Business Know How

Understanding Small Business Definitions in Australia: Legal and Practical Insights In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the varied definitions of small business in Australian law. From the Fair Work Act Australian Taxation Office, Australian Securities and Investments Commission, and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commiss...

Avoiding Misleading and Deceptive Conduct in Australian Business Practices In this episode of Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush, a seasoned lawyer with over 30 years of experience, delves into Australian consumer law, focusing on how businesses can avoid misleading and deceptive conduct. Melissa explains the importance of honest advertising an...

Valuing Partnership Exits: Lessons from Major Court Cases In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush delves into the legal intricacies of valuing a partner's interest upon their exit from a business. The discussion is anchored around the Trident OST Wide Proprietary Limited v. Bag Corp Proprietary Limited case, exploring how partnership agreements and independent valuations play criti...

In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush provides practical legal guidance on handling unfair dismissal for Australian small businesses. Melissa explains the concept of unfair dismissal under the Fair Work Act of 2009, detailing who is protected and the conditions under which an unfair dismissal claim can be made. The episode includes a real-life case study involving a barista and a...

Navigating Retail Lease Assignments: Key Legal Insights for Australian Businesses In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush delves into the complexities of transferring retail leases in Australia. The discussion is centered around the legal requirements and potential pitfalls involved in lease assignments, using the case of Harborside Catering Proprietary Limited against TMG Developm...

Mastering Legal Essentials: Insights from Southern Sydney Entrepreneurs In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush shares crucial legal insights inspired by a conversation with Paul Rigg, a Southern Sydney business owner. Paul and his wife, Mel, run the Starting Block Swim School and Scarborough Fair Escape Rooms. Topics covered include zoning laws, insurance, tax implications, commer...

Navigating Dual Business Ventures: From Swim School Beginnings to Escape Room Success In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush interviews Paul Rigg, a multi-talented entrepreneur who runs both Starting Blocks Swim School and Scarborough Fair Escape Rooms in Southern Sydney. Paul discusses the inception and growth of his businesses, starting with a swim school inspired by a personal...

Estate Planning for Business Owners In this episode of Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush, a seasoned lawyer, delves into the critical topic of estate planning for business owners. Melissa emphasizes the importance of having a comprehensive estate plan to minimize risks, ensure business continuity, and protect assets. The episode covers key com...

The Critical Importance of Business Succession Planning In this episode of Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush delves into the vital topic of business succession planning. Melissa explains the importance of having a clear succession plan, highlighting scenarios like the sudden death, illness, retirement, or fallout among business partners that c...

Navigating 2025 Legal Reforms: Key Updates for Australian Small Businesses In this episode of Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush discusses the significant legal changes affecting small businesses in 2025 and beyond. Key topics include the criminalization of wage theft, employees' right to disconnect, employment reclassification deadlines, casua...

Navigating Business Legalities: Lessons from Steve's Journey In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush provides practical legal insights for Australian businesses, drawing on the experiences of Steve Hart. Melissa emphasizes the importance of formalizing business relationships, conducting due diligence for branding, handling cease and desist letters properly, carefully reviewing comm...

Mastering Business Legally: Insights with Steve Hart In this episode of Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush interviews her long-time friend and entrepreneur, Steve Hart. With a rich history in various business ventures, Steve shares his journey from running a music school to owning a cafe, and his current roles in journalism and the entertainmen...

Mastering Lease Disputes: Key Legal Insights for Australian Businesses In this episode of 'Business Know How: Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses,' host Melissa Bush tackles critical legal issues surrounding lease disputes. Drawing on real-world cases, including Maroubra Pool Cafe Proprietary Limited vs. Remon Proprietary Limited, and Shimon Proprietary Limited vs. Park Proprietary...

Understanding Director's Duties: Essential Legal Insights for Australian Business Owners In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush breaks down the legal obligations of company directors under Australian law. Melissa, a seasoned lawyer with over 30 years of experience, explains who qualifies as a director, including legal, de facto, and shadow directors, and why it matters. She covers...

In this episode of 'Business Know How,' host Melissa Bush, a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, dives into the crucial topic of debt recovery for small businesses. Melissa outlines essential strategies for recovering unpaid debts, including initial follow-ups, reminder letters, and the escalation to formal legal action. She also emphasizes the importance of knowing your customer, conducting...

Understanding Personal Guarantees for Company Directors: Lessons from the TW Timber Case In this episode of Business Knowhow, host Melissa Bush, a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, discusses the intricacies of personal guarantees for company directors. Using the recent court case TW Timber Treatment Proprietary Limited vs. Giddings as an example, she highlights the risks directors face when...

Protecting Your Business Brand: Legal Essentials for Australian Entrepreneurs In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush, a seasoned lawyer with over 30 years of experience, provides practical legal insights into branding for Australian businesses. From choosing a unique business name and logo to registering trademarks with IP Australia, Melissa covers the essential steps to legally p...

Navigating Business Structures and Legal Considerations for Australian Businesses In this episode of Business Know How Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush explores the complexities of transitioning from a sole trader to a company structure, focusing on the journey and decisions of a business owner named Natalie. Key topics include the benefits of incorporation, su...

Navigating the Legal Landscape of Business with Studio Sydney Group: In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush, an accomplished lawyer, delves into the business journey of Natalie Hennessy, founder of the Studio Sydney Group. Hennessy shares her motivations for starting the business, the critical steps taken to turn her vision into reality, and the legal aspects she had to navigate,...

Understanding and Navigating Standard Form Contracts for Australian Businesses In this episode of 'Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses,' host Melissa Bush discusses standard form contracts, common in business-to-business relationships. She highlights their efficiency and risks, particularly unfair terms favoring the more powerful party. Melissa explains the 2023 r...

Understanding Employment Types and Legal Obligations for Australian Businesses In this episode of Business Know How, Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses, host Melissa Bush breaks down the complexities of engaging staff legally and effectively. With over 30 years of legal experience, Melissa offers practical guidance on the different employment types—casual, part-time, and full-time—...

Navigating the Purchase of an Existing Business: Key Legal Insights In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush provides a comprehensive guide to buying an existing business in Australia. She discusses the critical steps involved, such as understanding what you're buying, the difference between asset sales and share sales, and what should be included in the business sale contract. Meli...

Mastering Business Success with George Zenon: From Sales Strategies to Overcoming Common Pitfalls In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush is joined by multi-award-winning business coach George Zenon. They delve into the biggest mistakes business owners make, strategies for overcoming early fears and roadblocks, and essential techniques to ensure business success. George shares insi...

Navigating Commercial Leasing for Australian Businesses In this episode of 'Business Know How: Practical Legal Insights for Australian Businesses,' host Melissa Bush, a lawyer with over 30 years of experience, delves into the complexities of securing a lease for your business premises. Melissa discusses essential considerations such as choosing the right location, negotiating lease terms, and unde...

Mastering Business Contracts: Key Principles for Australian Businesses In this episode of Business Know How, host Melissa Bush, a seasoned lawyer with 30 years of experience, breaks down the essential elements of contracts for Australian businesses. Melissa discusses critical components such as offer, acceptance, consideration, intention to create legal relations, legal capacity, and genuine conse...