If you are interested in exploring entrepreneurship as a career option and have an idea for a business, there are a variety of resources that can help you determine whether self-employment is for you and support you if you decide to start your own business.
Assess Your Potential
There are many resources and quizzes available to help you assess your potential and understand if entrepreneurship is a viable career option for you.
by the Business Development Bank of Canada includes 50 statements. Once completed, your answers are compiled so you can evaluate your entrepreneurial traits, including your motivations, aptitudes, and attitudes.
This booklet from the Government of Alberta can help you determine if being your own boss is the right choice for you.
There are different types of businesses, and you must decide what kind of business you want: franchise, independent, service, manufacturing, consumer, or perhaps an online retail store.
Before starting a business, you need to evaluate your idea and determine what your chances are of making a profit from it.
YSpace is 91ÑÇɫ’s community innovation hub. Have an idea for a start-up but don’t know how to make it a reality? Book a one-on-one Idea Consultation to better understand how the 91ÑÇÉ« Region ecosystem can help your idea come to life.
Build Your Plan
— Through the Summer Company program funded by the Government of Ontario, you can receive start-up money to launch a new summer business, as well as advice and mentorship from local business leaders to help get your business up and running.
— Founders Fundamentals is a regional program designed to help you kick-start your entrepreneurial career in 91ÑÇÉ« Region. Covering topics such as Value Proposition Design, Prototyping 101, and How to Grow a Team, this program provides a wide range of learning opportunities. Participate in all 13 Founders Fundamentals workshops and become eligible for an Innovation 91ÑÇÉ« Certificate.
— If you’re an entrepreneur between 18 and 39 years old, Futurpreneur Canada offers a suite of programs to help guide you from pre-launch to expansion. Programs include coaching, financing, mentoring, and more.
Launch Your Business
It is time to turn your social mission into a social enterprise. Find resources to help you start, manage, and grow your business.
— Provides information on how to name and register your business, as well as information about permits, licences, and regulations. This information can help you plan for a successful start to your entrepreneurship journey.
Additional Resources & Articles for Professional Development & Training
— BEST offers students opportunities to interact with entrepreneurs, advisors, alumni, and partners in the local ecosystem. Students involved in BEST can obtain the BEST certificate, which appears on their degree transcript and combines academic and experiential requirements.
— A five-week course that offers a mix of materials for different learning styles, weekly mentorship from expert practitioners, and tools to help you create your startup.
— Offers online business and entrepreneurship courses to help entrepreneurs get off to the best start possible.
— Looking for new skills or insider know-how? Explore resources to enhance your expertise.
— Articles and webinars that explore how entrepreneurs overcome unexpected challenges in their businesses.
— Offers resources, information, and business and promotion plan samples.
— Business planning and financial statement templates and resources.