Leader
Unclaimed money
There's a frightening amount of money unclaimed and awaiting collection, about $458 million at last count. Are you one of the 500,000 Australians who’s owed something? Find out here. 
How to write a mission statement
This video by Dan Heath over at Fast Company shows you exactly how the mission statement of a small business goes from tasty to terrible in one brainstorming session.
Just how much are meetings costing you?
This basic, but very effective tool easily gives you the answer. Simply tell it how many people are in attendance, their daily rate and the clock starts ticking. Very, very scary! 
Any procrastinating writers here?
Thought so. This little site is a corker. Select how many words you're trying to write, your deadline and punishment mode and you'll get some pretty sharp reminders if you start to slack off. 
Need a financial health check?
Superannuation advice, budget planners and tips for saving are all on offer at the Understanding Money website. This Government operated site provides real back to basics information on how to, err, understand money. 
Font of all knowledge
Not sure what your default font should be? This site is sure to help. Simply paste in some text, choose from hundreds of different fonts and take your pick! 
Feeling demotivated?
The motivation industry has had its day in the sun. How's this for a contradictory view? Despair.com's demotivators claim to 'increase success by lowering expectations.'
Office pod
We want one. Well half a dozen, actually. These office pods have got to be the coolest little workspaces we’ve seen. They look so yummy in the garden.
18 smokin' hot business cards
If you’re just starting up or looking to redesign your business cards, here is a wealth of inspiration from our friends at Freelance Switch.
Wordle on the street
This cool free tool at www.Wordle.net generates funky looking word clouds based on your website or selected text. You can even try different colour schemes and layouts.
Hot or cold?
Stay up to date with the climate debate on this site. Great for those pro action and sceptics, it lists calls to action and dissenting voices from around the world.
Are you free?
If you struggle getting small groups of people together for a meeting, this little gizmo may help. It certainly saves on the email tennis.
Get help from the crowd
The Flying Solo forums are where you can talk and network freely. If you're looking for help, seeking a referral, or just itching to share some news or knowledge, there's a mob of supporters here.
Someone trying to empty your pockets?
SCAMwatch will help you recognise, report and protect yourself from scams that target you or your small business.
Want to get your articles out there?
ArticlePR features a free list of article submission sites or article banks, to which you can submit your articles in order for them to be distributed far and wide.
Keep it simple, silly
More often than not, a soloist’s life is about multi tasking and coping with complexity. If this sounds like you, our friends at Freelance Switch have some worthwhile tips: 10 Ways to Simplify Your Freelance Life.
Calling all Flying Solo fans!
If you're an active networker or involved in any small business groups, we'd love you to get involved in our snappy little promotional program. Find out more. 
Who's following you?
Twitter fans may like Twittersheep, which tells you which kinds of folk are following you. Give it a go! 
When it all gets too much
When it all gets too much. A big thanks to web developer, Simon for this little gem. Apparently it’s where he heads when clients drive him nuts.
Save (on) your energy
Make It Cheaper provides a free service that helps you ditch and switch energy providers. There’s a handy blog with money saving tips, too.
Have you read our manifesto?
If you've yet to read Flying Solo the book, have a read of the Soloist's Manifesto to get a feel for what it's about. Alternatively, browse some reader reviews.
Anatomy of Australia’s micro business owner
Flying Solo’s Understanding Micro Business, 2010-2011 – Australia’s largest micro business survey takes the pulse of this critical business sector. Download the results now.
Get projects over the line
If you admire 'The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People' (and who wouldn't?) and recognise you need some assistance to get over the finish line, this online goal tracker may well appeal.
Text for dummies
Ever wondered where to find that dummy text used by designers? The answer is here. Given it's a practice that's been around since the 1500s, this may not be the original source!
Impress your TED friends
There's no doubt that TED is a wonderful resource and we love it, but FORA is pretty awesome too. Enjoy a short movie with your morning tea.
Please help us spread the word!
If you enjoy your time on Flying Solo, you may like to tell others. Here are a number of ways you can do just that. The larger we get, the greater the combined wisdom. Thanks!
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Reach Australian business owners
Startup | Business startup
Starting a new small business of one requires a mass of business planning and research. Don’t be overwhelmed
though, business start up is a
high-energy stage and what’s needed is the right focus for those energies.
This section covers the basic needs of a successful solo business. You’ll find tips on making the right career choice;
working from
home, how to speak powerfully about what you do by using an elevator statement, how
to decide when to start your own
business and advice on business goal
setting.
And if you’re not sure that a solo business is for you, we have a quiz
that will help.
Importing from China - where to start?
20 Aug 10Matthew EdwardsImporting from China could save you thousands of dollars, but can also be daunting and risky. Here’s what you need to know to get started. Read more
Comments: 6What stops you starting your own business?
13 Jul 10Peter CrockerA friend recently completed his first successful year as a solo business owner. His synopsis: “Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Well, there are lots of reasons. Read more
Comments: 29The 7 deadly sins of buying a small business
20 Oct 09Craig ReidAre you looking at buying a small business? Perhaps you are a business owner looking to snap up an additional business or are craving an escape from the rat race. Either way, there are seven sins all potential purchasers must avoid… Read more
Comments: 12What makes you start your own business?
14 Sep 09Peter CrockerI always had a desire to work for myself one day. But for me, when it came to taking the plunge, it was a total knee-jerk reaction with no inkling of a business plan. Is that the norm or the exception when you start your own business? Read more
Comments: 60Run your own business: There are no downsides
23 Mar 09Sam LeaderI realised how lucky soloists are when having a conversation with a friend who couldn’t decide whether or not to leave her job to run her own business. Read more
Comments: 30Freelancing: Ready to work for yourself?
26 Feb 09Bronwyn SimmondsBefore going solo, I imagined freelancing was similar to flying like a bird. That sense of being uninhibited, boundless and the sky being the limit. No more instant coffee or people stealing your food out of the fridge were additional perks. Read more
Comments: 11Corporate redundancy: A survivor's story
23 Oct 08Jack FraenkelAre you facing corporate redundancy and wondering whether now is the time to start your own business? This story could be just the motivation you need for flying solo. Read more
Comments: 9Starting my own business: If only I'd known!
16 Sep 08Grant HymanI'm not a big believer in crying over spilt milk. However I’ve recently been considering what I might like to have known before starting my own business. I look forward to learning from your own comments on the topic! Read more
Comments: 22Mistakes made by start up micro businesses
31 Jul 08Heather SmithIn my work life, I come in contact with a lot of start up micro businesses and have discovered some of the mistakes they have made. Fortunately, we have the opportunity to learn from them, and hopefully avoid the same mistakes ourselves. Read more
Comments: 15Why start your own small business?
25 Feb 08Peter CrockerWhen talk turns to starting your own small business, there’s never a shortage of peopleo tut-tuting to themselves... “Most small businesses fail you know.” “Never go into business with family.” “Don’t borrow from friends.” And so it goes on. Read more
Comments: 22Thinking of starting a new small business?
01 Oct 07Sam LeaderWe know this newsletter’s readership includes a number of individuals who would love to fly solo, but aren’t. If you’re thinking of starting a new small business, then this one’s for you. Read more
Comments: 46Business start up tips: Things I'm glad I did
04 Jun 07Peter CrockerIn a previous article on business start up tips I listed four things I wish I'd done from day one of my solo business. This time, on a more positive note, I'm looking at five things I'm glad I did. Read more
Comments: 8Business start up tips: Things I wish I'd done
14 May 07Peter CrockerHindsight is a beautiful thing, isn't it? I've been in my solo business for five years now and in looking back, can see four simple business start up tips that I wish I'd implemented from day one. Read more
Comments: 22Handling fear in your new business ventures
22 Feb 07Linda AndersonSo you've taken the plunge and are going it alone. Good for you! Commonly, though, new soloists find they get the nerve to start their own new business ventures, only to find that once they're up and running, new anxieties are taking their place. Read more
Comments: 15Overcoming fear of running your own business
23 Jan 07Linda AndersonIt's normal to experience fear of running your own business before starting up. Even those with a strong desire to do their own thing feel this fear, and need to overcome it to move forwards. Read more
Comments: 14Setting up your own business
10 Oct 06Barb ClewsThe earlier you are aware of your rights and obligations when setting up your own business, the better. Here's an overview of things to consider before starting. Read more
Comments: 9Four questions to ask if you want to work for yourself
15 Aug 06Barb ClewsHow do you turn your dreams of going it alone into a reality? Here are four questions dealing with self-analysis which will help you discover whether you have what it takes to work for yourself. Read more
Comments: 1Seven learnings from starting my own business
31 Jan 06Diane LeeI had always been interested in starting my own business, but if you're a teacher, communicator, manager, writer and editor what can you actually offer that people need? I learned the answers in my first six months of starting my own business. Read more
Comments: 9Is now the right time to start your own business?
03 Nov 05Peter CrockerHow do you know exactly when the time is just right to take the plunge and start your own business? The answer is surprisingly simple: never. Read more
Comments: 15Ten tips on how to start your own business
26 Oct 05Megan ToughIf you want your new solo business to flourish, it makes good sense to review these tips on how to start your own business. Read more
Comments: 12New business ventures: Expect the best, but watch your back
08 Sep 05Paul J. MorrisAs soloists we need to let positive energies drive our new business ventures. However at the same time we need to watch our backs. Read more
Comments: 5The joy of starting a side business
02 Sep 05Peter Crocker“Ditch the corporate job and go it alone” they say “Life is not a rehearsal!” But realistically, it’s hard to chuck in a good job. Have you considered starting a side business? Read more
Comments: 6Crucial questions for small business start ups
06 Jul 05Robert GerrishNew small business start ups require plenty of planning. Here are five questions that all aspiring small business owner’s need to consider. Read more
Comments: 7