The SBDC’s own Facebook group, ‘I’m a small business owner in Western Australia’, was created in 2014 to provide an active online community in which local business owners could network, ask for advice and share knowledge. The group recently hit the 15,000 member mark, and has proved to be a highly appreciated asset for small business owners to...
Find out what Western Australian business owners have said are the most important things they have learnt about running a business.
We’ve all been there at some point, unhappy at work and looking for a career change, or just wanting to make a go of it on your own. Starting a new business is a big deal. To help you decide if your business idea could work, we’ve put together some thought starters to get your head (and idea) in the right space. Get to know your audience What...
If running a business makes you feel like there’s just not enough time to get everything done, you’re not alone. Whether you ‘are’ your business, or you manage a small team, it’s always challenging to find enough hours in every day, while maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Sometimes, the best you can do is more effectively manage the time you...
Gary Mitchell knows just how much the world of small business has changed over the past 30 years. He credits the SBDC with helping him get through the tough times to help his business thrive. For more than 30 years, Gary Mitchell has been carving a niche in WA’s small business landscape. His business, Framous Picture Framing, offers a range of...
If you’re like many business owners at the end of a busy year, you might find yourself putting off certain tasks, actions or decisions until after the festive break. However, sometimes there’s no time like the (Christmas) present to wrap up properly and ‘sleigh’ the end of the year. We asked our business adviser, Steve McLaren, for his thoughts on...
Search engine optimisation (SEO) is an important part of any marketing strategy, but how do you know if you’re getting value for money when paying someone to do your SEO? It’s a common situation many small business owners find themselves in. You know that SEO plays an important part in making sure your website can be found by potential customers...
What would you like to achieve ‘one day’ in your business? Perhaps adding new products to your range, upgrading your website, growing your team, outsourcing tasks you don’t enjoy, or finally getting around to working out what to do with your social media presence. As a business owner, it can be all too easy to fill the hours with the processes and...
If your rent is due to increase based on the consumer price index, here’s your guide to how it works and the calculations which could be used to work out your rent. The consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of how much the average costs of a fixed basket of goods changes over time. It is calculated quarterly and published by the Australian Bureau...
Thinking about using your know-how to start your own consulting business? Here are some important things to consider to help you make a business from your expertise.
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...
Did you know that bubble wrap was originally sold as a textured wallpaper? As history has shown us, it wasn’t a viable product for its intended customers. The success of online business ideas or other small business ideas will always depend on a range of factors. Some factors are out of your control, such as interest rates, tax brackets and the...
