Starting Your Business in New Brunswick

Starting a business in a new country with a new culture can be a challenge, but there is help available for you. To be successful, you’ll want to learn about the rules, resources, and practices of New Brunswick’s business environment so you have the knowledge you need to understand the place and its possibilities. There are many business opportunities available to newcomers, and this guide can help you get prepared for the expectations and environment you’ll find as a business owner in New Brunswick.

As you get started, the following steps will set you on the right path:

• Choose a business structure.
• Choose and register your business name.
• Learn about the permits and license you are going to need.
• Complete your business plan.
• Learn about being an employer in New Brunswick.
• Learn about recruiting employees.
• Choose a location for your business.
• Obtain business insurance.
• Learn about safety and security.
• Market your business.

You’re not alone in this process. The following Business Support Organizations can help you with the steps above and get you on the road to success faster.

Business Support Organizations

New Brunswick has several business organizations that can help you do business by providing useful information, events and networking opportunities. Visit these organizations online to access all they have to offer.

Opportunities New Brunswick

Opportunities New Brunswick is a complete resource for the New Brunswick start-up business. On this site, the province’s economic development agency provides information about business costs and incentives, specialized services, and success stories.

BizPaL

New Brunswick also offers BizPaL, an online, one-stop service for entrepreneurs that simplifies the process of finding information on business permits and licences from all levels of government – federal, provincial, and municipal.

ACOA Business Information Services

ACOA Business Information Services (Business Information Services – Canada.ca) has a team ready to answer your business questions and guide you through the steps to take to make your great ideas a reality. From funding to planning, from research to regulations, they can provide you with accurate, timely and relevant information.

The New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations

The New Brunswick Association of Community Business Development Corporations provides financial and technical services to entrepreneurs. Community business development corporations throughout Atlantic Canada can help you set up financing, source training, benefit from financial planning and counselling, and access useful business libraries and databases. Events and annual conferences provide useful opportunities to meet people and share ideas.

Chambers of commerce

Joining your local chamber of commerce or board of trade will connect you to your business community through events, forums, and informational sessions. These groups are active advocates of a strong and profitable economic environment. Check your local telephone directory to find your nearest chamber of commerce or board of trade and discover the benefits of membership.

The Government of New Brunswick is committed to providing and promoting programs and resources to better assist newcomers in doing business in New Brunswick. Among the programs and resources currently available are:

Starting a Business in New Brunswick: Guides for Immigrant Entrepreneurs

The Government of New Brunswick has developed three business guides that provide information on New Brunswick business culture and reality, industries, creating business ideas, succession planning, etc.

Topics include:

Guide 1 – Business Environment and Expectations

1. Government
2. Economy
3. Infrastructure
4. Business culture
5. Business relationships

Guide 2 – Business Ideas and Models

1. Creating good business ideas
2. Forms of business
3. Business models

Guide 3 – Planning Your Business

1. Preparing for success
2. Evaluating your business idea
3. Staying in business
4. Learning from others

These programs are currently located in Fredericton, Saint John, and Bathurst in partnership with various economic development agencies.

Bathurst

Multicultural Association Chaleur Region

• Offering an 11-week training for immigrant entrepreneurs in Miramichi, Campbellton, the Acadian Peninsula, and the Chaleur region.
• Trainings are offered in both English and French.
• Mentoring, networking, and mini-information sessions.
• The HIVE incubator program offers consultations and guidance from subject matter experts.
• Also provides a business space which promotes both economic and social integration.

Contact Information

325 Main Street
Bathurst, NB E2A 1B1
Phone: 1-506-547-7651

Email: [email protected]

Entrepreneurship | Services | Multicultural Association Chaleur Region Inc. (macr-amrc.ca)

Fredericton

Ignite Fredericton / Planet Hatch

• Offering the Business Immigrant Essentials program, delivered over a 5-week period.
• Workshop components are offered by subject matter experts through a peer-group learning cohort delivery model.
• Aligns with other cohort programs offered by Ignite like the International Student Integration Program.
• HIVE incubator program operates within Planet Hatch, promoting networking, integration for all participants.

Contact Information

40 Crowther Lane, Suite 100
Fredericton, NB E3C 0J1
Phone: 1-506-200-1180

Email: [email protected]

www.ignitefredericton.com

Saint John

ConnexionWorks

• Offering 48 hours of cohort-style entrepreneurship training provided by subject matter experts in both the private and public sector.
• Recruitment for the Business Immigrant Essentials Program occurs 4 times annually.
• Welcome newcomers in various stages of business development from and ‘idea’ to ‘operational’.
• Business Immigrant Essentials offers mentoring, connection, and networking opportunities in addition to subject matter training.
• HIVE incubator offers an equipped office space and expert supports for a minimum period of 6 months.

Contact Information

1 Germain Street, Unit 300
Saint John NB E2L 4V1
Phone: 1-506-694-1051

e-mail: [email protected]

www.connexionworks.ca

Other programs and resources:

• The Business Development Bank of Canada has a number of tools and resources for immigrant entrepreneurs including a free self-directed e-Learning program on how to start a business in Canada to help immigrant entrepreneurs.
• The Business Development Bank of Canada has developed an eBook titled A Practical Guide to Buying a Business in Canada.
• The Small Business Investor Tax Credit program provides an important source of capital by increasing access to equity financing for New Brunswick small businesses, and encourages investment by NB residents in local small businesses.

• Take part in professional networking and educational events.
• Participate in cultural competency training.
• Attend an import/export information session.
• Complete market research.
• Integrate into the local business community.
• Government of New Brunswick – Resources for Business: Resources for Business – New Brunswick (gnb.ca)

New Brunswick is an exciting place for entrepreneurial immigrants and their families. Our diversified and vibrant economy, geographic location, educated workforce, and innovative spirit offer a wide range of opportunities for new businesses. Some world-renowned companies have their headquarters in New Brunswick, but most are small-to-medium sized. New Brunswick is a great place to locate, start a business, and make your home.

Succeeding with your own business takes talent and persistence; The Government of New Brunswick is committed to providing and promoting programs and resources to better assist newcomers in doing business in New Brunswick.

It is easy to find reasons to invest in our Province.

1. low business costs
2. lower taxes
3. smart people and well-trained workers
4. wide market access
5. dependable infrastructure
6. our commitment to business and to supporting your business
7. an internationally recognized knowledge industry
8. a focus on innovation
9. strong economic growth indicators
10. a high quality of life

New Brunswick also offers economic Immigration Pathway that focuses on entrepreneurs willing to establish, operate and manage a business in New Brunswick while living and settling in New Brunswick permanently.

Find out more about the New Brunswick Business Immigration Stream