Starting a business often begins with choosing a business name – and then getting a logo to match. With so many graphic design programs and apps available, creating a logo for your business is easy. However creating a logo that looks great and really reflects what you want your business to become can be a bit more of a challenge. Whether you decide...
When Melissa Raffan’s career took an unexpected trajectory and she became a small business owner, she was driven by her personal passion for scrapbooking and a desire to do something different. “The previous owner literally made a joke that I should buy the business. That was in May 2021 and by November I had taken over the shop,” Melissa said. “I...
The City of Kwinana was one of twenty local governments to participate in the SBDC’s Small Business Friendly Approvals program over the past two years. Since 2021, the City has implemented the majority of reforms they identified to improve the small business experience in Kwinana. The City of Kwinana was selected for the Small Business Friendly...
Making the decision to quit his fly-in, fly-out mining job to help care for his young son after a bout of surgery, Jordan Wilson knew he needed to change his career goal posts to a more family-friendly earner. But setting up Concept Tech, an IT business in Albany with wife Natasha, was a whole new ball game, so Jordan called on support from the...
All new businesses start with an idea. Conducting thorough research during the business start-up phase can help you discover if you’re on the right road to success. We know there are a number of costs associated with starting and running a business, so we encourage you to make use of the wide range of free information and resources available to...
Have you found yourself in a situation where you’ve finished a job only to discover you’ve only just broken even or perhaps actually lost money due to underquoting? First of all, don’t beat yourself up. Most small business owners discover at some point, particularly when starting out, that they have underquoted. Here are some tips to help you avoid...
There’s a common myth in small business that it’s a waste of time and effort to register for goods and services tax (GST) before your business generates $75,000 in revenue each year. Here’s the truth behind that myth and why you might need to consider GST registration sooner than you think. When you’re just starting out or coming through a tough...
When opening and evolving their landscaping supply business in Albany, owners Jane and Ian sought guidance from advisers at the Albany Business Centre, the SBDC’s Business Local provider in the Great Southern. Designer Dirt in Albany is more than your average landscaping supply centre. Opened in 2012, the business could be seen as an extension of...
As you dive into the new year in small business, it’s important to take stock of your achievements during the past 12 months and to set your business goals for the next. We have put together a few tips to help ensure smooth sailing in the year ahead. Get on top of your finances Take some time to put your finances in order by reviewing your...
While some businesses have their peak season over the Christmas and New Year period, other businesses experience a lull or schedule a shutdown. If December and January are usually quiet for your business, you can plan ahead to make the most of your downtime. At the end of a busy year, it’s important to take some time to relax and recharge when...
If you’re like many business owners, you might find yourself putting off certain tasks, actions or decisions until after the Christmas break. Here’s your festive inspiration to take action now. We asked our business adviser, Peter Frey, for his thoughts on what kind of actions business owners tend to delay at this time of year – and what to do...
When deciding to structure your business as a Pty Ltd Company, it’s important to understand exactly what protections operating under a company structure does and doesn’t offer. An incorporated company, often recognised by the addition of Pty Ltd after the company name, is one of the structures you may consider for your new business. A company is a...