There’s no such thing as a stress-free business, as Narelle and Andrew Anderson know. Even the kind of business designed to help people de-stress can present a range of challenges – but it’s worth remembering that help is always available. Narelle and Andrew Anderson’s business The Life Spring operates across two locations. They have three float...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Surrounded by regal purple flowerbeds, Heather Walford has blended her favourite colour and passion for floriculture perfectly. There’s an unmistakable aroma which drifts out of Carlotta, just south of Nannup. One of deep relaxation with soothing tones. “I moved to Nannup in the late 1990s. I bought a 16 acre block of land and was researching what...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
