On 1 July 2024, Business Local became SBDC Regional. While the name has changed, we’re still here providing you with free business advice and support in your area. Find your SBDC Regional provider . Making the decision to quit his fly-in, fly-out mining job to help care for his young son after a bout of surgery, Jordan Wilson knew he needed to...
Landing a big client is generally cause for celebration as a small business owner. If you’re signing a contract to supply a client with your products or services, you might be asked to commit to an exclusivity clause. An exclusivity clause means you are being asked to restrict your supply of products to just that client, industry or geographical...
There’s a common myth in small business that it’s a waste of time and effort to register for goods and services tax (GST) before your business generates $75,000 in revenue each year. Here’s the truth behind that myth and why you might need to consider GST registration sooner than you think. When you’re just starting out or coming through a tough...
Learn how to navigate hiring your first employee, from ensuring legal compliance through to gaining access to essential resources and documentation that will set you on the path to success.
Invoicing - something every business owner needs to know how to do, but are you getting it right? As a business owner, you’re required to provide proof of purchase within seven days and a tax invoice within 28 days of it being requested or having supplied goods and/or services.. Getting your invoicing right will not only save time, but will also...
Market research is essential for anyone looking to go into business, according to East Victoria Park business owner Shellie Attwood. “Don't just open something without looking around in the neighbourhood to see what is already there,” she advised. Shellie is the owner of Greenbunch, a florist, café and plant store along the popular hospitality...
If you’re a small business owner with limited resources, recruiting new staff can be a demanding exercise. To help you get through the process in a timely manner, we’ve put together tips to help you sort through job applications, run interviews and, most importantly, find the right person for the job. Identify the skills required Write down exactly...
Personal services income (PSI) can be earned in just about any industry, and can attract special tax rules. PSI is defined by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) as income that is mainly a reward for your personal efforts or skills. It can be earned in almost any industry or job and can affect the tax obligations and the deductions you can claim...
Once you’ve developed your business plan, successfully launched your business and are starting to enjoy life as an entrepreneur, you may be thinking about the best ways to take your business to the next level. Whether you work from home or from other premises, one way to get more done in your business is to hire some extra hands to help. Hiring...
If you’re running a tow truck business, you may be impacted by new industry regulations. As part of the Towing Services Bill 2024, a range of towing industry reforms are being rolled out in a staged approach. The first stage of changes, which relates to capped fees and maximum charges, took affect on 10 January 2025. New requirements for tow truck...
Trying to promote your product or service to everyone can be costly and can miss the mark. Knowing who your ideal customer is (based on certain characteristics) will help to focus your marketing efforts on those who are willing to pay for your product or service. It will also help you to work out if there are enough of your ideal customers to make...
Not sure where to start when it comes to promoting your business on social media? Social media can seem overwhelming, but fortunately there are a few basic principles that can help guide you through the ‘getting started’ stages. The golden rule of social media is to engage with your target market on their preferred platform, using relevant and...
