In 2015, Claudia Franke started her IT consulting business in her spare time while still working in an office-based role. After two years of building her business, she resigned from her IT day job to focus on providing IT consulting, support and training services for small businesses. The move to create her own business, Fraulein Tech, allowed...
Kerry Ridley's business, My Little Bookshop, began as a mobile bookshop in May 2019. Kerry discovered our SBDC services as she was preparing to open her first 'bricks and mortar' bookstore on the Rockingham foreshore. At the SBDC, we're here to support all kinds of businesses at all stages of their journey. My Little Bookshop has grown from being a...
Before you buy a business, it’s important to complete a risk assessment to make sure you’re not about to get into a risky business. Buying an established business can be an exciting way to make money, be your own boss and enjoy new challenges as a small business owner. It only takes a quick online search to find hundreds of 'business for sale' ads...
You may be entitled to compensation if your landlord is carrying out works that are causing disruption to your business. Some of the situations in which you can claim compensation are: if general works are being carried out by the landlord in your shopping centre or building the shopping centre or building are being redeveloped the disclosure...
If your business is involved in some kind of a dispute, you’re not alone – and help is available. Here are some of the most common disputes in small business, followed by what you can do about them. Contractual disputes A common example of a contractual dispute is when you may have paid upfront for services that you haven’t yet received, such as a...
If you’ve taken a 'set and forget' attitude to your small business insurance, it could be time to rethink your strategy. It’s important to make sure you have the right cover in place to suit your business, and to recognise how your structure, operations and exposure to risk can change over time. For many small business owners, insurance is...
Most business owners who’ve worked hard to establish their business, want to see it continue to thrive after they leave. A succession plan, or exit strategy, determines the best way to leave a business, whether that’s by sale, passing it onto other family members, introducing new management, or simply reducing your role in the business. Succession...
Your business name is a valuable asset, so when you receive a renewal notice your first thought is often to pay it straight away. While the notice letter or email may look official, you may not realise that it may have been sent by private organisations looking to make money from you. These unsolicited approaches are often made just before the...
As tax time draws nearer, you might be wondering what you can claim or ‘write off’ as a tax deduction this year. It’s important to know exactly what you can – and can’t – claim to avoid running into issues later. Our business adviser, Brian Childs, shares some of his top tips for small business owners around claiming tax deductions. Beware of...
A feature of my role as the Small Business Commissioner is that I am often asked about emerging issues in the small business landscape, particularly as each new year commences. While I sometimes wish for a clearer crystal ball, the benefit of having a network of peers across business and all levels of government, as well as having access to our in...
Are you thinking of funding your business with a bank loan? It may be helpful to know what financial institutions are looking for when deciding whether to approve your business loan application. How banks decide whether to give you a business loan While there are a few different ways to fund your business, including through your own savings or...
Reducing your environmental impact might be easier than you think. We share seven steps you can take to green your small business.
