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Member Spotlight

Trish Fehon, OnlineInfluence.com.au

Trish Fehon, OnlineInfluence.com.au

Trish Fehon specialises in creating business websites for small to medium sized businesses that bring in fresh leads, new customers and make money. Read more

Jan Freitag, Proxim Group

Jan Freitag, Proxim Group

Combining both business coaching and business consulting services, the Proxim Group offers a fully comprehensive approach to helping small business... Read more

Kate James, Total Balance

Kate James, Total Balance

Through her business coaching and life coaching, Kate James works with the concepts of mindfulness, creativity and authenticity to help people chan... Read more

Hazel Theocharous, Assisting U Virtually

Hazel Theocharous, Assisting U Virtually

Hazel Theocharous is a virtual assistant who listens to her clients and then assesses their admin, assists with their admin and answers their admin... Read more

Jen Clark, Jen Clark Design

Jen Clark, Jen Clark Design

Jen Clark is an experienced freelance graphic and web designer specialising in the delivery of innovative logo and branding solutions and functiona... Read more

Tom Evison, Enigma Technologies

Tom Evison, Enigma Technologies

Enigma Technologies provides IT implementation, support and deployment to a wide range of clients, from home users to multi nationals. Read more

Felicity Van Rysbergen, Well Versed Copywriting

Felicity Van Rysbergen, Well Versed Copywriting

Well Versed Copywriting specialises in creating corporate web content, information architecture and analysis, and marketing documentation for a bro... Read more

Fiona Johnston, Peach Business Management

Fiona Johnston, Peach Business Management

Fiona works with small business owners getting started or growing an existing business. Her services include creating business plans, tax planning ... Read more

Uri Maimon, Nominal Accounting

Uri Maimon, Nominal Accounting

Nominal Accounting Software develops, sell and supports a micro business management software. Read more

Roland Hanekroot, New Perspectives Small Business Bootcamp

Roland Hanekroot, New Perspectives Small Business Bootcamp

Roland Hanekroot is a small business coach in Sydney who works with small business owners who want to make a big shift in their business and turn i... Read more

Nick Humphries, Akitso Web Design

Nick Humphries, Akitso Web Design

Akitso Web Design is a web design company that sells fully-featured professional websites to small businesses. They make getting a website for your... Read more

Terri Mitchell, The Profit Frog

Terri Mitchell, The Profit Frog

The Profit Frog is The ASSET and CASH FLOW MAXIMISER for SMEs, searching for cash flow problems at their source, helping create cash flow budgets a... Read more

Richard Jenner, The Type Shed

Richard Jenner, The Type Shed

Richard Jenner does graphic design, for any application - print, web, packaging, shop fronts, signs... anything that requires text / images arrange... Read more

Karen Churchill, The Churchill Consultancy

Karen Churchill, The Churchill Consultancy

Karen Churchill helps her clients achieve their goals by communicating as well as possible with the people who matter to them. This can be done by ... Read more

Kalindi Chirmuley, Mulayam Products

Kalindi Chirmuley, Mulayam Products

Mulayam Products manufactures natural skin care products for all ages and all skin types. It helps to take care of the skin and enhance its beauty. Read more

Jan Bell, Bell’s Outsourcing Administration

Jan Bell, Bell’s Outsourcing Administration

Jan Bell is a virtual secretary who does administration and back office work from secretarial to bookkeeping. Read more

Mark Rubiolo, Bubbling With Energy Entertainment

Mark Rubiolo, Bubbling With Energy Entertainment

Bubbling With Energy provides entertainment and amusements for corporate events and private parties including jumping castles, mechanical bulls, su... Read more

Karen Wickham, That’s Creative!

Karen Wickham, That’s Creative!

That's Creative! provides graphic and website design services to clients right across the world. Currently Ebook Design is their most popular servi... Read more

Sean Sherlock, SAmedia Website Solutions

Sean Sherlock, SAmedia Website Solutions

From small start-ups to seasoned soloists, SAmedia Website Solutions designs websites that enhance online position and improve new leads and recurr... Read more

Bob Jones, an SEO Company

Bob Jones, an SEO Company

'an SEO Company' provides authentic SEO services for small businesses in Australia. Read more

Trish Fehon, OnlineInfluence.com.au
Jan Freitag, Proxim Group
Kate James, Total Balance
Hazel Theocharous, Assisting U Virtually
Jen Clark, Jen Clark Design
Tom Evison, Enigma Technologies
Felicity Van Rysbergen, Well Versed Copywriting
Fiona Johnston, Peach Business Management
Uri Maimon, Nominal Accounting
Roland Hanekroot, New Perspectives Small Business Bootcamp
Nick Humphries, Akitso Web Design
Terri Mitchell, The Profit Frog
Richard Jenner, The Type Shed
Karen Churchill, The Churchill Consultancy
Kalindi Chirmuley, Mulayam Products
Jan Bell, Bell’s Outsourcing Administration
Mark Rubiolo, Bubbling With Energy Entertainment
Karen Wickham, That’s Creative!
Sean Sherlock, SAmedia Website Solutions
Bob Jones, an SEO Company
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HomeStartupBusiness startup

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 12 | Robert Gerrish

It’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: 39

Maximising your free Flying Solo membership

23 Jan 12 | Advertorial

Whether 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 11 | Jayne Tancred

The 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: 13

Get a multi-million dollar attitude

31 Aug 11 | Lucinda Lions

Who better to share inspiring business tips than someone who built a multi-million dollar business with just $50 in his pocket? Read more

Comments: 8

Business legal issues for start-ups

08 Jan 11 | Richard Stewart

One 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: 10

Step-by-step guide to importing from China

08 Nov 10 | Matthew Edwards

If 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: 45

Stop with the stopgaps

02 Nov 10 | Jayne Tancred

Lots 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: 26

Business lessons from cake baking

20 Oct 10 | Robert Gerrish

In this short video, Julia Bickerstaff shares some analogies between baking a cake and building a business. Read more

Comments: 1

Chinese suppliers: Do your due diligence

24 Sep 10 | Matthew Edwards

When considering potential Chinese suppliers, careful planning and due diligence are needed in order to protect your business and investments. Read more

Comments: 17

Importing from China - where to start?

20 Aug 10 | Matthew Edwards

Importing 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: 15

What stops you starting your own business?

13 Jul 10 | Peter Crocker

A 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: 30

The 7 deadly sins of buying a small business

20 Oct 09 | Craig Reid

Are 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: 13

What makes you start your own business?

14 Sep 09 | Peter Crocker

I 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: 67

Run your own business: There are no downsides

23 Mar 09 | Sam Leader

I 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: 30

Freelancing: Ready to work for yourself?

26 Feb 09 | Bronwyn Simmonds

Before 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: 11

Corporate redundancy: A survivor's story

23 Oct 08 | Jack Fraenkel

Are 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: 11

Starting my own business: If only I'd known!

16 Sep 08 | Grant Hyman

I'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: 22

Mistakes made by start up micro businesses

31 Jul 08 | Heather Smith

In 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: 17

Why start your own small business?

25 Feb 08 | Peter Crocker

When 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: 22

Thinking of starting a new small business?

01 Oct 07 | Sam Leader

We 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: 61

Business start up tips: Things I'm glad I did

04 Jun 07 | Peter Crocker

In 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: 8

Business start up tips: Things I wish I'd done

14 May 07 | Peter Crocker

Hindsight 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: 24

Handling fear in your new business ventures

22 Feb 07 | Linda Anderson

So 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: 15

Overcoming fear of running your own business

23 Jan 07 | Linda Anderson

It'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: 14

Setting up your own business

10 Oct 06 | Barb Clews

The 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: 12

Four questions to ask if you want to work for yourself

15 Aug 06 | Barb Clews

How 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: 1

Seven learnings from starting my own business

31 Jan 06 | Diane Lee

I 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: 9

Is now the right time to start your own business?

03 Nov 05 | Peter Crocker

How 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: 15

Ten tips on how to start your own business

26 Oct 05 | Megan Tough

If 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: 12

New business ventures: Expect the best, but watch your back

08 Sep 05 | Paul J. Morris

As 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: 5

The joy of starting a side business

02 Sep 05 | Peter 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: 7

Crucial questions for small business start ups

06 Jul 05 | Robert Gerrish

New 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.

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