Starting a small business is never an easy task. It does not matter if you are importing from China to Australia or if you are setting up something in your local town or city. The most important quality a person, or a team, needs in order to make a small business successful is hard work. Getting a business up and running will require a tremendous amount of diligence, team work, and perseverance. Things may not always go your way, but as long as you stick with it chances are the rewards will be great.

Here are some other key ways in which a small business can be made successful:

1. Look to a mentor: If you can find someone to help you along with your new adventure, it will make things a lot smoother. Even if that mentor is not in the same industry as you, just having someone who knows the small business world to guide you will be a huge help.
2. Networking: There is nothing more important than networking when any business is concerned. Look to your family, friends, colleagues from the past, and any business acquaintances you have made. 
3. Sales Pitches: You have to be very prepared to pitch your small business idea to people. You are going to need partners, investment, and people to come work for you. All of this will only be possible if they are sold on the idea of your business. Make sure your sales pitch is exactly right for the market you are entering.
4. Embrace Failure: This may seem strange, but you have to be someone who can handle set backs well. Not everything will go according to plan. If you are planning a complicated business that imports from China to Australia, chances are you will have problems along the way. Look at a failure as more motivation to succeed, not an excuse to give up on the business.
5. Get advice: As well as a mentor, look for advice from people in your field. If you are opening a particular type of shop or store, then you must see how others have been successful at it. Do not ask your immediate competition, as they may not react well. But go to other towns and cities, look to the internet, and find people who were in similar situations to where you are now. This will give you the kind of advice that will drive your business forwards.

The bottom line is that any small business is going to be difficult to start. With the economy being the way it is, any business will find it a struggle to get a solid client base and move forward. However, if you are intelligent and use the skills you have properly, then there is no reason why a small business cannot be successful.

Use the internet as a marketing tool. This is the best thing any small business can do in today's environment. More people are going on the internet to check out products and services than ever before. They trust the internet more than local stores or shopping centres. If you can create a solid internet presence with a website and/or blog, then you can get a client base that could drive your small business towards greater success!