Jump Start -- by Mark Sproxton

Thinking of starting your own business but are unsure of where to turn? You're in the right place. Calgary has a plethora of resources available to those interested in working for themselves. Want some ideas on where to go for more information? Here's a look at some local education/training opportunities, funding opportunities and some related links. Jump off here and begin your entrepreneurial career research.

Education/training

The Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) offers several programs on self-employment and small business available to all. These programs include: Exploring Entrepreneurship, which is a free two-and-a-half hour evening workshop examining the realities of entrepreneurship; ABCs of Small Business; Self Employment;At Home Entrepreneurs; CoolBiz; and Exploring Small Business.

Mount Royal College offers a six-semester applied degree program focussing on small business.

The University of Calgary, through its business school, allows students to earn a degree concentrating on the area of entrepreneurship and innovation.

Meyers Norris Penny (MNP) offers a self-employment program and other courses for those looking to start or expand a business.

The MKS Learning Centre offers a self-employment program and other courses for those looking to start or expand a business.

Funding

MCC has a Small Business lending program and a Micro Business Loans program. The micro business program provides initial loans up to $2,000 for small business start-ups to those who have already completed a solid business plan. Qualifications for this program are character-based and not credit-based.

MCC also has a Youth Fair Gains program for 16 to 21-year-olds that sees those who complete the program receive $3 for every $1 they save through the program (maximum participant savings is $45 per month). This money may be used to start or expand a business.

MCC offers a similar program for those over 21-years-old called Fair Gains.

The Alberta Opportunity Company offers a Young Entrepreneurs Financing program allowing those 30-years-old and younger to borrow up to $30,000.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation offers loans up to $15,000 for those 18-34-years-old who qualify. Those who qualify for a CYBF loan must agree to work with a business mentor to help with business development.

The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) offers a few financing options including the Young Entrepreneur Financing Program for loans up to $25,000 and a Student Business Loan Program for summer businesses for loans up to $5,000.

Related links

The Calgary Business Information Centre offers business advice, provides business contacts, a library for market research and host of other resources invaluable to entrepreneurs.

MCC has a good list of links to online resources for those looking at self employment.

The City of Calgary Web site contains some basic information on business licensing and the different classifications of licenses.

BDC offers several self-employment tools online including an entrepreneurial self-assessment and a business plan guideline.

The AlbertaFirst Web site contains much helpful information online including specific industry sector overviews and statistics and guides on topics such as starting a business and record keeping for small business.

The Canadian Youth Business Foundation's youth business site offers many tips for entrepreneurs, such as defining the difference between marketing and advertising, and also has resources related to issues such as human resources, banking, the law and many others.

The Aboriginal section of the Calgary Youth Employment Centre contains excellent information and links to anyone looking at self-employment.

A previous issue of nextSteps also contains useful information on being your own boss.