Resources

Explore our free resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Peace Country region.

Tools & Resources:

• CFPC Loan Application - PDF Download
• CFPC Loan Application Checklist
• CFPC Business Plan Guide
• Cash Flow Worksheet
• CFPC FAQs
• Indigenous Business Planning Workbook
• Online Business Resources
• Helpful Videos:
  • Small Business Basics - Life As An Entrepreneur

    • Small business ownership can be an exciting career choice. This video covers the basics of what to expect on each step of your entrepreneurial journey. You’ll learn about the 3 key roles you will play in your business along with the challenges and rewards of each role. Discover how to identify when you’ve outgrown a role and how to build a business that works for you.

  • Small Business Basics - Business Financing

    • Finding financing for your business can be challenging. Learn how the process of securing financing works so you can increase your chances of success. This video outlines the 5 C’s of lending and how you can prepare to meet as many of them as possible. Growing your business by accessing outside sources of funding (traditional sources like banks, and non-traditional sources like non-profits and government programs) is an important process for every business owner to understand.  

  • Small Business Basics -  First Steps in Business

    • Are you starting a new business but aren’t sure how to begin? Learn about the basic steps involved in starting and running a small business so you can feel confident turning your business idea into a reality. This video explains business basics like operations, finances, marketing, and sales so that you can locate resources for your business quickly, and is accompanied by a downloadable resource so you can start getting organized today.

• Business Link:
  • Small Business Start Up Guide
  • Marketing Guide
  • Financial Fundamentals

  • Business Link Indigenous Services Videos:

    • Steps to Starting a Business as an Indigenous Entrepreneur – https://vimeo.com/679284416
    • Finding Contract Opportunities as an Indigenous Business – https://vimeo.com/667504787
    • Small Business Basics Video Series – (Videos are also linked inside the Small Business Guides)
    • Small Business Basics: Business Planning -  https://vimeo.com/583965317
    • Small Business Basics: Business Structure -  https://vimeo.com/584030671
    • Small Business Basics: Financial Management -  https://vimeo.com/584037212
    • Small Business Basics: Market Research -  https://vimeo.com/584040341
    • Small Business Basics: Marketing -  https://vimeo.com/584044865

Useful Links:

General Business

• SME Direct - Gain access to a wealth of small business information available through Industry Canada.
• CRA - Checklist for Small Business
• BDC - Business Financing, Expert Advice & Venture Capital 
• BDC - How a Bank Looks at Your Business - video on how to prepare for a loan
• Business Link | Free Business Help in Alberta | Startup Financing Advice - Everything you need to know about starting a business.
• GoForth Institute - If you're looking to bolster your understanding of how to start, run or grow a successful and profitable business, learn GoForth Institute's 100 Essential Small Business Skills™ in only 10 hours conveniently delivered to your computer through streaming video and an option 400+ page resource curriculum book.
• Workink - An online career development AND employment portal for Canadians with disabilities.

 Employment

• Alberta Income Support - offers employment and career resources, training supports, Alberta job & career fairs, income support, and health benefits
• Alberta/Canada Job Grant - Train the workers you need. The Alberta-Canada job grant can help fund training for your new or current employees
• Citizenship and Immigration Canada - Express Entry Information for Employers - You can fill labour market shortages permanently with skilled foreign nationals.

Youth Entrepreneurship

• BDC Entrepreneurs First - Business Development Bank of Canada's entrepreneurship opportunities.
• Futurpreneur - Assisting young entrepreneurs to get their ideas off the ground, Youth Business offers programs and services that allow them to achieve economic independence, develop self-confidence, and fulfill their goals of self-employment.
• The Youth Entrepreneur's Network - An online community that supports the needs of young entrepreneurs from around the world as they attempt to build and thrive in their own businesses
• Youth Café - Government of Canada website for youth seeking employment opportunities.

Indigenous Resources

• Aboriginal Youth Business Council
• Business Link Indigenous Services
• BDC Indigenous Entrepreneur
• Indigenous Services Canada
• Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada

Government of Alberta

• Government of Alberta
• Alberta Grants & Funding
• Alberta Investor Tax Credit (AITC)
• Alberta Small Business Resources
• Business and Economy
• Canada-Alberta Job Grant
• Community (Local) Economic Development
• Agriculture & Forestry
• Economic Development & Trade
• Alberta Canada
• BizPal Alberta
• Business in Alberta
• Corporate Registries
• Advanced Education
• Occupational Health & Safety
• Service Alberta
• Working in Alberta
• Community and Regional Economic Development Funding Opportunities

 Government of Canada

• The Government of Canada
• Agriculture & Agrifood Canada
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Canada Business Network - General Links
• Canada Business Service Centre
• Canadian Industry Statistics
• The Western Canada Business Service Network (WCBSN)
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Global Affairs Canada
• Employment & Social Development Canada
• Innovation, Science & Economic Development Canada
• Service Canada
• Statistics Canada
• Trade Commissioner Service Canada
• Western Canada Economic Diversification

Entrepreneurs with Disabilities

• Disability Resource Guide
• Workink

Francophone Economic Development Organization

• CDEA

Business Education & Other Resources

• Agriculture Financial Services
• Alberta Innovates
• Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
• Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC)
• Business Link
• Canadian Commercial Corporation
• Dun and Bradstreet Business Information Services
• Entrepreneur's Organization
• Farm Credit Canada
• The Go Forth Institute For Entrepreneurial Skills Development
• The World Bank
• Women's Enterprise Centre

Regional Links

• Fairview & District Chamber of Commerce
• Grimshaw & District Chamber of Commerce
• Manning & District Chamber of Commerce
• McLennan & District Chamber of Commerce
• Peace River & District Chamber of Commerce