AS CALLS for tax reform and business tax breaks echo through certain circles of Australian politics and business, Warwick small business owners battle away against online competition, big business greed and simply trying to make ends meet.

Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO James Pearson spoke out this week on the startling revelation that almost 60% of small business owners in the country are paying themselves $50,000 or less each year, almost $10,000 less than the median award wage.

Stand Fast Electrical owner Josh Grant said it was not uncommon for small business owners to pay themselves a minimum wage.

"There's no doubt tax breaks for small businesses would be very much welcomed,” he said.

"Paying staff, overheads, bills, superannuation - it'd be great to get a break at BAS time.

"You've worked hard, done everything right, then you find out you need to fork out thousands to the government.

"It can be extremely difficult to get ahead.”

Mr Grant said the decision to go into his own business rather than take the more secure option of working for someone else was easy.

"You probably need a screw loose to go into business for yourself,” he said.

"It's not advantageous either way, but there's a huge amount of satisfaction gained with building something, caring for a family and keeping a roof over you head with something you've done yourself.

"You have to be driven and love a challenge.”

Mr Grant said some weeks could be tough.

"The snowball effect of negativity, a pressure-cooker situation can happen often,”

"Small business owners need to become debt collectors as well as a bank.

"But I believe if you treat people fairly and provide them with quality work, then you'll come out on top.

"I toiled really hard initially, and now that hard work is paying off.”

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission released a report into corporate insolvencies found 44percent of businesses suffered poor strategic management, 40percent had inadequate cash flow or high cash use and 33percent suffered from trading losses.

Danny Lyons said his decision to go into business for himself more than 30 years was based on a good fit with his lifestyle.

"I was coaching tennis at the time, and a sports store seemed a natural progression,” he said.

"It took a long time to build the name, but it happened.

"Profits are nothing like what they used to be, with the advent of online retail and competition from my suppliers who bypass me now to sell direct to my customers.”

Workin Wear owner Allison Webster said small business needed every bit of help they could get.

"Any bit of assistance is welcome,” she said.

"Things are a lot harder now than they're ever been.

"Small business owners need to be so careful - they need to know what their market is, what people want and how to give them that.

"Internet sales have damaged retail, which has changed so much over the years.”

Ms Webster said a $50,000 wage was probably ball park for many small-business owners.

"Some would earn more no doubt, but others would be earning way less than that.

"But where would we be without small business in this country, it wouldn't be good.

"Tax breaks would encourage small business prosperity, with would in turn, boost the whole economy.”