Many small business owners are unaware that they may be required to obtain various local government approvals for their new premises, to ensure they are operating in compliance with the relevant planning, building and health legislation. Here’s how to avoid costly and disruptive mistakes. It’s an exciting time for your business. You have a strong...
A passion for sewing and lessons from her dressmaker mother motivated Fiona Larkins to move from retail management to running her own clothing alteration business at the tender age of 24. In 2024, her city-based business is celebrating 30 years, and still going strong. Location, location, location Armed with a can-do attitude, Fiona identified a...
How can you impact your profit as a small business owner? For most small businesses, making a profit is one of the most important goals. Profitability relies on a simple accounting equation: Income – Expenditure = Net Profit In other words, net profit is your business's profit after all business expenses have been deducted from your revenue...
Wondering if your business is eligible for a government grant? We’ve put together this overview explaining the availability and eligibility of grants for small business. Are there incentives or grants to help start-up businesses? There are no government grants available for the specific purpose of starting a business. Government support for start...
Signing a lease is a big commitment for any business. Here are our top five things you need to know before signing on the dotted line.
The cost of renting your premises can be one of the biggest overheads in your business, and can put the pressure on you when a rental increase is looming. Learn about market rent reviews and what you can do if you’re a tenant facing rising rental costs. The costs of being in business are rising because of inflation, interest rate rises and other...
Many small businesses are facing challenges because of increased costs, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and other economic factors. You might be one of many business owners who negotiated rent relief to manage the impact of the pandemic, now facing the prospect of paying back your deferred rent on top of meeting your ongoing rent and other business...
Family-owned and operated business, Leaf Bean Machine, has spent more than a decade taking their love of a good brew to the next level by focussing on being more than just a coffee roaster. Fleur and Brad Cassidy, the husband and wife team behind Leaf Bean Machine, created a three pronged product focus which gave rise to its trading name. They...
It’s no secret that the cost of practically everything seems to have risen. As a commercial leasing tenant, it’s important to understand the outgoing clauses in your lease, so there are no surprises later on. Our business advisers spend a lot of time speaking with small business owners across WA. One question appears to be coming up frequently in...
There can often be confusion and disputes when you’re exiting a commercial lease and need to meet a number of ‘make good’ obligations. The make good clause in your lease will outline the condition the building must be in when the lease comes to an end. Here is a summary of the top make good obligations that most often lead to a dispute, and some...
Are you considering producing beverages, such as craft beer or juices, as a business? The Western Australian Planning Commission has produced new guidance to help navigate land use planning considerations for beverage production in WA. We’ve put together a summary to help you. What is beverage production? The term beverage production covers...
When you walk into your business premises and see the roof is leaking, your focus is going to be on getting the problem fixed as soon as possible. But who do you turn to and what should you do in these situations? We’ve put together three simple steps to guide you through getting any damage to your business premises fixed in a timely manner. 3...
