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2. 2 Are you ready to start? What is an entrepreneur? –"An entrepreneur is a person who assumes the organization, management and risks involved in a business venture." Qualities that make a successful entrepreneur: –Decision Maker –Analytical Ability (problem solving skills) –Good Interpersonal Skills –High Drive (highly motivated) –Risk Taker What you need: Personal skills Business knowledge A good idea! Start-up money Support Good personal credit history

3. 3 Lets get down to business From a legal stand point From a fiscal stand point From an insurance stand point  Choose the form of business: –Sole proprietor –Partnership, or –Incorporation  Register your form of business  Get a business licence  Get a business number  Register for GST and PST  Buy business insurance – Liability – Disability – Key people – Business interruption  Prepare to have employees First steps to start a business:

4. 4 Your proposal  Your proposal will include your business plan as well as additional documentation such as: –Market research –Industry trends –Other information supporting your project’s viability

5. 5 Your business plan What is a business plan:  A business plan can help you detail your goals, and serves as an operational plan for achieving them  Everyone who is going into business and who is operating a business requires a business plan Why a business plan? It describes your business It conveys your vision to potential investors It explains your business goals It raises potential problems and ways to solve them It states the amount of capital required to finance your venture

6. 6 Your business plan What it should include: 1.An executive summary 2.A description of your company 3.A description of your management team 4.An overview of your marketing plan 5.Human resources plan 6.Financial planning 7.Appendices that boost your credibility

7. 7 Your business plan What it should include: 1.An executive summary  Your industry, products/services, competitive advantages, amount of financing required 2.A description of your company  Legal status, date company founded, mission, objectives and vision 3.A description of your management team  Roles, experience and competence, education

8. 8 Your Business plan Overview of your Marketing plan Is there a proven market for your products or services? Who are your competitors? What is your client profile? What will you offer that is better? How will you get them to switch? 4. Marketing Plan Four sections should be detailed: 1. Your product or services  Why your products/services will sell? 2. Your market potential  Target clients, market size and penetration, demographic factors 3. Overview of your competition  Their strengths and weaknesses 4. Marketing strategy  Overview of your Marketing plan, media chosen, partners, etc.

9. 9 Your Business plan 5.Human resource plan –Determine how you will recruit, retain and develop employees : –HR Policy –Subcontracting and outside professionals –Organizational and development plan 6.Financial planning –Forecasts, balance sheet, statement of income, cash flow budget 7.Appendices that boost your credibility –Brief bios of your management team, market studies, client testimonials, etc.

10. 10 Finding financing What lenders look for:  Proof of experience, skills, determination, and self- confidence to successfully carry out your project  Your personal credit history – past performance can affect perception about how you will perform in the future  Your business plan must be clear, structured, and short, but it must cover all elements of your business idea

11. 11 Finding financing What lenders look for:  For new and existing companies: –Forecast for next 2 years –A cash flow analysis that describes your forecasts: Shows the seasonal fluctuations in your business and prescribes the need for capital

12. 12 Financing to get started Finding initial financing: Proof that you have a long-term commitment to your project 1.Personal investment money: Cash/collateral on your assets. Bankers consider this asset as “patient capital” 2.Gift capital or love money: Money loaned by loved one and that will be repaid later. 3.Investments from others: Money you raise from investors. Bankers regard such investment highly Proof that your idea is sound but can often diminish the degree of control you have over you own company

13. 13 Financing to get started Finding initial financing: Policy for paying suppliers based on their payment conditions (often 30 or 60 days after delivery). Check with each supplier, since many offer discounts for quick payment. 4.Supplier (A/P) Financing: You may have access to grants, subsidies or tax credits to help recover expenses such as salaries or equipment. 5.Grants, Subsidies and Tax Credits:

14. 14 Financing to get started Money loaned to you, not your business Loan secured by your personal assets Many banks offer this type of loan to start-up businesses or those with few assets (land, building or equipment) 1.Personal Loan Type of loans: Short term, flexible financing that you manage yourself Borrowing as much as you need up to a determined amount Secured by your inventory and accounts receivable, and your bank can require full repayment at any time 2.Operating Loan - Also called Line of Credit

15. 15 Financing to get started Long-term financing option for fixed assets such as equipment, land or building 3.Term Loan Type of loans: Long-term financing to cover projects such as Growth, Export, Marketing, e-Business, R&D, etc. Help provide you the cash flow to fuel your growth Complement your existing line of credit 4.Working capital Loan

16. 16 Financing to get started About BDC:  BDC is a Crown corporation with a mission to help Canadian entrepreneurs start and grow their companies  BDC acts as a complementary lender in the market and operates on a commercial basis (must be financially sustainable) Building tomorrow's businesses:  For over 60 years, BDC has provided flexible financing and consulting solutions that are tailored to the needs of entrepreneurs and designed to help their business prosper

17. 17 Why choose BDC BDC can provide support to entrepreneurs who :  Are in the start-up or early growth phase (first 12 months of sales)  Can demonstrate realistic market and sales potential  Possess experience or expertise in their chosen field  Demonstrate key personal characteristics of a successful entrepreneur  Have assembled a competent management team  Have invested reasonable financial resources in the enterprise  Can provide personal and credit references

18. 18 Why choose BDC Co-Vision (Start-up financing program) Term Financing (Flexible long-term financing) Customized term financing up to $150,000 For new businesses demonstrating long-term viability BDC can provide personalized management support Can not be used for change of ownership For a variety of commercially viable projects such as: –expansion –plant overhauls –purchase of existing businesses –acquisition of fixed assets In some cases, may be used to reconstitute working capital depleted by capital expenditures or to finance sales growth BDC start-up solutions at a glance:

19. 19 Why choose BDC BDC start-up solutions offer a total solution for entrepreneurs  BDC may be able to offer: –Up to $150,000 in financing –Up to a 6-year repayment period –Progressive or seasonal repayment options tailored to your business’s cash flow –Consulting and mentoring solutions

20. 20 Good to know… Insights on investors and lenders  Many entrepreneurs are intuitive and rely on their experience, industry knowledge, and gut feelings to tell them whether a project “makes sense”  Most bankers are methodical, and won’t draw conclusions quickly- especially if they don’t have all the facts before them  Given that they don’t have your technical knowledge, they will want to see that you have thoroughly analyzed and planned your project  A thought out business plan is key to your success

21. 21 Useful resources To help you get started: Strategis (Industry Canada): www.strategis.ic.gc.ca www.strategis.ic.gc.ca –Useful resource to find industry-related information and tons of information on what you need to do to get your business started Canada Business Service Centre: www.cbsc.orgwww.cbsc.org –Excellent resource centre to help in writing business plans, determining types of loans and other resources that may be applicable to your business BDC: www.bdc.ca/startup or 1-800 INFO BDCwww.bdc.ca/startup –# 1 resource for all your financing and consulting needs. Templates of business plans available and lots of pertinent info.

22. 22 Thank you! To find out more about BDC Contact: Marie Bruno, Senior Manager 153 Great Northern Road Phone: (705) 941-3039 marie.bruno@bdc.ca www.bdc.ca