 Where do I go to register my business? |
Business registration is a provincial function and is done either online, or at the Local ServiceOntario office. You can register your business in person at the ServiceOntario location located at 1 Gateway Boulevard, Brampton ON L6T 0G3 (payment can be made by cash, cheque, debit or credit card) Special Note: This ServiceOntario centre is located between Torbram and Airport Road, just off Queen Street East. This service is available Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30am - 4:00pm, on a first come, first serve basis. For immediate business name searches and registrations from the comfort of your own home between 8:30am - 6:00pm visit www.serviceontario.ca (you must pay by credit card to use this service) |
| Where is the Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre? |
We are located in Brampton City Hall, 2 Wellington Street West, Economic Development Office 2nd Floor, Brampton ON L6Y 4R2. Parking is available at Brampton City Hall, or at the street meters. |
| Should I register a sole proprietorship or partnership? Or Should I incorporate my business? |
There are three major types of business ownership in Ontario
- Sole Proprietorship
- General Partnership
- Incorporation
Each one is unique in certain ways, and each offers different benefits. You may find it beneficial to discuss these options with your accountant and lawyer.
To learn more about forms of ownership please visit the business registration section under the resources tab. |
| How much does it cost to register a business? |
To register a Sole Proprietorship or General Partnership it costs $60. In addition, it is recommended that you perform a name search. The cost for this is $8 per search. Renewals are also $60.
Registering an incorporated company is more expensive and complicated, therefore we recommend that you speak with a legal professional about this process. |
| How do I register for HST? |
You are required to collect and remit HST for your business effective July 1st 2010. You can register for the HST by contacting Revenue Canada at 1.800.959.5525 or registering online at www.cra-arc.gc.ca. |
| Where can I get the money I need to start my business? |
At this time, there are no government grants (provincial or federal) for small business start up.
In specific industries you may be able to find financing for the expansion of your existing business at the following website: www.canadabusiness.ca/eng
Sixty-five percent of small business owners require a loan from a financial institution. Each institution has its own requirements, but generally they will require the following:
- a written business plan
- satisfactory credit score
- some investment and/or equity from you
- management abilities
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| How do I write a business plan? |
One of the most valuable items a business owner can have is a business plan. There are many different ways to write a business plan.
In the Business Plan section under the resources button you will find various outlines and tools that can be used to write a professional business plan.
Some of our favourites sties include:
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| Can you recommend a good Lawyer, Accountant, Banker or other Small Business Professionals? |
Yes! The Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre offers a free half-hour consultation with qualified business professionals through our extensive referral program.
Please call us at 905.874.2650 to discuss your needs.
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| What other web sites can I visit for information on Small Business? |
Although we like to think that you have found a good Web site here, some of the other sites that we often recommend are:
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| Who funds the SBEC? |
The Brampton Small Business Enterprise Centre is a unit within the City of Brampton's Economic Development Office (EDO), which is why we answer the phone with "Good Day, Economic Development."
Economic Development is concerned with the attraction and retention of businesses within our City, and entrepreneurship is a core principal of business attraction.
Funding to operate the Centre is provided through the Municipal Government, with generous support from the Province of Ontario's Ministry of Economic Development and Innovation (MEDI).
Through our provincial partner MEDI, the Brampton Enterprise Centre is part of an extensive network of 57 Enterprise Centres across Ontario.
The Brampton Enterprise Centre has forged a number of important strategic alliances with organizations within the local business community, including:
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Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) - www.bdc.ca
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We also have a satellite location in Caledon, The Caledon Small Business Enterprise Centre - www.ccs4u.org
Other organizations interested in partnering with the Enterprise Centre are invited to contact the Centre Manager.
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| Does the Small Business Enterprise Centre offer any long term programs for business start up? |
The Brampton Enterprise Centre is a resource centre for aspiring small business owners and entrepreneurs. We want you to visit us first, before taking any other start-up steps.
We offer a wide variety of seminars and workshops which will introduce you to business concepts and the journey to launching your business. Most of our seminars / workshops are brief - 3 hours or less.
The Ontario Self-Employment Benefit program (SEB) provides unemployed people who are or have recently been eligible for Employment Insurance with income and entrepreneurial support while they develop and start their business.
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