Archive for the ‘Small Business’ Category

Free new business advice - Hamilton and Brantford

Monday, April 3rd, 2006

When I started my new business, “Office Activate” several years ago, I researched heavily on how to build a better business plan and how to get free advice. The best places for in-house face-to-face advice that I could find were right here in our own community.

You are able to view resources and in most cases receive a free professional review of your business plan at these locations. You should first contact them and arrange a time to drop off your business plan and then they will review it with you in person the following week or so. Do not leave your original business plan as they will mark it up.

These resource centres can also help direct you to networking opportunities in the area. Computers are on-site to assist you with researching and starting your own business.

Top 3 free business advice agencies in Hamilton and Brantford, ON.

Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre

Address:
2 King Street West,
Jackson Square
Hamilton, ON L8P 1A1
Phone: (905) 540-6400
Fax: (905) 540-6411
Hours: 9:00am - 4:30 pm

They were willing to take a look at your website and give 3rd party feedback. They gave a map and directions on how to register a business, and how to register for G.S.T.

Ontario Business Connects services available at this location

  • Immediate Business Name Registration
  • Business Name Renewal electronic application (MBL in the mail within 2 weeks)
  • Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit electronic application (RST)
  • Employer Health Tax electronic application (EHT)
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board electronic application (WSIB)

Clients can also do an immediate Business Name search at the workstation.

Brantford Brant Business Resource Centre

Address:
1 Market Square
Suite 201
Brantford, ON N3T 6C8
Phone: (519) 756-4269
Fax: (519) 756-6449

Accessibility: Accessible to persons with disabilities.

Workstation hours: 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Ontario Business Connects services available at this location:

  • Immediate Business Name Registration
  • Business Name Renewal electronic application (MBL in the mail within 2 weeks)
  • Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit electronic application (RST)
  • Employer Health Tax electronic application (EHT)
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board electronic application (WSIB)

Clients can also do an immediate Business Name search at the workstation.

Enterprise Brant

Address:
330 West Street, Unit 10
Brantford, ON N3R 7V5
Phone: (519) 752-4636
Fax: (519) 759-0098

Workstation hours: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Call to confirm operating hours during the holiday season.

Website: www.enterprisebrant.com

Ontario Business Connects services available at this location:

  • Immediate Business Name Registration
  • Business Name Renewal electronic application (MBL in the mail within 2 weeks)
  • Retail Sales Tax Vendor Permit electronic application (RST)
  • Employer Health Tax electronic application (EHT)
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board electronic application (WSIB)

Clients can also do an immediate Business Name search at the workstation.

Enterprise Brant provides financial and consulting services to local businesses with a goal of creating and maintaining jobs in Brantford Ontarioand the County of Brant.

Enterprise Brant’s services include:

  • Loans for Business
  • Business Plans
  • Community Development and Strategic Planning
  • Business Consulting
  • Entrepreneurial Workshops
  • Self Employment Benefits Program

Enterprise Brant administers a loan portfolio to assist new or existing small business with start-up, expansion or stabilization plans. Repayable, flexible financing of up to $125,000 is available. To apply you will need a business plan.

Enterprise Brant has loaned over $10.8 million in Brant to over 475 local businesses.

How to register an Ontario business

Tuesday, March 28th, 2006

Resources for Registering a Small Business In Ontario

Sole Propietorship or General Partnership:

Cost $60.00 Registration + $8.00 per Name Search
On-line at Ontario Business Connects
In person at - Small Business Enterprise Centre in Jackson Square OR
Ellen Fairclough Builiding 119 King St. W. 1st or 15th Floor
For any questions with regard to registering a Sole Proprietorship of Partnership you can contact: Ontario Business Connects at 1 800 565-1921.

* Enhanced Business Name Search
* Business Name Registrations/Renewal

Corporation Registration:

Provincial Incorporation
Ontario Land Registry Office
119 King St. W. 4th Floor Hamilton (905) 521-756
Fee of $360. (Minister of Finance)
For more information please visit: www.cbs.gov.on.ca

Federal Incorporation
Industry Canada Corporations Directorate
(613) 941-9042
$200 when submitted on-line or $250 for all other means.
NUANS Report is $20 +gst. at http://strategis.ic.gc.ca
For more information please visit: http://strategis.ic.gc.ca/engdoc/main.html/

Business Plan Resources:
Interactive Business Planner
B-Plan Section Help: BizPlanIt’s
Examples of Business Plans

Sources of Funding/Grants
Financing Info Guide - Financing Info-Guide
Funding:
Business Development Bank of Canada
Royal Bank
Grants/Government Programs:
Strategis -

To learn more about Muncipal Licensing Requirements for specific business types in Hamilton.
Visit the Building & Licensing Department for more information.

The Hamilton Public Libaray “Find-it Guides” for business startup for more information has: books, magazines or other resources for starting your business.

New Hamilton SMB Blog

Saturday, December 10th, 2005

Welcome to this entirely new web log (blog) for Hamilton Ontario Canada.

This blog has been started to help people in the Hamilton Ontario area to start a small business or to run an existing small business, with a focus on the Internet and marketing. I will also be covering web design and providing computer technology advice. I will be adding posts approximately 3 times a week.

Many of the experiences that I have went through in starting a small business in the Hamilton area will be useful for others and so I decided to start a blog. I will also post research, tips and comments from other business professionals as well as posting business networking events in the area.

I hope you find it useful. Please comment and suggest ways to improve this site so that all can benefit.

Yours Truly,
Dan V.