Starting and Growing a Business: Business Considerations

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Start-up

Entrepreneurial Assessment

Evaluating Your Idea

Marketing

Developing Your Business Plan

Financing

Business Considerations

Growth

Regulations | Patents & Trademarks | Packaging & Labeling | Business Structure | Signage | Taxation | Labour & Manpower | Business Considerations Checklist

Have You Considered the Legalities and Paperwork Associated With Your New Venture?

When it comes to setting up your new venture there are many business considerations to take into account.

For instance, the business structure that you will use depends on many things such as regulations, permits, tax implications and the amount of risk you are willing to take with your personal assets.

One of the most important things to think about when developing your service or product is the legality of your new venture. Your product or service must be produced and sold while meeting the regulations of your chosen market and by obtaining all necessary permits
and licenses.

Get legal responsibilities, tax issues, and business structure right the first time because it’s difficult and expensive to fix these things later on.

Regulations

What are the Regulations?

Starting and Growing a Business: Regulations - Part of the planning process is examining requirements for permits, licenses, packaging and labeling
Farm Direct Sales: Know the Regulations - This publication discusses some of the basic regulations of farm direct marketing agricultural products and services
Agriculture Acts and Regulations - Frequently Asked Questions - These frequently asked questions focus on Provincial Acts and Regulations and Federal bodies that govern farming and food protection
Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Food Processing Regulations - Although this factsheet focuses on food processors it is a good reference for the regulations governing any new business venture
Municipal Business Licensing - Licensing is required by provincial laws and municipal by-laws for some, but not all, businesses
Business Registration On-Line - This site from Canada Revenue Agency is a one-stop, on-line, self-serve application that allows you to register for a new Business Number, as well as four other Canada Revenue Agency programs.
Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Food Processing Regulations - This guide discusses the permits and licenses that are required for Alberta Food Processors.

Patents & Trademarks

Have You Protected Your Idea?

Alberta - Copyright, Patents, Trademarks - This page from Canada Business Service for Entrepreneurs, provides information and resources on copyright, patents and trade-marks that may apply to your business in Alberta and also provides access to Canadian and international copyright, patents and trade-mark databases
Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Business Considerations - This guide provides an overview on intellectual property, trademarks and patents
Canadian Intellectual Property Office - The Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), a Special Operating Agency associated with Industry Canada, is responsible for the administration and processing of the greater part of intellectual property in Canada. CIPO's areas of activity include patents, trademarks, and copyrights

Packaging & Labeling

What are the Requirements?

Packaging - For Product Safety and Consumer Appeal - Information on packaging from both a technical and marketing perspective.
Packaging Products - Frequently Asked Questions - Answers to common questions about packaging products and links for further investigation from Alberta Agriculture and Food
Labeling - Frequently Asked Questions - In Canada, food products are regulated through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Requirements vary depending on the marketing channel used to sell the product and the nature of the food. Find answers to common questions about packaging products and links for further investigation from Alberta Agriculture and Food
Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Packaging and Labeling - This guide contains a section dedicated to packaging and labeling and discusses the importance of product safety and consumer appeal.
Labeling - Packaging Consumer Products (Non-food) - The Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act applies to any person who is a retailer, manufacturer, processor or producer of a product, or a person who is engaged in the business of importing, packing or selling any product.

Business Structure

Have You Chosen a Structure For Your Business?

Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Business Considerations - This part of the guide provides an overview of different business structures and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each.
An Overview of Available Business Structures - This publication from the University of Manitoba discusses the four most common forms of business ownership in Canada
Business Structure - Business Development Canada has compiled and answered common questions regarding business structure
Choosing the Right Structure For Your Agri-Business - This booklet from Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food reviews the basic business structures of proprietorships, partnerships, corporations, operatives and new generation co-operatives
Choosing a Business Structure - Canada Business Services for Entrepreneurs compares and explains various

Signage

How Will Your Customers Find You?

Signs and Your Business - This publication from the Business Link discusses signs, what they can do for your business, and how they can be used to your advantage. A checklist for ordering a business sign is also provided.
Signs - Frequently Asked Questions - This page from Small Business Notes lists 14 commonly asked questions when it comes to business and signs
Sign Up Alberta - Sign Up Alberta replaces the current highway sign system with one that is more informative and efficient, one that will allow Albertans and other travelers to access everything our province has to offer easily and safely

Taxation

What Taxes Are Involved?

Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Business Considerations - Although this section focuses on food processors it covers a variety of business topics such as taxation
Taxation Info-Guide (Alberta) - This guide is designed to help you navigate through different programs, services and regulations pertaining to taxation and business in Alberta
The Business Link - Taxation Information For Alberta's Small Business Community - This site from The Business Link connects you to other websites that will help prepare you for any tax issues that your business may face.

Labour & Manpower

How Will You Find and Keep the Right People?

Hiring Employees - This site from Service Canada has a collection of links for information on hiring employees
Employers' Handbook for Agriculture and Horticulture - Use this handbook to help you achieve sound human resource management practices which can result in increased productivity, reduced staff turnover, and satisfied employees and managers
Business Basics for Alberta Food Processors - Business Considerations - This guide contains a section on manpower and labour and discusses employment standards, health insurance and worker's compensation.
Group Coverage Fact Sheet - Information from the Canada Revenue Agency on Canada Pension Plan contributions, employment insurance premiums and income tax for employers
Steps to Competitiveness - Step 5: Human Resources - Industry Canada reminds you not to forget your people and tells you how to analyze and improve your human resources management

Phone the Ag-Info Centre, toll-free in Alberta at 310-FARM (3276), for assistance.

This document is produced in cooperation with AFSC

For more information about the content of this document, contact Kathy Bosse.
This document is maintained by Mary Ann Nelson.
This information published to the web on March 4, 2008.