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...
If you’re under 16 and running a small business, here are some expert tips to help you navigate the impact of the new social media age restrictions. Effective 10 December 2025, the Federal Government’s social media restrictions for under 16s also apply to young entrepreneurs who can no longer reach their audience through social media platforms like...
From 1 July 2026, you'll need to tell customers if the seafood in dishes you serve is Australian, imported or a mix both. New Country of Origin labelling rules for seafood will apply to hospitality businesses selling food that contains seafood and is served for immediate consumption (including dine in, take away or delivery). These requirements...
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...
Should you borrow money from your family? Questions to ask yourself before getting loved ones involved.
Are you thinking of funding your business with a bank loan? It may be helpful to know what financial institutions are looking for when deciding whether to approve your business loan application. How banks decide whether to give you a business loan While there are a few different ways to fund your business, including through your own savings or...
2025 was a big year for small business – with new rules, regulation changes and a social media ban, there was a lot to keep up with! We’ve put together a list of the top stories from the SBDC blog that grabbed your attention throughout the year. How to calculate your hourly rate One of the most difficult aspects of running a service based business...
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...
A bad credit rating isn’t helpful in your personal finances – but did you know it can impact your business finances too? While your business may experience fluctuations in cash flow for a range of reasons, it’s worth ensuring you can pay your bills and debts on time to protect your credit rating. Here’s what you need to know about your credit...
With spring in the air, now is the time to take stock of your business and get organised before the busy festive season
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...
