Has anybody any experience of starting up a business in Canada? I have a day dream of an idea at the moment of owning/running a bar in a Canadian ski resort.
A day dream that I reckon I can turn into reality, with the right advise and guidance. So does anybody out there know where to start? Are there Canadian websites for businesses for sale etc?

Thanks

Mike

Mike before I came here I used www.pin.ca quite a lot. To find properties for sale I use the sympatico.ca search and google (have a look for investments, real estate, businesses but make sure you specify 'canada' or you get a lot to wade through.

Try this web site www.cbsc.org might help and the sites for the provincial govt have loads about businesses and taxation etc. Investigate getting a liquor licence and look in the main cic site under self employed. Its not that easy to get a self employed visa but if you have previous business experience there'sd lots of opportunities out there. Having just come back from Banff, I can see why you'd want to be in a ski area! Check out the Cranbrook area too with Fernie and Kimberley. A realtor told me that they are trying to get the airport to accept european flights and this may well open up (and price up) the general area so now might be a good time to get there.
Oh yes, dont forget www.mls.ca at the bottom of the page there's a link to commercial properties. You just search like on the regular mls.
hope it helps a bit.

The hrdc and others have some great business start up programs and capital available in Canada - but it varies province to province. I was involved in one. that paid my living expenses and has a 6 month training on Business startup and ensuring profits. It was a real asset for me. That on was availble thru the HRDC in Toronto.

Good Luck


Fried

Sounds interesting, can u tell me more please, link maybe?

John

Just found this link....

http://www.soscanada2000.com/busclasnewre.html

to help....

Another website which could be handy is this one http://www.grants-loans.org/ which lists different types of grants and loans for small business (in programs link) and a list of who to approach for different grants (in reports link). Select which province you're interested in and then select a category and it gives more info. of where to apply and a list of recent grants given. May be helpful for starters anyway. Obviously you'd still need to do the boring part which is to make estimates of turnover and initial funds needed and backed up with a business plan but with a good enough case a grant may be payable. Good luck!

Also, following on from Smokey's advice above suggesting you check out http://www.cbsc.org if you go to the online workshop section it has loads of tips on how to start and all the things to consider so looks like good bedtime reading http://www.cbsc.org/osbw/workshop.cfm

Hi Mike,

I'm currently in the process of opening a Winebar In Vancouver. Its not an easy thing to do as there are so many rules regulations permits and liciences. I'm slowly trying to work my way through the planning stage.

Cheers

Mads