Starting a Business.

Planning a business

Assessing your readiness, choosing a business structure, market research and writing a business plan.

Developing your business idea

Turning your idea into a profitable business model.

Writing a business plan

How to write a successful business plan.

Buying a business or starting your own

The benefits and challenges of buying an existing business versus starting one from scratch.

Types of business ownership

Determining whether incorporation, partnership or sole proprietorship is right for your business.

Choosing a location for your business

What to consider when selecting a commercial space for your business.

Small business survival statistics

Advice on how to have a successful first year in business.

Choosing a business name

Selecting a good name, checking if a name is taken, registering and protecting your business name.

Select a good name:

Keep these things in mind when choosing a name for your business:

• Be sure it reflects the product or service you offer or you may confuse prospective customers
• Think about how you want your business to be perceived
• Pick something that is easy to pronounce and remember
• Make it unique and distinctive to avoid confusion and legal issues

Find out if the name is taken:

In most cases, if someone is already using a name, you cannot legally use it. By law, the name of your business can’t be the same as or very similar to an existing corporate name or trade-mark. Even when it is legal to use an existing business name, it can be a disastrous marketing mistake. There are a few places you should check to see whether a name is taken:

Search the Internet

The easiest way to check if someone else is already using your proposed name is to search the Web. This will give you an idea of who else is using the same name or a similar name. You may also want to check whether the Internet domain name and social media handles you want to use are already taken. If you plan to do business in other countries, check whether anyone is using the name in those countries too.

Search national name databases

There are two national databases that each cover most of the jurisdictions you may want to search in Canada. Search one or both of these depending on where you want to set up your business.

Canadian corporate names (except Quebec) and trademarks database (Nuans)

Nuans reports list similar provincial/territorial corporate names and trademarks, except for names in Quebec.

Check trade names in other provinces and territories

After searching the national databases, you may also want to search registered trade names in other provinces and territories if you ever plan to do business there. Registering a trade name (operating name) does not give a business exclusive rights to use that name. However, it may not be a good idea from a marketing perspective to use a name that another business is already using.

Registering your business with the government

Registering or incorporating your business, plus how to apply for a business number or tax account.

Applying for business permits and licences

Permits and licences that you may need for your business from all three levels of government.

Getting business support and financing

National and regional business support, including financing for immigrant and aboriginal entrepreneurs.