How do I register a business name for a Sole Proprietor or Partnership?

There are two ways to register your business name.

1. ONLINE:  On-Line at www.ServiceOntario.ca.  You must have a Visa or Master Card to register.  The fee to register is $60.00.  Name Searches can also be completed online for $8.00.  If you conduct your registration between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST), Monday to Friday, excluding Statutory Holidays your registration will be processed online allowing you immediate access to your documentation.  Otherwise, you will receive it by mail within two weeks.
2. MAIL:  Fill out the appropriate forms from the website and mail it with $80.00 for registration and $12.00 per name searched.  Your Master Business License will be mailed to you within 2-4 weeks. 

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Are there any grants or financing options available for small business start-up?

There are very few grant programs available for general business start-up operations.  Visit the Canada Business Website to do a search on what is available for your business. canadabusiness.ca 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?

1. The Richmond Hill Small Business Enterprise Centre has outlines for writing business plans available in our Resource Library.  We also have sample business plans for various types of businesses in our library.
2. The Richmond Hill Public Library also has business planning resources available to you.
3. Watch for our Business Planning Seminars and be sure to bring your business plan to the SBEC for a business plan review.

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.

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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.

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.

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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, Canada Business Ontario (CBO) has an a list of Business Plan Templates and Samples at www.canadabusiness.ca. 

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.

BizPaL is an online service that allows you, the entrepreneur or business owner, a central place to find all the permit and licence information needed to start or grow your business.  This service is the collaboration between the Town of Richmond Hill, Service Ontario, and Industry Canada.

• Easy and Convenient
• One stop access to permit and licence information
• Accessible anytime

Click here to start generating a complete list of needed permits and licences from the municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government in one place.

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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.

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.

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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 HST?

You can register for HST with the Canada Revenue Agency by telephone at 1-800-959-5525. You can also find information on their website at www.cra-arc.gc.ca.

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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. 

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