Thinking of starting a business in Alberta? Whether you’re still brainstorming ideas or already have a product or service in mind, our Small Business Start-up Guide breaks the journey down into manageable steps. From validating your idea to handling taxes, this guide helps you get started with confidence.
Pre-Planning
Before you dive in, take some time to reflect and research:
- Explore your idea: Does it align with your interests and skills? Is there a real demand for it?
- Assess your finances: Will you need to start part-time or do you already have paying customers lined up?
- Talk to potential customers: Go beyond friends and family—real feedback is gold.
Tip: Use the Business Model Canvas to map out your idea.
Write down your answers to questions like:
- What problem is my business solving?
- Who is my ideal customer?
- How will I fund my start-up costs?
- Will I be working alone or with a team?
- What makes me different from competitors?
Build Your Business Plan
Once your idea feels solid, it’s time to get planning.
- Use our Interactive Business Plan Builder to create a professional, investor-ready plan.
- Need funding? You’ll also want to complete a cash flow projection and break-even analysis. Learn more in our blog, Financial Statements Made Simple and Financial Statements 101.
- Set clear goals and business milestones.
- Validate your idea with real customer interviews or develop a minimum viable product.
Business Link Strategists are here to review your plan and provide feedback.
Market Research & Branding
Understanding your audience is key. If you’re not sure where to start, we offer free secondary market research.
Once you know your market:
- Choose a name you can trademark
- Define your brand message and voice
- Develop visual elements like colours, fonts, and a logo
- Consider working with a graphic designer
Your brand is what helps customers remember you—make it count!
Legal Requirements
Here are the key steps for setting up your business legally in Alberta:
- Choose your business structure: sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation
- Register your business name
- Check if you need a municipal license
- Meet federal and provincial licensing and regulatory requirements
- Automatically receive a CRA business number upon registration
- Obtain insurance (e.g. liability, property)
- Protect your intellectual property
- Work with a lawyer for contracts or important agreements
Marketing Your Business
Marketing brings your brand to life and gets customers through the door—or to your website.
- Create marketing materials: business cards, signage, digital graphics
- Secure a domain, email, and social media handles
- Develop a marketing strategy (Use our Marketing Guide for support)
Build your marketing section using our Business Plan Builder
Financial and Accounting Essentials
Money matters! Make sure you’re set up for financial success:
- Hire a qualified bookkeeper or accountant
- Understand tax responsibilities (federal and provincial)
- Choose accounting software
- Open a business bank account and establish a relationship with your bank
Check out our Financial Fundamentals Guide to get started.
Ready to Launch?
Starting a business takes time, planning, and persistence. You’ll likely juggle many of these steps at once—and that’s perfectly normal. The good news? You’re not in this alone.