I'm a web developer in Toronto who is currently operating as a sole proprietor. A prospective new client would really like to hire me for a major new project, but they can only deal with incorporated companies and cannot hire a sole prop. I'm looking for advice on incorporating from a) people in Canada and especially Ontario, but also from b) anyone who has any relevant advice about the experience of becoming an Inc., even if you are not Canadian. Yes, I will be engaging an accountant or lawyer for specific advice if I do decide to move forward, so I'm not worried that some specific advice may not be appropriate for my jurisdiction: I'm just trying to get a broad picture of what it's like (and some recommendations for lawyers/accountants).
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posted by maudlin
on Aug 31, 2012 -
13 answers
A business was leased to another party and they set up and curated a business page on FB. When the lease expired they left and set up a competing business. They took the FB page with them and changed the name on the business page - keeping all the old content and relationships.
How do I get the page back?
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posted by ElGuapo
on Aug 30, 2012 -
7 answers
How do I time submitting my resignation, in order to best give my employer(s) time to prepare, without adding too much additional stress to a big upcoming project?
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posted by overeducated_alligator
on Aug 29, 2012 -
2 answers
Is there any way to accept credit cards via Square or similar WITHOUT having an expensive cell phone plan or shelling out lots of money?
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posted by threeturtles
on Aug 27, 2012 -
18 answers
It's time for a career change, but I'd like some help confirming if this diploma program in accounting would help me land jobs, despite not having a university degree.
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posted by anonymous
on Aug 25, 2012 -
8 answers
How do I stay in touch with people that I meet at networking events at my school and in the Atlanta area (I go to Georgia State)?
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posted by locussst
on Aug 22, 2012 -
7 answers
I need to make some life changing decisions right now. I finish my bachelors degree in business administration soon and need to specialise myself for my masters. I want to stay in business, but I havent found my "niche" yet. More inside!
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posted by freddymetz
on Aug 22, 2012 -
12 answers
I have a meeting tomorrow with an university club manager regarding events that I would like to throw. I have never done this before - any tips/tricks on what I should bring, what I should have prepared and how to negotiate the best pay for me?
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posted by cyml
on Aug 19, 2012 -
6 answers
How did you - or someone you know - decide the time had come to get your own business off the ground?
posted by st starseed
on Aug 15, 2012 -
11 answers
I am *finally* getting an assistant to help me tackle my workload and upcoming projects, which has been a chaotic undertaking for one person. She's really smart and retentive in exactly the way an awesome assistant should be... we're determined to get super organized as a team so I want to start off on the right foot and be able to focusing on monetizing instead of answering email all day. Here's my question: what are the best apps/sites/software nowadays to manage and document big workloads, contacts, meetings, tasks brainstorms, and overall projects and stay organized easily as a team? I know there has to be some great new stuff out there that I haven't heard of.
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posted by miss lynnster
on Aug 14, 2012 -
12 answers
There are plenty of non-fiction books on the subject of startups and entrepreneurship. But what about when you don't have the energy to learn? Please recommend me some novels on the subjects of creating products, building companies, etc. Inspiring tales of business and innovation...
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posted by ChristopherS
on Aug 14, 2012 -
5 answers
What sort of technologies can help / support the Animal Health pharmaceuticals business? I am not talking about general enterprise technologies such as ERP or SharePoint. I am looking for technologies that can specifically help the Animal health business. For example a technology platform that helps vets gain information about diseases. Any suggestions or thoughts? Any tech that can maybe assist with solving a problem currently faced by Animal Health pharmaceutical business.
posted by r2d2
on Aug 13, 2012 -
2 answers
How do I ask for help and where do I look for intelligent, experienced help in creating a user-controlled website for a wholesale company based in NYC? Any ideas about the ballpark cost to create a wholesale company website?
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posted by nickyskye
on Aug 1, 2012 -
24 answers
There are three of us who are starting a business next year and one of my future co-founders is insisting that everyone signs an employment contract stipulating that we stay at the company for at least three years. Contract violations haven't been discussed yet - the contract hasn't been written yet - but a hefty fine is likely. Is this type of contract common between co-founders? What other risks should I be aware of before/if signing this?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 31, 2012 -
24 answers
Is my mortgage broker drawing out the process on purpose? Is he getting paid now or is it a commission type business?
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posted by Kazimirovna
on Jul 27, 2012 -
7 answers
Android/cloud-based note app query. I'm looking for recommendations for an Android app that'll accept the large chunk of csv data I have and keep it synced with my PC.
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posted by jonathanbell
on Jul 23, 2012 -
5 answers
What networking or server (NAS?) equipment do I need to set up a small design business that will use a lot of fairly large CAD, Rhino, PSD, AI, and other design-type files?
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posted by This_Will_Be_Good
on Jul 21, 2012 -
3 answers
Assume I'm starting an e-commerce selling (retail, brand-y stuff) sports apparel and equipment. How should I design the product numbering and barcode system if I want to manage products, shipments, inventory, and warehouse locations?
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Jul 20, 2012 -
7 answers
UI designer wanting to turn into UI designer/photographer is looking for insights on the business of photography.
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posted by wolfr
on Jul 19, 2012 -
6 answers
I would be interested in hearing case studies for software business failures that have occurred due to one or both of the following factors:
- Wholesale replacement of entire engineering staff (e.g. firing all staff in original location and replacing with staff in a new location).
- Winding down product development on existing products with the expectation that it will be replaced by a new platform in the future (I'm thinking along the lines of Ashton Tate here and their DBase product).
I would also be interested in hearing any examples of where either of these strategies has been put into effect, and it been a success, rather than a failure.
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 16, 2012 -
7 answers
I sent a video outlining an idea I came up with for a DB and series of apps to a contact I made at a big org. I received a terse reply that appeared to be claiming the idea as theirs. What is the best way to respond?
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posted by brynnwood
on Jul 10, 2012 -
10 answers
Moving to Boston to join a new tech startup. How can I quickly get involved in the tech startup community?
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posted by anonymous
on Jul 5, 2012 -
9 answers
Is there a
practical handbook or online course for an ambitious small e-commerce business on how to do supply chain management the right way? I'm particularly interested in logistics, warehousing and stock-keeping. Bonus points if this resource also aims to inspire you to innovate despite being a small business.
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posted by Foci for Analysis
on Jun 26, 2012 -
2 answers
So I have an idea for software related to my industry. I've thought about it, sketched it out, looked at existing/similar products and talked to some friends in the same line of work -- and I still think it's a good idea. Next step is ...?
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posted by Buffaload
on Jun 26, 2012 -
14 answers
Is a property lease considered an asset in a UCC-1 financing statement? I recently sold my small business and am carrying a note for the buyer. His collateral: the assets of the business he bought from me. If the buyer defaults I will want to take possession of the assets, per the UCC-1. The foreclosure process is straight forward, but I do not know if the new lease he signed with my old landlord is considered an asset by the UCC-1. If it isn't, how can I retrieve my assets if he still "owns" the lease?
posted by Izzy
on Jun 24, 2012 -
4 answers
What are some great documentaries about entrepreneurs and startups? (Think: Startup.com, E-Dreams)
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posted by petah
on Jun 24, 2012 -
6 answers
Is my business future really all about the internet? (personal, technical, philosophical details inside)
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posted by Classic Diner
on Jun 13, 2012 -
16 answers
I started a company, but it probably would have been better to co-found. Do people ever do this sort of thing? How?
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posted by piato
on Jun 8, 2012 -
9 answers
I want to understand the TV industry from a business perspective. Things like, the relationship between production companies, networks, cable channels, and cable providers. Are there any (recent) books, as well as particularly insightful blogs or other online resources that get into the economic side of television?
posted by coffee and minarets
on Jun 6, 2012 -
9 answers
How do I recruit a coffeeshop or small restaurant for my gentrifying neighborhood?
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posted by mmiddle
on Jun 6, 2012 -
19 answers
Manners-filter: Is it bad form to ask an ex-vendor about previously promised tickets from a few months ago?
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posted by windbox
on May 30, 2012 -
19 answers
My mother is 60, has 40k cash on hand, but she has no income. Can you help me brainstorm businesses that she could buy or launch for about 30K (so she can live on the remaining 10K)?
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posted by ohyouknow
on May 29, 2012 -
49 answers
How do you help guide others to recognize, accept, and work towards a unified vision resulting in orgazational change?
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posted by meta.mark
on May 28, 2012 -
6 answers
