Resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs

Business advisors

Business advisory service offerings:

• Free one-on-one consultations with an advisor
• Free access to resources designed to help businesses start, grow and thrive
• Free guidance on navigating government programs and funding opportunities

Our hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Pacific time.

Contact us:

Leave us a detailed voicemail with your question and contact information. Calls will not be answered live. We thank you for your patience and will return your call as soon as possible.

Call toll free: 1-855-698-2157

You can also email your questions, including your phone number, to: Business.Advisors@gov.bc.ca

Tariff resources

• Find federal and provincial tariff resources for workers, businesses and industries
• Visit B.C.'s Response to U.S. Tariffs for tariff Q&A's
• Businesses can write in questions to Trade and Investment B.C. on impacts of U.S. tariffs 
• Visit Tariff guidance for businesses to learn about tariff exemptions or reductions and information on the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement

Guides

• Use the Starting a Small Business Guide to start a successful small business in B.C.
• Learn how to export to international markets with step-by-step guides and resources (Government of Canada) 
• Use the PreparedBC: Guide for Small Businesses to protect your business and the people you employ from emergencies and business disruptions
• The Starting a Restaurant in B.C. online guide provides guidance on the requirements for starting a restaurant in British Columbia
• The Start a Franchise online guide provides guidance on how to start a franchise or be a franchisee in British Columbia. 

Resource handouts

• Find information about small business services, programs and publications with the Small Business Resources Handout (PDF, 181.3KB)
• The Indigenous Small Business Resources Handout (PDF, 311.9KB) has information about small business resources for Indigenous entrepreneurs

Other resources

• The Economic Disaster Preparedness Resources and Considerations handout lists various resources to help businesses be prepared in the event of an emergency or natural disaster
• The B.C. Small Business Profile dashboard is updated annually, and tracks small business growth in B.C.
• Use the Canada Business Benefits Finder to get a list of programs to help start or grow your small business
• Discover tools for exporters to expand to new markets in Asia, the United States and Europe
• Find ways to save money and help your business grow in the low-carbon economy with the CleanBC for Business Factsheet (PDF, 513KB)
• Find out how to sell goods, services and construction to the Province

• The Province in collaboration with Camosun College offers a low-cost Lean Fundamentals Micro-Credential. The course is self-directed online learning that develops skills to help drive innovation, productivity and profitability in organizations of all types and sizes.

Reports and publications

• The Small Business Task Force Final Report (PDF, 2.0MB) presents findings and recommendations from the Task Force's engagement with small businesses over the summer of 2018
• The Better Regulations for British Columbian's Annual Report outlines what is done each year to improve services and regulations in B.C.

Get help

Governments and organizations can help you start, manage and grow a successful small business.

Get help with your small business