Starting a Business in British Columbia
Here are several great resources for helping you with your business:
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"Import/Export" Guide
If you would like to open your business to the world-wide marketplace, both you and your company must be prepared. There are a number of rules and regulations you must follow to bring goods into this country or to send them abroad. This Guide introduces you to the information that is available to help you navigate the world of international trade.
Download "Import/Export" Guide (1MB) here.
(You will need Adobe Reader to download and view this guide. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you may download it for free here.)
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"Starting a Small Business" Guide
If you are interested in starting your own business, there are many things you will need to think about - we would like to help. This Guide will introduce you to some of the things you need to know and do and tell you where you can get more information.
Download "Starting a Small Business" Guide (1MB) here.
(You will need Adobe Reader to download and view this guide. If you do not have Adobe Reader, you may download it for free here.)
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Small Business BC
Small Business BC provides entrepreneurs with the information and guidance necessary to build a solid foundation for their business. Through a wide range of products, services, education and resources, there's a piece that fits with every business. No matter what stage or what skill level, when an entrepreneur finds themselves asking "How do I...?" Small Business BC is the one to call. Visit www.smallbusinessbc.ca
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BizPaL
BizPaL is an online question and answer wizard to help you quickly identify the permits and licences you may need to conduct your business activities. You will be asked to select the location of your business and answer a series of questions such as "Will you be putting up a sign?" or "Will you be making renovations to a building?" Based on your answers, you will be provided with a customized list of the permits and licences that may be required from all levels of government, along with links and contacts for more information.
If your community is not listed yet, choose the "local government not listed" option, and you will get a list of the provincial and federal permits and licences.
You can save or print the results for future reference. All information you provide is anonymous.
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Canadian Youth Business Foundation
Are you 18 to 34 and need money to start your own business?
The Canadian Youth Business Foundation (CYBF), a national charitable organization founded in 1996, provides start-up financing; a mentoring program and educational resources to enable Canadian entrepreneurs age 18 to 34 to create new business enterprises. They deliver these three core services in local communities across Canada through volunteer community organizations that have partnered with the Canadian Youth Business Foundation.
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Register a Domain Name
One of the first considerations when starting your own business might be how to get a web site for your business, particularly if you want to use the Internet to sell or market your goods or services. The first step in this process is to register a domain name. Domain names are the familiar and easy to remember names used to identify web sites on the Internet, and dot-ca (.ca) is the domain extension designating Canada on the Internet.
For more information on registering a domain name, use your favourite Internet search engine to find web sites about this topic.
