Here's some resources that I've found handy.


Government small business resource sites / centres

Small Business BC - If you have a small business in BC, you should check this site out. A fantastic place that will teach you how to start your small business and grow it.

eBC eBusiness Connetion - Its tagline sums it up "BC's One-Stop eBusiness Resource Centre".

OneStop Business Registry - Kill a whole bunch of licensing and registartion birds with one stone.


Financing your small business

CYBF (Canadian Youth Business Foundation) - If you are 18 - 34 years old and are starting or growing a business and need $10,000 - $15,000 worth of financing, you'd be foolish not to check them out.

BDC (Business Development Bank of Canada) - A financial institution owned by the government of Canada who focuses on providing consulting and financing services to small and medium-sized Canadian businesses.

Canadian Small Business Financing Program - It is a loan program intended to provide capital financing (specifically loans for equipment or leasehold improvements) for businesses with under $5 million in gross annual revenues. This program is administered by banks, but partially guaranteed by the government of Canada. The FAQ on the program can be found here.

Self-Employment Program - If you happen to be unlucky (or lucky) enough to be on EI (employment insurance), than you may qualify for the self-employment program. They'll give you free training and continue your EI payments for one year. For Lower Mainland residents, there is beyourownboss.org and the Douglas College Self-Employment Program.


Bank accounts (applicable to BC residents)

Vancity Credit Union - Great rates and service. They'll actually help the little guy or girl out.

Coast Capital Savings Credit Union - Free's hard to beat. Plus, if you're bigger, $20 a month is all you pay. They have a neat comparison chart here comparing their fees to those of other banks, which for some reason doesn't include Vancity...