With prime position in the lobby of a busy inner-city building, Viaje Coffee was thriving under the management of Hugh Nguyen and his business partner Wayne Kang. “Before the pandemic, our business was going well,” said Hugh. “Viaje Coffee had a very loyal customer base and our business was growing. Then, COVID had a massive impact. The building...
Julia ‘Jools’ Nesbitt is the Co-Director of Masonex Building, a family shop fitting business she runs with her husband Mick. The registered building business, offering retail shop fit-outs, de-fits and store maintenance, was busy and in demand before COVID affected their environment. “Before COVID came around, we always had plenty of work,” said...
On a national and local front, there are strong signs of economic and business recovery as we head towards the end of a challenging year. Two publications released over the past month report very positive signs of recovery for our small business sector in WA. On a national level, the Small Business Counts report was released by the Australian Small...
Whether you’re an employer or a person who considers themselves self-employed, it’s important to know the difference between what the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) sees as an employee and a contractor to ensure you are meeting your tax and super obligations. Many people believe that a worker is automatically a contractor if they have specialist...
After two decades of working for others in the commercial plumbing and gas industry, Brian McDaid knew it was time for a change. Despite his established skills, knowledge and reputation, he felt that something was missing and needed a new professional challenge. “I thought I wanted to get out of plumbing, but when I started doing my own work, I...
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...
Life as a small business owner can sometimes be lonely, especially if you work from home or alone. While some people may think it’s all flexible hours and working in your pyjamas (which is a nice perk), that’s not the complete picture of what running a one person operation is actually like. At times, a lack of interaction with others or feeling...
Inspired by Australia’s wildlife, Mark and Leanne White have always found solace in nature – a value which is deep rooted through their family and work. Walking along the main high street of Nannup, there is a noticeable palette of colours beaming out of the few windows that make up a gallery and a gift shop sitting side by side. "Our business Wild...
As an avid cook passionate about local produce, when Rom Blount moved to Collie in WA’s South West, she couldn’t find a shop that met her needs: a one stop shop where she could buy all the goodies she needed to make a great meal. Not one to let a small challenge put her off her culinary creations, Rom decided to start her own small business with...
We’ve all heard the saying that ‘cash is king’, but despite the popularity of this phrase cash flow is an area of business that is often neglected. Being able to effectively manage your cash flow is key to the long term survival of your business. It will also allow you to maintain enough working capital to operate through quiet periods. Your cash...
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...
As you dive into the new year in small business, it’s important to take stock of your achievements during the past 12 months and to set your business goals for 2025. We have put together a few tips to help ensure smooth sailing in the year ahead. Get on top of your finances Take some time to put your finances in order by reviewing your financial...
