4 expert-backed tips for starting a small business in Canada

Have you been thinking of starting a small business and wondering if you have what it takes? Spoiler alert: You absolutely do, especially when you know where to turn for the right support and advice. As it happens, we know just the place. For your small business needs, check out Ownr!

Ownr is an online platform that helps make starting and running a small business a whole lot easier for Canadian entrepreneurs. It can automate processes for business registration, incorporation, legal compliance, and corporate governance. It also offers tools for important documents and managing shareholders and employees, and can handle ongoing filings at lower costs than traditional lawyers.

Earlier this year, Ownr commissioned a survey to understand just what’s driving Canadians’ New Year’s resolutions, and nearly half of the respondents said starting a business was on their list.

If you fall in that category, let 2026 be the year you turn your entrepreneurial dreams into reality — it’s certainly not too late!  Ownr CEO Jordan Casey broke down four tips and tricks to overcome the barriers standing between aspiring entrepreneurs and their goals (plenty of compliance confusion and financial uncertainty), and we’re sharing them here with you.

Tip #1: Build the plan and make it official

Imposter syndrome is real, and Canadians with entrepreneurial goals are feeling it big time. In fact, 41 per cent of survey respondents reported that a fear of failure stops them from starting a business. And, even among the 87 per cent who have considered quitting their jobs, uncertainty surrounding the process of moving from planning to action is keeping people stuck.

“My advice is to keep it simple,” says Casey. “Start with a basic business plan – something clear and flexible you can build on, not a perfect, polished document you never finish. Then take that crucial next step: formally registering your business.”

Tip #2: Don’t let compliance confusion stop you

Rules and regulations can be super confusing, and roughly a third of survey respondents identified compliance as a main area of concern. But it’s really just a matter of getting these issues sorted out; then you can actually focus on running your business. To this, Casey advises:

“Instead of feeling paralyzed by compliance, look for platforms that simplify and automate your filings and minute books. Platforms like Ownr help take care of these essentials, removing the administrative burden that often overwhelms first-time founders.”

Tip #3: Adopt a minimum viable launch mindset

You don’t need to quit your job or risk everything overnight to start a business. Many successful entrepreneurs start small, setting up and managing a business gradually so that entrepreneurship feels less daunting. It’s why Casey suggests “micro milestones” over massive leaps.

“That could mean registering the business in the first few weeks, building a simple digital presence a month or two in, and then beginning customer outreach when time allows,” he explains.

Tip #4: Claim your digital real estate early

The survey data shows that 42 per cent of aspiring entrepreneurs report needing help with basic setup, like registering a business name and setting up a web domain and social media handles. Don’t be afraid of claiming your digital presence before you’re officially open for business – you want your pages to be ready when you are, not vice versa.

“At Ownr, we’ve built a small business ecosystem alongside many other great partners that exist just to help aspiring entrepreneurs navigate these processes,” says Casey. “Laying this foundation early ensures your brand is ready whenever you are without the pressure to go all in right away.”

Are you ready to take the first step into the world of business ownership? Ownr can help guide and support you throughout the complex process, regardless of your educational background. Visit Ownr to learn how you can start your new small business today.

Kendall Bistretzan

Branded Content Writer

Kendall Bistretzan is a Calgary-based writer, reporter, and coffee enthusiast. In her spare time, she loves to read, have dinner with friends, and sing in her car. She is currently querying her debut fiction novel. You can find her on Instagram @kendallbistwrites.

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