Getting Started

Before launching into the business planning process, consider whether or not entrepreneurship is the right path for you. If you aren’t sure, here are some online questionnaires to help you answer this question:

It’s always a good idea to do a bit of preliminary research during the idea generation (i.e., ideation) phase to come up with a list of business options that actually stand a good chance of being successful in BC.

Here are some suggested magazines (available online as well as in print at VPL) that you can read to stay on top the local business scene and find out which industries are currently booming, which are going bust, and also identify potential market gaps that you might be able to fill.

Consider whether your business idea is truly viable by assessing it critically. You can use the tools below to help decide if your idea is worth pursuing or not. This can also help you later on during the market research phase.

Even with an entrepreneurial spirit and great business idea, building a successful business is a lot of hard work. Make sure you know what you’re getting into by examining resources that outline the entire process from start to finish before diving into the specifics. The following resources are great to review right at the beginning of your journey, as well as to refer back to for more information as your business idea starts turning into a reality.