Skilled Migrant Professionals Spring 2016 | Page 22

Business

Think Outside The
Small Business Box
Five ways to help migrants start their own small business
By Richard Giannini,
Executive Director at
Mobile App City

MOST MIGRANTS COME TO AUSTRALIA to work and build a better life and for some, that
means starting a small business. This can come with big challenges, however, and an even bigger cost. From franchises to retail shops, the costs of monthly rent, staffing and other overhead
expenses can be overwhelming and pose a big financial risk. Here are five ways to help aspiring
migrants venture into the business world at a lower cost and risk.

Forget the restaurants; drive a food truck
Many migrants open restaurants in Australia, but it’s a tough business
with a lot of overheads and often tight profit margins. Did you know that
food trucks are all the rage in Australia right now? Instead of having to
raise capital to buy a franchise or start a restaurant from scratch, a food truck
gives owners the mobility to literally bring their products to their customers.
Having your own food truck also requires less staff and space, and allows for
a smaller menu.

Can’t find a job in your field?
Freelance your services. Creative types like writers, marketers and designers can freelance their services from home. If you’re in one of these
categories, not only can you dictate your own hours, but you also get to pick the amount and kind of work you will be signing on for. Freelancing doesn’t involve huge monetary investment and can even be done while maintaining another job, but an aspiring freelancer should spend
time building his or her brand to attract customers. Building a brand includes steps such as building a website where customers can easily contact you,
having an accessible portfolio of your past work and publicising your services through networking and social media sites like Twitter and Facebook.

Businesses on the go
Skilled migrants can also start their own mobile service business. Anyone from hair stylists, dog groomers, landscapers, cleaning personnel
and music teachers, can try providing their services by travelling to a client’s home for a fairly low cost.

Online or pop-up stores
Crafty migrants can sell their wares like art, clothes and more through online stores. Instead of opening a boutique, you can easily sign up
for an eBay account online and sell your products across Australia and overseas via this website.

Parents providing childcare
Day care costs today can be expensive and many couples opt to have one parent stay at home to look after the kids. Turn your decision to
stay at home into a side business by offering to care for other children as a day care or babysitting service. There are some rules around this
and in some cases you have to become licenced, but there is great demand for day care, especially with flexible options.

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www.smpmagazine.com.au | Spring 2016