Getting Started is the Hardest Part

My feeling about starting a blog is probably the same feelings that a lot of people have about starting a business. I’ve always wanted to start one. It seems like everyone else already has one. It’s just hard to get started.

For me, I hope that getting started on the blog is not as hard as a business. I have had my own business for almost 12 years. I was working for a manufacturer of vitamins and health food supplements when it became apparent to me that many products were not as readily available in other countries as in Canada. So with the blessing of the manufacturer I began to offer mail order service to reach customers that could not be met by their traditional distribution network. Fast foward to the present and I now employ 9 people not including myself and I have a growing network of customers and suppliers around the world. By no means are we a huge company but I am happy with the company to date.

Here are some insights I have on starting an exporting business in Canada.

Boring Stuff – (I call it boring but it probably where most people stop)

- Legal Structure: I chose to incorporate to limit the personal liability. The cost of incorporation and maintenance in Canada is not high so I felt it was worth. It probably cost me about $1500 because I used a service. You can effectively do it yourself. http://www.fin.gov.bc.ca/registries/corppg/

- Business Number: After incorporation you can get a GST Number/Business Number. The business number will also be used for your payroll and tax remittances. http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/gsthstregistry/index.html

- Business License: when you have your location then you will need a business license from your municipal government. In my case, it was the city of Burnaby. http://www.city.burnaby.bc.ca/business/permits/bsnssl.html

- Export License: You do not need one for vitamins and supplements. Most of the time it is on the other end that you will need licenses or registration. So we’ll save that for another posting.

- Bank: With your filed incorporation documents and personal information you can open a business account quite easily.

- Insurance: it is what it is. Not only for your property but for liability. i.e. someone falls in your office or store.

I was able to complete the “boring stuff” without many headaches. Mostly because all the parties involved want small businesses to succeed. The cynic in me says, it is so they can make more money from you in taxes or fees.

What I think most people fail to recognize is their relationship with potential suppliers. This is critical in the start up of phase of your business. (Next topic)