Anyone started a new business in Canada? What has your experience been like and what business did you start? Whats the bureaucracy and taxation like compared to UK?

My wife and I did (www.fieldstone-equestrian.ca) two years ago (it enabled us to get a 3yr WP and not have to endure waiting in the UK for PR).

No idea how the bureaucracy and taxation compares to the UK as I was never self employed there, but I've not found it a particularly difficult exercise over here. Used the local small business venture office for some assistance and information gathering early on, and found an accountant to look after tax returns, then registered the business for GST and off we went.

In our business, insurance, health/safety and public liability were the major concerns, but it was just a matter of making calls and finding the right advice.

We've already survived a GST audit, employ 4 part time staff and have turned the corner from investment and negative cashflow in year 1 to now making a reasonable living each month.

It is generally pretty easy. Certainly no more difficult than the UK. The Business Development Bank has some great on-line resources http://www.bdc.ca/en/my_project/Proj...g_business.htm

Thanks for the replies

No problem.

Thanks for your input specifically Steve666 - invaluable advice.

We were sitting on the patio at the Bistro 990 after work. We'd been working on a computer system in England and they had some neat stuff we hadn't seen in North America. "We could sell that" someone said. On the Monday I phoned them and we were then their agents. We hired a lawyer who incoporated us as a company and framed the distribution agreement. He then gave up lawyering and bought a vineyard in Santa Rosa. He done better than us!

As usual.

Did he manage to buy the vineyard on your fees alone?

There must be lots of UK co's looking for North American agents and vice versa - do you know if there is any kind of "central" place (website, broker, publication) for companies looking for oversears resellers?

Nah, he was already a syndicated wine columnist when not being a shyster.


I don't. We've since picked up the rights to various other products but they've either been by word of mouth or I've found them by googling for something I knew a client wanted and pitching us as middle men.

Thanks. Thats food for thought.

Hi

I can only comment from the banking side - I have English clients that setup numbered companies without any problem.

If your thinking about it - Speak to a accountant about the tax issues, then go see a AMBP at your local RBC.


Phil

"Average Miserable Banking Person"?

The Canadian Government runs a service to match importers and exporters. More info here
http://www.e-leads.ca/noncancomp/default-e.asp

Only when I find out the client is a Man U fan....

Account Manager Business Personal (Small Business)