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How do I register a business name for an unincorporated business? There are three ways to register your unincorporated business name.
Are there any grants available for small business start-up? There are very few grant programs available for general business start-up operations. See Strategis’ Sources of Financing website at strategis.ic.gc.ca under Business Support and Financing. Alternatively, there may be specialized grants via trade associations or government agencies. Consult the SBEC for further details. How do I write a Business Plan?
Do I need to do market research? Before any business start-up, market research is essential. It is important to understand and evaluate the market to determine if there are enough customers to purchase your product or service. For sources of market research, the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre has many publications to assist and locate your target market information. What types of financing are available? Depending on the type of business you plan to operate, different forms of financing may be available to you. In most cases, it will take the form of a loan or credit financing. You may want to start by visiting the local branch of your bank to help you determine what types of financing will be best for you. Visit the Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre for more information on financing options. Where can I find statistics on Richmond Hill, the Region or Ontario? The Town of Richmond Hill Economic Profile is available online at www.richmondhillonline.com and supplies statistical information on the Town. The Town of Richmond Hill Economic Development Department and Small Business Enterprise Centre also have a variety of resources containing various statistics. Statistics Canada (www.statcan.ca/start.html) is another good source for research as is www.gdsourcing.com What type of business should I start? The best business to start depends on you, your skills and experience, and what you love to do. Remember that you have to want to do the business in order for it to work. Think about your knowledge, skills, capabilities, and interests that will benefit the business. This will help you identify your strengths, as well as help you discover which aspects of your business will need additional expertise. Is there business planning software? There are many software programs available for business planning. Most major banking institutions have business planning templates on their web sites. Also, the Canada-Ontario Business Service Centre (COBSC) has an Interactive Business Planner program on their web site at www.cbsc.org/ibp. I want to export to other countries. Whom do I contact first? Our office is a good start. We can provide you with a wealth of trade information and contacts for assistance. Are there any rules, regulations, permits or licenses that I require for my business? The answer depends on the type of business you are opening. For municipal licensing, check with the Licensing Department in your municipality. For businesses operating in the Town of Richmond Hill you can contact the Licensing Department at (905) 771-8800. For Provincial and Federal licenses come to the SBEC and we can help you determine if there are any regulations affecting your business. What is the difference between a trade-mark, a copyright and a patent? The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has various guides on each of these topics that will help you distinguish which form of intellectual property protection you may require. Visit the Canadian Intellectual Property Office’s web site at www.cipo.gc.ca. The SBEC also has information booklets on intellectual property (which includes trade-mark, copyright and patents) that you can pick up from our office. Filing a patent is done through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO). The SBEC has the Patent Guide which outlines the steps to this procedure. For more information, refer to the CIPO web site at www.cipo.gc.ca. A vendor’s permit is required if you are selling taxable goods or services. For further information on this please call the Ministry of Finance at (416) 222-3226. Note: the vendor’s permit is also referred to as the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) and Retail Sales Tax (RST) number. Is there a local small business organization in Richmond Hill? There are a variety of business networking groups and associations throughout the Town of Richmond Hill. Your local Chamber of Commerce is a good place to start. The Richmond Hill Chamber of Commerce is located at 376 Church Street South. Phone: (905) 884-1961 Web: www.rhcoc.com. There are also several business networking groups and associations throughout the Town of Richmond Hill. For more information, please contact the SBEC. Does the Town have a business directory? Yes, currently there is an online business directory on the Office of Economic Development web site at www.richmondhillonline.com. Is there a listing of suppliers or distributors for my product? Yes. Directories such as the Town of Richmond Hill’s Online Business Directory, Scott’s Directories and the Ontario Business to Business Directory will contain this information. The Canadian Companies Capabilities (strategis.ic.gc.ca/sc_coinf/ccc/engdoc/homepage.html) web site is also a good source of information. All of these resources are available at the SBEC. Are there special programs for hiring employees? Yes, there are some programs for which your business may qualify. For a listing of Federal programs please visit www.hrmanagement.gc.ca. Where do I register for PST and GST? PST - When you register your business name on the OBC system you will be asked if you sell PST applicable goods or services. If your answer is yes, an electronic application is sent to the Ministry of Finance on your behalf. You will be contacted within two weeks of registering, or you can contact the Ministry of Finance directly at (416) 222-3226 GST - You can register for GST with the Canada Revenue Agency by contacting them 1-800-959-5525. Is there a listing of Trade Shows? The SBEC has a directory of trade shows in Canada and the U.S. that is available for in-office use. Are there any seminars/programs that can teach me about running my own business? The Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre runs workshops on this subject several times per year. For a listing of upcoming seminars click here, or call us at (905) 771-2523. What types of insurance do I require for my business? There are several types of insurance for business and we recommend you speak with your insurance agent or broker to discuss what they may be able to offer you. Is there a listing of associations which relate to my business? A copy of the Associations Canada publication is available for in-office use.
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