Easy steps to help you become an entrepreneur.
Thinking about starting your own business, but not sure where or how to begin? We can help. We've gathered together some resources you can use to explore and assess your business ideas and skills even develop your own business plan. Together, they provide a step-by-step process you can follow to successfully launch your company.

Self Assessment

Is business ownership right for you?
Test your entrepreneurial skills, determination, knowledge and attitudes with any of the following quizzes and questionnaires.

• Entrepreneurial Self-Assessment
• Being Your Own Boss
• Know Yourself
• Business Start-up Quiz
• Going into Business

Research
• Canada/Nova Scotia Business Service Centre
• Target Nova Scotia
• Canada Business
• Strategis Industry Canada
• Suppliers of Goods and Services
• Labour Market Information Service
• Export Services from Nova Scotia
• University Business Development Centres
• Tourism Development Guides
• Business Information by Sector

Statistics
• Nova Scotia Economic and Statistics Division
• Nova Scotia Business Statistics 2005
• Social Statistics
• Business Statistics
• Statistics Canada
• Small Business Statistics

Information
• Important Steps in Starting a Business
• Fast Facts for Specific Business Types
• E-Business Info Guide
• Entrepreneurial Training

Entrepreneurs

Meet a new network of entrepreneurs.
Did you know that there is a range of specialized programs, services and organizations available to help you realize your business dream? Here are just a few of the many experts and resources you can access for specialized support, planning and funding assistance.

Nova Scotia Nominee Program
Entrepreneurs Forum
Entrepreneurship Institute of Canada

African-Canadian Entrepreneurs
• Black Business Initiative
• Nova Scotia Black Business Initiative

Disabled Entrepreneurs
• Entrepreneurs with Disabilities
• Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Network

First Nation Entrepreneurs
• Aboriginal Business Service Network
• Aboriginal Business Canada

New Comer Entrepreneurs
• Metropolitan Immigrant Settlement Association
• Business Immigration Program

Women Entrepreneurs
• Centre for Women in Business
• Women in Business Info-Guide

Young Entrepreneurs
• Young Entrepreneurs Info-Guide
• Open for Business

Planning

Your business plan is your roadmap to success.

Business Plan
It sets out the vision for where you want to take your company, and how youll get there. Its also essential for raising the financing you need to grow. Here are some of the many basic resources and tools you can use to draft your business plan.

• Business Planning and Start-Up
• Business Start-Up Info-Guide
• Business Start-Up Assistant
• Your Guide to Preparing a Business Plan
• Insurance

Retailers
• Business Plan for Retailers
• Departmentalizing and Inventory Management in a Retail Store
• Store Location

Financial Plan
Include a financial plan in your business plan so you can measure and manage your revenues and costs. For information on financial planning that keeps your company productive and profitable, click below.

• Fact Sheets by Topics

Marketing Plan
Your marketing plan is an essential part of your business plan. It will help you identify your sales goals, the media you will use to promote your goods or services, and ways to measure results. Click below for information on creating an effective marketing plan, and other techniques you can use to improve or evaluate its success.

• Preparing a Marketing Plan Guide
• Marketing and Market Development
• Advertising Sign (By Highway) Approval
• Do You Know the Results of Your Advertising?

Retailers
• Advertising Guidelines for Small Retailer Firms
• Setting the Right Price
• Selecting Your Supplier
• Merchandise for Profit
• Improving Personal Selling in Small Retailer Firms