Member Spotlight
Deb Pilgrim helps small business owners start, grow and lead their business, so that they can create the life they want. Read more
| Marketplace |
|---|
What say you?
Do you take on friends/family as customers?
14% - Sure! The more the merrier.
57% - Sometimes, but tread with caution
28% - No, best to avoid wherever possible
Startup | Business startup
Starting a new small business of one requires a mass of business planning and research. Don’t be overwhelmed
though, business start up is a
high-energy stage and what’s needed is the right focus for those energies.
This section covers the basic needs of a successful solo business. You’ll find tips on making the right career choice;
working from
home, how to speak powerfully about what you do by using an elevator statement, how
to decide when to start your own
business and advice on business goal
setting.
And if you’re not sure that a solo business is for you, we have a quiz
that will help.
The easy-entrepreneur boom
07 Feb 12Robert GerrishIt’s a wonderful thing that we live in a time where the lure of the entrepreneur is at such a high. But is ease of access coming at the cost of creating businesses with staying power? Read more
Comments: 39Maximising your free Flying Solo membership
23 Jan 12 | AdvertorialWhether you’re new to Flying Solo or already a member, chances are you’re not aware of all the benefits of free membership. Here’s a guide to the basics. Read more
Think differently: lessons from Steve Jobs
18 Oct 11Jayne TancredThe recent passing of Steve Jobs got me wondering what the rest of us mere mortals could learn from such a visionary businessman and creative genius. Read more
Comments: 13Get a multi-million dollar attitude
31 Aug 11Lucinda LionsWho better to share inspiring business tips than someone who built a multi-million dollar business with just $50 in his pocket? Read more
Comments: 8Business legal issues for start-ups
08 Jan 11Richard StewartOne of the most daunting aspects of starting a new business is unravelling all the business legal issues that could affect you and your new venture. Read more
Comments: 10Step-by-step guide to importing from China
08 Nov 10Matthew EdwardsIf you’re looking to get a product manufactured in China, you’ll need to understand the process and timelines involved. This step-by-step guide covers the basics of importing from China. Read more
Comments: 45Stop with the stopgaps
02 Nov 10Jayne TancredLots of soloists in start up mode make cheap and cheerful choices, stopgaps, with the intention of switching to something more sophisticated later. Read more
Comments: 26Business lessons from cake baking
20 Oct 10Robert GerrishIn this short video, Julia Bickerstaff shares some analogies between baking a cake and building a business. Read more
Comments: 1Chinese suppliers: Do your due diligence
24 Sep 10Matthew EdwardsWhen considering potential Chinese suppliers, careful planning and due diligence are needed in order to protect your business and investments. Read more
Comments: 17Importing from China - where to start?
20 Aug 10Matthew EdwardsImporting from China could save you thousands of dollars, but can also be daunting and risky. Here’s what you need to know to get started. Read more
Comments: 15What stops you starting your own business?
13 Jul 10Peter CrockerA friend recently completed his first successful year as a solo business owner. His synopsis: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Well, there are lots of reasons that stop people starting their own business. Read more
Comments: 30The 7 deadly sins of buying a small business
20 Oct 09Craig ReidAre you looking at buying a small business? Perhaps you are a business owner looking to snap up an additional business or are craving an escape from the rat race. Either way, there are seven sins all potential purchasers must avoid… Read more
Comments: 13What makes you start your own business?
14 Sep 09Peter CrockerI always had a desire to work for myself one day. But for me, when it came to taking the plunge, it was a total knee-jerk reaction with no inkling of a business plan. Is that the norm or the exception when you start your own business? Read more
Comments: 67Run your own business: There are no downsides
23 Mar 09Sam LeaderI realised how lucky soloists are when having a conversation with a friend who couldn’t decide whether or not to leave her job to run her own business. Read more
Comments: 30Freelancing: Ready to work for yourself?
26 Feb 09Bronwyn SimmondsBefore going solo, I imagined freelancing was similar to flying like a bird. That sense of being uninhibited, boundless and the sky being the limit. No more instant coffee or people stealing your food out of the fridge were additional perks. Read more
Comments: 11Corporate redundancy: A survivor's story
23 Oct 08Jack FraenkelAre you facing corporate redundancy and wondering whether now is the time to start your own business? This story could be just the motivation you need for flying solo. Read more
Comments: 11Starting my own business: If only I'd known!
16 Sep 08Grant HymanI'm not a big believer in crying over spilt milk. However I’ve recently been considering what I might like to have known before starting my own business. I look forward to learning from your own comments on the topic! Read more
Comments: 22Mistakes made by start up micro businesses
31 Jul 08Heather SmithIn my work life, I come in contact with a lot of start up micro businesses and have discovered some of the mistakes they have made. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to learn from them, and hopefully avoid the same mistakes ourselves. Read more
Comments: 17Why start your own small business?
25 Feb 08Peter CrockerWhen talk turns to starting your own small business, there’s never a shortage of peopleo tut-tuting to themselves... “Most small businesses fail you know.” “Never go into business with family.” “Don’t borrow from friends.” And so it goes on. Read more
Comments: 22Thinking of starting a new small business?
01 Oct 07Sam LeaderWe know this newsletter’s readership includes a number of individuals who would love to fly solo, but aren’t. If you’re thinking of starting a new small business, then this one’s for you. Read more
Comments: 61Business start up tips: Things I'm glad I did
04 Jun 07Peter CrockerIn a previous article on business start up tips I listed four things I wish I'd done from day one of my solo business. This time, on a more positive note, I'm looking at five things I'm glad I did. Read more
Comments: 8Business start up tips: Things I wish I'd done
14 May 07Peter CrockerHindsight is a beautiful thing, isn't it? I've been in my solo business for five years now and in looking back, can see four simple business start up tips that I wish I'd implemented from day one. Read more
Comments: 24Handling fear in your new business ventures
22 Feb 07Linda AndersonSo you've taken the plunge and are going it alone. Good for you! Commonly, though, new soloists find they get the nerve to start their own new business ventures, only to find that once they're up and running, new anxieties are taking their place. Read more
Comments: 15Overcoming fear of running your own business
23 Jan 07Linda AndersonIt's normal to experience fear of running your own business before starting up. Even those with a strong desire to do their own thing feel this fear, and need to overcome it to move forwards. Read more
Comments: 14Setting up your own business
10 Oct 06Barb ClewsThe earlier you are aware of your rights and obligations when setting up your own business, the better. Here's an overview of things to consider before starting. Read more
Comments: 12Four questions to ask if you want to work for yourself
15 Aug 06Barb ClewsHow do you turn your dreams of going it alone into a reality? Here are four questions dealing with self-analysis which will help you discover whether you have what it takes to work for yourself. Read more
Comments: 1Seven learnings from starting my own business
31 Jan 06Diane LeeI had always been interested in starting my own business, but if you're a teacher, communicator, manager, writer and editor what can you actually offer that people need? I learned the answers in my first six months of starting my own business. Read more
Comments: 9Is now the right time to start your own business?
03 Nov 05Peter CrockerHow do you know exactly when the time is just right to take the plunge and start your own business? The answer is surprisingly simple: never. Read more
Comments: 15Ten tips on how to start your own business
26 Oct 05Megan ToughIf you want your new solo business to flourish, it makes good sense to review these tips on how to start your own business. Read more
Comments: 12New business ventures: Expect the best, but watch your back
08 Sep 05Paul J. MorrisAs soloists we need to let positive energies drive our new business ventures. However at the same time we need to watch our backs. Read more
Comments: 5The joy of starting a side business
02 Sep 05Peter Crocker“Ditch the corporate job and go it alone” they say “Life is not a rehearsal!” But realistically, it’s hard to chuck in a good job. Have you considered starting a side business? Read more
Comments: 7Crucial questions for small business start ups
06 Jul 05Robert GerrishNew small business start ups require plenty of planning. Here are five questions that all aspiring small business owner’s need to consider. Read more
Comments: 8
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Small Business is Australia's fastest growing sector – this business community site was created for those running a small business of one to five people. Here the solo and micro business owner will find small business forums, a small business directory, free resources, help, tips and advice on: starting a small business; working smarter when working from home; effective small business marketing; small business networking; the solo psyche; staying balanced as a small business owner; small business technology advice and small business finance tips.
