Step 3: Build a Support Network

 

Introduction
Starting on the Right Path
Seven Steps for Help You Start Your Business

1. Take a Good Look at Yourself
2. Identify Your Customers
3. Build a Support Network
4. Make it Official
5. Facilities and Staff
6. Write a Business Plan
7. Obtain Financing

Keep It Going
Appendices
Contact Information
Fun Facts

 

Step 3: Build a Support Network

For anyone starting his or her own business, it’s important to know where to find help. By creating a list of contacts, you are building a network of support. Surround yourself with people you can ask for advice about the responsibilities and challenges you will face in running your own business.

Some advice and support services you’ll have to pay for – from a lawyer or a bookkeeper, for example. But other support can be obtained for free, if you know whom to ask. Build relationships with people who can help your business succeed.

 

Your network could include:

• Economic Development Officer
• Banker
• Insurance Broker
• Lawyer
• Bookkeeper
• Industry/Sector Organizations
• Chamber of Commerce
• Advertising Media (television, radio, newspapers)
• Family and friends
• Other business people

You are not the first to start a business.

Talk to others who have tried and find out how they succeeded.

Below are some of your most important contacts. Make these a part of your network. The information you will need is available from any of these sources, whether it’s about government regulations, Inuit firm status, preparing a business plan, or sources of financing.

 

Key Contacts

Your community’s Economic Development Officer (EDO)

Call your hamlet or city office, or look up your EDO on the Nunavut Economic Developers Association website’s “EDO contact list”: www.nunavuteda.com

Economic Development and Transportation’s Community Operations Offices

Kitikmeot Community Operations (Cambridge Bay, Gjoa Haven, Kugluktuk, Kugaaruk and Taloyoak)

Toll-free: 1-844-475-1166

 

Kivalliq Community Operations (Arviat, Baker Lake, Chesterfield Inlet, Coral Harbour, Naujaat, Rankin Inlet and Whale Cove)

Toll-free: 1-844-737-8627

 

North Baffin Community Operations (Arctic Bay, Clyde River, Grise Fiord, Hall Beach, Igloolik, Pond Inlet, and Resolute Bay)

Toll-free: 1-888-899-7338

South Baffin Community Operations Office (Cape Dorset, Iqaluit, Kimmirut, Pangnirtung, Qikiqtarjuaq, and Sanikiluaq)

Toll-free: 1-844-737-8627

www.gov.nu.ca/edt

 

Canada-Nunavut Business Service Centre

The CNBSC is “Your Gateway to Government Information for Business.” There are offices in Iqaluit, Rankin Inlet, and Cambridge Bay.

Toll-free (877) 499-5199 www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/centre/sgc-62/#sgcselect

975-7860

 

Baffin Regional Chamber of Commerce

(867) 979-4654 www.baffinchamber.ca

 

Regional Business Development Centre

Baffin Business Development Centre, Iqaluit

(867) 979-1303

(800) 263-2232 toll free

www.baffinbdc.ca

 

Keewatin Business Development Centre, Rankin Inlet

(867) 645-2126

 

Kitikmeot Community Futures Incorporated, Cambridge Bay

( (867) 983 7383 www.kcfi.ca

 

Regional Inuit Community Economic Development Organization

Inuit CEDOs help train Inuit to start up and manage their own businesses.

 

Kakivak Association, Iqaluit

(867) 979-0911 www.kakivak.ca

 

Kivalliq Partners in Development, Rankin Inlet

(867) 645-2118 /867 645 2122 www.kivalliqparteners.ca

business@kivalliqpartners.ca

 

Kitikmeot Economic Development Commission, Cambridge Bay

(867) 983-2095 

www.kitikmeotcorp.ca

 

Kitikmeot Regional Chamber of Commerce

Under development

 

See “Information Sources” for these and other useful business support contacts