Starting a business
Start your business,done right.
The lease, the first hire, the supplier contracts.Donna explains each one in plain English.With a lawyer in it from day one.
Hi Rachel, Claire and I have both joined. Ready to get the paperwork moving.
Welcome James and Claire,
I've uploaded the draft Partnership Agreement and the Commercial Lease for the Crown Street premises. The lease has a 12-month personal guarantee that we should talk through. Have a read and we can jump on a call.
Partnership_Agreement_Draft.pdf
PDF · 298 KB
Commercial_Lease_Crown_St.pdf
PDF · 412 KB
Plain English: you're personally on the hook for rent if the business can't pay. Here's what that looks like:
- The landlord can come after your personal assets, your savings, your car, even your home, for up to 12 months of rent ($72,000 on this lease)
- It applies the moment you sign, and stays in force for 12 months after the lease ends
- 12 months is on the high end. 6 months capped, or a bond instead, is reasonable to ask for
- Rachel can negotiate this. It's the most common redline on small business leases.
Finding a business lawyer
Three real quotes. By this afternoon.
Tell Donna what you're starting. Donna briefs three business lawyers and gets back real prices, what each one covers, and a straight read on what you're taking on.
Brief sent to 3 firms
Small Business & CommercialStarting a small business · Sydney, NSW
Sterling & Co
Sydney, NSW
$2,400 fixed
Rachel Kim · Partner
Replies in 1.4 hrs avg
In scope
- ABN & company setup
- Partnership agreement
- Lease redlines (with PG push-back)
Their note
“The personal guarantee in your lease. First thing we’d want to walk through.”
Available Tue 12 Mar
Hartley & Vale
Sydney, NSW
$2,800 capped
Tom Hartley · Senior Solicitor
Replies in 3 hrs avg
In scope
- ABN & company setup
- Partnership agreement
- Lease review + insurance checklist
Their note
“Personal guarantee structure. Where we usually find the most room to negotiate.”
Available Wed 13 Mar
Crown Legal
Parramatta, NSW
From $1,950
Sara Patel · Partner
Replies same day
In scope
- ABN & company setup
- Partnership agreement
- Lease review (+$600)
Their note
“Speed to signing. Our focus is getting you trading quickly.”
Available Mon 11 Mar
Donna
Sterling fits best for you. They've handled 18 leases like this one this year, and their angle on the personal guarantee is the right place to start the conversation.
Understand every document
Know what you're signing.
Lease, employment contract, supplier deal, NDA. Drop in any of them. Donna explains every clause in plain English, with the original wording right next to it. Your lawyer opens it ready to advise.
Always know what's next
From registration to your first hire,on one timeline.
Every step lives on one timeline. You see what's done, what's next, and who has it. Your lawyer's looking at the same view. And Donna flags filings, renewals and lease dates before they sneak up.
Small Business Formation·James & Claire Walker
Partnership agreement signed·Step 4 of 7
One thread, with your lawyer
Every question, right on the document.
Got a question about a clause, a redline, a term? Ask it right where the document is. Your lawyer answers in the same thread, usually within hours. Every redline and every decision stays with it. One document, always current.
Small Business Formation · Sterling & Co
You and your lawyer
Start your business
with a lawyer in your corner.
Start free. Bring your lawyer, or find one.