”
That is why support, clarity and practical guidance are so important.
Clarity before decisions
When a director reaches out to OBP, the first step is not to rush them into a formal appointment. The first step is to understand the full picture. Such as:
- What is the business facing?
- Who is chasing payment?
- What does the ATO position look like?
- Are creditors taking action?
- Is the business still viable?
- Does the director want to continue trading, restructure, or step away?
Liam explains that many business owners reach out knowing they are under pressure, but not yet knowing what outcome they want.
“Do we want to turn this business around? Is this something that we really want to continue doing? Is it a fight that’s worth having? Or are we looking for a gracious exit strategy?”
That is where Kylie’s role becomes so valuable.
“My plan is to just give them as much clarity as possible and all the information. Then they make their decisions. And I’m just there to support them from go to woe.”
The goal is to help directors make informed decisions, not decisions driven by panic.
There may be more options than people realise
Every situation is different. For some businesses, a formal insolvency appointment may be appropriate. For others, a Small Business Restructure may give the company a pathway to continue trading while dealing with debts in a structured way.
In the video, Kylie shares an example of a business that had fallen behind with tax but was otherwise trading and compliant with its lodgements. Through a Small Business Restructure, the business was able to put forward a plan, obtain funding, pay the negotiated amount in one lump sum and finalise the restructure.
Liam notes that this can be a strong option when available. “Creditors are far more inclined to support and accept and vote for a small business restructure where funds are received as a lump sum.”
OBP has had strong success with SBRs, helping businesses return to market, trade profitably and put better systems in place moving forward.
For Liam and the team, that work is deeply rewarding. “Every time we get one approved and see a business return back to the market, trading profitably… it’s a great thrill.”
Sometimes relief comes from having a plan
Not every situation can be saved. Sometimes the right pathway is a structured exit, liquidation or bankruptcy.
While those words can feel frightening, Kylie and Liam both emphasise that having a clear plan can bring enormous relief to people who have been living under pressure for too long.
Liam has seen this many times too. “People have stopped calling me and threatening me and chasing me for money. And I can sleep at night knowing that there are people who are resolving and dealing with these issues.”
That is the human side of this work. It is not just about forms, processes and technical advice. It is about helping people move from fear to clarity.
Business relief starts with a conversation
Kylie’s role at OBP is to be a calm, practical and supportive first point of contact for directors who are unsure what to do next. The first step is always an obligation-free conversation with Liam, Kylie or the OBP team.
If your business is under pressure, the worst thing you can do is stay stuck in silence. Business relief starts with clarity. And clarity starts with a conversation.
Liam Bailey, Managing Partner
O’Brien Palmer
📞 (61) 2 9232 3322
📧 obp1@obp.com.au