 BUSINESS FOUNDATIONS COURSE
START YOUR BUSINESS THE RIGHT WAY
An accountant-led course that walks you through the big early decisions, structure, tax, cashflow and risk, so you can make them with confidence before they cost you.
Founding Cohort starts Wednesday 12 August 2026
JOIN THE WAITLIST
WHY IT MATTERS
THE MISTAKES THAT CATCH NEW BUSINESS OWNERS OUT ARE AVOIDABLE
So many capable Kiwis start a business and get caught out by something they never saw coming, simply because no one sat them down and explained the foundations first.
An unexpected tax bill that swallows the buffer you were relying on.
The wrong business structure - expensive to unwind once you're trading.
Cash running low with no clear reason why, and no plan to fix it.
A basic obligation missed, simply because nobody flagged it.
Business Foundations makes sure none of these are a surprise. You'll know what to expect, what to decide, and when to bring in help.
WHAT YOU'LL WALK AWAY WITH
CONFIDENCE BACKED BY UNDERSTANDING
Every module leaves you with something you can act on in your own business, not just notes to file away and gather dust.
Know which business structure fits you and why, so you're not paying to fix it later.
Understand GST, income tax and provisional tax in plain English, with no jargon left hanging.
Build a realistic cashflow picture and spot the pressure points before they bite.
Work out whether your idea actually stacks up, before you commit real time or money.
Walk into conversations with your accountant knowing exactly what to ask.
Keep a full toolkit of accountant-designed worksheets you'll come back to for years.
WHAT'S INSIDE
EIGHT MODULES. ONE CLEAR PATH.
Structured, accountant-led, and focused on decisions rather than theory. Here's how the weeks run.
1:Â The Vision
Get clear on what you actually want the business to give you.
2: The Plan
Turn the idea into a one-page plan and test your assumptions honestly.
3:Â Business Structure
Sole trader, company or partnership, and what each means for you.
4:Â Budget & Viability
Startup costs, cashflow, and whether this can actually support you.
5:Â Managing Risk
ACC, insurance and the risks worth planning for.
6:Â Tax
GST, income tax, provisional tax and MyIR, made predictable.
7:Â Profit vs. Cash
Why profitable businesses still run out of money, and how to see it coming.
8:Â Support & Next Steps
When DIY stops working, plus your complete Business Builder Toolkit.
Each module is under 45 minutes with a printable tool to use as you go. A new module drops each Wednesday, and the live session covering it runs the following Tuesday at 11am, so you've always watched it before you turn up.
IS IT FOR YOU?
BUILT FOR PEOPLE GETTING STARTED
This is for you if
→ You're planning to start a business in New Zealand in the next 6 to 12 months.
→ You've recently started and want the right foundations in place before you go further.
→ You're running a business without an accountant and want to understand your obligations.
→ You'd rather avoid the common, costly mistakes than fix them later.
It's not for you if
âś•Â You're looking for a business idea or a burst of motivation.
âś•Â You want a marketing, sales or social media marketing course.
âś•Â You already have an accountant handling all your compliance and advice.
âś•Â You're after a get-rich-quick framework or a shortcut.
YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Sarah Walker, FCA
Director, Epplett & Co
Over years of working with business owners across New Zealand, I kept seeing the same avoidable mistakes, made by genuinely capable people who simply hadn't been given the right foundations. Tax surprises. Wrong structures. Cashflow problems that crept up slowly and turned into a crisis.
This course is what I wish every new business owner could work through before they made those calls. It won't replace personalised advice, but it will make sure you know the right questions to ask, and the right time to ask them.
- Sarah Walker, FCA
WHAT IT'S LIKE TO WORK WITH US
WHAT CLIENTS SAY
While the Business Foundations Course is brand new, here's what business owners say about working with Sarah and the team at Epplett & Co.Â
"Sarah set us up with proper tax planning so we're never blindsided by a big bill. For a flooring business where the work comes in waves, that's been a game changer. We always know where we stand."
Greg & Jodine McIntyre
G Mac Flooring Ltd
"Before working with Epplett & Co, it seemed that we were always struggling and we couldn’t seem to get ahead but with Sarah’s advice and support this has changed significantly..."
Adam & Vicki Forbes
Forbes Ecology Ltd / Te Taiko
"When my daughter and I started B&W Safety, we had no idea how to set it up properly. Sarah sorted the structure and the tax so we could just get on with running it. I'd have got half of it wrong on my own."
Chrissy Hansen
B&W Safety Ltd
THE TWO OPTIONS
CHOOSE HOW YOU WANT TO DO IT
Same content, same tools, same toolkit. The difference is whether you want live support alongside it.
Foundations Access
NZ$99
One-off Payment
Self-led, at your own pace
âś“Â All 8 modules (under 45 min each)
âś“Â Every worksheet and template
âś“Â Complete Business Builder Toolkit
âś“Â Yours to keep, come back any time
- No live sessions
Guided Foundations
$349
One-off Payment
Everything above, plus live support
âś“ All 8 modules, worksheets and toolkit
âś“ Weekly live sessions with Sarah
âś“ Direct Q&A with Sarah
âś“ Feedback on your business plan
âś“ Accountability alongside other founders
The only difference is the live sessions. Guided adds weekly time with Sarah to apply everything to your own business.
The Founding Cohort starts Wednesday 12 August 2026 with the first live session for the Guided Foundations on Tuesday 18 August 2026. Both options follow the same weekly content.
Course fees are generally tax deductible for your business.
QUESTIONS
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Is this course specific to New Zealand
I've already started my business. Is it still worth joining?
How much time does it take?
What's the difference between the two options?
Do I need an accountant already?
When does it start and how is the content released?
Is it tax deductible?
JOIN THE FOUNDING COHORT
Give your business the foundations most owners only wish they'd had.
Doors open soon. Get on the waitlist for first access before we open to everyone.
©  Epplett & Co
This course provides general education only and does not constitute personalised advice.Â