The 2019-20 SBDC annual report is now published, highlighting our progress in supporting WA small business. Read our 2019-20 annual report online, or for a quick overview download the single page fact sheet. The report provides a full overview of our achievements last year, including: providing more than 58,000 services to small business clients...
At a recent Founders, Leaders and Lawyers business event hosted by HHG Legal, I had the opportunity to catch up with Michael Malone, WA entrepreneurial legend and founder of iiNet. If you are not familiar with the story, Michael was finishing his studies at UWA in 1993 and realised that the end of university, meant the end of his internet access...
Illegal phoenix activity has a significant impact on the Australian economy with an annual estimated cost of up to $5.13 billion. While illegal phoenix activity has many victims, the impact on small business, particularly, can have a catastrophic effect on their operations as well as personal lives. Illegal phoenix activity is when a new company is...
Determining who will build your website is a big decision. Ideally you need someone you can relate to, who has a good track record, and can work to your budget. To increase your chances of selecting the right supplier, we suggest following our recommendations on how to find the best contractors for your business as well as these three top tips. 1 -...
Small business owners wear many hats. From customer service and sales, to bookkeeping and recruitment — when you run a small enterprise, the buck stops with you. There’s no doubt that owning a small business has many rewards. However, it’s important to acknowledge that this lifestyle also comes with its fair share of challenges. There is the...
There’s more to offering a discount than simply reducing your prices. Offering discounts is a popular promotion technique to help increase sales and attract new customers, particularly if business is slow or you’re just starting out. Before you start offering discounts across the board, some careful planning, and considering other ‘value add’...
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...
When it comes to social media, it’s negative comments and reviews that cause the greatest concern to small and medium business owners according to the 2020 Yellow Social Media Report. Negative reviews can have a significant impact on your business, not to mention the frustration and anxiety they can cause. Fortunately, like complaints made in...
In a world where customers are often driven online to find the cheapest option, it can be hard for bricks-and-mortar businesses to feel they have a fair chance to be competitive. Bricks-and-mortar business can be tough – but there are also some fantastic advantages that might not work for online businesses, particularly in light of recent pressures...
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...
Are you a small business owner feeling overwhelmed by social media? Me too! I got a degree in communications well before anybody had smartphones or Facebook friends, and the word “content” was mostly used to describe somebody who was pretty happy with their life. I’ve learned everything I know about digital marketing on-the-job over the course of...
The City of Busselton has taken a proactive approach to supporting and sustaining a vibrant local economy through a dedicated business development, events and marketing fund. Major events are known to generate significant economic activity, create jobs, drive visitation, stimulate infrastructure investment and boost local businesses. For this...