Category Starting a Business in Canada

Runway is how many months your cash can cover expenses. Here's the simple formula, why product businesses need more, and how to build a real cushion.

A realistic look at what it actually costs to start a small product business in Canada, from registration and Shopify to your first import and tax reserve.

Markup and margin are not the same number, and confusing them quietly kills profit. Here are the two formulas, a conversion table, and which to use when.

The simple formula for pricing to a target gross margin, worked examples at 40/50/60%, and why you must price off true landed cost, fees, and GST included.

The monthly plan is only part of the bill. Here's the honest breakdown of what running a Shopify store in Canada actually costs — transaction fees, payment processing, apps, and themes — from someone paying it twice.

Running an online product business, your bank account needs multi-currency, low fees, and a clean way to pay overseas suppliers and set aside tax. Here's an honest comparison of the categories.

A real founder walkthrough of setting up a product business in Alberta — structure, registering your name, your CRA Business Number, GST, a Calgary business licence, WCB, and insurance.

Mixing business and personal money feels harmless at first, until bookkeeping and tax time. Here is why to separate them early as a Canadian sole proprietor, plus the exact accounts I use.

The plain-English version I wish I'd had: when you must register for GST/HST (the $30k rule), how much to charge by province, and what you actually owe the CRA.

The exact apps and tools I use to run two Canadian small businesses — banking, accounting, e-commerce, payments, and content — and why.