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 percent 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 percent 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