Building a small business from scratch can be overwhelming. There's so much advice out there! Here are the top five things to consider and act on when you start - from business structure right through to website Ts & Cs.

Getting paid in a service-based business doesn’t need to be hard. It doesn’t need to be daunting or overwhelming either. With a little bit of planning, proper implementation of systems and processes, viola! – your business is getting paid with ease!

Over the years I have seen many businesses crash and burn as a result of the business owners simply not having the time (or mental bandwidth) to take care of absolutely everything in the business. Things fall through the cracks and over time, this leaves the business susceptible to pit-falls and risk.

You’ve decided to take the plunge to start a small business and I’m sure it’ll be so worth it. Although there are many celebrations involved in this early stage, there are also many unknowns.

As a business lawyer, and a business owner, professionalism is something that is always top of mind for me. It’s also a regular topic of conversation, especially of late as people are navigating the merger of work and home lives.

When it comes to remote work, it is critical that employers get it right, or the consequences can be serious for both employers and employees (and the livelihood of the business).

This year we are seeing more and more small business in rural and remote areas subjected to the pressures of drought, floods, and bushfires. These challenges can feel like they are never ending for many, and often it is hard to see the light at the end of that tunnel.

We need to give ourselves permission to say no to the work that doesn’t suit us, and to the clients who we know we can’t add value to. We need to do this so that we comfortably look forward to the quality relationships that we can develop by saying yes to the work that best suits us.

The short answer is yes. You can complain to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). But only about certain things, and you can only seek certain outcomes.

The new Banking Code of Practice is not designed to make banks responsible for acting in the best interest of small business (the customer) - not by any stretch of the imagination is this going to be the case.

Running a small business can be challenging, rewarding, overwhelming, stressful and exhilarating – often all at the same time! So how do you know if you need a lawyer?