Get the tools, resources and knowledge you need to succeed!

As your COVID-19 Small Business Recovery Network, we help business owners access the support they need to recover from the economic impact of the ongoing pandemic. Start by connecting with your local small business centre. Each centre has professional and knowledgeable Business Advisors to support you in your business. Our network works with 1000’s of small business every year. Supporting small business is our mandate, having a Business Advisor gives entrepreneurs and business owners an impartial and confidential “coach” to work through problems, challenges, next steps and action plans.

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Services

Looking for support to jumpstart your small business and set yourself up for success?

Our services are free, and we are ready to help! Through the support of the Ontario Government under their Ontario Together Fund initiative, we can equip you with the plans, tools and knowledge needed to sustain, steer and grow your business through the COVID economy and beyond.

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100+

Experts

100+ expert business advisors ready to help

26K

Clients

26K client meetings conducted per year

10K

New Jobs

10K new jobs created annually in Ontario

Overcome Challenges

Ontario Small Business COVID-19 Recovery

Our network of 54 locations provides help for small businesses as they recover from the economic impact of COVID-19 including:

Accessing Grants and Financing
COVID-19 Business Resources
Pivoting Strategies
Business Referrals
Current regulatory landscape

Access Personalized Services

Expert Business Advisors

Experienced Advisors, many with entrepreneurial backgrounds, provide one-on-one confidential small business advisory services including:

Business Planning & Strategy
Brainstorming Sessions
Planning for Growth
Automating Systems and Processes
Social Media & Digital Marketing Plans

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Specialized Programs

Connect with your local centre to learn about customized programs that support entrepreneurship in your specific region, including:

Women’s Entrepreneurship Programs
Digital Main Street
Starter Company Plus
Summer Company
Youth Mentoring Program

Gain Skills & Connections

Events

We offer a variety of low-cost and free online events to elevate your business skills, as well as connect with your business community, including:

Workshops & Seminars
E-Learning Sessions
Conferences
Networking Events
Roundtable Discussion Groups

Have Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the steps to starting a business?sbcuser20202021-02-26T16:24:02-05:00

What are the steps to starting a business?

Starting a business is easy – register a business name and you’re ready to go, but starting a successful business takes a lot more effort. We recommend starting with the SBC Ontario Business Basics E-learning Sessions, which will help you with the following topics:

Are You Ready To Be In Business?
Researching Your Idea
Business Structure
What Are Government Regulations?
What Is A Business Plan?
How Do You Finance A Small Business?
Why Do Market Research?
Sales and Marketing
Do You Need Insurance?
How To Register Your Business?

You can also connect with your local Small Business Centre for more information or to meet with an Expert Business Advisor.

What expenses can I write off?sbcuser20202021-02-19T20:55:40-05:00

What expenses can I write off?

You can generally deduct business expenses – if they are incurred to produce income. If you claim expenses, you must be able to back up your claim. You do this by keeping records of all your business-related expenses and recording the expenses in a journal or excel. Examples of expenses you can deduct:

Accounting/Legal Fees
Advertising Expenses
Professional Fees and Dues
License Costs
Interest and Bank Charges
Meals and Entertainment
Maintenance, Repairs and Vehicle Expenses
Use of a Workspace In Your Home
Inventory and Costs Of Goods Sold

Related information is available from the Canada Revenue Agency and the CRA’s Business and Professional Income T2125 tax guide.

Is it mandatory to register for HST?sbcuser20202021-03-09T16:07:20-05:00

Is it mandatory to register for HST?

Most businesses that operate in Ontario and have annual sales (revenues), totalling more than $30,000 must register for and charge HST. If your total annual sales are less than or equal to $30,000, you are considered to be a small supplier and are not required to register and charge HST. Depending on the nature of your business you may still choose to register as you will be able to claim input tax credits (ITCs) to recover the GST/HST you pay or owe on your business purchases. You may also find that some clients may only do business with businesses registered for HST.

When you register for HST you are given a unique Business Number (BN). If you have not obtained a BN, you do not charge HST. Once you have registered you have to remit at the required intervals even if you have zero sales.

For further information, visit the Canada Revenue Agency HST Information Page. Or call 1-800-959-5525.

Where do I register and what does it cost?sbcuser20202021-02-23T20:52:45-05:00

Where do I register and what does it cost?

You can search, register or renew your business name using a single, simple online tool called the Integrated Business Services Application. If you need access to a computer, visit your nearest Service Ontario Centre with public access computers. Information on registering by mail or in-person can be found here.

The cost to register your business is $60, search requests are an extra $12 to $26 depending on the types of records you want to include in the search.

Do I have to register my business?sbcuser20202021-02-19T20:53:45-05:00

Do I have to register my business?

Under the Business Names Act of Ontario, the following business types must register:

sole proprietorships (one owner) carrying on business under a name other than the individual’s full name
partnerships carrying on business under a firm name other than the full names of the partners
corporations carrying on business under a name other than their corporate name
an existing general partnership or limited partnership registering a business name different from the registered firm name
limited liability partnerships
extra-provincial limited liability partnerships; and
extra-provincial limited liability companies

What information should I prepare to apply for Government COVID-19 relief financial support?sbcuser20202021-03-09T14:21:19-05:00

What information should I prepare to apply for Government COVID-19 relief financial support?

General business information, such as your business number, and banking information.

A spreadsheet detailing:

Fixed and variable expenses, including information on relief you may have received on your lease or insurance costs, as well as expenses you have incurred due to COVID (i.e. PPE)
Year-to-date revenue, as well as revenue details for the past two years
Dollar value of cancelled orders or services, including those incurred due to government lockdowns

Businesses documentation:

Business/Personal Tax Returns for the past 2 to 3 years
Income Statement and Balance Sheet for 2019 and 2020
Company Profile, including information on why your company was performing well prior to COVID-19 and how it has been affected
The amount of money you need and what it will be used for
How you’ve pivoted in these unexpected circumstances, what actions you have taken to solve your cash flow needs and any measurements of decreased traffic, sales etc.

Determining how long will your cash reserves last?

To determine this dollar amount, take your current cash balance and divide by your current monthly expenses — resulting amount is your cash runway measured in months
Or determine the number using ALL cash access options that could be tapped, including credit cards and lines of credit. Then take this total and divide by your current monthly expenses — the resulting amount is your cash runway measured in months

My business has been affected by COVID-19, where can I find financial support?sbcuser20202021-02-27T11:33:07-05:00

My business has been affected by COVID-19, where can I find financial support?

The Small Business COVID Recovery Network program offers a range of financial programs to assist small businesses at this time — contact your local SBC Ontario office. Other programs available include:

Find Your Local Business Advisory Centre

Did you know there are 54 Small Business Centres throughout Ontario? Expert business advisors are available to provide you with information and advice specific to your business.

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