Where to Start: Small Business
Information for Women
Tuesday, December 4
7:00-8:30 pm
Public Meeting Room 1

Join us for a session with Women Entrepreneurs (WE) of Saskatchewan, which works with women considering, starting, or operating their own business. WE offers business advisory and support services, start-up and expansion loans, training for skills development, and networking and mentoring opportunities. This informative session will show how we can help you achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
Registration required. Phone 777-6120 to register.

Check out the WiseBread website for a recent post about the debt ceiling crisis in the United States.

The Government of Canada's Aboriginal Portal features an online, interactive tool to help you find different types of funding available specifically for Aboriginal peoples in Canada.

Click here to access the Aboriginal Funding Tool.

DEBT MANAGEMENT

The Provincial Mediation Board's Credit Counseling and Debt Management Services can help you find solutions to your debt problems. For more information, please visit the Credit Counseling and Debt Management Services website.

Video:
Get Credit Smart

Library books:

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FRUGAL LIVING

The Squawkfox and Wise Bread websites are jam-packed with ideas for how to live a good life within your means!

Videos:
Save $500 a Month
Save An Extra 8% Per Year
Saving Penny
Slash Your Grocery Bill

Library magazine:
MoneySense

Library books:

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GENERAL MONEY MANAGEMENT

Videos:
Are You Saving As Much As the Average Canadian?
Emergency Fund – How Much Should It Be?
Got a Short-Term Savings Goal? Here’s Where to Put Your Money
Increase Your Insurance Deductibles
Pay Yourself First vs. Draw Up a Budget
Saving for Your Child’s Education
Simple Saving
Using Software to Track Spending
Visualize the Payoff

Library books:

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HOME BUYING & SELLING

The Saskatchewan Real Estate Commission is an independent, non-governmental agency responsible for the regulation of the real estate industry. The Commission is mandated to protect consumers and to provide services that enhance and improve the industry and the business of industry members.

Video:
Make Extra Mortgage Payments

Library books:

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INVESTING

Videos:
Build a GIC Ladder
GICs vs Bonds
Safety in GICs
When To Use a Tax-Free Savings Account

Library magazines & newspapers:
Canadian MoneySaver
Investment Reporter
Investor's Digest of Canada
The MoneyLetter

Library books:

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RETIREMENT

Videos:
How Much Money Will I Need to Retire?
Reduce Your Retirement Needs
Reinvest to Ramp Up Your RRSP
Smart Ways to Use Spousal RRSPs
What’s A Realistic Savings Goal?

Library books:

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TAXES

The Canada Revenue Agency’s (CRA) Community Volunteer Income Tax Program helps eligible individuals who are not able to complete their income tax and benefit returns by themselves. Find out if you’re eligible but visiting the CRA’s website.

Video:
Double Your Tax Savings

Library magazine:
The Taxpayer

Library books:

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TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT MONEY

Videos:
Sesame Street has created a series of videos including: Learning to Save, Learning to Wait, Making Choices and Job Song!

Library books:

You have a product and a venue, and you’ve done your research - now you need customers and a profit! Consider the following:
• How will you brand your product or service?
• What is your advertising budget?
• Should you use social media?

Learn more:
Advertising Guidelines for Small Retailer Firms
Association of Canadian Advertisers
Canadian Marketing Association
Canadian Public Relations Society
Marketing and Sales
Marketing Checklist for Small Retailers

Library magazine:

Library books:

Market research involves gathering information about your community to guide the development of your business. Questions to consider:
• What are the demographics of the community?
• Does the community need your business?
• Who is your competition in the area?

The Saskbiz website provides comprehensive economic and quality of life information for communities and regions in Saskatchewan.

Learn more:
Canadian Industry Statistics
City of Regina Facts
City of Regina Neighbourhood Profiles
Guide to Market Research and Analysis
Industry Canada Economic & Market Research Statistics
Market Research and Statistics
Saskatchewan Bureau of Statistics
Statistics Canada 2006 Community Profile for Regina

Company information:
Canadian Company Capabilities
Canadian Trade Index
EDGAR
Hoovers
Industry Canada Company Directories
SEDAR
ThomasNet

Library database:
Business and Company Resource Center

Library magazine:
Sask Trends Monitor

Library books:
The Blue Book of Canadian Business
Canadian Trade Index
Guide to Canadian Manufacturers
Regina & District Chamber of Commerce Business Directory
Saskatchewan Business-to-Business Sales & Marketing Directory

There are many things to consider when selecting a location for your business.
For example:
• Is the area zoned for retail business?
• What will your property taxes be?
• How much space will you need?

Learn more:
City of Regina Assessment & Tax
City of Regina Bylaws
Store Location
Store Location – “Little Things” Mean A Lot

What legalities do you need to follow as a business? Here are some things to consider:
• Has your business been registered with various levels of government?
• Do you have a Business Number for taxation and payroll purposes?
• Do you need any special permits?

The Saskatchewan Government’s BizPal website is especially helpful for determining which permits and licenses you will need for your business.

Information Services Corporation (ISC) is a Crown corporation in Saskatchewan responsible for registries. Its website contains useful information about regulation and registration for businesses.

Consulting a lawyer will ensure that you correctly follow the steps to making your business legal. The Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre's Guest Advisor Program allows you to speak with a lawyer or business consultant for 30 minutes free of charge!

Learn more:
Business Name and Registration
Canadian Intellectual Property Office
Legal Issues in Starting a Business
Product Licensing
Regina and Area Agencies Providing Licenses and Government Information
Saskatchewan Electronic Tax Services
Saskatchewan Provincial Sales Tax Vendor's License & Business Assets Declaration forms

Library books:
Butterworths Wrongful Dismissal Practice Manual
Canadian Labour Arbitration
O'Brien's Encyclopedia of Forms
Preparing Your Corporate Tax Returns

You will need to decide how much money is needed to open and operate your business. Financing may come from a variety of sources including a financial institution, government agencies such as the Business Development Bank of Canada, or charitable groups like the Canada Youth Business Foundation.

The Canada-Saskatchewan Business Service Centre's Guest Advisor Program allows you to speak with an accounting advisor for 30 minutes free of charge!

Learn more:
Canadian Venture Capital Association
Dealing with Your Banker and Other Lenders
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Financing Your Business
Lending – The Basic Criteria
Saskatchewan Angel Investor Network
Small Business Loans Association
SME Benchmarking Tool

Library databases:
Canadian Directory of Foundations and Corporations (contains information on over 2,200 Canadian grant-making foundations and over 150 American foundations with a history of granting in Canada). Note: In-Library use only.
Financial Services Canada

Library books:

Your business plan is an essential point of reference for your business that:
• Defines your business
• Analyzes your market
• Explains your finances, and much more!

Learn more:
Business Plan Guide
Business Planning (includes templates & samples)
Regina Business Planning Competition

Library databases:
Gale Virtual Reference Library (includes an electronic version of the Business Plans Handbook)
Small Business Resource Centre (click the “Sample Business Plans” button)

Library books: