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...
You may be aware of the wise advice that to achieve the best outcomes, you should work on your business, not just in it. However, the reality is that some important but non-urgent tasks usually sink to the bottom of the to-do list. This includes maintaining an effective online presence - an essential part of a modern marketing approach. Overall...
What started as a childhood hobby and a simple love of beekeeping has since grown into a buzzing business for husband and wife team Rupert and Kim Phillips. With a clear vision and strong values around sustainability, authenticity, and education, Rupert and Kim opened The House of Honey, an agri-tourism business nestled in the heart of the Swan...
Have you found yourself in a situation where you’ve finished a job only to discover you’ve only just broken even or perhaps actually lost money due to underquoting? First of all, don’t beat yourself up. Most small business owners discover at some point, particularly when starting out, that they have underquoted. Here are some tips to help you avoid...
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...
If you have a great idea for a new product, you’re at the start of an exciting but complex business journey. From developing your idea to testing demand in the market and finding the right manufacturer, here’s your guide to the steps involved in turning your idea into a new product available for sale. Step 1: Develop your idea Developing any new...
Many small businesses start as a hobby business or ‘side hustle’ which you might run in your spare time while holding a job with another employer. Setting your own hours and being your own boss might sound like a dream when you’re working while running a business on the side – but it’s important to make an informed decision before you decide to...
If you’re expecting a surge in business in the 2024-25 financial year that will boost your taxable income, now is the time to plan ahead to make sure you meet your obligations and maximise your cashflow. Take a look at your expected taxable income for the current financial year (2023-24) - that’s the assessable income for your business minus any...
Like many businesses in our current environment, you may be expecting a downturn in your turnover for the next financial year. We’ve put together some tips on how to prepare from a tax perspective. From staffing challenges and supplier constraints to customer behaviours and global events, there are many reasons your business might be preparing for...
If you supply goods or services for less than $1 million to the WA Government, new guidelines mean you will now receive payment within 20 days. From 1 October 2020, WA State Government agencies must ensure that all payments of less than $1 million for goods or services, excluding construction works, are made within 20 calendar days of: receiving a...
New AI driven search tools are changing the digital landscape, making it more important than ever to focus on proven search engine marketing practices. We asked Jordan Lomax, Director of The Social Lab, for her insights on search engine marketing (SEM) in today’s context. Here’s what Jordan has shared on how search has changed – and what small...
As a former school principal for more than 10 years, Orlando dos Santos always encouraged staff and students to achieve their dreams. When he identified a need within the community after witnessing a lot of pet stress, he knew it was time for him to achieve his own dreams. With more than 50 years of experience in dog training under his belt...
