Our Voice

Many of us leave school having learned how Pythagoras measured the area of a triangle but with no financial smarts, and don’t know anything about compound interest, superannuation or how to invest.

Let’s change that shall we?

When building a company from scratch, two questions will pop up pretty soon into the process: how hard you should work on the idea, and when you should do that work.

There’s a dawning realisation in the startup sphere that burnout is a real threat for entrepreneurs, and employees are incredibly eager to join businesses with a nimble approach to working hours, especially if this means dodging a five-day work week in favour of other arrangements.

Ever been hit by a snowball to the face? Yeah, it stings. Tell you what else stings? Pulling 70-hour weeks while your mates are out partying, gallivanting the globe, or bingeing on the next must-see Netflix series.

In the not-too-distant past, I was an ambitious 22-year old-who had dropped out of my fourth university degree with about $300 in my bank account. My circle of friends was either backpacking the world dodging responsibility, pissing their wage up the wall on a Saturday night, or working in hospitality, spending their hard-earned cash on full-priced Zimmermann and endless cheese platters. Crazytown.

I, on the (very) other hand, didn’t just drop out of university to go down any of those particularly fun routes. I dropped out of university because I was confused about my future. And so, with no money, no experience and no bloody idea, I decided to start my own business.

Women in small business have a lot to add to the political debate as well as a responsibility to make a contribution.

Despite having jam packed ‘to do’ lists and lots going on, many business owners will inevitably think, ‘Jeez this running a business thing is lonely business.’

A lack of support, a feeling that everything rests on their shoulders, and a sense that there is no one there for them are often fuelling these feelings of isolation.

From the boardroom to home, there is no doubt there are more opportunities than ever to stay connected. 

So you've got a brilliant idea for a business. Now what?

Getting a business off the ground isn't just about finding start-up money. Behind the scenes you've got to be able to live and ensure your personal finances don't go backwards.

There’s a new force emerging in the business world that not many people are talking about yet, but I think will be on the radar pretty soon: women who have paid their dues in the corporate world and at the age of about 35 decide to strike out on their own and start a business.

Middle-aged women are often successful due to having worked so long to get where they are. They’ve been in the trenches, they’ve made all the mistakes, and now they’re reaping the benefits of their struggles.

While the highly effective habits of good managers tend be overlooked, the traits of bad managers are engraved in our memories. Here are seven habits of the highly effective you can incorporate into your workplace.

When you’re starting a business, the checklist is familiar and well-worn.
World-beating idea: check. 
Finance and line of credit: check.
Office or factory premises rented: check.
Professional advisers hired: check.
Insurance cover: check.
Except, perhaps, for that last item.