Starting a Small Business
Resources for starting a small business in Canada, including advice for starting a business, small business ideas, business plans, forms of Canadian business ownership, business registration and business startup procedures.
Starting a Business Advice (19)
Business Registration (22)
Be an Entrepreneur (9)
Starting in E-Commerce @
Business Ideas (19)
Starting a Home Business @
Business Opportunities (14)
Buying a Business (22)
Business Plans @
GST/HST Registration @
Forms of Business Ownership (7)
PST/RST Registration @
Business Names (11)
Business Start Up Diary (6)
Incorporation (26)
Business Success Stories @
Got a Job? Start a New Business!
The best time to start being self-employed is when you're already employed. You'll only be able to work at or in your business part-time, but you'll have these three big advantages that will smooth your business start up and give your new business a better chance of success.
The best time to start being self-employed is when you're already employed. You'll only be able to work at or in your business part-time, but you'll have these three big advantages that will smooth your business start up and give your new business a better chance of success.
The Self-Employment Program: One of the Best Small Business Grants in Canada
If you're starting a business and looking for small business grants in Canada, you have to check out the federal government's Self-Employment Program. It's one of the best small business grants in Canada, providing business start up money and so much more for those who qualify. Find out what the Self-Employment Program offers and if it's for you in this article.
If you're starting a business and looking for small business grants in Canada, you have to check out the federal government's Self-Employment Program. It's one of the best small business grants in Canada, providing business start up money and so much more for those who qualify. Find out what the Self-Employment Program offers and if it's for you in this article.
The Canada Small Business Financing Program
Whether you're looking for new business financing or for financing for your established small business, the Canada Small Business Financing Program is a good deal. Here are the details of this federal small business loan program and how your Canadian small business can apply.
Whether you're looking for new business financing or for financing for your established small business, the Canada Small Business Financing Program is a good deal. Here are the details of this federal small business loan program and how your Canadian small business can apply.
10 Baby Boomer Trends & How to Profit From Them
The baby boomer market is an extremely desirable market because of its sheer size. Learn how you can get a piece of the baby boomer market with these small business ideas based on baby boomer trends.
The baby boomer market is an extremely desirable market because of its sheer size. Learn how you can get a piece of the baby boomer market with these small business ideas based on baby boomer trends.
Don't Do What You Love When Starting Your Own Business
One of the most common pieces of advice to people thinking of starting a small business is to do what they love. But that’s wrong. Here’s why doing what you love is a bad idea if you’re starting your own business.
One of the most common pieces of advice to people thinking of starting a small business is to do what they love. But that’s wrong. Here’s why doing what you love is a bad idea if you’re starting your own business.
Best Business Opportunities 2008
What are the best business opportunities of 2008? Those business opportunities that tap into consumers' green impulses and, of course, those business opportunities that meet the needs of particular niches. Here are my predictions for the best business opportunities for 2008.
What are the best business opportunities of 2008? Those business opportunities that tap into consumers' green impulses and, of course, those business opportunities that meet the needs of particular niches. Here are my predictions for the best business opportunities for 2008.
Halloween - A Really Sweet Business Opportunity
Don't just look at Halloween as a trick-or-treating obligation or a chance to party. Halloween presents many business opportunities that a savvy entrepreneur won't want to overlook. Here's why Halloween businesses are such good business opportunities and ideas for starting a Halloween business of your own.
Don't just look at Halloween as a trick-or-treating obligation or a chance to party. Halloween presents many business opportunities that a savvy entrepreneur won't want to overlook. Here's why Halloween businesses are such good business opportunities and ideas for starting a Halloween business of your own.
7 Financial Strategies for Transitioning from Salaried to Solo
Interested in starting a business but worried about how you'll keep the money coming in to pay the bills while you do it? These seven financing ideas for starting a business from Nina Ham will make starting a business less of a financial strain.
Interested in starting a business but worried about how you'll keep the money coming in to pay the bills while you do it? These seven financing ideas for starting a business from Nina Ham will make starting a business less of a financial strain.
10 Best Small Business Ideas for Students
Start your own business this summer, working for yourself rather than working for someone else. While some people are still looking for a summer job, your own business will already be up and running - and making money. Here are the best business ideas for students.
Start your own business this summer, working for yourself rather than working for someone else. While some people are still looking for a summer job, your own business will already be up and running - and making money. Here are the best business ideas for students.
Starting a Business: Finding Business Ideas
Sometimes the hardest part of starting a business is coming up with a business idea. Follow the links on this page to find small business ideas and home based ideas that will get you over the business ideas hurdle and onto actually starting your new business.
Sometimes the hardest part of starting a business is coming up with a business idea. Follow the links on this page to find small business ideas and home based ideas that will get you over the business ideas hurdle and onto actually starting your new business.
Home Based Business Ideas Gallery
If you're looking for a home based business idea, browse this gallery of home based business ideas – and find a home based business idea that fits your talents and your budget.
If you're looking for a home based business idea, browse this gallery of home based business ideas – and find a home based business idea that fits your talents and your budget.
Best Business Opportunities 2007
The best business opportunities of 2007 are those opportunities that meet people’s needs on one end of the scale or the other – indulgence versus health. Here are my predictions for the best business opportunities for 2007, business opportunities with the best profit potential.
The best business opportunities of 2007 are those opportunities that meet people’s needs on one end of the scale or the other – indulgence versus health. Here are my predictions for the best business opportunities for 2007, business opportunities with the best profit potential.
Starting a Business FAQs
Do you need to register your business? Or need a business bank account? How do you register for the GST/HST? Find the answers to these questions about starting a business and more in these Starting a Business FAQs for people starting a business in Canada.
Do you need to register your business? Or need a business bank account? How do you register for the GST/HST? Find the answers to these questions about starting a business and more in these Starting a Business FAQs for people starting a business in Canada.
Starting a Business Quiz
Are you one of those people wondering if starting a business is right for you? This starting a business quiz will help you decide whether or not the time is right for you to start your own business.
Are you one of those people wondering if starting a business is right for you? This starting a business quiz will help you decide whether or not the time is right for you to start your own business.
Steps for Starting a Business
Make your dream of starting a business a reality with this guide to the steps to follow when starting a business in Canada. Includes links to starting a business resources, such as writing a business plan.
Make your dream of starting a business a reality with this guide to the steps to follow when starting a business in Canada. Includes links to starting a business resources, such as writing a business plan.
Starting a Small Business in Canada Course
Thinking of starting a business but don't know where to start? Wondering what steps you need to go through to make your new business legal or wrestling with writing a business plan? This free 10 week email course will lead you through the process of starting a business in Canada - step by step.
Thinking of starting a business but don't know where to start? Wondering what steps you need to go through to make your new business legal or wrestling with writing a business plan? This free 10 week email course will lead you through the process of starting a business in Canada - step by step.
Before You Start a Home-Based Business
Is starting a home-based business right for you?Here's how to judge the suitability of your neighbourhood and house, and how well your family and personality suit a home-based business.
Is starting a home-based business right for you?Here's how to judge the suitability of your neighbourhood and house, and how well your family and personality suit a home-based business.
Best Business Opportunities 2006
What will be the best business opportunities in 2006? Find out with this top 10 list of business opportunities that are the best in terms of potential profit and growth.
What will be the best business opportunities in 2006? Find out with this top 10 list of business opportunities that are the best in terms of potential profit and growth.
Best Business Opportunities 2005
What were the best business opportunities in 2005? This top 10 list of the business opportunities that are best in terms of their potential profit and growth is still relevant today.
What were the best business opportunities in 2005? This top 10 list of the business opportunities that are best in terms of their potential profit and growth is still relevant today.
Top 10 Home Business Opportunities
Searching for hot home-based business opportunities? Then this list of the best home-based business opportunities may be just what you're looking for. These home-based business opportunities are the best because of their potential right now and because there's only going to be a growing demand for these products and services in the future.
Searching for hot home-based business opportunities? Then this list of the best home-based business opportunities may be just what you're looking for. These home-based business opportunities are the best because of their potential right now and because there's only going to be a growing demand for these products and services in the future.
Breakeven Analysis
A definition of the business term breakeven analysis and how to do a breakeven analysis - so you can tell whether or not you're starting a business that will be viable.
A definition of the business term breakeven analysis and how to do a breakeven analysis - so you can tell whether or not you're starting a business that will be viable.
10 Business Start Up Mistakes to Avoid When Starting a Business
Cherilyn Lester explains ten mistakes many entrepreneurs make when starting a business – and how you can avoid these mistakes with your own start-up.
Cherilyn Lester explains ten mistakes many entrepreneurs make when starting a business – and how you can avoid these mistakes with your own start-up.
Choosing a Form of Business Ownership
Need to know how to legally set up your business? This explanation of business structures includes definitions of the common forms of business in Canada.
Need to know how to legally set up your business? This explanation of business structures includes definitions of the common forms of business in Canada.
Don’t Let Fear of Failure Stop You From Starting a Small Business
"I'd like to start a business but..." Is fear of failure preventing you from starting a small business? Here's how to conquer your fear so you can move forward and start the small business you’ve long wanted to start.
"I'd like to start a business but..." Is fear of failure preventing you from starting a small business? Here's how to conquer your fear so you can move forward and start the small business you’ve long wanted to start.
Do I Have to Register my Business Name?
Do you have to register a business name when you're starting a business? This FAQ has the answer - and explains why you might want to register your business name even if you don't have to.
Do you have to register a business name when you're starting a business? This FAQ has the answer - and explains why you might want to register your business name even if you don't have to.
Do I Have to Register for PST or RST?
Do you have to register for PST (Provincial Sales Tax) or RST (Retail Sales Tax) when you start a business? In Canada, that depends on what province or territory you’re starting a business in. Here are the details with links to PST/RST registration information.
Do you have to register for PST (Provincial Sales Tax) or RST (Retail Sales Tax) when you start a business? In Canada, that depends on what province or territory you’re starting a business in. Here are the details with links to PST/RST registration information.
Do I Need a Business Bank Account?
Do you have to open a business bank account? This Starting a Business FAQ has the answer - and some advice for finding the best business bank account.
Do you have to open a business bank account? This Starting a Business FAQ has the answer - and some advice for finding the best business bank account.
Do I Need a Business Number and How Do I Get a Business Number?
Does your Canadian business need a Business Number? And how do you get a Business Number if you need one? This entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains who needs a Business Number and how to register for one if you do.
Does your Canadian business need a Business Number? And how do you get a Business Number if you need one? This entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains who needs a Business Number and how to register for one if you do.
Do I Need to Register for GST?
Do you need to register for GST when you start a small business? This FAQ tells which businesses need to register for GST in Canada and which don't - and explains why you might want to register for GST even if you don't have to.
Do you need to register for GST when you start a small business? This FAQ tells which businesses need to register for GST in Canada and which don't - and explains why you might want to register for GST even if you don't have to.
Do I Need to Write a Business Plan?
Writing a business plan is especially critical when you’re starting a business. Here’s why writing a business plan should be one of the first things you do once you’ve decided to start a business with information on how to write a business plan.
Writing a business plan is especially critical when you’re starting a business. Here’s why writing a business plan should be one of the first things you do once you’ve decided to start a business with information on how to write a business plan.
Five Resources You Need to Succeed
Are you a "Type D" person? Do you have sufficient start-up capital? These are only two of the five resources you must have if in place before starting a successful small business.
Are you a "Type D" person? Do you have sufficient start-up capital? These are only two of the five resources you must have if in place before starting a successful small business.
Franchise Definition
A definition of franchise and some franchise resources for small business owners.
A definition of franchise and some franchise resources for small business owners.
How to Get Your New Business Name Right
A business name does more than identify your company. It tells customers who you are, what you do, and how you do it. Your business name differentiates you from your peers, peaks customer interest, and invites further investigation - if you do it right. Here’s how to pick the right new business name by applying these six elements.
A business name does more than identify your company. It tells customers who you are, what you do, and how you do it. Your business name differentiates you from your peers, peaks customer interest, and invites further investigation - if you do it right. Here’s how to pick the right new business name by applying these six elements.
How Do I Find Small Business Start Up Money?
How do you find small business start up money? This entry in the Starting a Business FAQ tells what the most common sources of small business start up money are and gives tips for finding the start up money you need.
How do you find small business start up money? This entry in the Starting a Business FAQ tells what the most common sources of small business start up money are and gives tips for finding the start up money you need.
How do I Register my Business?
How do you register a business in Canada? This FAQ tells how to register a business in Ontario and other provinces and outlines the basic process to register a business.
How do you register a business in Canada? This FAQ tells how to register a business in Ontario and other provinces and outlines the basic process to register a business.
How to Do GST Registration in Canada
What's the GST registration process in Canada? This FAQ explains the GST registration process and provides the numbers and/or forms necessary to complete your GST registration.
What's the GST registration process in Canada? This FAQ explains the GST registration process and provides the numbers and/or forms necessary to complete your GST registration.
Graduation Gifts for Grads Going into Business
You know your grad put in a lot of hard work to reach this milestone and of course you want to give a graduation gift that rewards his or her accomplishment. But if your grad is headed for the business world, why not also be you’re your graduation gift will contribute to his or her future success? Here are graduation gift ideas that will put your business grad ahead of his class.
You know your grad put in a lot of hard work to reach this milestone and of course you want to give a graduation gift that rewards his or her accomplishment. But if your grad is headed for the business world, why not also be you’re your graduation gift will contribute to his or her future success? Here are graduation gift ideas that will put your business grad ahead of his class.
7 Inexpensive Business Ideas
Want to start a business but don’t have a lot of money to invest or time to invest in developing specialized skills? Then you’ll want to have a look at this list of business ideas for profitable businesses you can start inexpensively and quickly. And all of them would work as home-based businesses, too.
Want to start a business but don’t have a lot of money to invest or time to invest in developing specialized skills? Then you’ll want to have a look at this list of business ideas for profitable businesses you can start inexpensively and quickly. And all of them would work as home-based businesses, too.
What’s the Best Time for Starting a Business?
What’s the best time for starting a business? It’s got nothing to do with how old you are, as this entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains.
What’s the best time for starting a business? It’s got nothing to do with how old you are, as this entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains.
Top 7 Myths About Starting a Small Business
Here are some of the most common (and enduring) myths about starting a small business. If you’re basing your expectations of starting a business on any of these myths, you’re going to be disappointed.
Here are some of the most common (and enduring) myths about starting a small business. If you’re basing your expectations of starting a business on any of these myths, you’re going to be disappointed.
5 Rules for Choosing a Business Name
Choosing a business name is one of the most important things you’ll do during the process of starting a business. These five rules for choosing a business name will help you create a business name that’s easy for your customers to remember and good for business promotion too.
Choosing a business name is one of the most important things you’ll do during the process of starting a business. These five rules for choosing a business name will help you create a business name that’s easy for your customers to remember and good for business promotion too.
Should You Buy a Franchise?
Are you cut out to be a franchisee? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a franchise and what to expect when buying a franchise to help you decide.
Are you cut out to be a franchisee? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of buying a franchise and what to expect when buying a franchise to help you decide.
Should I Incorporate my Business?
Should you incorporate your business? This FAQ explains the incorporation issues you need to consider to help you decide whether or not to incorporate your business.
Should you incorporate your business? This FAQ explains the incorporation issues you need to consider to help you decide whether or not to incorporate your business.
Starting a Business: Choosing a Business Name
When choosing a business name, there are two things to consider; the business name's marketing potential and its legal elements. This page explains how to choose the right business name for your new business for those starting small businesses in Canada.
When choosing a business name, there are two things to consider; the business name's marketing potential and its legal elements. This page explains how to choose the right business name for your new business for those starting small businesses in Canada.
Starting a Business: Choosing a Form of Business
Choosing the right form of business is important because the form of business you choose will govern how your business is organized, how the money is handled, and how your business is taxed. These resources will help you choose a business structure when you're starting a small business in Canada.
Choosing the right form of business is important because the form of business you choose will govern how your business is organized, how the money is handled, and how your business is taxed. These resources will help you choose a business structure when you're starting a small business in Canada.
Starting a Business: Register a Business Name
Do you need to register a business name? And how do you register a business name? These resources on business registration in Canada include details on how to register a business name in various provinces.
Do you need to register a business name? And how do you register a business name? These resources on business registration in Canada include details on how to register a business name in various provinces.
Starting Your Own Business Resources
Find the information you need about starting a business of a specific type with these starting your own business articles from starting a Bed and Breakfast through becoming a Web Designer.
Find the information you need about starting a business of a specific type with these starting your own business articles from starting a Bed and Breakfast through becoming a Web Designer.
Top 10 Home Business Opportunities
Searching for a hot home business opportunity? Then this list of the best home business opportunities may be just what you're looking for. These home business opportunities are the best because of their potential right now and because there's only going to be a growing demand for these products and services in the future.
Searching for a hot home business opportunity? Then this list of the best home business opportunities may be just what you're looking for. These home business opportunities are the best because of their potential right now and because there's only going to be a growing demand for these products and services in the future.
Top 10 Tips for Starting a Business That Will Succeed
Thinking of starting a business but worried about failure? Learn how to start a business that will succeed and thrive with these top ten pieces of start up business advice from Susan Ward.
Thinking of starting a business but worried about failure? Learn how to start a business that will succeed and thrive with these top ten pieces of start up business advice from Susan Ward.
Thinking of Starting a Small Business?
What abilities do you need to get a successful business off the ground? Why do some small business start-ups fail and how can you avoid this? Find out if you're ready to make the plunge into entrepreneurship.
What abilities do you need to get a successful business off the ground? Why do some small business start-ups fail and how can you avoid this? Find out if you're ready to make the plunge into entrepreneurship.
6 Traits You Need to Move From Employee to Self-Employed
Moving from being an employee to being self-employed can be a very difficult transition. Here are the six traits that encapsulate the ways you have to think and behave if you want to make a successful transition from being employed in some one else's business to starting a business of your own.
Moving from being an employee to being self-employed can be a very difficult transition. Here are the six traits that encapsulate the ways you have to think and behave if you want to make a successful transition from being employed in some one else's business to starting a business of your own.
The Two Paths to Starting a Business
The two paths to starting a business may end up at the same place, with you running a successful established small business, but one of the paths is a lot longer and more rock-strewn than the other. Which will you choose?
The two paths to starting a business may end up at the same place, with you running a successful established small business, but one of the paths is a lot longer and more rock-strewn than the other. Which will you choose?
One-Stop Business Startup Resources
Starting a business? Find out what it takes to be an entrepreneur and information about all the steps of starting a successful business in this collection of features from About.com.
Starting a business? Find out what it takes to be an entrepreneur and information about all the steps of starting a successful business in this collection of features from About.com.
What Type of Business Should You Start?
If you want to start a business, there's a world of bewildering possibilities out there. This five-step plan will lead you through the decision making process for figuring out what type of business you truly want to start.
If you want to start a business, there's a world of bewildering possibilities out there. This five-step plan will lead you through the decision making process for figuring out what type of business you truly want to start.
When Does a Business Start?
You would think that when your business starts would be obvious when you’re starting a business – but that’s not the case. Here’s the lowdown on when your business officially starts.
You would think that when your business starts would be obvious when you’re starting a business – but that’s not the case. Here’s the lowdown on when your business officially starts.
What's the Difference Between a Business Name and a Business Number?
What’s the difference between a business name and a business number and does your business have to have both? This entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains.
What’s the difference between a business name and a business number and does your business have to have both? This entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains.
Pink Slips to Deposit Slips
Start your own business after a layoff. About Small Business Information Guide Darrell Zahorsky presents the five top tips for the unemployed before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship.
Start your own business after a layoff. About Small Business Information Guide Darrell Zahorsky presents the five top tips for the unemployed before taking the plunge into entrepreneurship.
Getting Started in Small Business
Excellent handbook by the Canadian Banker's Association lays out the basics of starting a small business, from finding a business that's right for you, through finding the money. I especially like the sections on the business plan and equity financing; the charts and tip sidebars are very useful.
Excellent handbook by the Canadian Banker's Association lays out the basics of starting a small business, from finding a business that's right for you, through finding the money. I especially like the sections on the business plan and equity financing; the charts and tip sidebars are very useful.
Info-Guide - Starting/Expanding a Business in Québec
Use the table of contents to navigate through this useful document which summarizes all the elements of starting a business, such as preparing a business plan and sources of financial assistance. Packed with information!
Use the table of contents to navigate through this useful document which summarizes all the elements of starting a business, such as preparing a business plan and sources of financial assistance. Packed with information!
Online Small Business Workshop
The Small Business Workshop covers starting with a good idea, marketing, planning, financing - and getting started of course (British Columbia's Business Service Centre).
The Small Business Workshop covers starting with a good idea, marketing, planning, financing - and getting started of course (British Columbia's Business Service Centre).
Self-Employment Program
This program provides "unemployed EI eligible individuals with financial support, planning assistance and mentoring while they get their businesses up and running" (HRSDC Canada).
This program provides "unemployed EI eligible individuals with financial support, planning assistance and mentoring while they get their businesses up and running" (HRSDC Canada).
Starting a Business
Starting a business is broken into nine logical steps. Steps 1 through 5, from determining if you're an entrepreneur through preparing a business plan, apply to any business, while steps 6 through 9, business or trade name registration through community links, are specific to Ontario.
Starting a business is broken into nine logical steps. Steps 1 through 5, from determining if you're an entrepreneur through preparing a business plan, apply to any business, while steps 6 through 9, business or trade name registration through community links, are specific to Ontario.
Starting a Business (in Quebec)
This guide from Communication-Québec covers everything from a profile of the entrepreneur through specific procedures for setting up the various forms of business. (Page to download the PDF version.)
This guide from Communication-Québec covers everything from a profile of the entrepreneur through specific procedures for setting up the various forms of business. (Page to download the PDF version.)
Starting a Small Business
An excellent guide for starting a home-based or small business in Alberta, which covers determining whether or not starting a business is right for you, how to get started, and preparing a business plan. The appendices are particularly useful; they give information on licenses, permits, and approvals, and links to Alberta Economic Development and Tourism offices.
An excellent guide for starting a home-based or small business in Alberta, which covers determining whether or not starting a business is right for you, how to get started, and preparing a business plan. The appendices are particularly useful; they give information on licenses, permits, and approvals, and links to Alberta Economic Development and Tourism offices.
Starting Your Business
How to calculate your start-up costs, a marketing worksheet, sample business plans and more all from Business Know-How (American).
How to calculate your start-up costs, a marketing worksheet, sample business plans and more all from Business Know-How (American).