For some people starting a business in Australia, deciding whether to set up as a sole trader or establish a company can be pretty daunting. How do you really know which option is best for you? It can be confusing. Between the labyrinth of government websites, lawyer’s legalese and accountants Excel spreadsheets… deciding the best structure can be incredibly tough.
Making the right decisions when starting a business can be hard. Hopefully this simple layman’s guide to deciding whether to sole trade or start a company will help.
Business founders who decide to start up business as a Pty Ltd company are often on the right track. The benefits of a Pty Ltd company structure make setting one up the wisest option. This is especially the case if you are:
starting up with business partners, be they Directors or shareholders
seeking fast growth
plan to supply to major corporations
intend to hire staff
seeking to maximise the benefits of a tax effective business structure
considering equity investment
want ‘street cred’ as an Australian company
already considering exiting the business at some stage
If one or more apply to you, you should seriously consider forming a Pty Ltd company. That’s not to say setting up as a ‘sole trader’ is not a suitable option. However, people who set up to ‘sole trader’ usually fall into one of the following categories:
starting up a hobby business to supplement income
starting a part-time businesses
planning to work as a one man/woman band for the foreseeable future
testing the waters in business for the first time
looking to run a business that fits an existing lifestyle
generally not seeking significant growth.
Every person’s circumstance is different so exceptions to the guidelines above do occur. The decision is not always simple or clear cut. Age, industry sector, start up capital, family status, asset base and a range of variables should be taken into consideration.
For this reason, input from a professional, such as a lawyer, accountant or a specialist start up firm is very much worth considering.
What else determines the decision to choose between sole trader and Pty Ltd?
In a word, liability. And it is so important a point it deserves a section of its own. As a sole trader your liability is unlimited. That means if you are sued your personal assets (house, car, money in bank, valuables etc.) are 100% exposed. A Pty Ltd company structure offers a better level of asset protection, as the business is its own legal entity (and therefore separate from you).
Regardless, for all new businesses we highly recommend business insurance. It’s like going out for a walk on a cold Winter’s night with a really warm jacket on. However, for sole traders with 100% liability risk, insurance cover is doubly important.
What about the cost?
Setting up a Pty Ltd company in Australia is a little more expensive that setting up as a sole trader. However, for the sheer value it delivers, we believe that …
So you are planning on launching your own start up or are just getting a new venture off the ground, what is the optimal workspace?
For many opening a brick and mortar office or retail store can be an exciting proposition. Going shopping for space and equipment and decorating it can be fun. However, this does not mean that you will be more profitable. In fact, the traditional way of setting up even a small sized office, with equipment and a phone system, etc. will likely put you back at least 10,000 when all is said and done. Then add several thousand per month in on going overhead, which all comes out of your bottom line. If this is an investment which provides a great return every month that is one thing, though very few start ups really need this type of set up, nor will it produce any higher profits. If you are really in love with the idea the consider whether a retail storefront is a better financial move. Though recognize that the odds are you don’t need it and this is just fueling vanity, which is fine if you have the extra cash.
Perhaps you are thinking a home office is the way to go. The lure of being able to work from home and set your own hours is certainly attractive. It definitely means being able to operate on minimal expenses so that you can maximize profits. Plus it packs in many savings that you are probably overlooking right now. This may be the ideal solution for you and truly give you the freedom you have been looking for. However, for some working from home can turn out to be a frustrating experience especially when you have a partner demanding your attention and kids running riot. With a little strategy and cooperation you can make it work, though you may still find moments when you really need to get out and work from somewhere else.
This is where the executive suite concept becomes a great choice for entrepreneurs and business owners looking for the optimal workspace solution. It provides not only a professional business address but meeting facilities when you need them and a fully connected private office when you need it. You can maintain an office full time or simply utilize the business center when you need to by the hour. This is perfect for when you need to get in some critical, uninterrupted work, the kids are on a school break, you have house guests or your home Internet goes out.
Though beyond, where you will work, creating the optimal workspace for your new venture also means creating the ideal conditions for maximum productivity and innovative thinking. This can be as simple as having your own corner of the house with multiple screens and whiteboards set up. Or investing in a standing workstation that encourages constant productivity and even helps you to keep in shape and avoiding those extra pounds that creep up from …
Many people do not consider the amount of time that must be invested in a start-up internet business. If you are looking at business opportunities on the internet, narrowing down the opportunities may be very difficult. Many business opportunities look as though you will not have to invest time or money in the effort except for an initial start-up. However, starting a business on the internet is just as time-consuming as starting a land-based business and it will be important that you follow a few tips for deciding on the most lucrative and satisfying venture for you.
If you are the type of person who would not get involved with an MLM in a land-based business, you will probably not want to invest the time required to start an MLM online. Remember, that the basic structure of an MLM is the same whether you are doing it in your local neighborhood or doing it online. You must both sell products and recruit a downline to take full advantage of the financial opportunities available.
There are many MLM opportunities offered on the internet and if this is a business you are considering, it will be important to research the company carefully before committing to the business. Some MLMs on the internet walk a very thin grey line between being a legitimate MLM and being a Pyramid scheme. An easy way to tell if the MLM opportunity is legitimate is to look at the products. The products that are sold should be able to stand on their own, be tangible, and be made of quality materials.
The cost of joining an MLM will vary, but should not exceed the cost of the products that you receive. And, you should “receive” products. An MLM that sells “education” or “information” is not selling a tangible product and must be researched thoroughly to make sure your income will not be dependent on recruiting a downline.
Some people find that they can develop a very lucrative business by selling other people’s product through a web-store. When you are considering starting this type of business, you will make more money and be able to develop a greater customer base if you keep your products in a specific niche market. For instance, selling products that are related to your hobbies or interests will make marketing your website through articles and advertising much more enjoyable.
Marketing your website is critical in establishing your presence and visibility on the internet. Developing an effective marketing strategy is going to take time and, if you choose to use an article distribution service, money. Calculating your budget for your business and defining your goals before starting your website will help you to establish a good foundation for growth.
CONCLUSION
By thoroughly investigating business opportunities that are related to your areas of interest and passions, you can effectively incorporate those things you enjoy doing most with your business. The internet is a great way to reach a global audience that has the same interests …
Many people are finding that the internet offers a tremendous number of business opportunities to the entrepreneur. However, knowing what to look for when comparing opportunities will help you to make the wisest investment when you are starting a business. There are a few tips for choosing an internet business that will help you to identify the legitimate opportunities from the scams.
BE WARY OF FALSE PROMISES
Just like a land-based business, there is no “get rich quick” scheme on the internet that is going to work. When you are looking at opportunities that begin with making promises about little or not work and lots of money fast, be wary. There are many scams on the internet, put there by people who are preying on people that need to make money.
There are individuals who have several different sites on the internet offering different business opportunities. These people use different names for each website so you don’t know that the same guy is selling the dream under a different domain. This type of person is getting rich by ripping people off, not by selling a legitimate business opportunity.
A legitimate business opportunity will have a history and a paper trail. Do not take the testimonials on the website at face value, remember that those cool records of earnings are very easy to recreate and make up using Photoshop, be aware that if the seller had made a gazillion dollars using the secret formula they are selling, they would not need or want to sell the secret formula to strangers. The secret formula for them is to make money off of people looking for a fast buck.
RESEARCH THE PRODUCT
Before you enter a business opportunity be sure that you research the products that you are going to sell. While most people do not think of affiliate marketing as “selling”, it is exactly that. In order to build a successful business, you must have a passion for the products you sell and they must be reliable and dependable.
Think about the investment of time and money that will be involved in selling the product and becoming the leader in the industry. It is much easier for a person to market a product or service that they are passionate about. If you are going to sell another person’s product on your website, make sure that you test it, try it, and feel comfortable that it will do what you are promising people it will do.
The internet community is global, but very small. An individual who gets a bad name on the internet for their business practices is soon found out. These individual may be able to scam a few individuals, but anyone researching the individual can easily find their history of complaints and unscrupulous actions. Therefore, it is important that you maintain a reputation for reliability, dependability, and have a product or service that you can over-deliver on easily.
CONCLUSION
Doing the proper research and getting a clear idea of the …
Many people do not consider the amount of time that must be invested in a start-up internet business. If you are looking at business opportunities on the internet, narrowing down the opportunities may be very difficult. Many business opportunities look as though you will not have to invest time or money in the effort except for an initial start-up. However, starting a business on the internet is just as time-consuming as starting a land-based business and it will be important that you follow a few tips for deciding on the most lucrative and satisfying venture for you.
If you are the type of person who would not get involved with an MLM in a land-based business, you will probably not want to invest the time required to start an MLM online. Remember, that the basic structure of an MLM is the same whether you are doing it in your local neighborhood or doing it online. You must both sell products and recruit a downline to take full advantage of the financial opportunities available.
There are many MLM opportunities offered on the internet and if this is a business you are considering, it will be important to research the company carefully before committing to the business. Some MLMs on the internet walk a very thin grey line between being a legitimate MLM and being a Pyramid scheme. An easy way to tell if the MLM opportunity is legitimate is to look at the products. The products that are sold should be able to stand on their own, be tangible, and be made of quality materials.
The cost of joining an MLM will vary, but should not exceed the cost of the products that you receive. And, you should “receive” products. An MLM that sells “education” or “information” is not selling a tangible product and must be researched thoroughly to make sure your income will not be dependent on recruiting a downline.
Some people find that they can develop a very lucrative business by selling other people’s product through a web-store. When you are considering starting this type of business, you will make more money and be able to develop a greater customer base if you keep your products in a specific niche market. For instance, selling products that are related to your hobbies or interests will make marketing your website through articles and advertising much more enjoyable.
Marketing your website is critical in establishing your presence and visibility on the internet. Developing an effective marketing strategy is going to take time and, if you choose to use an article distribution service, money. Calculating your budget for your business and defining your goals before starting your website will help you to establish a good foundation for growth.
CONCLUSION
By thoroughly investigating business opportunities that are related to your areas of interest and passions, you can effectively incorporate those things you enjoy doing most with your business. The internet is a great way to reach a global audience that has the same interests …