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Home Based Business Info-Guide
Last Verified:
2008-02-18
This Info-Guide is intended to direct you to the best information on starting or running a home based business in Newfoundland and Labrador. It should be read in conjunction with our Business Start-Up Info-Guide which gives additional information applicable to all types of businesses, such as incorporation; taxation; human resources; and more.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
AssociationsRegulations
Programs & Services
Trade Shows
Training
CNLBSC - Library
Additional Resources
Associations
Industry Associations
Home based businesses can span all industries and sectors. Check the
Associations Directory
on the CNLBSC Web site to identify or locate the association that represents your type of business. Inquire about any incentives that particular association may offers members. Some examples of industry associations in this province are:
- Newfoundland and Labrador Environmental Industries Association
- nati - Newfoundland Association of Technology Industries
- Newfoundland and Labrador Home Builders' Association
- Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
- Music Industry Association of Newfoundland and Labrador
National Associations
There are several national associations attempting to represent the home based business market. They may offer products, services, or support to home based business owners. Some of these are listed below.
SOHO Business Group
SOHO©, is a national lead generation and marketing company focused on providing valuable tools, resources, special events and event managment services to the SOHO (small office home office) marketplace.
Home-Based Working Moms
HBWM is a professional association and online community of parents who work at home and those who would like to. HBWM members receive a monthly (print) newsletter, free advertising options, Hire-A-Mom directory listing, national publicity opportunities, email discussion list, private message boards, support, networking, information, and more. It is an American based association, with a Canadian representative (in Ontario) and web site.
American Home Business Association (AHBA)
The AHBA is a national association offering essential and innovative benefits and services dedicated to supporting the needs of home business, small business and entrepreneurs. Membership includes access to the best in traditional business benefits, Internet support services, resources and timely information that is critical to conduct a successful home, small or Internet business.
Local Business Organizations
Many communities have business organizations which organize information sessions and networking opportunities for members. Some of these are listed below. You can also check the yellow pages of your telephone directory under either Business & Trade Organizations or Associations:
- Boards of Trade or Chambers of Commerce (check your telephone directory)
- Newfoundland and Labrador Employers' Council
- Better Business Bureau of NL
- Canadian Federation of Independent Business
Regulations
Town Councils
- business taxation and license to operate within municipality
- local zoning regulations
- fire inspections (done in conjunction with Government Service Centres - see below)
Contact your local council.
Government Service Centres (GSC)
- building inspections (building and accessibility codes)
- septic system approvals
- food establishment licenses
- fire inspections (done in conjunction with town councils)
- signage regulations
Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business
Service Centre (CNLBSC)
Depending on the type of home based business you are starting, you may have to contact other relevant departments. For example, if you are starting a bed and breakfast operation, you will need a license from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. If you are operating a farm (crops or livestock), you should contact the Department of Natural Resources to check on any inspections that may be required. You may have to conform to industry standards, put specific information on your labels, or obtain a bar code.
CNLBSC Information Officers will alert you to relevant regulations and refer you to appropriate contacts.
Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre
90 O'Leary Avenue
P.O. Box 8687
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador A1B 3T1
Telephone: 709-772-6022
Fax: 709-772-6090
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (in the Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: info@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site: http://www.cbsc.org/nl
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday
Programs & Services
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- counselling service
-
Business Development Program
Banks and Credit Unions
-
Canada Small Business Financing (CSBF) Program
Check your telephone directory for branches in your area.
Business Development Bank of Canada
(BDC)
- consulting service
-
Starting a business
-
Growth Capital for Aboriginal Business
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
-
Start-up Financing for Youth
-
Expansion Financing for Youth
-
Mentors for Young Entrepreneurs
-
Succession Financing for Youth
Community Business Development Corporations
(CBDC)
- Financial Assistance Program
- Self Employment Benefits Program
- SEED Capital Program
- business counselling
Department of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment (HRLE)
- Graduate Employment Program
- Linkages
- NL Works
- Student Work and Service Program (SWASP)
- Student Employment Program
- Seasonal Employment Program
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural
Development (INTRD)
- small business counselling service
- Small and Medium Enterprise Fund
- Small Business and Market Development Program
- Craft Industry Development Program
- Commercialization Program
- Innovation Enhancement Program
- Supplier Development Initiative
- Economic Diversification and Growth Enterprises (EDGE) Program
- Strategic Sector Development
- Export programs
Industry Associations
Home based businesses can span all industries and sectors. Check the
Associations Directory
on the CNLBSC Web site to identify or locate the association that represents your type of business. Inquire about any incentives that particular association may offers members.
National Research Council (NRC)
-
NRC Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP)
Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women
Entrepreneurs (NLOWE)
- services to women entrepreneurs at all stages of business development
- Women in Business Initiative (in conjunction with ACOA)
Ulnooweg Development Group Inc.
- Ulnooweg Loan
- Aboriginal Business Development Loan
- ABC Aboriginal Youth Business Loan.
Ms. Dana Squire
Ulnooweg Development Group Inc.
58 Lemarchant Road
St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador A1C 6K1
Telephone: 709-726-3750 or 709-726-3752
Fax: 726-3742
Web site: http://www.ulnooweg.ca
Trade Shows
SOHO-SME Business Conference & Expo
Canadian Franchise Association Shows
National Franchise & Business Opportunities Shows
CNLBSC - Events Calendar
Check our Events Calendar for the the most current listing of business events and training opportunities happening throughout the Province. There are also listings of national and international events.
Training
College of the North Atlantic (CNA)
-
Business Administration/Management Diploma (1,2 or 3 years)
Memorial University - Centre for Lifelong Learning
-
Professional & personal development courses (some relevant to small business)
-
Certificate program - business administration
-
Affiliate programs - variety offered (eg. CGA; CMA; CPM; CPSA)
-
Faculty of Business Administration
Online Small Business Workshop
(OSBW)
The OSBW is a national product of the Canada Business Service Centres. It is a Web-based workshop designed to provide you with techniques for developing your business idea, starting a new venture and improving your existing small business. It is self-paced and organized in six sessions:
- Session 1 - Starting with a Good Idea
- Session 2 - Marketing Basics
- Session 3 - Financing Your Business
- Session 4 - Planning Fundamentals
- Session 5 - Basic Regulations for Getting Started
- Session 6 - Setting up an E-business: The Basics.
LMIworks - Labour Market & Career Information
- provincial career and employment information
- links to national and international resources
- Career Information Resource Centres throughout the Province
CNLBSC - Events Calendar
Check our Events Calendar for the the most current listing of business events and training opportunities happening throughout the province. There are also listings of national and international events.
Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre - Library
If you live In Newfoundland and Labrador, you may use the Books By Mail service to borrow material from our library. Some relevant titles are below, but you can search our online library catalog for more (use an asterisk to find variations of keywords - e.g. home* will pick up homebased, home-based, home office, etc.)
Magazines
SOHO Business Report
Enterprise Magazine
Natural Life
Small Business Opportunities
Entrepreneur Magazine
Books
101 internet businesses you can start from home : how to choose and build your own successful e-business
HD 62 .5 .I2 S93 2007
The 100 best businesses to start when you don't want to work hard anymore
HD 62 .5 .I2 R63 2004
202 things you can buy and sell for big profits
HF 5482 S73 2004
The Everything home-based business book : start and run your own money-making venture
HD 2333 J43 2006
Make it! market it! bank it! : over 100 ways to start your own home-based business
HD 2333 A62 2004
Web marketing for small & home-based businesses : how to advertise and sell your products or services online
HF 5415 .1265 L42 2004
Big home, big challenge : design solutions for larger spaces
NK 2195 G68 2003
Best practices in the home-based employment of people with disabilities
HV 1568 C36 2002
How to start a home-based catering business
HD 2333 V58 2006
Start & run a creative services business
NX 163 K57 2005
How to start a home-based event planning business
AS 6 M67 2004
Multimedia
Start and run a profitable home-based
business
AUDIO # 114
http://www.self-counsel.com/
Leading edge II : Home-based businesses & miscellaneous businesses & one-of-a-kind businesses
CD-ROM # 8
Centre for Entrepreneurship Education &
Development (CEED)
http://www.ceed.info/
Working for yourself at starting a business : a step by step Business Education Program
KIT # 27
http://www.workingforyourself.com/
Additional Resources
Canada Business
Home-Based Business
(national guide)
Statistics Canada
Working at home: an update (June 2007)
Saskatchewan Home-Based Business Association
Small Business Canada - Home Based Business
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/homebusiness/Home_Business.htm
Industry Canada & Statistics
Canada
Survey of Micro-enterprises
Atlantic Canada Opportunities
Agency & Business Development Bank of Canada
From Ideas to Opportunities
This guide was researched by Sharon Sharpe. Comments, corrections, or suggestions for additional content/links are welcome.
Canada/Newfoundland and Labrador Business Service Centre
90 O'Leary Avenue
P.O. Box 8687
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador
A1B 3T1
Telephone: 709-772-6022
Fax: 709-772-6090
Toll-free (information): 1-800-668-1010 (in the Atlantic region only)
TTY Toll-free (hearing impaired): 1-800-457-8466
E-mail: info@cbsc.ic.gc.ca
Web site:
http://www.cbsc.org/nl
Hours of operation: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday
DISCLAIMER
Information contained in this document is of a general nature only and is not intended to constitute advice for any specific fact situation. Users concerned about the reliability of the information should consult directly with the source, or seek legal counsel.
Links Policy
Some of the hypertext links lead to non-federal government sites which are not subject to the Official Languages Act and the material is available in one language only.