Start up

Sydney startup AppealMe helps Australians get their parking fines dismissed

May 17, 2016 by Reporter Leave a Comment

The fastest and easiest way to appeal a parking ticket in Australia.

^{Founder : Matthew Malcolm}

On a sunny Sydney afternoon Matthew Malcolm and Annie Gunn received a parking ticket. They had unknowingly parked in a pay and display zone which was missing parking signs. Not knowing they were committing an offence they returned to their car and found a ticket.

Unsure of how to appeal a parking ticket, they spent that weekend researching, drafting and submitting their appeal. The appeal was a success, the ticket was dropped, and they had an idea.

Talking with friends and family it seemed this was more common than first thought.

What started as a simple side project, quickly turned into a idea to develop a platform to help all Australians contest their parking fines. With the goal of reducing the time spent researching, drafting and creating an appeal, AppealMe wanted to make it easier to contest a parking fine and to improve the chances of a successful appeal.

Video – https://vimeo.com/156070535

How AppealMe Works from AppealMe on Vimeo.

The service is free and helps you draft a professionally written appeal by analysing your circumstance, combining your details with the relevant State laws and providing recommendations to increase your chance of a successful appeal.

AppealMe covers numerous appeal situations such as a lack of parking signs, faulty ticket machines, medical emergencies, locking your keys in your vehicle and many more.

Of the services launch, AppealMe’s Founder Matthew Malcolm said, ‘For the women and men who use AppealMe, the platform represents a new and convenient way to access the law in Australia.’

With over 1.2 million tickets issued in NSW alone in FY14/15 (Source: http://www.osr.nsw.gov.au/info/statistics) the service aims to help Australians avoid paying for incorrectly issued parking tickets and to provide local councils clearer and more accurate appeals in hopes of reducing time spent on their review process.

AppealMe is now working on helping Australians contest speeding, red light and stop fines. Get special access to this new feature by visiting appealme.com.au and using the social buttons.

Start up Finances – How to get the funding you need

April 9, 2015 by Reporter Leave a Comment

You have a great idea for your new business, and you need finance to get it off the ground. All the ideas are there, but when it comes to funding, where do you turn to? There are many places where businesses can apply for start up finance. Before you can do that, you need to look at the business model to find out which funding source is best for you.

Business model

A business plan is a must before you approach any would be investor whether that is the bank or grant funding. The plan needs to be airtight including all the figures and cash flow to show growth in the business and how you expect to achieve it. A really important element is to show how strong the financial side will be and how you expect the money to propel the company and sustain it long term. Investors need to see this is not a short-term business but one where they can continue to receive a growth on their investment. Let’s have a quick look at where you can get your start-up finance from.

Grants

Depending where you live and the industry you are thinking of entering, you can apply for a grant. These can be low-interest rates on repayments. Grants can be difficult to hunt out, and you will really have to do your research.

Banks

Banks have dedicated business teams that can talk you through your plan and then can offer you money. The only issue with going straight to a bank is you are limited to their products.

Franchise

Franchises can be bought into, or you can start a franchise and reap the benefits of selling on your business model. Banks are more amiable to lending money to an established franchise meaning you are more likely to get start-up finance from them.

Business Angels

These types of loans or investments can be really hard to source. Business Angels are businessmen or women who are looking to invest their money in other companies. They all work on their own contracts, so you need to make sure you read the small print and know exactly what they expect from you and vice versa.

There is a lot to take on board when you are first starting out in business. If the finance side of it is something that you know, you will need support with why not try finding a company that will support you and your business model. There are some great virtual CFO companies offering you just what you may need when it comes to your start up finances. When looking for a firm to assist you make sure you decide beforehand what you need from them. Companies can help check out your new business idea and see if it is actually something that will work and sustain you a life – monetarily and work/ life balance. They can help assist with seeking out finance, knowing where to look as this is their job. You don’t want a company who take you on then once the finance is organised, leave you – or maybe you do! If you want or need assistance further down the line to help ensure the growth of the business, find a team who you feel comfortable can offer you that.

Finance and accountancy are a major part of any business. These are the areas that can drive your company forward and upward. Make sure you have all the help and support you need in these key areas to make yourself a success.

Start up steps for setting up new businesses

October 20, 2014 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Setting up a new company isn’t easy and making it successful is often even tougher and there are numerous things to consider, think about and evaluate. So, here are ten things that entrepreneurs learn in their first year of a start-up.

Pitches

In The first year, pitches don’t always come to fruition and contracts aren’t often earned – you’ll prepare, pitch and won’t win any contract. However, what you do get is interest, and you let people know your company exists and are doing something of note.

Mentoring is Important

You’re better off having a good mentor for a long term project than a great one off advisor. Simply, the more you meet with each other, the more you can get to grips with each other and delve into the depth of the project.

Communication

Talk to customers, clients and employees and always look for feedback – it’s helpful and allows you to see where things are falling down.

Sacrifice is Great….but

Take some time off during the week and relax. Spend time with family and don’t buy into the myth of working 7 days a week. There are negative returns in the quality of work and thought if you don’t take a break. So, work hard, but take some time off to ensure you feel human.

Branding and promotion

You need to be honest with branding and promotion and show people what you’re really about. This means there is no upheaval at a later stage, helps you create trust in people and it’s easier to promote because it’s your brand and your brand alone.

Business Types

There are all sorts of successful ways to start a business and though a high tech company is often the one people envisage when they think of start-ups, there are all sorts of other ways to begin a business. From franchising to buying and rebranding an already existing company – there are numerous ways to get started and create a buzz.

Funding

Getting people to take interest and to put up venture capital will most likely take longer than you expect, so prepare for that. Don’t spend money like it’s falling from the sky – be careful and vet everything you do.

Be Happy

You’re doing something amazing by setting up your own business and by doing so you need to celebrate and let of steam. It’s often hard to find the time to celebrate or get into the mindset of doing so, however you need to. Every little accomplishment is worth celebration, so ensure you do so.

Build a Community

Create a community rather than actively go out there and promote yourself. It’s a great way to foster influence and get people interested.

Be Grateful

Things happen, fall outs occur and people can get on each other’s nerves. A start up is a stressful way to go about business and earning a wage. However, if you’re grateful you can be sure that this will resonate with others and this will help you navigate your way through the issues and turns in the road.

So, now you know how you can get started with making that start-up a huge success a little better prepared.

Simple Business Ideas You Can Start in Your Spare Time

October 3, 2014 by Reporter Leave a Comment

Starting your own business doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact most businesses simply began as a hobby or part-time venture for their owners. You can simply start the business as a sole trader before advancing to company formation if you start to generate enough income to make it a full time job. Even if you have no intention of making that switch, there is value in exercising your entrepreneurial instincts and a lot of transferable skills which can be gained by running even the smallest of businesses. Here are just a few suggestions of simple side-line businesses which you could potentially start to fit with your interests and skills.

Computer troubleshooting

Everyone has a computer these days, but not everybody has the IT skills or knowledge to deal with any issues which arise when it doesn’t work quite as expected. If you are good with computers then you should make your services available as an IT expert – begin with friends and family then broaden your customer base and advertise your services online.

Writing/Editing/Proofreading

If you have some skills as a writer then it can be a great way to earn a little bit of extra cash on the side and can grow into a long term business. Many businesses have the need for written content – for both the sales copy of their website and for their blogs – but simply don’t have the time to write it themselves. You can offer your skills for writing this content, or even just editing and proofreading their existing content.

Homemade foods

If you’re good in the kitchen, this can be a great way to ease yourself into the lifestyle of running a business – and has proven very successful for a number of entrepreneurs. You can begin by selling your creations to friends and neighbours before branching out to local craft fairs and markets or selling online. The startup costs are low enough for ingredients and such – you just need to get the word out there to generate some business.

Window washing

There’s a reason why this business has survived for so many years, when other simple business models have been transformed by advances in technology and changing lifestyles – people just hate washing windows. If you don’t mind getting up on a ladder with a bucket of water and a sponge then you can earn a decent bit of cash from other people’s lack of motivation for this household chore.

Community newsletter

This is one which may take a while to get going, but could be good for both earning some cash and engaging your local community. Start a newsletter which details upcoming events and relevant news for the area, and once you have a good local circulation you can begin selling advertising space to local businesses. All you need for this is a computer, printer and time to research what should be included in your newsletter.

Start an ironing service

Everyone hates ironing and there a great number of people who pay to have it done for them, and others who would happily do so if they could find an affordable enough service which suited their needs. If you don’t mind doing a lot of ironing then this is a small business which will never struggle to find customers.

Offer social media services

Many small businesses want to get involved in social media activities but don’t have the means to do so. So if you know your Twitter from your Tumblr then you could offer these services to some businesses in your local area. This is convenient work as it can be done from home, with just the occasional meeting, and such online skills are always in demand as the internet becomes an increasingly important marketing tool.

Tutoring

There is always demand for tutors to help high school kids improve their grades. Did you earn a degree in a certain subject which might be useful – or do you have some practical work experience which gives you expertise in a relevant field? You can charge a very reasonable rate for an hour of tuition and help a young student improve their future opportunities.

Business cleaning services

Many businesses have property which requires professional office cleaning outwith standard office hours. If you can spare a few hours on evenings or weekends, and don’t mind cleaning, this can be a simple way to earn a little bit extra money.

Virtual assistant

With so many streams of communication available in this modern age, there are many business people who cannot afford to be switched on all the time. The constant phone calls and emails coming in can stop them working – so many hire virtual assistants who can respond to emails and take phone messages for them as well as co-ordinating their calendar for meetings etc. A great option for those who prefer to work from home.

How Pooch mobile got a jump start

September 23, 2012 by Reporter Leave a Comment

In 1985 when I was 16 I started a dog clipping and grooming service operating from my parent’s back yard.

I grew up in a self-employed family who shared my love of animals, especially dogs. With their support and guidance and a lot of determination, I went into business by myself. I was lucky to be doing something I loved and earning money from it.

Mobile Hydrobath For dogs

My business grew rapidly with demand from further afield, so when I was 21 I expanded the service to include mobile hydro bathing, travelling to customer’s homes to wash and pamper the family dog.

I launched the business as a single mobile hydrobath in 1991 and once people saw the benefits to their dogs, success was instant. I created and launched the Aussie Pooch Mobile Pty Ltd in 1992 and was the first person to franchise a mobile dog washing business in the world.

After success in Australia, I realised a global need for my business so after more research, I launched as ‘The Pooch Mobile’ overseas. There are currently Pooch Mobile franchises in the UK, Malaysia, New Zealand, New Caledonia and the USA, with a total of almost 200 operators worldwide.

Expanding into dog business

I am able to anticipate customer’s needs, which has helped me maintain success for 21 years, through recessions, ups and downs and other concerns that crop up in business.

Franchising with APM has a twofold Small business benefit. Franchisees are able to build a successful business while doing something they are passionate about and earn a great income. Franchising with Aussie Pooch sees you working for yourself but not by yourself.

I’ve expanded with demand. APM is actively involved in the community, has initiated fundraising ventures and developed our own line of dog care products and doggy treats.

This is essential to business considering the increasing number of people using at-home services, which is a trend that will continue. That means I will always be looking at keeping up with what my customer’s want. It also means I will need more franchisees to keep up with this demand.

This article is part of the “New small business start up series” . Guest post for www.AussiePoochMobile.com.au by Jane Keighley

Kick start your Start-ups in Australia

June 20, 2012 by Reporter Leave a Comment

The “start up scene in Australia” is being noticed by the big players in US , judging by the big Amounts of funding some of the luckier start-ups in Australia have received recently.

Aussie start- ups Bringing in investor’s

While start-up companies and new businesses coming into the news are quite Normal, most of the recent media news and releases recently has been more partial to the “ technology start ups” as the preferred favoured sector, which is actually booming and garnering a lot of attention.

The start up scene in Australia has been quite slack since a long time , but suddenly there are million dollar takeover happening in small aussie start ups , possibly due to US investors taking advantage of our dollar as well as the weak economic activity in the US

Mike Cannon-Brookes and Scott Farquhar (pictured) from software tools maker and start up Atlassian, that received a $68 million cash injection recently.

Start up helpers and angel investors

There are now more easier methods for getting cash injection for tech start ups. While traditionally this was done by banks( which was quite difficult to get finance sometimes for start ups), nowadays its easier to get a venture capitalist , angel investors or a private investment bank or even crowd sourcing helping out your start up monetarily.

If your start-up is a promising new tech start up it can just be bought up or taken over by a major organisation as well, which is proven by the wallmart buy out of local start up company (grabble ). some of the cash injection investment helpers for tech start ups are listed below

Pollenizer

Key people: Mick Liubinskas and Phil Morle

Pollenizer transforms ideas into global web businesses. They invest team, process and capital and collaborate with gutsy entrepreneurs to launch startups.

http://pollenizer.com/

Future Capital

Key people: Domenic Carosa, Andrew Fiori-Dea, Danny Wallis, Tony Stephen, Irwin Saunders and Bill Kyriacou.

Future Capital has 14 businesses in its portfolio — five in Sydney and five in Melbourne, with the others spread across different parts of the country.

PushStart

Key people: Kim Heras and Roger Kermode

Start up Mentoring network PushStart recently unveiled eight start-ups that will take part in its first accelerator program.

Startmate

Key people: Co-founders David Jones and Nicki Scevak.

Startmate has been a very integral part of promoting Australia’s most promising tech businesses. Their four start-ups last year managed to attract external funding, with one, Grabble, even being acquired by US retail behemoth Wal Mart.

AngelCube

Key people: Andrew Birt, Andrew Stone and Richie Khoo.

AngelCube is a newer start-up incubator in Australia, who recently chose its first four start-ups, each getting $20,000 each in seed capital.

Their recent start ups are RentWant.com, Lexim.com.au, TestPilot.me and Goodfil.ms

Kickstarter – Your Investment banker / Venture capitalist Alternative

This site first began as a way for people to raise money for quirky projects like pop-up wedding chapels, around-the-world boating trips and offbeat documentaries, it quickly expanded to include video game production, feature films and innovative new gadgets.

They have now also backed up projects like the Elevation dock, a sleek stand for the iPhone, or Brydge, which turns an iPad into a laptop resembling the MacBook Air.

Kickstarter has raised more than $200 million for 20,000 projects

http://www.kickstarter.com/

When Eric Migicovsky, an engineer, wanted to develop a wristwatch that could display information from an iPhone – like caller ID and text messages – he went the traditional route of asking venture capitalists to finance his company. He failed to get any interest from them to develop his this product now called “the Pebble watch”.

He gave Kickstarter a go, a site where ordinary people back creative projects. Backers could pledge $99 and were promised a Pebble watch in return. Less than two hours after the project went up on the site, Mr. Migicovsky and his partners hit their goal of $100,000.

This project got so much interest from “KICKSTARTER” It was not before long they managed to get $600,0000 and then a record million dollars in funding.

Other sites offering Crowd funding or financing through a crowd

Other sites for financing through a crowd have appeared. There’s CROWDTILT, a service that lets friends contribute money for outings like a beach vacation; Zokos, a start-up that gives guests a way to pitch in for a dinner party; and Gambitious, a financing site devoted to indie game developers,

Wide range of sectors including Aviation, Construction, Property, Energy, Film, Finance, Food, Medical, Retail, Telecoms and Tourism have still to rely on the traditional banks form of investment while tech start-ups are the new darlings of the venture capitalists and angel investors.

The Australian government have also been pro-active with new business entrepreneurs over the past few years, with moves such as the “Entrepreneur Tax Discount” reducing the amounts of taxes for small business start-ups as they get established. But with recent changes, there is no guarantee these rebates will stay.

Start up

Sydney startup AppealMe helps Australians get their parking fines dismissed