Small Business | The Design Files | Australia's Go-To Design Destination

Get to know Tim Pilgrim and the inspirations behind his business designing idyllic, cottage-style gardens!

The Melbourne-based interior decorator shares how she did it and her advice for small business founders.

From a humble farm in South Gippsland, Merry People has grown from a grassroots start-up, to a successful brand sold across the globe!

Co-founder Abigail Forsyth shares an inside look at the brand's innovative new Helix range and office, complete with solar power, native gardens and beehives!

Our fave foodie and social media star has built a thriving, engaged online community. Here's how!

Learn how to build a great-looking website, all by yourself. Seriously!

Six expert styling and photography tips to help you launch your small business dream in 2021!

We've partnered with Squarespace to help bring your business goals to life in 2021! First Up - Small Biz consultant Fiona Killackey shares her advice on getting started!

TDFs own bookkeeper shares her wisdom to help tackle the financial impact of COVID-19.

Vanessa Katsanevakis shares how she turned around her father’s 29-year old tapware foundry.

Five ways to create a work environment that engages and inspires!

Matt and Lentil Purbrick of Growth and Gathered share their new minimum intervention wine label.

How to find and hire the right employees, with tips from Lucy, and Paris Thomson of SIRAP.

When it comes to publicity, is it simply a case of contacting media and hoping for the best? Four local PR experts respond!

Groupon, Unsplash, WeWork, Craigslist and even Twitter were created initially as side hustles – maybe it's time to get your idea off the ground?

Make a positive impact through your workplace, with advice from the legends at Who Gives A Crap.

The best advice from all the small business owners we've chatted to over the past two years!

How to set goals for a successful new year with My Daily Business Coach.

This Melbourne-born business has taken the world by storm, but they haven't gone it alone.

Two of the best professional development gurus we know share their tips on making connections to benefit your biz.

How investing in Community has been the secret to success for Australia's favourite independent bookseller, Readings.

Overwhelmed by business buzzwords? This case study with the legends who turned a single shop in Fitzroy into a global powerhouse should clear things up.

TDF's very own brilliant bookkeeper gives us the lowdown on small business finance.

Our small biz whiz, Fiona Killackey, talks with the founders of new locker brand, Mustard, on launching with a bang.

Our Managing Editor, Elle, tackles 'Adulting', with three key 2018 goals.

How to make your dreams come true in 2018, according to the ever-inspiring founder of SIRAP motion studio!

Our gardens columnist Georgina Reid keeps new year's goal-setting real, with a trio of 'things to meander towards in 2018’.

A fortnight into 2018, Caitlin Mills has her sights set on the balancing act of professional improvements plus chill-out time and companionship.

A bunch of brilliant local creatives and entrepreneurs talk 2017 highlights, aims for 2018, and big-picture planning.

Our Editor/Founder/Boss Lady shares three of her 2018 goals.

Our last Small Biz column for the year offers global inspiration for local small business.

A case study on the Sydney-based linen brand, with tips to make the most of your online presence.

We talk stand-out job applications with Anna Ross of Kester Black and Abigail Crompton of Third Drawer Down.

Two of our favourite book lovers share their top reads.

Fiona Killackey discovers how the homewares studio has managed to balance marketing needs with creative output.

Sommelier Matt Skinner, artist Reko Rennie, and the Dowel Jones duo reflect on the importance of positive role models.

Dinosaur Designs Co-Founder and Creative Director Lousie Olsen shares insights into the success of her iconic retail brand.

Annie Abbott of footwear phenomenon Habbot, and Mr Draper’s Alistair Birrell talk plotting a new career.

This afternoon we explore the ideal of ‘work/life balance’. Is it ACTUALLY attainable? Tamara Maynes of The Establishment Studios and Emilio Fuscaldo from Nest Architects think IT IS, and kindly share some of their valuable insights!

A case study on creating a strong aesthetic and consistently engaging visuals for your brand.

The tools restauranteur Michael Pham, cook/author Julia Busuttil Nishimura, and caterer Cassie Lucas can't cook without!

Our Small Business columnist talks segmenting audience, the power of personalisation and loveable GIFs.

Inspiring intel from our favourite local creatives.

A new short and snappy series of inspiring quotes from our fave local creatives.