Starting a Business in Hamilton: Guide to Resources Last Update: March 2012 This guide’s focus is on business supports available by not‐for‐profit agencies and government‐ funded services. There are many other supports that can help people start and run a business, such as language training, financial literacy courses, and credentials recognition. This guide is for information only. It is not an endorsement.
Thinking of starting a business? Starting a business is a big step! Make sure you don’t waste your time and your money on a business idea that doesn’t work. If you are thinking of starting a business: visit the Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre (interpretation services are available) to learn about resources and seminars you can take
take your time and do your research – don’t be in a hurry to start your business
learn about Canadian businesses in your area of interest by working as an employee and finding another business owner in your field who will mentor you
upgrade your language and training if needed
build your local networks by
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attending events at the Chamber of Commerce
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visiting the Small Business Enterprise Centre
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visiting workplaces that interest you
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meeting people outside of your own immigrant community wherever you can
create a business plan, but know that it is likely to change over time
About WISE5 The Winning Strategies for Immigrant Entrepreneurship project (Wise5) built on a partnership of local Workforce Planning Boards in five communities: Hamilton, London, Niagara Region, Windsor, and Waterloo Region, including Guelph. To learn about the experiences of immigrants in business, we interviewed more than 100 individuals in these communities, including immigrant entrepreneurs, to identify key business supports and business start‐up trajectories that have met with success.
Type of support
Where can I find it? Canada Business Ontario ‐ Free information and referral website and Business Info Line phone service. Call centre services in English and French only. More than 20 business documents available in 12 languages on website. http://www.cbo‐eco.ca/
Information and Referral Helps match people with services that will meet their individual needs.
Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT) ‐ Public‐private regional economic development partnership that provides information and facilitates business networking. 260 King Street West, 3rd Floor, Kitchener, call 519.747.2541 http://www.techtriangle.com CanadaBusiness.ca ‐ Government services for entrepreneurs. http://canadabusiness.ca/ Canadian Youth Business Foundation, Business Resource Centre ‐ http://www.cybf.ca/resources/ Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre ‐ City Hall, 71 Main Street W, 905‐540‐6400 http://www.investinhamilton.ca/ Innovation Factory ‐ Various web‐based resources. 175 Longwood Drive, Suite 104, 905‐667‐2611 | http://www.innovationfactory.ca/ BizSmartz @ YWCA ‐ A 42 week program with income supports. Call 905‐522‐9922. Those who are accepted must have Canadian work history, have a need for training and support, and have a good business idea
Training Workshops and courses, including overview of how to start and run a business, information on how to write and follow a business plan, information about Canadian business law, and other
BizPLAN @ Welcome Inn Community Centre ‐ Offers a business‐prep workshop series with working groups. Call 905‐525‐5824 | http://welcomeinn.ca Canadian Federation of Independent Business ‐ Online courses on business operations for members only. http://www.cfib.ca CYBF Essential Business Plan Webinar Series | http://www.cybf.ca/resources/webinar‐series/ Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre (see Info and Referral, above) Innovation Factory ‐ Public programs and workshops (see Info and Referral, above) Ontario Works Self Employment Development ‐ Offers a 60 week program with income supports for select individuals on social assistance. Contact your OW Case Manager. Canadian Federation of Independent Business ‐ Focuses on business maintenance not start up. Members can receive advice from business counsellors as needed by phone. Call 416‐222‐ 8022 | http://www.cfib.ca
Individualized Supports One‐to‐one support to meet your needs including advice counselling mentoring
Canadian Youth Business Foundation ‐ Offers services for new and existing entrepreneurs ages 18‐34. http://www.cybf.ca/ Includes : resources start‐up financing mentoring Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Global Talent at Work Mentorship Program ‐ Call Maher at 905‐522‐1151 ext. 230 Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre (see Info and Referral, above)
Type of support Financing Provides funds or capital for creation and maintenance of a business, from under $1000 to $500,000 investments
Business Incubation
Where can I find it? Business Development Bank of Canada www.bdc.ca Canada Small Business Financing Program ‐ Offers small business loans of up to $500,000 through banks and credit unions. Contact your local bank or credit union. CYBF Newcomer Entrepreneur Program ‐ Offers services to adults 18 – 34. This includes flexible loan assessments that don’t require a credit history. You can receive up to $15,000 in start‐up financing. http://www.cybf.ca/ CYBF Spin Master Innovation Fund offers services for those with a great business idea. You may get up to $50,000 to help turn your idea into a successful business. http://www.cybf.ca/cybf_programs/innovation/ FirstOntario Micro Loan Program ‐ Offers micro loans through community partners including : Today’s Family – call 905‐574‐9344 Welcome Inn Community Centre ‐ call 905‐525‐5824 Immigrant Women's Centre ‐ call 905‐529‐5209 National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC‐IRAP) ‐ Focuses on small and medium‐sized businesses. Supports you in developing and making a profit through new technology‐driven products, services, or processes. You may be able to get financial support for eligible research and development projects http://www.nrc‐cnrc.gc.ca/eng/services/irap/financial‐assistance.html Innovation Factory ‐ A not‐for‐profit Regional Innovation Centre offering services to firms whose ideas advance intellectual property. (see Info and Referral, above)
Delivers support services to businesses during the start‐up Hamilton Incubator of Technology (HIT) ‐ Rents space to new technology‐based businesses phase, including once they are already started. Offers other start‐up supports such as assistance to financing, management and mentorship programs, and business workshops. consulting assistance 7 Innovation Dr, Ste 200, Flamborough, Call 905‐689‐2400 | http://www.hitcentre.ca/ office space and shared facilities Cobalt Exchange ‐ Assists creative industry entrepreneurs, artists and inventors with shared shared equipment work space, individualized supports, and public workshops. shared administrative 2 King St. W Suite 260B (in Jackson Square), Call 289‐396‐7627, http://www.cobaltconnects.ca services You must meet certain criteria to use these services including focus and feasibility of business. Many workshops are open to the public.
Professional Networks Help entrepreneurs connect with other people in the same industry, occupation, or community
Chambers of Commerce are membership organizations for local businesses. The Chamber: hosts networking events publishes an annual business directory helps members to better understanding the business scene Hamilton ‐ 555 Bay St. N., Call 905‐522‐1151 | http://www.hamiltonchamber.on.ca Flamborough ‐ Call 905‐689‐7650 | http://www.flamboroughchamber.ca/ Stoney Creek ‐ Call 905‐664‐4000 | http://www.chamberstoneycreek.com/ Innovation Factory, Peer2Peer groups (see Info and Referral, above)
Meet Julia Serna, Coffee Vendor Julia Serna loves to make fresh coffee for her customers in the Hamilton Farmers’ Market. She is proud to be the original vendor of fair‐trade, organic coffee in the Market. When she first came to Canada, she held several factory jobs, but she didn’t really like the atmosphere. Julia explored the idea of opening her own business, studied what businesses would be good for Hamilton, and attended some workshops at Hamilton’s Small Business Enterprise Centre. After deciding to use her Colombian contacts to import and sell coffee, Julia shopped around for a location. She finally settled on the Farmers’ Market where she has operated for the past seven years. Julia comes from a large family where many members own and operate their own businesses. She has always liked business and people. Julia’s independent spirit and creativity are well‐suited to business ownership. Although Julia finds that owning a business is risky and that taxes are high, she loves being a business owner. Julia likes working with people, likes having the opportunity to try new ideas, and is confident about the good quality of her product.
Wise5 is funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It is an initiative of Workforce Planning Hamilton in partnership with Elgin Middlesex Oxford Workforce Planning & Development Board, Niagara Workforce Planning Board, Workforce Planning Board of Waterloo Wellington Dufferin, and Workforce WindsorEssex. For further information, including the complete final report and video outputs, please refer to www.wise5.ca or email info@wise5.ca
This pamphlet was produced by Sarah V. Wayland, PhD as part of the Wise5 project, http://www.wise5.ca. Thanks to Leah Morris of Adult Basic Education Association who reviewed this document using clear writing guidelines. This is a project of Workforce Planning Hamilton, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.