Free Business Resources
The first thing to do if you have an idea for a business is to Google "How to Start a ______________ business". Fill in the blank with your idea and there will likely be many articles providing an overview of what your business idea could become and how.
FREE (and almost free) ACCESS TO TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY AND MORE
(access is dependent on Covid-19 restrictions at each resource location)
Tools to Borrow for Gardners and Handypersons – The Toronto Tool Lending Library offers a wide variety of tools for home renovations, gardening and lawn maintenance, repairs, DIY projects and more! Annual memberships start at $55/year.
Borrow a Musical Instrument – The Toronto Public Library has two locations that lend musical instruments. If your business is to teach an instrument, your student can borrow their instrument free through the library. An instrument can be borrowed for three weeks with two renewals, so potentially, nine weeks in total. Great for a trial period.
Free Digital Classes and Technology– The Toronto Public Library has Digital Innovation Hugs in eight locations. You get free access to technology, software & classes like workstations with creation and design software, 3D printers and a recording studio.
Free Art Supplies – The Reuse Depot at the Ontario College of Art and Design is a collection of spaces for donating used but usable art & design materials and/or finding used items that will be useful to your creative practice. It's hit and miss in terms of what you'll find.
Sewing and Fabrication Studio – Again, the Toronto Public Library comes through, this time with access to sewing machines, vynal printers and space to work. One location only in North York. .
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC BUSINESS RESOURCES
For Creative Freelancers – free webinars on a variety of topics that are targeted specifically at creative entrepreneurs.
RESOURCES FOR BUSINESS SUCCESS
General Business Advice
- Ask the Experts – this is an amazing list of really common business questions with answers from Canadian experts.
- Constraints Don’t Have to Be Constraining Businesses started by students with $5 as startup capital. Those who didn't spend the $5 made more money - lots more.
- 7 Ways to Bootstrap Your Business to Success
Personal Habits for Success
- Productivity Habits that Stick: Frameworks (40 minutes total in 7 lessons)
Marketing
- Under the Influence with Terry O'Reilly Many years of great 1/2 hour radio shows. O'Reilly shares entertaining stories about marketing successes and failures.
- Business Success and Branding for Beginners (1:13 minutes in 22 lessons)
Promote Your Business Online
- Introduction to SEO: Tactics and Strategies for Entrepreneurs (60 minutes in 9 lessons)
FUNDING
The Small Business Internship Program provides small and medium-sized enterprises financial support to hire a post secondary student intern to assist them in their adoption of e-business strategies to increase their productivity and competitiveness.
Futurpreneur is a national charity providing start-up mentoring, financing, and business resources for young Canadians, age 18-34, to create their own successful businesses.
Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund is a partnership between the Government of Canada, Black-led business organizations, and several financial institutions. It will provide loans up to $250,000 to Black business owners and entrepreneurs across the country.
Aboriginal Business Canada helps Canadian Aboriginal entrepreneurs reach their business goals by providing financial assistance, information, resource materials and referrals to other possible sources of financing or business support.
REGISTRATION AND TEMPLATES
Download One-Page Business Plan Canvas
One Page Business Plans – This link goes to Smartsheet.com that has 8 free downloadable, one-page business plans for different kinds of businesses. Use the one most relevant to your business.
Register a business in Ontario
When to register for and start charging the GST/HST
- What is HST and Who Has to Charge It? If your small business generates less than $30,000 in revenue per year, you’re not required to register with the CRA to charge or remit GST or HST. Even though it’s not a requirement, registering for GST/HST collection voluntarily has several benefits, such as the ability to claim input tax credits (ITCs) on the GST/HST you’ve paid while conducting business.