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Business Resources

Starting your Business

It all starts with an idea. Whether you’ve dreamed up a lucrative dog-walking business with your best friend, or you’ve decided that your culinary skills should be unleashed upon the world, you’ve had a lightbulb moment that has effectively kick-started your entrepreneurial career.

If you choose to follow through with that lightbulb moment, our business resources are here to help you on your path towards entrepreneurship. This section, in particular, covers some of the important aspects of starting your business. If what you need to know is not covered on our website, please refer to our page of accredited resources found here for links to Canadian small business resource websites to find more information.

Want a quick page to reference as you go? Check out Small Business BC’s Starting a Business Checklist.

Starting a business in Coquitlam? Find more resources at the Business LinQ.

Starting a business in Port Coquitlam? Find more resources at the BizHub.

Crafting Your Business Plan

As an aspiring business owner, your business plan is an asset that can make or break your entrepreneurial career. By setting a course for your business in advance – outlining goals, solidifying an identity, planning an exit – your choices as an entrepreneur can remain grounded and rational even in times of hardship.

What exactly goes into a business plan? While there is no single, set layout to follow, the Canada Business Network (CBN) has put together a good set of topics worth looking into:

Once you’ve finished putting together your business plan, you’ll want to review it extensively. Remember that the end goal is a concise, easy-to-read, professional document that clearly outlines every aspect of you and your business. When you’re confident that your plan fits all of those criteria, you’ll be properly prepared to make your entrepreneurial dream a reality.

Financing Your Business

If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur with a great idea – but no actual business to speak of – you’ll find that applying for financing can be an uphill battle. Banks generally choose not to provide funding for entrepreneurs without established businesses, and many online options come with unacceptably high-interest rates. However, reasonable options do exist. This section aims to offer some relief for entrepreneurs looking to start their businesses off right with the proper funding.

Licenses, Permits, and Bylaws

Businesses operating in the Tri-Cities must be properly registered with both the Province of BC and the city in which they reside. They must also make sure that their desired business name isn’t already in use in British Columbia. The type of license that a business requires depends on the type of the business in question. There are licenses available for both permanent and temporary businesses operating across the Tri-Cities.

For more information on registering your business with the Province of BC, you can refer to the OneStop Business Registry, a government website that provides step-by-step instructions and links to assist business owners in the provincial business licensing process.

Finding your Business Space

Most traditional businesses logistically require a physical store or office to operate out of. A challenge for new entrepreneurs lies in finding that first location, and you may not know where to begin in your search. This section aims to provide some basic guidance as you navigate to find your first business space.

Growing Your Business

Opening your own business is no small feat. Now that you’ve passed that initial point, you finally have some room to breathe; you’ve established yourself in your community, and profits are steady.

This new situation begs the question: where do you go from here?

Are you happy with where your business is right now, or are you considering making some major improvements? How do you plan on making sure that your business is attracting new customers every day? Are you willing to further commit to an ideology of corporate citizenship within your community? This section aims to cover just a few of the different things you can do with your company once it’s comfortably off the ground.

The Triple Bottom Line
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Applying for a Loan

Accredited Resources

Economic Support Programs for Businesses

Discover and learn more about the economic support programs and resources available for your business, industry, organization, or community groups.

Loans and Grants

Access loans, grants, and flexible financing solutions that are available to BC businesses.

Programs and Resources

Programs and resources are available to help develop, expand, and manage your business operations.

Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL)

The Canadian anti-spam legislation protects Canadians while ensuring businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace. Any business using electronic channels to promote or market your business will be affected by these laws.

If you use email, SMS, social media, or instant messaging to send promotional information about your business to customers and prospects, you must have a valid form of implied or expressed consent from your contacts. As a business owner, it is your responsibility to understand and comply with this legislation.

Closing your Business

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