Franchising
The four contract clauses which show you're getting screwed
![Kelly O'Dwyer, Minister for Small Business, has secured the passage of the unfair contracts legislation.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/l/1/3/9/3/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gl0xu7.png/1447966407806.jpg)
Cara Waters Competition watchdog says businesses need to start reviewing contracts in light of the new protection for small businesses against unfair contract terms.
What's Australia's weirdest franchise?
![Geoff Reid, Dean Reid, employee Peter Schulz, and Casey Reid (L to R) run the Leather Doctor, one of Australia's more unusual franchises.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/g/j/g/9/t/w/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.gjg9ph.png/1442097930990.jpg)
Christopher Niesche It might look niche but its outlets are all over the country and it's looking for new partners.
Is gourmet schnitzel the next Big Mac?
![Hot Food : Jill Dupleix
Good Food:
Duck schnitzel
4th September.
Photo: Steven Siewert](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/3/9/9/2/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.12vefd.png/1424158210078.jpg)
Caroline James This franchise expects to turnover $70m this year and has its sights set on the major fast food chains.
How's that breakdancing thing working out?
![Moving on up: Zachary Rook has developed a very successful business in Queensland.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/l/u/i/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11lu5f.png/1424155962385.jpg)
Louis White When Zachary Rook's dance dream failed to materialise he turned his attention to something more lucrative.
BUSINESS INSIDER
Sensitive people make more money
![Emotion](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/m/7/x/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3m7g4.png/1418163149267.jpg)
Drake Baer The better you recognise emotions, the more you'll get paid.
The entrepreneurs overcoming adversity
![Have skills, will travel: Leather worker Sima Mahboobifard was not allowed to start a business in her native land.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/s/n/v/9/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11snqs.png/1424158282386.jpg)
Kate Jones Starting a start-up is hard, and these business owners have done it tougher than most.
Five things to look for in a franchise
![Briony Vince advises to seek a smart franchisor who is going to be making intelligent decisions,](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/l/b/s/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11t5qq.png/1422594950957.jpg)
Louis White Not all franchises are created equal. Here are the essential ingredients of the best ones.
How I raised $35 million
![Mass appeal: Emma and Denis Merkas, owners of Melt: Massage for Couples, a business that became an instant winner.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/r/m/j/z/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11rmn4.png/1424159280746.jpg)
Christine Long It was Chris Strode's major achievement for the year. What's yours?
The Iconic's inside running
![The Iconic's Adam Jacobs says it's fairly obvious what's selling now – active wear.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/u/i/1/b/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11uhxm.png/1424159325272.jpg)
Adam Courtenay No one knows better what's hot this Christmas than the man who runs Australia's top fashion e-tailer.
The two signs you're a workaholic
![Workaholic](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/l/d/f/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3ldez.png/1417113393267.jpg)
What are the two traits that sets those addicted to work apart from the rest of us?
Is this Australia's best mechanic?
![Mechanic](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/l/8/5/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3l85k.png/1417114202647.jpg)
It’s entirely possible I have the best grease monkey in the country, if not the world.
The sky's the limit for NEXTDC
![Data driven: NEXTDC chief executive Craig Scroggie backs a culture of innovation.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/t/x/3/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11tx12.png/1424159368578.jpg)
Alexandra Cain How did this data centre generate revenue growth of 3626 per cent? That's not a typo.
COMMENT
Is a boom this summer a threat?
![Fraud](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/2/i/8/r/7/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3l7sy.png/1416969448883.jpg)
Leo Tutt If you're hiringstaff to cope with summer trade, make sure they're trustworthy.
Help! I have no staff for Christmas
Kate Jones This is what you should do if you've reached the pointy end of the year and don't have enough elves.
Boob job prices plummet
![Boobs](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/l/5/5/r/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11sfh2.png/1416952407723.jpg)
Caroline James This preschool drop-out has built a $15m breast enlargement business by slashing the cost of surgery.
Too many 'thought leaders'
![Genius](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/n/o/p/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3betl.png/1416884457707.jpg)
Sylvia Pennington These days everyone purports to be an expert - but are they really?
The rise of Generation Z
![Teenager](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/n/o/l/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11igo6.png/1416854000930.jpg)
Adam Courtenay You've met Alex from Target, now get ready for the rest of his cohort.
This is the AirBNB of car parks
![Nick Austin](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/z/9/m/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11qp7r.png/1419729505320.jpg)
Gayle Bryant New concept an ingenious idea that will disrupt traditional car parks.
Can we ban work Christmas parties?
![Christmas party](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/t/v/f/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3ktz7.png/1416532635843.jpg)
They are deadly dull time-wasters at a point in the year when few could be bothered.
Always wanted to learn an instrument?
![Sing](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/q/p/u/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11gqfm.png/1416456900000.jpg)
Claire Dunn Then you need to check out this start-up that's revolutionising music lessons.
COMMENT
Is your reputation at risk?
![Reputation](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/s/d/g/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3ks8l.png/1416508359157.jpg)
Harvey Christophers It can vanish in an instant, unless you protect it properly.
Ten business etiquette mistakes
![Egg](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/r/e/8/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3kre1.png/1416448455153.jpg)
Ilya Pozin If you're guilty of these clangers, you're holding yourself back.
So you want to be a personal trainer?
![Torso](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/n/6/o/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11n9wi.png/1416349020000.jpg)
Claire Dunn With obesity levels rising and the fitness fad yet to reach its peak, there are plenty of opportunities for talented PTs.
How to cope with abusive customers
![Abuse](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/k/n/6/q/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11on16.png/1416335415947.jpg)
Christine Long Unfortunately, every business owner needs to know what to do when things get nasty.
COMMENT
So you want to start a start-up?
![Start-up](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/e/g/9/i/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3kkxu.png/1416269112493.jpg)
Nicolette Maury Make 2015 the year your dream of owning your own business comes true.
COMMENT
How to sell your business tax-free
![Lottery windfall](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/3/e/5/j/0/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3kksj.png/1416266634857.jpg)
Anna Carrabs Did you know you can sell your business without paying a cent to the ATO?
Five things that make us click
Caroline James What are the secrets to making people enter your web site, read your ads and open your emails?
Make the most of LinkedIn groups
![Tom Willis from LawPath.](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/1/1/i/t/2/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.11it66.png/1424158686515.jpg)
Sylvia Pennington They are the key to making the most of the social business platform. So how can you join in?
COMMENT
Is this opportunity right for me?
![Franchise](/web/20151127035323im_/http://www.theage.com.au/content/dam/images/2/r/x/j/5/image.related.thumbnail.90x60.3gjm3.png/1411932552937.jpg)
Ian Krawitz There is a range of factors potential franchisees need to assess before buying in.