[...]... commitment, starting a part-time business is a better approach than starting a business as a hobby The difference between a part-time business and a full-time business is the extent of the commitment Starting a part-time business is different from running a hobby business because you commit to a part-time business whatever If you play business, you are responsible for any damages that your customers might suffer... individual’s stated reason for choosing to run a small business, the bottom line is always the same: Small businesses exist primarily to allow their owners to earn a living There Are Also Personal Reasons Even though all businesses, large and small, exist for the same reason, all businesses are not alike Small businesses are not miniature versions of their big business cousins There are many differences,... will need to know about marketing your goods and services Whether you are just starting your business or are looking for more business for your existing small business, this part will help you attract and retain customers Part 4, “Expanding Your Business, ” is your guide to adding resources to increase your ability to serve customers And hiring more staff is not always the best way to expand your business. .. reading it You will not have lost any money trying to get a business going, only to find out that that approach to earning a living is not right for you Like to Expand Your Existing Business? All businesses, whether new or old, need more business Part III, “Growing Your Business, ” will help you develop more business Because marketing is so important to small businesses, this is the biggest part, containing... and customer service also decline More than one business has been forced to close its doors as a victim of price-cutting wars Obviously, the presence of a few business- hobbyists in a market segment is unlikely to affect the price of the services of established competitors However, the appearance of many business- hobbyists will probably reduce the prices, profitability, and service of full-time businesses... just the right time to cash in your chips and move on As a comprehensive reference, this book will help all small business owners, from pre-startup through growth and expansion to sale or windup Although intended primarily for small business owners, this book will also be useful to everyone who knows anybody who runs a small business Whether you are a family member, employee, customer, supplier, or... this book to help you understand the growing small business phenomenon Who knows? Once you understand what they do, there is no telling how you can help small business owners xviii Introduction Extras The Complete Idiot’s Guide ® to Small Business for Canadians presents tips and advice Throughout the book these elements enhance your knowledge, provide examples, or highlight important pitfalls to avoid... what you will sell in your business and whether it’s best for you to start from scratch or buy an existing business or franchise Part 2, “On Your Mark,” will get you ready to go once you have decided to run your own business It will help you identify what you need to get into business: the material items, plans, money, and know-how necessary for success Part 3, “Growing Your Business, ” tells you everything... ownership and management in small businesses In most cases, the owners do it all, from long-term planning to day -to- day management In discharging these responsibilities, instead of being guided by what is best for thirdparty shareholders, the owners are influenced by what is best for them And what is best for owners of small businesses is not always higher profits Small businesses can be—and usually are—vehicles... receiving from their small businesses Are You Playing Business? The Business- Hobbyist Many people are attracted to the idea of running their own business They like the idea of doing their own thing, a term left over from the ’60s, which generally means being one’s own boss Instead of choosing to run a business as a strategy for earning a living, they start businesses primarily for other goal-oriented reasons, . w0 h0" alt="" Small Business for Canadians by Larry Easto A Pearson Company Toronto Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Easto, Larry The complete idiot’s guide to small business for Canadians Includes. way to expand your business to offer more to your customers is to take over another business. Merger is one busi- ness strategy that can work as well for small businesses as it does for big businesses. Part. can add big-time stress to your business life. Contents The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Small Business for Canadians vi 23 A Joint Venture Is Like Living Common Law 227 How would you like to join