Start Your Business

http://business.kingstoncanada.com/startyourbusiness/index.asp Thinking About Business You have the talent and you have great ideas, but what is it going to take for that potential to be realized, and for your business ownership dreams to become reality? The Entrepreneurship Centre provides all the tools you need, to make sure your business gets off to a running start. The Entrepreneurship Centre is an entrepreneurs foremost business information source. Staffed with highly experienced Business Consultants, the Centre offers a variety of products and services that empower entrepreneurs to achieve their business goals and provide guidance on the path to success. Am I meant to be an entrepreneur? Im a Start-up business. I am a seasoned business owner and want to expand. Is there anything available for young entrepreneurs? Business Basics Workshop Series Start UP! 2nd Thursday of every month 1-2pm FREE KEDCO Boardroom 67 Brock Street Learn about the different types of a business, how to write a business plan, licensing and registration. Get a tour of the Resource Centre. Start Your Business

The Numbers 3rd Thursday of every month 1-2pm FREE KEDCO Boardroom 67 Brock Street Learn how to write financial forecasts for your business plan (cash flow, income statement and balance sheet), sources of funding available and how to conduct market research.

Registering Your Business Starting Your Business Expanding Your Business Business Planning Financing Your Business Youth Our Services Entrepreneurship Support in Kingston

Registering Your Business Once you have done the groundwork for starting a successful business, the next step is to officially register that business with the Government of Ontario so that you can legally operate. We recommend registering through Business Access, a government affiliated organization that will allow you to not only register your business, but also search a business name, register for sales and health tax (if applicable) and manage your official business operation within Ontario. Register Your Business Here >>

Starting Your Business Starting you own business is an exciting step. The KEDCO Entrepreneurship Centre helps new businesses get off to a running start by providing guidance and resources on the important issues of starting your business. From this section you can link to a powerful collection of resources and information that will assist you in making your business ambitions a reality. Register my business Business Plan help http://www.cbsc.org/ibp/home_en.cfm

Interactive Business Planner Your browser has JavaScript disabled. This service requires that JavaScript be enabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser and then reload this page.

Welcome to the Interactive Business Planner (IBP)

The IBP is the first business planning software product designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web. The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist entrepreneurs in preparing a 3 year business plan for their new or existing business. With the IBP, you will:

be guided through each section of your business plan using a question and answer format; learn definitions and tips, and view sample business plans to help you to write your own plan; have financial projections prepared for you, based upon the information you provide; and use the power of the Internet to assist you in researching your business plan.

The IBP is not intended to replace legal, accounting or other professional services or advice. You may want to consult a professional business counsellor or seek out accounting advice before completing your business plan. The Canada Business Network can provide you with a list of resources to help you fulfill your financial and business planning requirements. Please contact the Canada Business location nearest you. All technical questions relating to the operation of the IBP should be directed to ibp@cbsc.org.

Interactive Business Planner Your browser has JavaScript disabled. This service requires that JavaScript be enabled. Please enable JavaScript in your browser and then reload this page.

Welcome to the Interactive Business Planner (IBP)

The IBP is the first business planning software product designed specifically to operate on the World Wide Web. The IBP uses the capabilities of the Internet to assist entrepreneurs in preparing a 3 year business plan for their new or existing business. With the IBP, you will:

be guided through each section of your business plan using a question and answer format; learn definitions and tips, and view sample business plans to help you to write your own plan; have financial projections prepared for you, based upon the information you provide; and use the power of the Internet to assist you in researching your business plan.

The IBP is not intended to replace legal, accounting or other professional services or advice. You may want to consult a professional business counsellor or seek out accounting advice before completing your business plan. The Canada Business Network can provide you with a list of resources to help you fulfill your financial and business planning requirements. Please contact the Canada Business location nearest you. All technical questions relating to the operation of the IBP should be directed to ibp@cbsc.org. Expanding Your Business Growing your business is the net result of the time and effort you put into it, but many small business owners face difficulties during the business expansion stage. How do you generate new sales? Do you hire or contract out? How do you find the physical space? Who can help with the business expansion process? The KEDCO Entrepreneurship Centre is here to help you make those key decisions and access important resources. From tips on successful business growth, to providing liaison with potential investors, the Entrepreneurship Centre can provide you with help and the contacts you need.

Business Planning Good carpenters abide by the rule of, measure twice, and cut once. With a successful business, similar rules apply. A good business plan, and good planning throughout the development of your business, will stand you in good stead for years to come and ensure the success of your enterprise. To assist you in the business planning process the Entrepreneurship Centre offers a wide array of services and resources, both online and at the Centre itself. Our staff is on hand to assist entrepreneurs in identifying the core components associated with these plans. Upon completion, our staff will review the plan and provide feedback prior to presenting the plan to potential investors. If you would like to meet with a KEDCO Consultant to discuss your business plan contact our office. Create your business plan on-line. view sample business plans to help you complete each section of your plan. www.cbsc.org/ibp Sample Financial Templates >>

Financing Your Business The number one question we get asked at the Entrepreneurship is about how to finance a business. People have heard that there are grants available, but unfortunately, much of that is a myth. Very few businesses actually qualify for any type of grant program. Financing will have to typically come from traditional financing such as bank loans, lines of credit, personal equity, and friends and family. We can help you prepare a business plan to help you find financing. Before you go to your financial institution you should do a credit history on yourself to make sure you know what they will be looking at when they review your file. To complete a credit check on yourself go to: www.equifax.com. We do have a few programs available, see below for details. Canadian Youth Business Foundation The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is a national charitable organization that empowers aspiring young Canadian entrepreneurs, age 18-34, to start up their own business. CYBF s three core services: start-up financing, mentoring, and business resources are delivered in local communities across Canada through volunteer community partner organizations. In other words the CYBF program is a low-interest loan program for young entrepreneurs. Application Form (PDF) More Information First Capital Challenge First Capital Challenge (FCC) is an annual competition for the best plan to start a high potential new business in Kingston, Ontario. The competition invites anyone from anywhere to put their ideas to work in exciting new Kingston-based companies. If you are looking for a business idea, they offer tips on finding and starting a great business. The prize is $50,000 in cash. As a condition of receiving the prize, the winners must commit to issuing a 5% ownership stake in the new venture upon incorporation to the not-for-profit corporation, First Capital Community Development Inc., to be used to fund this competition into the future and to promote excellence in entrepreneurship and prosperity in Kingston. More Information The Kingston Angel Network The Entrepreneurship Centre can provide coaching on how to seek financing and contacts to potential local investors, such as the Kingston Angel Network, and other sources of funding. Tell us about your opportunity.

Angel Network Application

Youth Select File........... The KEDCO Entrepreneurship Centre is proud to be involved in promoting entrepreneurship in the community to todays youth. In partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade the Centre offers programs for young entrepreneurs. Summer Company Our Summer Company student entrepreneurship experience provides hands-on business training and mentoring - and awards of up to $3000 - to help enterprising young people start up and run their own summer businesses. Its a great opportunity to develop entrepreneurial skills and experience - and make money. If youre 15-29 Years of age and a student returning to school full-time in the fall, you can qualify to start a summer company with KEDCO. You must be a resident of Ontario a Canadian Citizen or a Landed Immigrant and not operating an existing business or employed elsewhere during the summer, and if youre prepared to commit at least 9 weeks to the experience - and you have a strong business plan or idea - then our Summer Company program may be for you! More Info on Summer Company Apply Now High School Business Plan Competition The Business Plan Competiton is open to all high school students throughout the Kingston Region. It is an opportunity for students to showcase their entrepreneurial talents and enhance their business skills through a competition supported by various organizations throughout Kingston and the Province of Ontario. More Info on our Competition bizBOOTCAMP 2006 event is over, stay tuned for future events Ever had a crappy boss? Heard the horror stories from friends who have? Then heres your chance to save yourself and work for the best boss in the world - YOU!! If youve ever dreamt of being self-employed or wanted to start your own business, you dont want to miss this event! This interactive Entrepreneurship Bootcamp is your "basic training" for a choice of self-employment, whether during the summer while still in school, or for afterwards as a career. Brought to you by Wireless Express. Canadian Youth Business Foundation

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation is a national charitable organization that empowers aspiring young Canadian entrepreneurs, age 18-34, to start up their own business. CYBF s three core services: start-up financing, mentoring, and business resources are delivered in local communities across Canada through volunteer community partner organizations. In other words the CYBF program is a low-interest loan program for young entrepreneurs. Application Form (PDF) More Information

Our Services The KEDCO Entrepreneurship Centre is more than just an information repository, its a valuable team environment dedicated to helping you get your business ideas off to a running start. We offer one-on-one consultations to help you get started, and a variety of useful tools and resources that will allow you to discover more about the independent business work-style in your own time and help you build your own business. One visit to our Entrepreneurship Centre and you will be ready to roll, and the centre is there for you whenever the need arises to help guide you through the challenges of running a successful business.

Free Resource Centre -Computers, Printer, etc -Lending Library (Exporting, Sales, Marketing, Management, HR, Business Planning, Accounting) -Reference Library (Statistics, Directories) -Free Pamplets, Booklets and resources Workshops for start-up to seasoned entrepreneurs Free one-on-one consultations Youth Programs -loan program -grant program Mentor Network -Free 1/2 hr consultation with specialists such as lawyers, accountants, marketing consultants, etc.