4 Ways Start Smart Helps You Launch a Business in BC

Every great business starts with the same building blocks. Small Business BC’s Smart Start package helps you take your business from idea to reality.

Each Start Smart package includes two live sessions plus access to our e-course Steps to Starting a Business in BC. You’ll learn all the basic requirements of starting a business, including:

  • Which business structure is right for you
  • How to register a business
  • The basics of WorkSafeBC and your responsibilities as an employer
  • And how to ensure that your new business is tax-compliant from the start

Here’s how Start Smart can help you start up a new business and get you on the right path to success:

1. Market Research

Before you launch your business, you have to test your idea by doing market research. Start Smart walks you through the three major areas to research and how to clearly identify your target market and understand potential customers.

Tip: Small Business BC offers Market Research Advisory services to help you gain a more complete picture of your business and its opportunities.

Through market research, you’ll be able to validate some assumptions you have about your business idea and be empowered to make smart decisions as you build your business.

2. Business Planning

After you’ve done market research to validate your business idea, you can start writing a business plan.

Tip: You can meet for free with Small Business BC’s Accessibility Advisor for one-on-one advice about building an inclusive business.

Business Plans are detailed documents outlining your business and its operations. Writing a business plan requires thinking deeply about all aspects of your business.

In Start Smart, you’ll learn all about what a good business plan should include. You’ll also get access to SBBC’s business plan template, sample business plans, and a link to watch SBBC’s Writing a Business Plan webinar.

3. Business and Accounting Registration

Start Smart helps walk you through the BC business registration process, pointing you to the exact places to go and steps to take. You’ll learn step by step how to navigate the registration process for Sole Proprietorships, Partnerships, and Corporations. You’ll also learn about business licenses, GST and PST registration, and other CRA account registrations.

Tip: Start Smart has two live sessions. You can join both sessions online, or you can attend the first session in person at the Small Business BC offices in Vancouver.

It’s critical to get these early business steps right so that you can be tax-compliant right from the start of your operations.

4. Connect with Resources, Tools, and Ongoing Support

Start Smart connects you with small business resources, tools, and support to get started and continue to grow your business. Here’s a look at some of SBBC’s resources:

  • Education – Live sessions, e-learning courses, and videos
  • Advisory – Business planning, market research, general start-up guidance
  • Experts – External experts, including lawyers, accountants, business brokers
  • Networking – Meetups, Awards ceremony, Build. Grow. Thrive. event and more
  • Funding –  Canada Digital Adoption Program & Workplace Accessibility Grant (WAG)
  • Workplace Accessibility Resources: Resource hub supporting small businesses in BC to build more inclusive businesses
  • Free Resources – Articles, How-to guides, downloadable checklists and more

Are you ready to register for the next Smart Start series? Small Business BC’s expert education team offers Start Smart every month so there’s always a chance to join us at the next Smart Start series.

Small Business BC is Here to Help

SBBC is a non-profit resource centre for BC-based small businesses. Whatever your idea of success is, we’re here to provide holistic support and resources at every step of the journey. Check out our range of business webinars, on-demand E-Learning Education, our Talk to an Expert Advisories, or browse our business articles.

Advertisement