Hobby photographer Gary O’Shea from Marsden is preparing for life on the roads as a grey nomad.
By the start of next year, he wants to be travelling the country with his partner.
It means he has to move on from his plans to start a small printing business from home, specialising in creating custom magnets, drink coasters, and business cards, among other things.
He got as far as buying a hot foil printing machine last year to create an income on the side of retirement, but fell short of getting it off the ground.
“I’ve since had a change of plan and decided I would focus on retirement and give myself a bit more freedom,” he said.
The big attraction for Mr O’Shea was the prospect of creating custom keepsakes for special occasions like weddings and birthdays.
“If you go to a wedding expo and set up all your banners with this, you could potentially pay it off in 12 months or less, and then you’re into profits,” he said.
He joins a list of 61 Logan-based vendors selling businesses via commercialrealestate.com.au, having recently listed his whole printing setup for $11,000.
The printing press highlights the possibilities of small business ideas, especially for someone in the creative industries looking for a value add or new side hobby.
As stay at home work becomes ingrained in society, the temptation to start a small business can be strong. Business mentor Helen Cowley loves to see the innovation, but said she sees too many people overlooking the amount of energy it can take.
“You want to make sure you can make a return on the investment and the energy to get out there and promote,” she said.
Ms Cowley also stressed the need to understand the legal possibilities of home businesses.
Council regards home businesses as dwellings first and businesses second. This means they must comply with the character of an area and not affect surrounding residents. Noise and odour factors play into that requirement.
They must also operate with a max of two non-resident employees and not include an office, shop, warehouse, or transport depot. Providing it ticks those boxes, it is unlikely to require planning approval. However, that could change as the quota of non-resident employees is exceeded.
