Carbery

We have been in SE Qld since October 2005 eventually buying a business and settling on the Gold Coast.

1. We owned a retail business in Bournemouth for 18 years, looked at other types of retail outlets but settled for 'the devil you know' eventually.

2. In the newsagency business all agents have territories so all are established businesses if any new newsagents or other store such as supermarkets open in my territory they are 'sub agents ' of mine with me supplying them (and taking a cut of their profits). With this in mind the only way to make money is buy an 'A' grade newsagency (one with a territory)

3. We were lucky and found a business that the vendor wanted out of, he did not know what he was doing and the business needed someone with experience. We have increased turnover, profit margin, and footfall by over 15% since taking over.

4. Suppliers love forms! I lost count of the amount of application forms that had to be submitted at first but once a contract is given its pretty much plain sailing. One of the major publishers have a clause in their contracts stating a 'Certificate 4 in retail management' is a pre requisite for supply which I had to get (5 day course, $1500).

5. I dont think the criteria is a problem for us. We are employing plenty and the turnover and assets dont seem too much. At the moment we work about 4 days a week which is very civilised but the staff are costing about 80K a year in wages, super etc. Our dilemma will be when we get PR do we let some staff go, increase the profits but work more hours or keep the staff & enjoy the lifestyle?

6. YES

7. Never say never but we are all very settled, with a good social life - I see no attraction in returning at all.

julesandco

Foxy, she's GORGEOUS!!!!!!

Just wish I could pop round for a cuddle - have serious baby withdrawal at the moment - all stems from a TV advert for photography mentioning about children under 4 and realised for the first time in 10 years that I don't have a child under 4!!!!!

OH has stated 'over his dead body' and I wouldn't want any more..... but oh, for a cuddle of someone else's

Holly is a lovely name. Her 'chins' are beautiful and if she needs a chaperone in WA - I'm your gal.

Well done Foxy family!

Jules xxxxxx

julesandco

OK - here's ours:

1. Exactly the same business model as we had in the UK - working from home and we got dealerships for the two same products we were selling in the UK (to start with).
2. We started from scratch. Boy, how hard is that? No established business. No current footfall. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.
3. It's going better than expected turnover wise. We've got some stonking clients on board - major players - new products to sell too.
4. Hell yeah! Nightmare at times! Starting from scratch in a foreign country is not for the feint hearted. Having said that, building didn't help and three kids add to the pressure. In hindsight, perhaps we bit off more than we could chew, but in years to come, I'm sure we'll be smiling.
5. Touch wood, yes. Application is in for sponsorship.
6. ummmmm. We spend more time as a family (lack of friends ). Weekends are spent as a family on the boat, or at son's footy...etc. Now we have a pool for the summer, I'm sure we'll be housebound more
7. Ask me another. For the time being yes. For the rest of our lives? Don't know.

Can I also add an 8 to promote our businesses? add a website addresss / details of business.

8.
www.gettracking.com.au
www.securityalarmsperth.com.au
www.affinity-one.com.au

Love to everyone

jules x

DrWho

Ooer...

1 - Completely different. Used to have a transport business in the UK, Air Conditioning now.
2 - Bought it. Looked at lots of things, settled on this one.
3 - Better, if I'm honest. I thought there would be a significant dip as I tried to get to grips with it and that we'd slow out of summer. In fact we're flat out but I can't find any more staff...
4 - Yes...! Bloody licensing rubbish...:curse: And the lack of mandatory financial reporting...
5 - Yes.
6 - Hmm, not yet that's for sure. But then I had a lot more staff in the UK and effectively only worked whatever hours I wanted to; now it's 12 hours a day Mon-Fri plus at least Saturday morning... However, I'm hopeful for the future...
7 - I enjoy living here, that's for sure, and currently have no intention of going anywhere else. However, I might have got this moving countries bug...

steveyp

Hi,
We are moving to Hillarys, it has a concrete pool, needs a little work but it's a great house, I will post some pics when we get in in July.
When you are ready for the blanket I will sort you out nice and cheap!
Steve

BM615

Congratulations Steve,

Bryan & Joyce

BM615

1 - Totally different but business is business
2 - Set it up with a friend who was already here - ie before we arrived
3 - There seems huge scope for businesses here - maybe it's a WA thing.
4 - Red tape red tape red tape - taxes taxes taxes
5 - Yes.
6 - Own business = lots of work - in my mind
7 - Very happy here but who knows where we might go in the future - we would like to get closer to a proper ski resort - so maybe NZ


great idea this - everyone who gets here seems happy - so well done and good luck


Bryan

J-T

Hi Foxychic, what fantastic questions? Wish I could join in, but hey I'm still in the UK, maybe I can add to this if the thread is still going by the time I get to Oz!!!

Very interesting reading how everyone is doing!

Holly is gorgeous!! Takes me back to when I had my little uns!!! Would love another, but only on a part-time basis! (Can't cope with more than 4 kids!!!!) phhheeww!!

Tracey

Goldie b

Hi Everyone
I am moving to perth next year on 160 visa deadline 18APR 2009.
Just one question that how much you have to put down to get loan on leasehold & freehold business premises.
Any information welcome

Thanks
Goldie

BM615

Good luck Goldie,

max loan on commercial properties is 80% - well that's what we had to endure. Plenty of units to rent though, depending on where you want to be.

Cheers

Bryan

Goldie b

Hi BM
Thanks for your reply I want to buy a IGA store in Perth but looking at UK property market i might have to delay that for a while so I want to buy a cafe franchise for that time so I am looking to buy a subway ,Muffin break or similar. I am in retail industry in UK I run a supermarket here so I want to stay in same trade. Any info or advice will be much appreciated.

Regards
Goldie

BM615

Hi Goldie,

Perth seems the franchise capital of the world!Plenty of Cafe/coffee shops around - we own one in the cbd. We also know the frinchisors of the 2 major groups here - so if we can help, we will.

Goldie b

Hi BM
Thanks for your reply and big thanks for offering the help.As you said there are lot of cafe/coffee shops franchises around perth.Could you please advise me on few of them which one to go for and how much capital I will need to buy one.I will appreciate your help .
Can you send pm to me.
Kind Regards
Goldie

BM615

The new financial year has begun - this is our signal to submit our application for PR.

We are applying for the 890 visa thru' our Immigration Lawyer, just in case. Loads of forms part completed now need to be finalised and the Accountant has promised us the 2 years final accounts to 20 June 08.

Then we just cross our fingers and wait. Oh yes - and attend our medicals in Perth on 24th July and 1st August.

By the way - I forgot to update our forum friends with the news that our youngest (31) !! son Robin married Cindy in Ocean Reef, Perth on the Sunday before last, 5pm on the 6th of the 7th 08. So Rob will probably have his PR Visa before us!!


end of newscast - lol

Bryan

steveyp

Good luck guys! you'll soon be as Australian as us..