News that business owners are struggling to make ends meet isn't surprising to some in the sector. 

Research by accounting software company Xero shows almost half of small to medium business owners aren't paying themselves.

Business mentor and Whanganui Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Helen Garner told Kate Hawkesby the statistics are dismaying.

Garner says there are ups and downs in business, but with money not moving as it should be, these are not ideal times.

She says there is no way of telling at the moment how long this will last.

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