Business Maxims

Picking the right business structure

MAX NEWNHAM Make sure your business structure is right when you first start your business to avoid paying too much tax.

Friends and business

Don't stretch the friendship

MARIA NGUYEN Make sure everyone knows where they stand before starting your new venture, writes Maria Nguyen.

Export and Import

The taxing issue of doing business in China

JULIANNE DOWLING It's the land of opportunity - but China's tax laws can be a trap for the unwary.

Brat business booms

JULIANNE DOWLING 'Brat camps' are becoming an attractive business concept for entrepreneurs.

Rebuilding

Brewery rises from Black Saturday ashes

JAMES SMITH Amber liquid is flowing again at the Hargreaves Hill brewery, six months after it was destroyed by Victoria's worst bush-fires.

Funding

Business angels

KRISTEN LE MESURIER When it comes to raising money, small business owners haven’t had it this tough for years. Yet there is one source of money in increasing supply: angel investors.

Legals

Start me up: don't go in without protection

ANNELI KNIGHT It's vital to get your idea, legals and plans in order from the beginning, writes Anneli Knight.

Start-up

The secret to surviving your first three years

ANN-MAREE MOODIE Businesses tell how they managed - and what they learned - in the first, second and third years of their start-ups.

Inventions

Brain drain hits start-up

KRISTEN LE MESURIER This time last year Emotiv Systems were on track to unleash their invention - a brain-reading headset - onto the video gaming market. But things haven't quite gone to plan.

Sentiment

SMEs gear up for growth

CHRIS ZAPPONE Milder-then-expected downturn has small to medium sized businesses gearing up for growth, according to data contained in a report.

Ideas

Learning to play the game

LARISSA HAM It has taken young inventor Emily McDonald eight years to get her new board game, Oz Crawl, from the drawing board to store shelves around the country.

Fast Starters

Sex still sells in an economic splash-down

CHRIS ZAPPONE A portaloo provider and sex toy marketer join the 2009 BRW Fast Starters list this year, reflecting the shake-up caused by the global financial crisis.

Start-ups

Know your worth and stay positive

ANNELI KNIGHT Novice entrepreneurs should be realistic, prepared and focused on what they can offer, writes Anneli Knight.

Entrepreneurs

Savvy partners restructure to suit economy

ANNELI KNIGHT The economic climate has worked in the favour of these two entrepreneurs.

Growth

How to grow an idea

DAVID WILSON There is no formula for hot ideas. You have to learn to recognise them - and learn how to act on them, says start-up guru, John English.

legal matters

At all costs avoid courting with disaster

MEGAN JOHNSTON Expert advice on the law from the start can help you keep out of trouble, writes Megan Johnston.

grants

Innovation funds lock out innovators

PETER VOGEL The Government's new 'green' grants miss the mark, writes Peter Vogel.

self-employed

Happiness is ... your own business

ROSS GITTINS Being your own boss is more satisfying, especially if you are a woman, writes Ross Gittins.

success

Start-up wonders

JULIANNE DOWLING Do you have what it takes to establish a start-up or franchise? We speak to the industry's success stories.