Want to boost your business’s reach and impact in Canada? This episode takes a deep dive into the most effective advertising and marketing platforms—everything from organic SEO and paid search to social media, email newsletters, and online directories. We explore how to choose platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Google Ads, LinkedIn, and Pinterest depending on your audience, budget, and goals. Based on insights from the Ontario Business Central Inc. blog, you’ll get actionable guidance ...

When it comes to protecting your brand, one size does not fit all. In this episode, we break down the key differences between trademark and copyright protections in Canada—what each covers, when you need one or both, and what steps you should take to safeguard your business assets. From logo rights and slogans to original content and creative works, we’ll help you decide how to build an IP strategy that fits your business. Drawing on insights from Ontario Business Central’s guide, you’l...

Your brand is more than a name—it’s your identity, your reputation, and your most valuable asset. In this episode, we walk you through the process of registering a trademark in Canada: what counts as a trademark, why it matters, how to search existing marks, apply through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), and avoid common obstacles. Based on the step‑by‑step guide from Ontario Business Central, this conversation gives business owners and entrepreneurs the clarity to prot...

Balancing a full‑time job and a side hustle? Don’t let taxes surprise you. In this episode, we break down how income from a side gig gets taxed in Ontario, the differences between operating as a sole proprietor vs. incorporating, and which deductions you can claim—from home office and vehicle expenses to meals and supplies. We also cover when you’ll need to register for HST, how to manage taxes across multiple income streams, and tips to stay compliant without stress. Whether you’re tur...

Registering your business in Ontario is one of the first—and most important—steps to making it official. In this episode, we walk through how to register a sole proprietorship, partnership, or corporation using the Ontario Business Registry, including name searches (NUANS), filing fees, business identification numbers (BIN), and complying with registration rules. Whether you’re launching your first venture or formalizing something you’ve already been doing, this guide gives you the clarity an...

Launching a small business is challenging, and many don’t make it past those early years. In this episode, we dig into the most common reasons businesses fail—like running out of capital, weak financial practices, poor infrastructure, lack of planning, and failure to adapt. Drawing lessons from real cases and the insights from Ontario Business Central, we share guidance on how to dodge these traps so your venture lasts. If you’re building something new or trying to strengthen your opera...

Got a business idea but not sure where to begin? In this episode, we walk through the 11 essential steps you need to launch your company—from refining your idea and doing market research, to building your brand, securing financing, registering your business, and scaling. Based on Ontario Business Central’s 2024 guide, this conversation gives you a clear, action‑oriented roadmap to move from concept to reality. Perfect for first‑time founders or anyone who wants to make sure they aren’t ...