Build a business that actually makes it past year three
Accounting, real-time numbers, and business coaching — so you can make confident decisions and grow without guessing
Our goal for every client — your first $1,000,000 in annual revenue.
100s of founders advised · 5 businesses built · 2 successfully sold
The reality of starting a business
Most businesses don’t fail because of the idea — they fail because of what’s missing
Here’s what actually happens:
20%
fail in their very first year of operation
50%
of those who fail were actually profitable
when they closed
60%
are gone before the end of year three
20%
fail in their very first year of operation
50%
of those who fail were actually profitable
when they closed
60%
are gone before the end of year three
The idea isn’t the problem. The market isn’t the problem. What stops most businesses is what’s missing underneath.
Three gaps kill more businesses than anything else.
The structure gap
Most businesses are set up incorrectly from day one — costing them tax, flexibility, and protection before they even get moving.
The wrong structure limits how the business can grow and exposes risks most owners don’t see until it’s already costing them.
The knowledge gap
Most owners don’t understand their numbers well enough to make decisions — until it’s too late.
Cash flow, margins, breakeven — these aren’t just accounting terms. They’re the signals that tell you whether your business is actually working.
The skills gap
Knowing your trade isn’t the same as running a business.
Moving from technician to owner — managing cash flow, leading people, making decisions — is where most businesses start to break down.
That’s exactly what Startup Sherpa is designed to fix
Australian Bureau of Statistics, Counts of Australian Businesses, August 2024 — 436,018 business entries recorded in the 2023–24 financial year. Business failure rate sourced from Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman research and ABS survival rate data: 60% of businesses fail within three years of starting.
What we do
Here's how we help
No matter where you’re starting — we help you build, understand, and grow your business the right way.
One-of service
Set your business up properly from day one
The decisions you make at the start have long-term consequences.
We help you choose the right structure and handle the full setup — so you start with clarity, not risk.
Make confident decisions when buying or expanding
Before you commit, you need to know what you’re actually buying.
We guide you through the numbers and risks so you can move forward with confidence — not guesswork.
One-of service
Know exactly where your business stands — at all times
Most business owners operate without clear numbers.
We keep everything current, accurate, and easy to understand — so you can make decisions with confidence.
One-of service
Get ongoing guidance as your business grows
Running a business requires more than just good numbers.
You get ongoing access to real guidance — so you can make better decisions as you grow.
Not sure where you fit?
What our clients say
Don't take our word for it.
Here’s what working with us actually looks like
"Clear direction from day one — and real growth to match"
Something I would do, if I started a new business, is take a business coach from day one. Craig gave us a clear goal and helped us by developing a strategy to reach that goal. Since working with Craig, we have improved our profit and turnover. We have moved into a nicer kitchen, and I work in a better environment. My work is more structured, and mentally speaking, it's more peaceful.
Louis B.
Louis Boeglin Patisserie
Coaching & Strategy
“Setting up the correct structure and helping us better understand the numbers”
We first started working with Craig as our accountant in 2014. Craig has been a great help to us over the years, from setting up the correct structure for our business, helping us better understand the numbers, ways in which we could improve our business, and also create a better work/life balance. He is very thorough, efficient, knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.
Karen L.
InterFire Agencies
Structure · numbers · growth
“An invaluable source of help and information in our early adventures”
Craig was an invaluable source of help and information in our early adventures as a new real estate company. His advice was always accurate and his insights informative and constructive. Professional and ethical — moving forward I believe Craig will be of significant assistance to his clients, whether private or business.
Dave H.
HKY Real Estate
New business · trusted advisor
See how founders use Startup Sherpa to make better decisions and reduce stress
Our packages
Start with the level of support your business needs
Every Startup Sherpa package is designed with one destination in mind — your first $1,000,000 in annual revenue.
The package you start on is simply where you are right now. As your business grows, your support grows with it.
Basecamp
For businesses under $250,000 in annual turnover
$345
/month + GST
Annual commitment — save 2 months
$414/month + GST on a month-to-month basis
Includes
Monthly live coaching webinars
Xero & DEXT account setup included
BAS lodgement
Annual company or trust tax return
2 personal tax returns
4 support calls per year
Bookkeeping add-on — $175/month
ASIC registered agent add-on ($300/yr)
Ascent
For businesses under $250,000 in annual turnover
$1,295
/month + GST
Annual commitment — save 2 months
$1155/month + GST on a month-to-month basis
Everything in basecamp, plus
Monthly live coaching webinars
Monthly bookkeeping included
Monthly management reports
Job profitability analysis
Quarterly CFO meetings
Annual tax planning meeting
ASIC registered agent included
Unlimited support calls
Summit
For businesses $1,000,000 – $5,000,000 in annual turnover
$2,170
/month + GST
Annual commitment — save 2 months
$2,605/month + GST on a month-to-month basis
Everything in Ascent, plus
Monthly live coaching webinars
Monthly CFO meetings
Annual budget preparation
KPI dashboard
Additional bookkeeping transactions
Full video course included
Unlimited support calls
| Service | Basecamp | Ascent | Summit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SETUP & COMPLIANCE | |||
| Xero & DEXT account setup (software at cost)* | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| BAS lodgement | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Annual company or trust tax return | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Personal tax returns (x2) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| ASIC registered agent (inc. lodgements & resolutions) | Add-on $300/yr | ✔ Included | ✔ Included |
| BOOKKEEPING & REPORTING | |||
| Monthly bookkeeping | Add-on $175/mo | ✔ Included | ✔ Included |
| Included transactions | Up to 150/mo | Up to 300/mo | Up to 450/mo |
| Monthly management reports | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Job profitability analysis | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Annual budget preparation | — | — | ✔ |
| KPI dashboard | — | — | ✔ |
| CFO SERVICES | |||
| Annual tax planning meeting | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Quarterly CFO meetings | — | ✔ | ✔ |
| Monthly CFO meeting | — | — | ✔ |
| SUPPORT | |||
| Support calls | 4 calls/year | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payroll services | POA add-on | POA add-on | POA add-on |
| EDUCATION & COMMUNITY | |||
| Monthly live coaching webinars | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Guest referral pass (1 per session) | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Full video course access | — | — | ✔ Included |
Every cent is tax deductible.
Every cent is tax deductible.Startup Sherpa fees are a tax-deductible business expense — which means the ATO is effectively subsidising your growth. At the top marginal tax rate of 45%, your real out-of-pocket cost could be significantly less than the sticker price.
Basecamp
$345/month
~$190
/month
after tax at 45%
Ascent
$1295/month
~$712
/month
after tax at 45%
Summit
$2170/month
~$1194
/month
after tax at 45%
How the tiers work
Basecamp
Under $250,000 annual turnover
Ascent
$250,000 – $1,000,000 annual turnover
Basecamp
$1,000,000 – $5,000,000 annual turnover
Custom
Above $5,000,000 — quoted individually
Your package is reviewed annually and adjusted to match your revenue tier. If your business grows significantly mid-year, we'll have a conversation about moving you up sooner.
You're also welcome to upgrade voluntarily at any time if you want more support before you hit the threshold.
Not sure which tier you're in yet?
Take the quiz →
Starting a new business?
Before you join a package, you need to be set up in the right structure. Our advice meeting with Craig covers your full situation and results in written advice and complete setup — company, trust, partnership, or sole trader — with all registrations handled end to end.
Advice meeting: $975 + government fees · 50% off with an annual package commitment
If sole trader is the right outcome for you, we refund $475 — you pay just $500.
Why Startup Sherpa
You don’t need another accountant.
You need someone who understands how to build a business.
5
businesses started personally
2
succesful exits
100s
of founders advised
$1m
target for every client
5
businesses started personally
2
succesful exits
100s
of founders advised
$1m
target for every client
Most advisors only solve half the problem.
Business owners are forced to choose between strategy and numbers.
1
Most accountants understand tax and compliance.
Useful, but not always enough to help you grow.
2
Most coaches understand motivation and strategy.
Helpful, but dangerous without accurate numbers underneath.
✓
Startup Sherpa brings both together.
Numbers, structure, coaching, and real business experience in one place.
Hear how Craig thinks about building from the ground up.
A practical look at business ownership, starting lean, and making better decisions early.
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Find your starting point
Where are you on the journey?
Most people starting a business don't know which path they're on, what support they need, or what to do first.
That's exactly what the Startup Sherpa quiz is designed to tell you.
In three minutes you'll know which of the five paths matches your situation
and which level of support makes sense for where you are today.
No obligation · No sales call unless you want one · Just clarity
The higher you climb, the more we carry.
Startup Sherpa is a trading name of
Kalek Advisors Pty Ltd
ABN: 58 693 152 251
Tax Agent No: 26338091 · ASIC Agent No: 54256
PO Box 135, Darlington WA 6070
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© 2025 Kalek Advisors Pty Ltd trading as Startup Sherpa. All rights reserved.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
The information on this website is general in nature and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Please seek professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances.