Be Your Own Boss

Have you ever considered being your own boss? If you’ve tried job searching, explored training options and still are not able to find a suitable fit for your existing skills, self employment might be the answer! Connect with our staff so they can help you identify whether or not self employment is the best route in order for you to secure employment.

Take a look at the following resources and funding programs available to those considering self employment

3 Videos prepared by Inspired Strategy to help you explore the concept of self-employment and address questions you may have:

• Business Start-up:  What You Need to Know About Money
• Business Start-up:  4 Must Have Strategies
• Traits and Attributes of the Successful Business Owner

Regional:

• Community Futures Development Corporation Central Vancouver Island –  A non-profit organization that provides a variety of support services, including financing alternatives, to those wanting to start, expand, franchise or sell a business.
• City of Parksville – Business licensing information, including information on the inter-community business license
• Town of Qualicum Beach – Business licensing information
• Regional District of Nanaimo – Information on zoning and population statistics and other general information on operating a business within the Regional District of Nanaimo.
• Chambers of Commerce – The “Voice of Business”, the region’s two Chambers of Commerce offer networking opportunities and information on doing business in the region
  Parksville & District Chamber of Commerce
  Qualicum Beach Chamber of Commerce
• WorkBC Centre Parksville

Provincial:

• WorkBC Small Business Planning Resources – WorkBC’s all-inclusive Resource Centre for planning, starting, financing, growing or exiting a small business in BC.
• BC Business Registry – manages the creation (incorporation and registration) and listing of businesses and organizations in BC.
• Women’s Enterprise Centre – Established to assist women in starting and growing businesses in BC, the Women’s Enterprise Centre provides essential business services and resources, including skills training, business loans, mentoring, and other resources.

National:

• Canada.ca – providing you need to comply with Canada’s tax regulations, including information on business structure and registration, payroll, deductions and GST/HST rules.
• Entrepreneurial Potential – Self Assessment Test – a useful tool to assess your aptitude, motivation and drive to run your own business, from the Business Development Bank, which is a financial institution owned by the Government of Canada.
• Futurpreneur Canada – (Formerly Canada Youth Business Foundation). Provides mentorship, financing and resources for Canadian entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39 years old.

Need more info? Contact our staff at 250.248.3205.