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Running a business is a continuous learning process, but you don’t have to do it alone. Getting advice from reliable sources can help you avoid costly mistakes, saving you time, money, and even your business.
Starting a small business isn’t easy, but having the right support can make all the difference.
So, where do you begin? Let’s break it down!
Get Help With Starting A Small Business (Without Feeling Overwhelmed!)
Nobody has all the answers when it comes to starting a small business — but you don’t need to. What’s crucial is knowing where to find the right information and expertise.
Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of not seeking the right help at the right time, which can jeopardise their business. While doing your own research is valuable, investing time and resources to fully understand how to run your business can help you avoid costly pitfalls — like poor record-keeping or mismanaging cash flow.
One of the most common oversights is neglecting the legal side of the business. Every year, small business owners lose anywhere from several thousand to tens of thousands of dollars simply because they underestimated legal requirements. Don’t make this mistake yourself — learn from the experiences of your predecessors and secure trusted legal advice.
Legal Help For Small Businesses: What You Need To Know
No matter what kind of business you plan on starting, legal factors will always play a role in it. That’s why, all business owners need to have a strong source for legal support, as legal factors aren’t just present in the business, they play a significant factor in determining the strength and protection your business has.
From protecting your business name and unique logo through trademarking, to making sure you have the right contracts in place that help secure your revenue streams, limit your liabilities and secure your rights, legal factors are present in almost all elements of running a business.
Therefore, having a strong legal presence in your business gives it the best chance of survival in your business. However, many business owners don’t know where to begin seeking the right kind of legal support for their business. After all , different businesses have differing legal needs. However, there’s one place you should always start – the beginning.
How To Get Help Choosing The Right Business Structure
One of the first decisions you will make for your business is determining the structure it will have, as you typically can’t start trading until you have registered your business under a structure. It’s also one of the most important decisions you will make, as it affects legal liability, taxation, and your business’s ability to grow.
The business structure you choose will set the foundation for your business, influencing key factors such as liability, legal protection, and expansion potential. While many Australian business owners commonly adopt the sole trader structure, partnership and company structures are also widely used. Here’s what you need to know about them:
Sole Trader: A sole trader business is free and easy to register, making it a common choice. You simply need to acquire an ABN and register a business name. However, sole trader businesses are legally attached to their owners, meaning the owner is personally liable for all business debts and obligations due to this lack of legal separation.
Partnership: Partnership businesses are similar to sole trader businesses in terms of registration and legal protection. To register a partnership, the business must obtain an ABN and register a business name. However, all partners share liability for the entire business, as it is legally attached to every single partner.
Company: A company differs from the two structures above as it is a separate legal entity, offering the business owner legal protection and limited liability. However, setting up a company is generally more complex and costly compared to a sole trader or partnership.
It’s important to understand what each business structure offers and where its limitations lie before making a decision. Generally, for serious business ventures, we recommend a company structure, as it provides the most legal protection and allows for better future growth opportunities — such as bringing in investors or opening a franchise.
Since choosing a business structure has long-term legal and financial implications, it’s always best to seek expert legal advice. A legal professional can assess your potential risks, future goals, and guide you in the right direction — plus, they can help you set everything up correctly!
How Do I Get Financial Help Starting A Small Business?
One of the most common questions we get from aspiring small business owners is: How do I get funding for my business?
Starting a business doesn’t necessarily mean you need to drain your savings. In fact, there are several ways to raise money for your small business — you just need to determine which option best suits your needs. Many business owners explore options such as raising capital, crowdfunding, or bootstrapping. Others may consider offering SAFE notes or shares to employees. Understanding your funding options is the first step:
- A Loan: Traditional bank loans, business loans, or government grants
- Crowdfunding: Raising funds through platforms like Kickstarter or GoFundMe
- Raising Capital: Seeking investors who provide funding in exchange for equity
- Bootstrapping: Using personal savings or revenue generated by the business
Whichever route you choose, it’s essential to do your research, read the fine print, assess the risks, and fully understand your obligations. While crowdfunding and loans may seem like easy solutions, each comes with specific expectations and responsibilities that you must be prepared to meet.
Preparing Your Business for Investment
If you’re considering bringing in investors and raising capital, your small business must be set up correctly to support this. This includes:
- Choosing the right business structure (e.g., setting up a company)
- Drafting key legal agreements such as NDAs and Term Sheets
- Ensuring compliance with regulations and investor expectations
Seeking professional legal advice can help ensure that your business is structured correctly and legally protected before securing funding.
How Much Money Do You Really Need To Start A Small Business?
You may have come across articles claiming that you can start a business with little to no cost. But in reality, turning your dream into a business often requires essential equipment, materials, and resources — which can be expensive. Every business has different financial needs, so researching your industry and understanding actual startup costs is crucial.
The best way to determine how much you really need to start your small business is through thorough research and careful planning. Ideally, this should be done before launching your business, as you create a business plan for your new venture. It’s important to be as detailed and precise as possible so you can be fully prepared.
Consider key factors such as:
- Equipment costs
- Cash flow requirements
- Marketing expenses
- Employee onboarding costs
Don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for extra guidance. The better prepared you are, the smoother your journey will be in navigating the business landscape.
Can The Government Help Small Businesses? Here’s What’s Available
When starting a small business, it can be challenging to find reliable and trustworthy sources of funding and support. One potential avenue is exploring government-funded or approved grants, which can provide financial assistance to help your business grow and succeed.
Not all businesses will qualify for government grants, as eligibility depends on several factors, including:
- Industry: Some grants are tailored to specific industries, such as renewable energy, technology, or manufacturing.
- Business Size: Certain grants are designed for startups, small businesses, or larger enterprises, depending on their stage of growth.
- Location: Many grants are region-specific, meaning businesses in particular states or territories may have access to exclusive funding opportunities.
For example, there may be grants available for businesses in the solar power industry located in New South Wales, or funding targeted at startups in regional areas.
Staying Informed About Grant Opportunities
Government grants and funding programs are constantly evolving, with new opportunities emerging regularly. To maximise your chances of securing funding, it’s essential to:
- Stay updated on newly available grants by regularly checking official government websites and funding databases.
- Read the eligibility criteria carefully to ensure your business meets all requirements before applying.
- Prepare thorough applications, including detailed business plans and financial projections, to strengthen your case for funding.
Taking the time to explore grant opportunities can provide significant financial support and resources to help your business succeed.
Grants And Programs Finder Tool
To make the search process easier, consider using a Grants And Programs Finder Tool, which allows you to filter and discover funding options tailored to your business needs.
Can AI Help My Small Business?
It’s a question on everyone’s mind — can AI help me? If you’re a business owner, you may be wondering whether AI can support your small business operations.
The short answer is yes — but with caution. While AI can be a powerful tool for automation, efficiency, and productivity, it’s equally important to understand its limitations and risks.
For example, if you’re using AI to design a logo for your business, you should be aware that AI-generated designs often incorporate elements from existing works. This means you’ll need to carefully review the terms and conditions of the AI tool you’re using and ensure your logo does not closely resemble someone else’s copyrighted work — otherwise, you could face legal disputes.
The same principle applies to AI-generated content and research. While AI can speed up tasks like content creation, idea generation, and data analysis, it’s crucial to add a human touch and verify accuracy. AI tools are not always perfect, and relying on them without oversight can lead to misinformation, ethical concerns, or unintended errors.
Ultimately, AI can be a valuable asset to your business, but success comes from knowing when, where, and how to use it effectively. A balanced approach — combining AI with human expertise — will yield the best results.
Where To Find Ongoing Support For Your Small Business
Support isn’t just for those starting a business — it’s something you’ll need at every stage. As your small business grows, new challenges and opportunities will come up, and having the right people in your corner can make all the difference. Rather than figuring everything out on your own, it helps to have trusted experts and resources to lean on.
Running a business means juggling a lot of moving parts, and legal stuff is just one of them. That’s why we’ve made it easy to get the legal support you need, when you need it. With our membership platform, you can create legal documents for free, book appointments with legal experts at your convenience, and get guidance without the stress.
You don’t have to be an expert in everything to run a successful business — you just need to know where to turn when you need help. Having the right experts on your side can make things easier, save you time, and help you avoid costly mistakes.
Free Small Business Tools & Resources To Help You Get Started
Still not sure where to start? No worries — we’ve got you covered with some extra resources.
If you want to dive deeper into the legal side of starting a business, check out our free guide here.
We’ve also put together some helpful articles you might find useful:
- Legal Aspects Of Starting A Small Business
- What You Need To Know About Raising Capital
- Steps To Incorporate Your Small Business In Australia
- Do Startup Founders Need Official Contracts In 2025?
- 10 Common Mistakes Small Businesses Make
- 5 Unfair Business Practices To Avoid In Australia In 2025
If you have any questions, we are here to help!
Key Takeaways
When starting a small business, seeking expert help is always a smart move. To summarise what we’ve discussed:
- Starting a business is a learning process, and having the right support can help you avoid costly mistakes, saving time and money.
- Legal considerations are essential — from choosing the right business structure to securing trademarks and contracts, expert guidance is crucial.
- Funding options vary, including loans, crowdfunding, capital raising, and bootstrapping — each with its own risks and benefits.
- Government grants and programs can provide financial support, but eligibility depends on factors like industry, size, and location.
- AI can be useful for automation and content creation, but business owners should be aware of its limitations, especially regarding intellectual property.
- Ongoing support is key — business owners benefit from legal memberships, networking, and expert advice to navigate challenges as they grow.
- Access to free small business tools and resources can make the startup process smoother and more manageable.
If you need help with starting your small business, you can reach us at 1800 730 617 or team@sprintlaw.com.au for a free, no-obligations chat.
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