Resources Your Business Toolkit
All in One Place
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling up, we’ve got the tools to help you move forward. From startup checklists to tax tips and business plan templates, everything here is designed to save you time and help you make confident decisions. No fluff—just practical, proven resources you can use right now.
Start Right: Your First Steps to Launching
Starting a business can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to. These guides walk you through the essentials: validating your idea, registering your business, and building a solid foundation. Think of this as your launchpad.
- Blogs and Articles
- BACD Start Up Checklist
- Validating Your Business Idea: Market research is one of the most important ways to validate if there is a need in the market for your product or service. It will also help you learn about your competitors and what types of customers will buy from you. Whether launching a new product or expanding a service, a thorough market analysis can be the difference between success and failure.
- Attend BACD’s Business Fundamental Workshops – Start up Session, Marketing and Sales, Financials and Operations and Business Planning. These four workshops are held in person and virtually and give you an excellent introduction to the essential elements of a successful business. Register at our events page.
- Business Registration and Structure: In Ontario, you can register with the direct, government-based Ontario Business Registry (OBR) or with the OWNR platform. The Ontario Business Registry is the province’s official platform for starting, managing, and updating your business. It’s available 24/7 and lets you register a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation entirely online.
- Small Business Services (SBS) by FedDev Ontario: SBS is part of the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario and offers a wide range of resources to help Ontario entrepreneurs start and grow their businesses. The site features multilingual guides, industry-specific how-to articles, and essential business information on topics like financing, taxes, hiring, marketing, and regulations. Whether you’re launching a new venture or scaling an existing one, SBS shares practical tools and insights to support your journey.
Business Planning: Plan to Succeed
A strong business plan isn’t just for banks—it’s your roadmap. These resources help you clarify your vision, set goals, and map out how you’ll get there. Whether you’re writing your first plan or refining an existing one, you’ll find what you need here.
- Business Plan Samples
- Business Planning Success
- Attend BACD’s Business Planning Workshop
- Our certified Business Advisors can help you write your business plan, review it and make recommendations on creating the best business plan for you. Schedule your meeting with an advisor by emailing bacd@durham.ca
Grants and Funding Programs
Funding Your Business: What You Need to Know
Getting financing is one of the biggest challenges entrepreneurs face. Contrary to popular belief, there’s no universal pot of free grant money—most programs are targeted to specific industries, regions, or groups.
The good news? There are plenty of options if you know where to look and how to apply. Start with your own savings, support from family, or your bank. A solid business plan is essential to qualify. At BACD, we help you navigate grants, loans, and funding platforms.
Human Resources
Hiring & Managing Your Team
Hiring your first employee—or contractor—is a major milestone. It signals growth, but also brings legal responsibilities. Whether you’re building a team or outsourcing work, you need to understand the difference between employees and independent contractors, and follow the rules under the Employment Standards Act. From job descriptions to payroll setup, onboarding to exit interviews, having the right systems in place is key.
BACD offers free advisory sessions to help you stay compliant, build strong teams, and access HR tools and resources. Let’s make sure your hiring process is smart, legal, and aligned with your business goals.
Legal & Insurance
Essentials for Small Business
Starting a business means protecting yourself legally and financially. Essential documents include terms of service, privacy policies, contracts, NDAs, and partnership agreements to define responsibilities, safeguard data, and protect intellectual property. Trademarks and naming rights strengthen brand security. Insurance is equally important: Commercial General Liability covers accidents and property; Errors & Omissions protects service providers; Cyber insurance defends against hacks and data breaches; and Directors & Officers insurance shields leadership decisions. Even small businesses face risks, so having the right contracts and insurance in place provides security, minimizes liability, and ensures peace of mind as you grow.
Click through to explore legal and insurance insights tailored for small business owners.
Navigating the Rules
What You Need to Know to Stay Compliant
Running a business in Ontario means more than just offering great products or services—it means understanding the rules that keep your operations safe, legal, and trusted by customers. Whether you’re launching a food business, selling health products, opening a spa or tattoo studio, or running a restaurant, each sector comes with its own set of regulations, licenses, and compliance requirements. This section is your starting point to explore what applies to your industry. We’ve gathered key resources and official links to help you understand food safety laws, labelling standards, health product regulations, and licensing requirements across various sectors. Click through to find the information that fits your business and stay ahead of the curve.
- Ontario Business Regulations Guide – Whether you are starting or growing your business, you need to be aware of the business regulations that are relevant to your industry.
- Federally regulated business activities
- Federally regulated industries
- Business permits and licenses search database
- The Standards Council of Canada
Food & Agriculture related businesses:
Other Guides and Resources
- Artisan or Craft Business
- The Competition Bureau
- Construction Business
- CRA Checklist for Small Business
- Daycare Services
- Import/Export
- Newcomer Business Programs and Guide
- Personal Care Services
- Starting a Co-operative
- Starting a Non Profit
- Retail Business Guide
- Senior Care
- Women in Business
- Working with the Ontario Government
- Working with the Canadian Government
Taxes & Financials: Money Matters
Running a business in Ontario means understanding tax responsibilities like when to register for HST, what categories your goods or services fall under, and how to stay compliant with CRA rules. HST becomes mandatory once revenue exceeds $30,000 in a quarter or four consecutive quarters, though early registration allows Input Tax Credit claims and may attract more clients. CRA classifies supplies as taxable, zero-rated, or exempt, each with different rules. Entrepreneurs must also manage payroll deductions, report business income, and track expenses accurately. Home-based businesses benefit from deductions on workspace, utilities, and transportation. Organized records ensure compliance and maximize savings.
Click this link to access CRA tax resources and get the tools you need to stay compliant
Templates & Downloads
Ready-to-Use Templates to Save You Time
Why start from scratch? Use our plug-and-play templates for business plans, cash flow forecasts, marketing plans, and more. These are the same tools we use with our clients every day.
