So you’ve decided to turn your love for canines into a business, but now what? Starting a dog walking business is an exciting process, but it also brings challenges and potential legal obstacles in this dog-eat-dog world. Mark your territory by ensuring your legals are in order, and let your business lead the way. If you’re also wondering what other types of businesses you could start, you can also check out our comprehensive list of side hustle ideas.
If you need assistance with any aspect of your business, it is always advisable to contact a business lawyer.
How to Start a Dog Walking Business
Find the Right Business Structure
1 in 3 Australian households have a four-legged friend, so it’s no wonder dog-walking is one of the most cost-effective industries in which to start up a business. Make sure you have the right business structure to suit your goals and resources.
You should also consider registering for an Australian Business Number (ABN). The perks of registering include:
- The ability to register for GST if you expect turnover of over $75 000 per annum;
- Eligibility to register for a .com.au domain name; and
- The ability to register a business name with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC).
Can’t make heads or tails of it? LawPath provides an easy-to-use ABN Registration. If you are looking to expand your business, and have greater legal protection consider registering your company using our guide to ACN Registration.
Hiring Staff
If you’re looking to grow and expand, it is ideal to hire staff who can work for your business. Before hiring new staff, it is important to have the right documentation in place. Consider how many employees you are looking to hire and what type of employment that you will be giving them, such as:
- Full time;
- Part time;
- Casual;
- Seasonal; or
- Contractual.
For the right employment agreements for your business, LawPath provides a range of employment agreements as well as other essential employment documents.
Trademarking and Brand Awareness
For that competitive edge, why not consider a unique business name for greater brand awareness? You should register your business name with ASIC, and for greater protection, you could even trademark it. A registered trademark means a protected business name.
If you really want to get tails wagging, think about a unique logo for your business. Our experienced trademark attorneys are here to help your business transform from underdog to alpha-dog. You could even ‘wear’ your brand as you walk!
Ensuring you have Public Liability Cover
A dog-walking business must have public liability insurance in case of accident or injury to third parties. Use the LawPath Guides to discover ‘What Public Liability Insurance Covers’ and ‘Why your Business Needs It’. Insurance means you put safety first; it’s also a great way to boost your professional image.
For more details on how to effectively start up and operate a dog-walking business, contact a business lawyer.
Get your business started on the right path. Contact a LawPath consultant on 1800 529 728 to learn more about what you need to start-up your business, obtain a fixed-fee quote from our network of 700+ expert lawyers and have your legal questions answered.
