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What if someone pitched you a business opportunity and told you it required the following: countless hours of work, minimal pay, sleepless nights and no guarantee of ROI?

You’d probably tell them to take a hike!

But what if that same business opportunity would potentially yield significant income, job security, a sense of accomplishment, and a fulfillment of your dreams?

You might pause and reconsider.

These are the benefits and the risks of owning your own small business. It’s an alarming fact that 80% of small businesses will fail before they hit the 2-year mark.

So why take the risk? 

As a small business owner, you can introduce yourself as an ‘entrepreneur’. You have the flexibility of making your own hours to fit your lifestyle and schedule. You’re your own boss.

But what does it take to become a successful small business in Ontario? Let’s take a look at 9 tips that will help you grow your small business and become a success.

Are you thinking of starting a new e-commerce or retail business? Now just might be the perfect time to launch. Online shopping in Canada is booming, and it's only expected to grow from here. And it's no wonder, given the many benefits and advantages the web offers...

A famous philosopher once said, “Who run the world? Girls! Girls!”

Okay, so she’s not a philosopher. But no one can deny that Beyoncé knows a thing or two about running a business. In fact, she’s one of Fortune’s Most Powerful Women of 2016.

Of course, if you’re looking for business successes closer to home, you’ll be glad to know that there’s no shortage of female entrepreneurs who are making their mark in Canada’s business landscape.

Let’s take a look at the 15 most influential female entrepreneurs in Canada today.

So you’re here because you’re looking to start your own business. Perhaps you’re looking to pick a good name and go through the process of incorporating your business.

Or maybe you’ve already successfully started a business. Congratulations! As you know, it’s not easy.

Perhaps you’re one of Canada’s one million small businesses. Maybe you’re a larger company looking to expand and go global. Or you might be settled comfortably in the middle and are just looking to make more money from doing what you love.

Don’t get too comfortable.

There’s never been a better time to explore new business opportunities in Canada.

With economic growth expected to rise in Canada throughout 2017—including a 2% growth in GDP—the outlook is positive. Couple that with the incredibly powerful connectivity of our world, and you’ve got the perfect conditions to explore new business opportunities in Canada.

Capital and a variety of government grants and tax credits are also encouraging many would-be entrepreneurs to take the leap.

If you’re on the fence about going into business, now is the time to do it. Keep reading for a closer look at a few promising business opportunities in Canada.

The best business idea in the world is useless if you can’t get it off the ground.

That’s what a lot of small business owners discover as they try to launch.

It’s a lot easier to make money when you have money. Perhaps this is why over 30% of small businesses fail in the first two years.

But Canadian businesses can tap into startup business loans to help get them where they want to go.

The words 'client' and 'customer' are often used interchangeably. But in business, each word represents a unique relationship. This classification helps guide your business approach to the way these parties interact. It also helps define what is being offered and how....

Ever wonder how companies like Axion Xen, Canadian Tire, and Kinaxis make onto lists like Canadian Business magazine’s 2016 most innovative companies?

It all starts with a name. You already know that everything, from what you name your company to who you staff it with, matters. You also know that how you run it can put you at risk for major emotional burnout.

No matter what kind of business you’re in, you’ll need to arm yourself with ways to battle stress. 

As a business owner, you should constantly think about cyber security for your business. In 2016, the number of cyber attacks in Canada increased 160% year over year. This led to an 82% year over year increase in cyber security investment that same year. Knowing about...

Do you have a great idea for a small business, but lack the funds to get it off the ground? If so, a small business loan may be just the answer you need. Finding the resources you need to get your small business going can help you join the ranks of a growing Canadian...

So you've decided to embark on a career as an entrepreneur. Congratulations! Entrepreneurship is an exciting career path that can take you many places. In fact, according to a survey conducted by the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, entrepreneurs are among the...

Are you a bright entrepreneur looking for innovative business ideas?

Then you’re in the right place.

We’re sharing 15 ideas which have the potential to turn into super successful, profitable companies.

This isn’t just a list of random business ideas. All of these suggestions are based on current market trends that haven’t been overdone.

By getting in on one of these innovative ideas now, you’ll be on your way to success before the market gets saturated. There’s something for everyone here, with business ideas which can scale up or down as needed.

Whether you want to sell products online, operate a food truck, have your own store, or start a mail-order business, there’s an idea below to suit you.

In Canada, 86% of small businesses survive past 2 years, which is great news for entrepreneurs. With an innovative concept, your business will be even more likely to succeed.

Ready to start planning your new business?

Your business is thriving and you're set to scale up. You've done the research, you know your industry, but for some reason, your business growth plan isn't netting the results you hoped for. Have you ever wondered if the problem is you? The problem might not be with...

Anyone who’s ever held a job is aware of hierarchy. You have a manager, your manager has a manager, their manager reports to someone, and so on.

The hierarchy is designed to promote accountability and generally keep the wheels turning and the lights on.

But the largest and most exciting companies today are leaving traditional business management behind.

Today’s business leaders are not only disrupting the industries they enter. They’re also disrupting traditional business management.

Leaving behind traditional hierarchies, bosses, and middle management, a new trend embraces the idea of a flat company structure – or as it’s also known, a holacracy.

As a new or prospective business owner, cash flow is probably one of the first things on your mind.

To run a successful business, a business owner has to be completely on top of where the money is coming from and where it’s headed. This is no easy task.

Late payments, a slow business month, and unexpected expenses all cut into your cash flow, and eventually, your profit margin.

But the good news is that none of these obstacles need to break your business. With a little forethought and planning, you can stay ahead of any issues and ensure a successful cash flow budget.

To get a head start, here are eight tips for managing your cash flow.

Coming up with a company name is one of those initial business steps that seems like it should be a short and simple process, but can easily turn into a lengthy and complicated one.

It can be difficult to capture, in just a few short words, the essence of your business. How do you encapsulate what your brand stands for, represents, and provides with only a few characters?

In today’s digital world, the questions become even more expounded. Now, domain names are another issue to contend with, and finding a unique one can leave business owners, especially small business ones, scratching their heads.

In fact, 46% believe they’re more likely to find a $100 bill on the sidewalk than to find a solid domain name still available. What’s more, 57% of them believe that finding a good domain name is more difficult than deciding on a baby’s name!

While the process should be thought-provoking, it doesn’t have to be difficult. Today, we’re breaking down how to come up with fitting, appropriate, and memorable company name ideas.

Ready to get started? Grab your pencil and let’s dive in!

In 2013, there were about 78,430 new businesses in Canada. Most these SME births occur in scientific, technical, construction, and professional sectors. On a negative note, about 83,240 new business died the same year, and the reasons are far and wide.

However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t start your own profitable business. Even with a crowded and buzzing marketplace, it’s possible to stand out and be a successful startup.

What you need is streamlined marketing objectives that work for your business.

For new business owners, following the best marketing practices is the key to growing a successful enterprise and overcoming challenges.

We’ve decided to make your start a somewhat effortless leap by showing you how to develop a robust marketing plan that works for your new business.

Ready? Let’s explore these tips together and learn more.

When starting a new business two things concern you most: product and growth. But you’re forgetting something.

In fact, you’re forgetting the core of your business, the customer. Neglecting proper care of your incoming and existing customers plummets your sales, profits, and in the end, your business.

Don’t make this mistake.

Many businesses struggle to champion customer satisfaction instead of profits. This mindset leads to their demise in today’s cutthroat business economy.

Why?

Starting a business today proves a simple process with few barriers to entry. This means more competition. To “make it” you must stand out to consumers.

Providing exceptional value to consumers remains a core tenant for successful businesses. To stand out you must consider your customer first.

“What is great customer service?” you ask?

In this article, we’ll answer the questions “what is great customer service” and “why is great customer service important to my business?”.

Let’s dive in!