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The fastest way to get value from this site, depending on what you're working on.
What are you building?
Pick the closest match and I’ll give you a tailored roadmap — the exact registration steps, calculators, guides, and tools for your kind of business.
🧰 Service business
Consulting, trades, freelancing, done-for-you work — low startup cost, but you still need to be set up properly and price your time right.
Your setup steps
- Choose a structure — sole proprietorship to start, or incorporate for liability protection
- Register your business name with an Alberta registry agent
- Get your CRA Business Number
- Register for GST/HST once you pass the $30,000 threshold
- Sort out professional liability insurance and a simple invoicing system
Calculators & guides
🛒 Ecommerce business
Selling products online. Your storefront, your fees, and your true product cost all decide whether you actually make money.
Your setup steps
- Register your business (sole prop or incorporation) via an Alberta registry agent
- Get your Business Number and plan for GST/HST
- Set up your store, payments, and shipping
- Know your true landed cost before you set prices
- Get a business bank account and separate your tax money
Calculators & guides
📦 Imported-product business
Bringing goods into Canada to sell — my world with Kind Loom. The border adds steps and costs most new founders miss.
Your setup steps
- Register your business and get a Business Number
- Add an import-export (RM) account and register in CARM
- Classify your product’s HS code & duty rate
- Line up a customs broker and freight forwarder
- Calculate your full landed cost before you commit to an order
Calculators & guides
🎥 Content-creator business
Building an audience and earning from content, brand deals, and products. It’s a real business — treat the money side like one.
Your setup steps
- Register as a sole proprietor once you’re earning (Alberta registry agent)
- Get your Business Number and track self-employment income
- Watch the $30,000 GST/HST threshold — brand deals count
- Keep clean records and set aside tax from every payment
- Use simple contracts for brand and affiliate work
Calculators & guides
📍 Local Calgary business
Serving customers in your city — a shop, studio, or local service. You’ll deal with municipal licensing on top of the usual steps.
Your setup steps
- Register your business with an Alberta registry agent
- Get your Business Number and plan for GST/HST
- Apply for a City of Calgary business licence
- Check permits with BizPaL, and set up WCB if you hire
- Get commercial liability insurance
Calculators & guides
Some links above are referral links — I may earn a small bonus at no extra cost to you, and I only recommend tools I actually use.
I'm Demie. I live in Calgary and I'm building two product businesses from scratch — importing bedding from Jaipur (Kind Loom) and curated gift boxes (My Dabba). I'm not writing from the finish line; I'm writing from inside the build, sharing the real costs and lessons as they happen.
Launch Your Canadian Product Business in 5 Days
Get one practical lesson each day covering business setup, budgeting, product pricing, suppliers, importing and launch preparation — plus free worksheets, checklists and planners.
- 1Foundation & structure
- 2Budgeting & pricing
- 3Suppliers
- 4Freight & landed costs
- 5Final launch check
- ★Bonus: 30-Day Launch Planner
Designed for Canadian product-based businesses, ecommerce founders and first-time importers.
Includes 11 practical PDFs delivered throughout the course.
Start the Free Course
Enter your details and confirm your email to unlock the Course Workbook. Day 1 will arrive the morning after confirmation.