Business services ideas you can start in Canada

331 ideas

These 335 business services ideas are for people who want to earn by helping other businesses save time, stay organized or grow. Many build on work experience you already have, such as a home-based HR consultant for small employers, a small business and self-employed tax preparer, or a small business energy savings advisor.

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1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k From home Out and about Own premises Online

Accountant reviewing tax forms and using a calculator at a desk.

Home-based personal tax return service

Prepare personal and self-employed tax returns for neighbours and local workers from a home office, busiest from February to April.

C$500-3k
Side hustle
From home

Online bookkeeping for small businesses

Keep the books, payroll and GST/HST filings for small businesses on a monthly fee, working remotely from anywhere in Canada.

C$1k-4k
Side hustle
Online

Notary stamping and signing a legal document on a desk at an office.

Mobile notary who comes to you

Witness signatures and certify documents at clients' homes, workplaces or care homes, evenings and weekends included.

C$600-3k
Side hustle
Out and about

Notary office with walk-in and booked clients

Run a small notary office offering signings, certified copies and other documents, where your province allows it.

C$4k-15k
Part-time
Own premises

A consultant reviewing building plans and documents with a construction site behind.

Renovation and building advisor for homeowners

Help homeowners plan renovations, check quotes and understand permits before they hire a contractor.

C$500-3.5k
Side hustle
From home

Construction cost and compliance consultant

Advise small developers and builders on budgets, permits and code compliance for their projects.

C$2k-10k
Full-time
Out and about

Shipping containers loaded at a port for export to overseas buyers.

Home-based export trader for a niche product

Buy a Canadian product from local makers and sell it to overseas buyers, running it from your laptop.

C$2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

Full-time exporter shipping pallets and containers

Gather goods from several Canadian producers and ship them in bulk to regular overseas buyers.

C$25k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

A digger and generator parked on a construction site for hire.

Compact equipment hire with delivery

Rent mini excavators, skid steers and compact machines to contractors and homeowners, delivered to site.

C$60k-180k
Part-time
Own premises

Small tool and trailer hire from home

Start small by renting a few trailers, generators, compactors or power tools to locals from your driveway or garage.

C$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

A consultant presenting a branding strategy chart to a client in a meeting room.

Freelance marketing consultant

Help local small businesses with marketing plans, branding and promotion from your home office.

C$300-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Part-time marketing lead for growing firms

Act as the outsourced marketing head for a few growing businesses on monthly retainers.

C$500-3k
Part-time
Online

Stack of plain white envelopes arranged on a warehouse shelf.

Online envelope reseller for local businesses

Sell standard and printed envelopes in bulk to printers and offices, with orders shipped straight from your supplier.

C$500-2.5k
Side hustle
From home

Envelope supplier with local stock and delivery

Hold popular envelope sizes in a small unit and give local printers and offices fast, reliable delivery.

C$8k-40k
Full-time
Own premises

Recruiter meeting a senior executive candidate in a modern office.

Boutique headhunting firm with a small team

Run a small search firm with a researcher or two, taking on several leadership searches at once for regional employers.

C$10k-50k
Full-time
Own premises

Rows of coin-operated storage lockers in a busy public venue.

Coin lockers for local venues

Install a small bank of pay-to-use lockers in a gym, pool, arena or trailhead and share the income.

C$3k-12k
Side hustle
Out and about

Luggage lockers for tourist spots

Run larger locker banks near stations, attractions, beaches or ski hills where visitors need short-term storage.

C$10k-40k
Part-time
Out and about

A finance broker reviewing loan documents with a client across a desk.

Mortgage broker working from home

Help home buyers and owners find a mortgage and earn commission from the lender when the deal closes.

C$2.5k-8k
Part-time
From home

Small business and equipment finance broker

Connect local business owners with lenders for equipment, vehicle or working capital loans and earn a commission.

C$500-3k
Side hustle
Online

Rolls of tape, cardboard boxes and bubble wrap stacked in a packaging supply store.

Online packaging supplies for small sellers

Sell boxes, mailers and tape online to small shops and Etsy-style sellers, shipped or dropped off locally.

C$2k-10k
Side hustle
Online

Local packaging supply shop and trade counter

Open a small unit where local businesses pick up boxes, tape and wrap, with delivery to regular customers.

C$20k-90k
Full-time
Own premises

Stack of sanding discs and grinding wheels displayed on shop shelves.

Mobile abrasives supplier for local trades

Deliver sanding discs, grinding wheels and abrasives to body shops, fabricators and builders on a regular route.

C$4k-20k
Part-time
Out and about

Online abrasives shop for trades and makers

Sell sanding and grinding supplies online to workshops and woodworkers, shipped from home or a small storage space.

C$1.5k-7.5k
Side hustle
Online

Architect reviewing building design drawings and plans at a drafting desk.

Home-based residential designer

Draw plans for home additions, renovations and small builds for local homeowners from a home office.

C$2k-8k
Part-time
From home

About these ideas

Others are more practical, like a business address and mail service. Start by asking what problem you can solve for a business owner, and whether you can reach those owners easily. Think about how much of your income would come from a few clients, and whether you need credentials, insurance or a licence for the work. Rules vary by province, so check with your provincial and local authorities before you commit. Compare ideas by startup cost, hours and how soon you could land a first paying client.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need qualifications to start a business services company in Canada?

It depends on the service. Some work, such as tax preparation, insurance advice or HR consulting, may involve training, registration or licensing that varies by province. Check the rules for your chosen service with the relevant regulator before you take on clients.

How do I find my first clients for a business services idea?

Start with people who already know your work, such as past employers, colleagues and local small business owners. Local business associations, chambers of commerce and online networks can help too. Check which type of client values your skills enough to pay for them.

What costs and registrations should I check before starting?

Look at business registration and name rules in your province, whether you need to register for GST/HST, and what insurance suits your work. Also check any professional liability cover, software costs and home-based business rules with your municipality.