Money

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.

8 Things Every Startup Needs to Know
Eight things everyone involved in a business startup should consider before they start the process, from my experience of having been through it.

12 Facts About Starting a Business in Canada
Twelve things you need to know before starting a business in Canada.

The Best Business Opportunities 2013
Is this the year that you’re finally going to start a business? Then this list of the best business opportunities of 2013 is a must-read.

Top 5 Business Trends 2012
If you're thinking of starting a business, these five business trends of 2012 will provide you with inspiration (and clues for where the profits are).

Where Can I Find Wholesalers?
Need to know how to find wholesalers for the products you want to sell in your new small business? Use this guide to where and how to look.

How to Find Suppliers – Dos and Don'ts
Make your search for suppliers for your small business more successful with these tips for finding suppliers.

The Best Business Opportunities of 2012
Thinking of starting a business in 2012 and wondering what the best business to start might be? Here are some ideas for the best business opportunities for 2012.

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.

What's Best: Buying a Business or Starting a Small Business From Scratch?
One of the first decisions you have to make when you're thinking of starting a small business is whether you should be buying a business or starting a small business from scratch. Here's what you need to consider to help you make this decision.

The Best Business Opportunities of 2010
What are the best business opportunities of 2010? Green is where the money is this year, from green technologies to food produced in more environmentally friendly ways. Seniors are another increasing market rife with business opportunities; you'll find several suggestions for meeting their needs on this list. Here are my predictions for the best...

Non-Canadians - How to Open a Business in Canada
Are you a non-Canadian who has an established business in your own country and would like to open a business in Canada? Or are you a non-Canadian who would like to start a company in Canada? Here’s how to open a business in Canada.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Your Small Business Advice
People who have been there and done that are always one of the best resources when you're trying to learn something - and learning how to best run a small business is no exception. Read the advice of others and share your advice on topics ranging from small business startup mistakes and starting a business through the best digital voice...

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Starting a Business: Register a Business Name
Do you need to register a business name? And how do you register a business name? Here's how to register a business name in various provinces for a new sole proprietorship, partnership or corporation.

Starting a Business: Finding Small Business Financing
While many new small businesses are financed out of their owners' pockets, many others need an infusion of funds from other sources to get off the ground. This page presents the main small business financing options for financing a new business in Canada.

How to Start Your Own Business
Five common reasons why people put off starting a business - and the information you need so you can move past these excuses and get on with achieving your dream and starting your own business.

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.

The Two Main Problems of Starting a Small Business
Laid off? This may be the perfect chance to reinvent yourself and start a small business. But there are two main problems to starting a small business: getting your small business to make money and paying your bills and living expenses in the meantime. Here's a discussion of these two main problems to starting a small business and how you can overcome them.

How I Got Into Starting a Small Business
Small business owners share their stories of starting a small business. If you’re a small business owner, share your starting a small business story here.

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.

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.

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.

Reader Stories: How I Got Into Starting a Small Business
Readers share their stories about how they got into starting small businesses - and share their advice for making starting a small business a smoother, more successful experience.

10 Business Start-Up Mistakes to Avoid
Cherilyn Lester explains ten mistakes many entrepreneurs make when starting a business – and how you can avoid these mistakes with your own start-up.

Why Do Small Businesses Fail?
Why do small businesses fail? Because of poor planning mainly. This article presents five areas of planning that need to be thought out before you start a small business and resources to help you do the planning that needs to be done so you can avoid business failure.

From Salaried to Solo: 7 Financial Strategies
Interested in starting a business but worried about how you'll keep the money coming in to pay the bills while you do it? Nina Ham explains how it can be done.

Best Small Business Ideas for Businesses That Will Prosper in Tough Times
If you're looking to start a small business when times are tough, look first to those businesses that address needs that will always have to be met. Here are ten such ideas for businesses to start for you to choose from.

12 Unique Business Ideas
The unique business ideas in this collection range from dealing with head lice through doing strange things with road kill, but they all have one thing in common; all of these unique business ideas are real businesses that make money, and some of them have been established for years.

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.

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.

6 Fall Small Business Ideas for Making Quick Bucks
When we think of seasonal businesses, we tend to think of summer and winter. But fall is a season too and like any other provides plenty of small business opportunities. Here are six small business ideas for profiting from the changes that fall brings to people's lives.

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 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...

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.

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.

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.

Do I Have to Register for PST or RST?
Find out whether or not you need to register your new business here with links to PST/RST registration information.

Halloween - A Really Sweet Business Opportunity
These Halloween statistics prove that those Halloween jack-o-lanterns are packed with business opportunities. Get inspired with these Halloween business ideas.

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 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 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 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.

The Best Business Opportunities of 2011
What are the best business opportunities of 2011? 2011, like 2010, is another year where consumer markets will be dominated by the perceived needs of baby boomers. From travel through medical technology, it's hard to find an industry not impacted by the boomer population bulge. Here are my predictions for the best business opportunities for 2011.

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.

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.

Franchise Definition
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

Top 10 Tips for Starting a Business That Will Succeed
My top ten pieces of start up business advice will help you avoid common pitfalls and start a business that has staying power.

Can I Start a Small Business in Canada When I'm Not Living in Canada?
Is starting a business in Canada possible when you're a nonresident? Yes, as long as certain conditions are met as this entry in the Starting a Business FAQ explains.

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.

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?

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.

Can I Start a Business When I’m in Canada on a Work Permit?
Wondering if you can start a business in Canada when you’re in the country on a Canada work permit? If so, here's the answer to your question.

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 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 if someone else is using the same business name?
What can you do is someone else is usingthe same business name as yours? The answer depends on how you've structured your business, as this entry in the Starting a Business FAQs explains.

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.

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.

Info-Guide - Starting a Business in Quebec
Use the menu on the left to navigate through these pages which summarizes all the elements of starting a business, such as preparing a business plan and sources of financial assistance. Packed with information!

Legal Requirements: Starting a Business in B.C.
This page from Small Business BC provides information on business structures, how to register your business in B.C., and links to two Starting a Business checklists.

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 no longer administers the program but this page provides eligibility information and links to provincial agencies.

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 in Quebec
Info Entrepreneurs, part of the Canada Business Network, has put together this compendium of resources about starting a business. Browse the menu at top left to find information on everything from how to set up your new business through starting a business resources in Quebec.

Starting Your Business
How to calculate your start-up costs, a marketing worksheet, sample business plans and more all from Business Know-How (American).

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