Build Your Business From The Ground Up
Starting a business isn't just about having a good idea anymore. You need working knowledge of financial systems, regulatory requirements, and practical operations that actually keep things running.
Our program started in 2019 when three Melbourne-based entrepreneurs noticed something odd. People were launching ventures with solid products but collapsing within eighteen months because they couldn't manage cash flow or understand their tax obligations.
We built this program for people who want to run sustainable businesses in Australia. Not get-rich-quick schemes. Just real skills for real challenges you'll face when you're three months in and wondering why your profit margins don't match your projections.
What You'll Actually Learn
We focus on the financial and operational foundations that matter when you're running your own show.
Financial Literacy
Understanding cash flow statements, profit and loss reports, and balance sheets.
How to read what your accountant sends you and make decisions based on actual numbers rather than gut feeling.
Business Structure
Choosing between sole trader, partnership, company, or trust structures.
Tax implications for each setup and when it makes sense to transition from one to another as you grow.
Operations Management
Setting up systems for invoicing, expense tracking, and payroll.
Creating processes that don't require you to personally touch every transaction once you start scaling.
Compliance Basics
GST registration, BAS lodgement, and superannuation obligations.
What you need to know about Australian business regulations without becoming a legal expert.
Funding Options
Traditional loans, alternative financing, and bootstrapping strategies.
When to pursue external funding and when to grow organically with your existing resources.
Growth Planning
Financial forecasting and scenario modeling for expansion decisions.
How to evaluate whether hiring, new locations, or product lines make financial sense before committing.
Real Scenarios, Not Theory
Every module includes case studies from Australian businesses that have faced specific challenges. We look at what worked, what failed, and why.
You'll work through simulations based on actual financial data from retail, services, and product-based businesses. Calculate break-even points, manage seasonal cash flow variations, and plan for unexpected expenses.
The Brisbane café that expanded too quickly. The Sydney consultancy that structured their pricing wrong. The Perth manufacturer who nearly collapsed before fixing their inventory management. These aren't cautionary tales—they're learning tools.
Who's Teaching This
Our instructors run their own businesses or work directly with small business owners. They understand the difference between textbook advice and what actually happens when you're making decisions with your own money on the line.
Freja Lindholm
Financial Planning & Structure
Ran a design consultancy for eight years before transitioning to teaching. Specializes in helping creative professionals understand their finances without getting overwhelmed by spreadsheets.
Vesna Đurić
Compliance & Regulations
Former business advisor with the ATO. Breaks down tax obligations and regulatory requirements into language that makes sense if you don't have an accounting background.
Siobhan Gallagher
Operations & Systems
Built and sold two e-commerce businesses. Focuses on creating operational processes that scale without requiring massive teams or complex software.
Annika Sørensen
Growth & Funding
Works with early-stage businesses on financial modeling and growth strategies. Has helped over forty Australian startups secure funding or structure profitable growth paths.
How This Program Differs
| Aspect | Traditional Business Courses | Our Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | General business theory and marketing | Financial operations and compliance specific to Australian businesses |
| Practical Work | Hypothetical case studies | Real financial data from actual businesses with outcomes documented |
| Instructors | Academic backgrounds | Active business owners and former regulators |
| Materials | Standardized textbooks | Updated quarterly based on regulatory changes and participant feedback |
| Timeline | Fixed semesters | Flexible pacing with checkpoints every three weeks |
| Support | Office hours by appointment | Discussion forums monitored daily plus monthly group sessions |
Your Learning Path
The program runs for nine months starting July 2026. We meet online twice monthly for live sessions, with self-paced work between meetings.
Months 1-3: Foundations
Financial statements, business structures, and basic compliance requirements. You'll complete a financial health assessment of a real business.
Months 4-6: Operations
Setting up systems, managing cash flow, and handling growth decisions. Build a complete operational framework for your own business concept.
Months 7-9: Strategy
Financial forecasting, funding options, and scaling strategies. Present a twelve-month business plan with supporting financial models.
Applications for the July 2026 cohort open in March. We accept thirty participants to keep group discussions productive and ensure everyone gets individual attention during sessions.
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