Who this is for
You have a concrete business idea — perhaps a café, a trade service, a retail shop, or a professional practice — and you are about to register with the ATO, sign a lease, or take your first deposit. You have not run a business before and want a knowledgeable sounding board before committing to costly decisions.
What you receive
Over three sessions, we work through:
- Business structure — sole trader, partnership, or company, with plain-language explanation of liability, tax, and co-founder implications.
- 12-month cash forecast — a spreadsheet you can share with your accountant, covering setup costs, operating expenses, and personal drawings.
- Operational checklist — registrations, insurance types relevant to your industry, and a timeline for your first three months.
What is not included
This package does not include legal document drafting, tax return preparation, or ongoing bookkeeping. We refer you to qualified professionals where specialist advice is needed and help you prepare the right questions for those conversations.
How it works
Session 1 (Week 1): You share your business concept, target customers, and any commitments already made (lease signed, equipment ordered). We map decisions still open and prioritise by risk.
Session 2 (Week 3): We build your cash forecast together. You leave with a working document and a list of assumptions to validate (supplier quotes, insurance premiums, permit fees).
Session 3 (Week 6): We review progress, refine the forecast with any new information, and produce your operational checklist with target dates.
Provider
Sessions are led by Elena Vasquez, principal advisor at Dogwood Path Advisory. Elena has advised over 120 first-time founders since 2019, primarily in retail, hospitality, trades, and professional services across Western Australia.
Preparation
Before your first session, gather any quotes, lease drafts, or supplier agreements you already have. A rough idea of your personal living costs for the first year is also helpful.
Next step
Contact us to schedule an initial 20-minute conversation. There is no charge for this call, and it helps us confirm the advisory package fits your situation.