Hi Phil

PJ >Not at all. I was merely looking for peoples advice. 
PJ >Actually I have already started my business and its going 
PJ >great. I did it all with my own money (Austudy) which is 
PJ >not easy with a wife and 3 kids..

Congratulations!  This is the hard way all right.  Our country needs 
more people to have a go if we are not to become the "poor white trash 
of Asia".


PJ >BM>My advice is to network with others of similar interests and
PJ >BM>learn from their experience.  Quite some time ago Tessa on this
PJ >BM>BBS mentioned a small business group she belongs to.  You may
PJ >BM>want to try something like that to find others with similar
PJ >BM>interests.  If you give us an idea of the business you plan to
PJ >start, we can give more specific advice. My business is the Health
PJ >and Fitness/Self Defence  business. Some advice on TAx and some good
PJ >financial  software would be great :-)

I don't know anything useful about your business area.  I presume you 
have looked for any professional associations, plus cold-called sports 
clubs etc that might benefit from your service/product.

Many people hate cold-calling, but it is often the most effective way to 
get a business going.  You just have to keep trying and accept/learn 
from the knockbacks.  Actually, this is an excellent way to fine tune 
your business to provide what people actually want - not what you want 
to sell.  There is a big difference, as I am sure you have discovered.

As for software, look into Quick Books which is a business version of 
Quicken.  A friend of mine uses it for his business and swears by it.  I 
use Quicken, which works OK for me.  There is also a good Quicken SIG, 
plus several good sources of help on the BBS.  Graham Committi is one 
such person.

Re tax:  An important issue is are you a sole trader, or a company and 
does your wife participate in the business?  Being a company is probably 
better for you, but I am not an expert.  This is such an important area 
that you should get professional help.  Unfortunately that will cost, 
unless you have a friend or relation who is a lawyer or accountant.  
There are also personal liability issues to consider, plus the multitude 
of regulations to wade through.  Don't just neglect this if your 
business has the potential to cause personal injury (and possible 
litigation).

Good luck.  Hope we see you listed on the ASX one day!  Will expect a 
discount on share purchases 

Rgds

Bob
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