New research from Tyro reveals a sleep epidemic among small business owners as they average just 4.8 hours a night

Aussie business owners are averaging just 4.8 hours of sleep a night, according to new research from leading payments company Tyro Payments.

The research, which draws on insights from more than 500 Australian business owners, reveals the hidden stresses that Aussie merchants are dealing with behind the scenes, as cost-of-living pressures continue to rise.

Hospitality business owners are feeling the price pinch this year, with eight in ten predicting an increase in coffee costs, and 75% expecting a hike in beer prices too, with a quarter saying a cold one will set Aussies back more than $12 in 2025.

The Tyro data also revealed close to a third of small business owners are operating with less than one month’s expenses in reserve in 2025, and one in four say they are paying themselves less now compared to a year ago. Female owners are the most impacted with one in three taking a lower salary this year.

The new insights come as Tyro launches its ‘Big Buyout’ campaign, aimed at giving local businesses a helping hand. With Australian UFC superstar, Alex Volkanovski (Volk), unveiling his new ‘role’ as Tyro’s “Chief Tap Out Officer,” the campaign highlights Tyro’s obsession with Aussie business success, offering lucky businesses across NSW the chance to win a ‘Big Buyout.’ Tyro will send Volk to spend up big for the day – and give all his purchased goods away for free to the public.

Tyro’s Chief Growth Officer Dee Bannatyne said, “Aussie business owners are the heart of our communities, and at Tyro we’re obsessed with helping them succeed – so obsessed that this year we thought we’d bring in some extra muscle to help bolster their success. As a small business owner and a UFC fighter who is always up for a challenge, we thought Volk was the perfect candidate to launch Tyro’s Big Buyout campaign this year.”

Volk runs a host of small businesses including sportswear company Engage, and Cooking With Volk, the latter of which has already amassed 596,000 followers on Instagram.

“Volk has been let loose with the company credit card in his new ‘executive role’ at Tyro, with a mandate to drum up support for Aussie businesses,” Ms Bannatyne said.

For Volk, the campaign is perfectly aligned with his own small business ambitions and hopes the funds will generate much needed support.

“I’m very fortunate to have had a lot of help getting my own businesses off the ground,” Volk said.

“Having seen many doing it tough over the last two years, this felt like the perfect opportunity to help Aussie business fight back and get the rest of Australia tapping with Tyro!”

The campaign officially kicks off with Volk ‘buying out’ the iconic Hotel Ravesis at Bondi Beach for an open, free event on Sunday February 23^rd, with a further two ‘Big Buyouts’ scheduled this year. The event is open to the public and will feature a $20,000 bar tab, free food, giveaways, and performances from Lucy Washington and more.

Small businesses have a chance to win one of two further ‘Big Buyouts’ later this year, valued at $10,000 each, by visiting Tyro’s website www.tyro.com.au/buyout