A small business doesn't need a business plan, a pitch deck, or a co-founder. It needs a customer, a bank account, and a way to deliver something people will pay for. Here is the practical roadmap — what to actually do in the first 90 days of starting a small business.
What Counts as a Small Business
In Canada, a small business is usually defined as one with fewer than 100 employees. Most small businesses never get above five. What matters more than headcount is this: you're personally responsible for revenue, delivery, and the lights staying on. Everything flows from that reality.
Pick Something You Can Start This Week
The best small business idea is usually the one closest to what you already know. Cleaning, trades, bookkeeping, tutoring, content, consulting, personal training, catering — these are all businesses that one person can start this week with less than $500.
Skip anything that requires an app, a warehouse, or a pitch meeting. The longer the setup, the longer the feedback loop, and the less likely you are to finish.
The Minimum Viable Setup
Here is what a small business actually needs on day one:
- A registered business name (sole proprietorship is fine)
- A business bank account, separate from personal
- Basic liability insurance if you're client-facing
- A simple invoice template and a way to get paid
- One marketing channel you commit to for 90 days
No website, no logo, no LLC lawyer. Those can all wait until you have paying customers.
Get Your First Ten Customers
The first ten are always the hardest. They usually come from people you already know, or one step removed — a neighbour, a past coworker, a referral. Don't hide behind ads and websites. Have real conversations. Your first customers are buying you as much as the service.
A tool like Threecus keeps those early leads, follow-ups, and invoices in one place so you're not rebuilding a spreadsheet every week.
When to Stop Doing Everything Yourself
Most small businesses never grow past the founder because the founder becomes the bottleneck. The first thing to outsource is usually bookkeeping. The second is whatever part of the work you're worst at. You don't need employees — contractors, freelancers, and software are usually enough to double your capacity.
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