Starting a Business

Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre

The Leeds Grenville Small Business Centre is a business resource centre offering information and advice on starting or expanding a small business. It serves the Grenville and South Leeds communities. View their website.

Small Business Advisory Centre

The Small Business Advisory Centre is a business self-help office that provides professional and confidential advisory services to small business start-ups and ongoing support for existing small businesses. It serves the Lanark County and north-eastern municipalities in Leeds and Grenville. View their website

Community Futures Development Corporations

Community Futures Development Corporations (CFDCs) are non-profit organizations that receive funding from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario to assist businesses in rural communities get started and grow. 

CFDCs provide the following services to new and existing businesses:

• One-on-one business consultations at no cost
• Business plan assistance and assessment services
• Mentoring and entrepreneurial training
• Repayable business loans and loan guarantees up to $250,000
• Access to Eastern Ontario Investment Pool loans up to $600,000
• Access to the Eastern Ontario Development Program funding for business planning, skills training, youth internship, building retrofit and technology projects.

 Learn more about or contact your local Community Development Corporations.

A Guide to Start a Home-based Food Business

This is a step-by-step guide to starting a home-based food business. It also provides you with a brief overview of public health requirements. Starting a Home-based Food Business Step 1: Deciding what food you want to sell. Home-based food businesses (e.g. private chefs, farmer’s market vendors) are allowed to sell food in keeping with the Health Protection and Promotion Act (HPPA) and the Food Premises Regulation. Changes to the Food Premises Regulation that took effect on January 1, 2020 makes it easier for individuals and businesses to sell low-risk, home-prepared foods.

Selling Low Risk Food Info Sheet

What Are Low-Risk Food Items? Low-risk food items are generally considered non-hazardous and do not require time and temperature control.

Some examples of low-risk foods include:

• Most breads and buns (without meat, cream filling, etc.)

• Most baked goods (with no custard)

• Chocolate, hard candies and brittles

• Fudge and toffees

• Pickles, jams and preserves

• Granola, trail mix, nuts and seeds

• Cakes (icing that doesn’t require refrigeration), brownies, muffins and cookies

• Coffee beans and tea leaves.

Prepare a Business Plan

A business plan is a written document that describes your business goals, why you think you can achieve your goals, and a plan for reaching your goals. Other items such as division of labour, research and development, general business information, location, launch date, and risks are also often included. A business plans helps to define your goals and give you a clear path for success. The LGSBEC and Small Business Advisory Centre can review and provide assistance with your business plan.

Sample business plans and business model templates are available to help make sure you are not overlooking any important areas when planning your business. To access these templates visit the Canada Business Network Sample Business plans and templates webpage.

Starting a Business in Ontario

The first step towards creating a single window for business to access the information and services they need to get up and running, create jobs, and grow their business.

Ontario.ca/business

Ontario Business Registry

The new Ontario Business Registry offers simpler, faster, and more convenient access for organizations that are registered, incorporated, or licensed to carry on business in Ontario.

Businesses and not-for-profit corporations can complete over 90 transactions online, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, including registering, incorporating, and updating their information. 

Ontario Business Registry.

Canadian Intellectual Property Office - Create and protect it

• Canadian Patents Database
• IP Basics for business
• What is IP?
• Trademarks: learn, search, apply
• Patents: learn, search, apply
• Copyright: learn, search, register
• Industrial designs: learn, search, apply

An agency of Industry Canada.  Contact, toll free from anywhere in Canada and the U.S. by calling 1-866-997-1936. Visit the CIPO website.

Futurpreneur Canada

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  • Financing and mentoring to aspiring business owners aged 18-39 to launch successful businesses across Canada.
  • Up to $60,000 in financing (in partnership with the BDC), an expert business mentor for up to two years, and resources to help you plan, manage and grow your business.
  • Collateral-free loans at better interest rates than most banks.
  • For more information on eligibility or to apply, visit the Futurpreneur Canada website.