Home : Business Tools & Guides : Starting Your Business - A guide to resources for BC women
Key Resources
British Columbia
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Women's Enterprise Society of BC (WESBC) serves women in business across BC, www.wes.bc.ca,
www.bbtb.ca or phone: 1-800-643-7014.
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Small Business BC, www.smallbusinessbc.ca,
phone: 1-800-667-2272 (604-775-5525 in Vancouver).
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OneStop BC offers business services online and at kiosks around the province. See www.bcbusinessregistry.ca.
Call the OneStop Help Desk at 1-877-822-6727 tofind the kiosk nearest you.
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To find provincial government programs or departments, call Enquiry BC, 1-800-663-7867 (387-6121 in Victoria, 604-660-2421 in Vancouver). TTD for hearing impaired, call 1-800-661-8773 (604-775-0303 in Vancouver). E-mail EnquiryBC@gems3. gov. bc. ca.
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BC Chamber of Commerce, www.bcchamber.org.
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Better Business Bureau: Mainland BC, www.bbbvan.org, 604-682-2711; Vancouver Island, www.bbbvanisland.org,
250-386-6348.
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Be Your Own Boss entrepreneur site for Vancouver, www.beyourownboss.org.
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International Self-Counsel Press – owned by a BC woman – offers a variety of "Start &Run" guides on enterprises such as crafts, desktop publishing, and tour guiding businesses, bed-and-breakfasts and second-hand stores. They can be found in the "Business Books" section of the Self-Counsel Press web site, www.self-counsel.com,
and in public libraries.
Canada
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Western Economic Diversification, www.wd.gc.ca.
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Business Development Bank's Woman Entrepreneur, www.bdc.ca,
1-877-BDC-BANX (232-2269). -
Industry Canada, www.ic.gc.ca.
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Government information on business in Canada, http://businessgateway.ca.
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Business resources, http://strategis.ic.gc.ca.
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Canada Business, www.canadabusiness.gc.ca.
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Community Futures Development Corporations, www.communityfutures.ca.
More Information:
For First Nations Entrepreneurs
- First Citizens Fund, www.mcaws.gov.bc.ca/fcfund.
- First Business, www.rstbusiness.ca, 1-800-551-2276, 604-775-6299.
- "Aboriginal Entrepreneur," Business Development Bank of Canada. www.bdc.ca or 1-877-BDC-BANX (232-2269).
- Aboriginal Business Canada, http://abc-eac.ic.gc.ca. Phone 604-666-3871 in BC.
For Ethnocultural Entrepreneurs
- Société de développement économique de la Colombie-Britannique, www.sdecb.com. Phone 1-877-732-3534 (604-732-3534 in Vancouver).
- Chinese Women Entrepreneurs Association.905 – 1788 West Broadway, Vancouver BC V6J 1V1.Phone 604-222-9789.
- United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society (SUCCESS), Business Development Centre, www.success.bc.ca (see "Info Centre "), phone 604-732-3278.
- Ethno Business Council of British Columbia, www.ethno.org. Phone 604-687-6631.1361 Robson Street, Vancouver BC, V6E 1C6.
For Young Entrepreneurs
- Young Entrepreneurs Association BC (YEABC), www.yea.ca, 1-888-639-3222.
- "Young Entrepreneurs," Business Development Bank of Canada. www.bdc.ca. Phone: 1 877 BDC-BANX (232-2269).
- Canadian Youth Business Foundation, www.cybf.ca.
For Entrepreneurs with a Disability
- Ministry of Human Resources (MHR)Employment Program for Persons with Disabilities, www.mhr.gov.bc.ca (see "Information for Persons with Disabilities "). Call Enquiry BC at 1-800-663-7867 (387-6121 in Victoria, 604-660-2421 in Vancouver)for your nearest MHR office.
- Opportunities Fund For Persons With Disabilities, www.hrsdc.gc.ca. Phone 1-800-206-7218.
- Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network, www.communityfutures.ca
- Canada Revenue Agency's Guide for Canadian Small Businesses, Publication #RC4070 (E)Rev.01, is available in Braille or large print, or on audio cassette or computer diskette. Phone 1-800-267-1267.
For more information about women entrepreneurs:
- "Prime Minister's 2003 Task Force Report on Women Entrepreneurs."
- "Best Practices for Women Entrepreneurs in Canada," May 2004.Foundation of Canadian
- Women Entrepreneurs in partnership with Business Development Bank of Canada.
Both publications are available online at www.bdc.ca. Select "Women Entrepreneurs," then "Useful Links," then "Information ".