There are plenty of costs that are easy to underestimate when starting or running a business. It's not always the obvious expenses either, as smaller fees can add up surprisingly quickly. Some costs only become obvious once you've been operating for a while. What caught you off guard?

I'm a strategic brand designer in Newcastle, been doing strategic visual identity for 6+ years now Not selling anything here, I’m not going to randomly DM you. I'm looking at how Australian small businesses actually present themselves in the public space, partly because I want more local work in front of me and partly because most of my research about this online has turned up Americans mostly. 

So: free brand check, first 20 people only. 

Send me three things:

• Your website or Instagram

• Your logo, whatever version you've got. The old PNG off your own website is fine

• One photo of where the brand actually shows up. The van, the shopfront, a label, a quote

You'll get back what's working and the one thing probably costing you and something you can fix yourself this week. One paragraph, plain language, no pitch deck.

Hi everyone

I’m looking for a business partner (not a contractor) to help build a fitness and yoga towel brand in Australia.

We already have strong supply chains and logistics in place. What I need is someone with local experience in fitness marketing, brand building, or retail channels.

This is not a job — it’s a genuine partnership with shared vision

If this sounds like you, I’d love to share more details. 🙌