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...
Super payments are changing. From 1 July 2026, employers will need to pay super with each payday. Find out what's changing and how to prepare ahead of time.
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...
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...
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...
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...
You’ve probably heard of phishing, where cyber criminals send texts, emails or social media posts which appear to be from individuals or organisations you think you can trust. Business email compromise takes phishing one step further. Using phishing techniques, cyber criminals can steal information such as log in and financial details by...
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...
The news of a local business, a play centre, having to close because they couldn’t access appropriate insurance cover hit the media this week. Unfortunately, the situation this small business found itself in has become increasingly common. Hardening of the insurance market Because of a number of factors affecting underwriters’ risk appetite...
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...
Burnout is a state of exhaustion that is typically caused by chronic stress. While not a diagnosable medical condition, it is now classified by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as an occupational phenomenon.
Food based businesses are a popular pursuit for many aspiring business owners. While the process of starting a business is generally the same regardless of your industry, starting a food based business does involve some additional steps. Here is an overview of the additional steps you’ll need to follow to start a food based business. Tip: We...
