Planning your start-up

Do you have an idea and maybe even potential customers? Where should you start? Before you make any decisions, check out our pre-startup calendar and meet with a specialized business start-up advisor. You'll have what it takes to build a solid business plan in no time!

It goes without saying that all entrepreneurs want to succeed in business. To increase your chances of success, follow these pre-startup steps.

Do you have an idea and maybe even potential customers? Great! Now, where should you start? By finding a location? Recruiting staff? Before you make any decisions, meet with a specialized business start-up advisor. This expert will ask you the right questions and help you build a solid business plan. If your idea isn't fully hatched yet, you may need to think it through some more. But if you're brimming with all kinds of ideas, your advisor can help you set some priorities.

To learn more, see the Starting a business section.

Pre-startup calendar

Most businesses have to complete the steps outlined in the calendar below before they can officially launch. The list will help you plan the entire process up until you officially open for business.

All businesses are unique, so feel free to tweak the list as needed!

Pre-startup calendar
What When
Write a business plan with the help of a business start-up advisor
  • Define the business's mission and plan
  • Conduct market research and write the marketing plan
  • Formulate the operational plan
  • Draw up the financial plan

To learn more, see the Desjardins interactive business plan.
Look for financing
  • Analyze available financing products
  • Draft your financing application
  • Meet with a caisse advisor or Desjardins Business account manager to discuss your project
  • Revise your financing application based on your discussion
  • Apply for financing and a business account
  • Open a business account

To learn more, see Financing your business.
Incorporate or register your business
  • Fill out the forms
  • File the forms with Registraire des entreprises

Learn more about Registraire des entreprises.  Gouvernement du Québec
Register for Revenu Québec files
  • Fill out and send the forms

Learn more about registering for Revenu Québec files.
Register with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
  • Fill out and send the forms

Learn more about registering your business with the CRA.
Register with Commission de la santé et de la sécurité du travail (CSST)
  • Fill out and send the forms

Find out more about CSST.
Get any permits you need
Take out third-party liability insurance
  • Compare insurance companies
  • Choose an insurance company
  • Sign the insurance policy

To learn more, see Protecting yourself and your business.
Choose a location based on your location strategy
  • Research available locations
  • Choose a location
  • Negotiate a commercial lease
  • Sign the commercial lease
Build out the premises and develop the site
  • Draw up the plans and specifications
  • Research contractors
  • Choose a contractor
  • Sign the contract with the contractor
  • Begin work
Buy and install production, sales, service and administrative equipment
  • Research equipment suppliers
  • Choose suppliers
  • Buy the equipment
  • Install the equipment
Buy inventory and supplies
  • Research suppliers
  • Choose suppliers
  • Buy the inventory and supplies
Buy equipment
  • Research suppliers
  • Choose suppliers
  • Buy the equipment
  • Register the equipment
Hire staff
  • Write job descriptions
  • Post job openings
  • Take applications
  • Set up interviews
  • Hold interviews
  • Make hiring decisions
  • Draw up employment contracts
  • Sign the employment contracts
Advertise the launch of your business
  • Set launch advertising goals
  • Plan the launch advertising
  • Organize the launch advertising
  • Execute the launch advertising
  • Evaluate the launch advertising
Blow up the balloons—you're officially open!

Need a hand putting together your business plan? For a detailed explanation of each step of the business start-up process, see the Desjardins interactive business plan.