Small temp staffing agency for local businesses

Local businesses with seasonal peaks, absences or event needs, such as warehouses, restaurants and construction firms.

You bill the client an hourly rate and pay the worker a lower hourly wage; the difference covers payroll costs and your margin.

• Organizing and scheduling people quickly
• Screening and interviewing
• Sales and client management
• Basic payroll and bookkeeping

• Many provinces license or regulate temporary help agencies, so check your provincial labour regulator before you start
• As the employer of the workers, you may have to register for WCB/WSIB, and remit payroll deductions such as CPP, EI and income tax
• You pay workers before clients pay you, so plan for cash flow gaps
• Check employment standards rules on pay, overtime and holidays by province
• Get commercial general liability insurance and check what else you need

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your premises and systems. You pay workers before clients pay you, so plan for cash flow gaps.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how many workers you place and the hours they work. The estimate assumes at least about 30 hours a week of your own time.

Many provinces license or regulate temporary help agencies, so check your provincial labour regulator before you start. As the employer, you may have to register for WCB/WSIB and remit payroll deductions such as CPP, EI and income tax.