Are you starting or growing a small business?

We can help. We've got all the tools you need to start, manage and grow a thriving business. Find materials on business plans, digital media marketing and financial assistance. We also have online databases, eBooks and digital magazines available 24/7 from the Library's website.

Let us guide you to Library resources and beyond.

Business Start-Up Toolkit

Before Starting Your Business

Get ready to start a business by doing the research and planning that will help you launch your project. Access guides and checklists for starting your businesses. Research, research and research!

• Featured resource:Starting A Successful Business in Canada Kit , opens a new window
• Featured resource:Connections: An Immigrant's Guide to Starting A Business in Nova Scotia , opens a new window
• Featured resource:Buying A Franchise in Canada, opens a new window
• Business and Industry, opens a new window - Government of Canada
• Doing Business in Halifax, opens a new window
• Access to Business, opens a new window - Access Nova Scotia
• Intellectual Property and Copyright, opens a new window - Government of Canada 
• Checklist for Small Businesses, opens a new window – Government of Canada

Buy or sell your business

ThisCommunity Business Development Corporation (CBDC) website, opens a new window provides a forum for business owners and potential buyers to connect at no cost. 

Register your business

• Featured resource:Canadian Legal Guide for Small Business, opens a new window
• Registering your business with the government, opens a new window– Government of Canada
• Registry of Joint Stock Companies, opens a new window– Government of Nova Scotia
• BizPal by Access Nova Scotia, opens a new window is an online service that helps business people create a customized list of licences and permits they may need to start or operate a business in Nova Scotia.
• Guide to federal incorporation, opens a new window – Government of Canada
• Business Navigator Service, opens a new window - Office of Service Efficiency

Business grants and financing

• Featured resource:Guide to Canadian Arts Grants (reference book)
• Featured resource: Canadian Subsidy Directory, opens a new window (reference book)
• Business grants and financing, opens a new window - Government of Canada 
• Canada Small Business Financing Program, opens a new window - Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Community Grants Program, opens a new window - Halifax Regional Municipality
• Early Stage Venture Capital, opens a new window - Innovacorp
• Programs and Funding, opens a new window - Nova Scotia Department of Business
• Support for technology innovation, opens a new window - The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program
• Support for starting a farm in Nova Scotia, opens a new window - THINKFARM
• Financial Management Guide, opens a new window - Keep your finances on track with this guide provided by the Business Development Bank of Canada.
• Small Business Loan Guarantee Program, opens a new window - This is a joint initiative of the Nova Scotia Co-operative Council, Atlantic Central, participating credit unions, and the Province of Nova Scotia. The Small Business Loan Guarantee Program supports provincial business owners with creating and maintaining rewarding careers for Nova Scotians by facilitating various business financing resources.
• Atlantic Innovation Fund, opens a new window - This Government of Canada fund helps Atlantic Canadians develop and bring to market new products and services that lead to market success, help grow strategic sectors, or lead to the creation of research and commercialization partnerships.
• Municipal Funding Database, opens a new window - Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities
• Atlantic Immigrant Career Loan Fund, opens a new window - Are you a permanent resident or immigrant Canadian citizen? Do you want to upgrade your credentials to further your career in Atlantic Canada? Do you need financial help to do so? Then the AICLF might be for you. Click on the Am I Eligible button below to see if you qualify.
• Trade Accelerator Program (TAP), opens a new window - The Trade Accelerator Program (TAP) is a FREE innovative initiative, designed to accelerate the strategic development of your business and to better prepare you for expansion into international markets. In addition to our in-class program, virtual formats are now available, depending on the region.The Trade Accelerator Program has been funded in part by Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

Business taxes

All about income tax, GST/HST, payroll, business numbers and customs rates.

• Business taxes, opens a new window - Government of Canada
• Canada Revenue Agency, opens a new window
• Get free tax help for your small business, opens a new window - Government of Canada

Business planning

A business plan is the foundation on which a successful business is built. Learn how to write a  business plan, get inspired by sample plans, and access business plan templates.

• Featured resource:Business Plans Handbook (online resource)- Access a collection of e-books that compile business plans created by and for entrepreneurs seeking funding for small businesses. This is a great resource for new or established businesses, and contains plenty of examples about how to develop a winning business plan.
• Featured resource:Write your Business Plan, opens a new window (book)
• Planning a business, opens a new window - Government of Canada
• Business Plan Essentials, opens a new window - Futurpreneur Canada
• Business plan template, opens a new window - BDC
• Cash Flow Template, opens a new window - Futurpreneur Canada

Market research and statistics

Market research helps you make better business decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Find statistics that can help you better understand your industry and markets, identify competitors, and learn about current and potential customers. 

• Featured resource:The Market Research Toolbox, opens a new window (book)
• Census Tract Profiles, opens a new window - Statistics Canada
• Economics and Statistics, opens a new window - Government of Nova Scotia, Department of Finance
• Halifax Economic Data & Reports, opens a new window - Halifax Partnership
• Research and business intelligence, opens a new window - Government of Canada
• Statistics Canada, opens a new window
• Tourism Industry Trends & Research Overview, opens a new window - Tourism Nova Scotia

Business directories

Locate companies that can supply the goods, services, and technology you need.

• Featured resource: Atlantic Provinces Business-to-Business Sales & Marketing Directory , opens a new window
• Featured resource:Canadian Key Business Directory , opens a new window
• Frasers, opens a new window- Canada's industrial search engine
• ThomasNet, opens a new window - Online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing in the USA and Canada
• Business Marketplace, opens a new window - ISANS Business Directory for Immigrant Owned Businesses
• CEED Alumni, opens a new window- Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED)
• Member Directory, opens a new window - Centre for Women in Business
• Member Directory, opens a new window - Black Business Initiative
• Business Directory, opens a new window - Halifax Chamber of Commerce

Marketing and sales

Learn how to develop a marketing plan and assess strategic marketing options for your company.

• The Marketing Plan Handbook
• Featured resource:LinkedIn Learning (online resource)- Pick from more than 4,000 video tutorials taught by industry experts on a wide range of topics including business, photography, graphic design, project management, animation, audio and music production, web design, marketing, job interview preparation, public speaking, and much more. Access via web or app.
• Canadian Marketing Association, opens a new window
• Marketing and Sales Techniques, opens a new window - Government of Canada 
• Strategy Magazine, opens a new window

Business advisors

Reach out to teams of business advisors for help and expert advice.

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) Business Information Services, opens a new window
• Black Business Initiative, opens a new window
• Centre for Entrepreneurial Education and Development (CEED), opens a new window
• Centre for Women in Business: Business Advisories, opens a new window
• Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC), opens a new window - CBDCs serve rural and semi-urban Atlantic Canada
• Futurpreneur Canada, opens a new window
• Halifax Partnership , opens a new window
• Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), opens a new window - Business Counselling
• Le Conseil de développement économique de la Nouvelle-Écosse, opens a new window
• The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program, opens a new window - Advisory Services
• Nova Scotia Business Inc (NSBI), opens a new window
• Volta – Halifax Tech Super Hub, opens a new window

Corporate social responsibility

Take responsibility for your company's effects on environmental and social well-being.

• Good Profit
• In Pursuit of Justice
• WEconomy
• Ceres, opens a new window - Ceres is a sustainability nonprofit organization working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy.
• United Nations (UN) Global Compact Library, opens a new window
• The World Bank: Sustainable Development , opens a new window

Free education, training programs, and events

Do you want to learn more about starting, growing or managing your business? Workshops, online courses, webinars, trade shows, and networking events will help you learn more on a variety of topics.

• Featured resource:LinkedIn Learning (online resource)- Pick from more than 4,000 video tutorials taught by industry experts on a wide range of topics including business, photography, graphic design, project management, animation, audio and music production, web design, marketing, job interview preparation, public speaking, and much more. Access via web or app.
• Coffee Talks, opens a new window - Centre for Women in Business
• Events calendar, opens a new window - NSBI
• Free Start Smart Workshop, opens a new window - Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development
• Halifax networking events, opens a new window - Halifax Partnership
• Volta Events, opens a new window -Lunch & Learns, Hack-a-thons and more
• SkillsonlineNS, opens a new window - SkillsonlineNS offers free learning for Nova Scotia businesses and offers valuable skills training to employees and managers. Employers have the option of setting up free learning networks or assigning training modules to their staff in courses such as Financial Management, Supply Chain, Getting ready series, Human Resource Management and Social Media.
• Events - Halifax Chamber of Commerce, opens a new window, opens a new window
• Workplace Education Initiative (WEI), opens a new window - promotes and supports business skills development by increasing knowledge and enhancing critical workplace skills