Commission-only partnership and referral dealmaker

Small manufacturers, software firms and service providers that want new sales channels but cannot afford a full-time hire.

A commission on sales or partnership deals you bring in, agreed in writing, sometimes with a small starting fee. Income can be uneven, with long gaps before deals close.

• Networking and relationship building
• Negotiating and explaining value
• Knowing an industry well
• Patience with long sales cycles

• Commission can take months to arrive, so keep savings or other income as a buffer
• Check whether selling certain products or services, such as financial or real estate deals, requires a provincial licence
• Be clear in the contract about how commission is calculated, when it is paid and what happens if the client ends the deal
• Check CASL rules before sending outreach emails
• Check how your income is taxed and whether you need to register for GST/HST

Estimates put startup costs at typically around $200 to $1,500, depending on your tools, networking events and any contract or advice costs. Start with an industry you already know.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $0 to $5,000, depending on the deals you close. Commission can take months to arrive, so keep savings or other income as a buffer while you build up.

Check whether selling certain products or services, such as financial or real estate deals, needs a provincial licence. Also check CASL rules before outreach emails, how your income is taxed, GST/HST registration, and set out clearly in the contract how commission is calculated and paid.