Before you decide to start a business
Opening your own business can be a life changing decision, so it makes sense to identify if your business idea is feasible before you quit your job, tell all your friends or invest your funds (or other people’s).
This section looks at what it takes to start and run a small business and whether your business idea will work. As a start you should download the excellent Starting a Business Guide [PDF, 2253kb] from NZTE, and complete the online training lesson Are you ready to be in business?
You should also check out the section on Cash Flow Forecasting, as not only do you want to make sure you are suitable to be in business, you also want to see if you can make a profit.
Don’t forget to talk to friends, family and any other business owners or professionals you may know who can give you good honest advice.
Starting a small business - frequently asked question
If you’re looking at starting a new business it can seem like there’s a lot to think about. These FAQs provide answers to some commonly asked questions about starting a small business.
Do you have what it takes to run your own business?
Starting your own business can be exciting and rewarding. It’s a big decision that could also affect your lifestyle and your family. Use this checklist to decide whether you have the skills, attitudes, and characteristics to run a business.
Is your business idea viable
It’s easy to come up with an idea for a business, but it makes sense to ensure that your business idea is viable before you invest too much time and money in it.
Will your business idea work
Before you set up a business it's important to assess your business idea's commercial potential. This article helps you prepare a basic start-up plan to help you work out whether your idea will work. Use these guidelines to identify your market, determine your points of difference and consider the costs involved with starting a business.
Do I need resource consent to start a business?
If you are starting or changing a business you may need to apply for resource consent. This is a good place to find out if you need resource consent and how to go about getting consent.
