To set up a small business, you often will need to legally define your business and register your name. RSWs have flexibility in deciding their business model. Many RSWs in private practice operate their business alone, while some share costs (like office space) with other professionals. Others enter into partnerships with colleagues, while still others decide to incorporate. Ultimately, it’s up to you to reflect upon the pros and cons of each business model and to select the one that best fits your goals. These are the three models, as well as a few pros and cons to get you thinking:
Operate the practice on your own (“Sole Proprietorship”)
- full control over decision-making
- unlimited liability for debts and entitled to all profits
- low start-up costs
- tax advantages
Operate the practice with one or more partners (“General Partnership”)
- shared decision-making
- additional expertise
- low start-up costs and additional start up capital
- possible tax advantages
- unlimited liability for debts and entitled to share of profits
- need a partnership agreement
Operate the practice as a separate legal entity (“Corporation”)
- limited liability for debts and entitled to share of profits
- possible tax advantages
- easier to raise capital
- extensive record keeping required
- higher start-up costs
Depending on the business model, you will have different options for registering and naming your business. Please see registering your business for more information.
Helpful Links
International
Create your business plan
http://www.sba.gov/writing-business-plan
International
Real Psych Practice Blog
www.realpsychpractice.com/blog/
Canada
Starting a business
www.canadabusiness.ca
Canada
Canada Revenue Agency: Small business and self-employed information
http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/bsnss/sm/menu-eng.html
Canada
Canadian business news, articles and information www.canadaone.com
Canada
Service Canada: Starting a business
https://www.canada.ca/en/services/business/start.html
Alberta
Business programs and services
https://www.alberta.ca/starting-business.aspx
British Columbia
Small business B.C.
www.smallbusinessbc.ca
Saskatchewan
Start a business
https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/entrepreneurs-start-or-exit-a-busin...
Manitoba
Starting a business
http://www.gov.mb.ca/business/startingsmart/index.html
Ontario
Small business advice, support services and regulations
http://www.ontario.ca/business-and-economy/small-business-advice-support...
Quebec
Starting a business
https://www.revenuquebec.ca/en/businesses/life-cycle/starting-a-business/
New Brunswick
Starting a business
https://welcomenb.ca/content/wel-bien/en/StartBuyABusiness/content/Setti...
Nova Scotia
Starting a business https://novascotia.ca/sns/access/business/starting-a-business.asp
Prince Edward Island
Business Start-up and Entrepreneurship
https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/topic/business-start-and-entreprene...
Newfoundland and Labrador
Starting a business https://www.tcii.gov.nl.ca/starting/index.html
Northern Canada
Nunavut: Starting on the Right Path https://gov.nu.ca/edt/information/starting-right-path
Yukon: Starting a business and self employment
https://yukon.ca/en/doing-business/starting-business-and-self-employment
NWT: How to Start a Business in the NWT
https://www.bdic.ca/canada-business-nwt/start-a-business/