If you’re working full time but are considering starting a business, here are four top tips to help you make the transition. Step one: Do your research Before you take a leap of faith, learn as much as you can about your selected industry. (It’s surprising how often we meet clients who are planning to start businesses in industries in which they...
Investing in a major business asset, like a motor vehicle, is a big step for a small business. Before handing over your hard earned money or signing any paperwork, there are some important factors to consider before committing to a vehicle purchase. Consider your business needs Before deciding whether your business needs a vehicle, it’s important...
It’s an unfortunate fact that small business owners are regularly the target of scammers – trying to take their money, business contacts, or business or personal identification details. Scammers often pretend to be from a government agency, like the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), or a well-known company you may have heard of, such as Telstra...
As a small business owner, it’s important to pay yourself a regular wage – and it’s just as important to make sure you pay the right amounts of tax and super too. Here’s your quick-start guide to paying yourself in your business. Step 1: Start with your business structure The way you pay yourself depends on the structure of your business. We have...
When you walk into your business premises and see the roof is leaking, your focus is going to be on getting the problem fixed as soon as possible. But who do you turn to and what should you do in these situations? We’ve put together three simple steps to guide you through getting any damage to your business premises fixed in a timely manner. 3...
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...
Here’s your guide to what to do if a product you make, sell, import, distribute or otherwise work with in your business is recalled for safety reasons. Every business has a responsibility to make sure their products are safe for consumers, no matter where you are in the supply chain. This means that whether you manufacturer, import, distribute or...
If you’re one of the many small business owners across WA facing rising costs, uncertain economic conditions and the impact of inflation, you’re not alone. While you can’t control these factors, you can take action to help put your business in the strongest position possible. We asked one of our experienced business advisers, Brian Childs, for some...
There can often be confusion and disputes when you’re exiting a commercial lease and need to meet a number of ‘make good’ obligations. The make good clause in your lease will outline the condition the building must be in when the lease comes to an end. Here is a summary of the top make good obligations that most often lead to a dispute, and some...
Small businesses in construction may feel pressured to quickly sign on the dotted line to secure work. But being unfamiliar with certain terms and clauses in contracts can lead to you working on unprofitable jobs or worse — paying out your client when things go wrong. Celia Jordaan, procurement consultant from Ichiban Commercial Consulting joined...
The Australian Tax Office (ATO) is warning small business owners to be wary of unlawful tax schemes offering to significantly reduce or avoid a tax bill. The ATO has seen a rise in tax avoidance schemes being promoted online, particularly via social media. These schemes can entice honest people into arrangements that can have a significant impact...
With more than 9,000 business, many classed as small and micro in nature, the City of Cockburn joined the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Local Governments program in 2018. Having also participated in the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals Program in 2021, the City continues to demonstrate its commitment to its small business community with...
