How do I start a business?

I want to start a business: how do I do it?

"To love what you do and feel that it matters – how could anything else be more fun?" Teresa Coffey, business owner, RTW.

Did you know that 96 per cent of all Australian businesses are small businesses?

Find and keep customers

Develop a marketing plan for online and offline marketing – businesses with an online presence earn $350,000 more than those who don't.

Tools to help:

• Marketing plan
• Pricing
• Setting up my business online
• Increasing sales through marketing

Get financially savvy right from the start

Make sure your business is making a profit – more than 80 per cent of business failures are due to cashflow issues.  

Tools to help:

• Business finance basics
• Debt recovery
• Manage your cashflow
• Financial calendar

Researching and planning: is it worth it?

Writing a business plan is a great way to refine the goals and ambitions of your business. Review it every six months – it should evolve based on your experiences and failures.

Tools to help:

• Market research
• Business plan
• Develop a new product or service

Spend time on what matters the most

We make it easier for you to manage your registration, licensing and compliance needs – freeing you to spend time on your business.

Tools to help:

• How to start a business checklist
• Business name registration checklist
• Australian Business Licensing Information Service (ABLIS)
• IP protection
• Money, profit and accounting

Should I hire staff?

Be organised and clear about the tasks you want your staff to complete – find out what options are available before you start hiring.  

Tools to help:

• Employment & hiring options
• Checklist: recruitment process
• Workforce planning and HR templates

Get advice and learn new skills

• Chat to us about your business idea by phoning 13 22 15
• Tips to your inbox: sign up now
• Join our community
• Small Business Victoria Workshops and Events