Resources
Explore our free resources for small business owners and entrepreneurs in the Highwood Region.
Free Business Start-up Guide
Simplify your start-up “to do’s” with this helpful guide. Join us and our partners at Business Link as we walk you through all the steps involved to turn your business idea into reality.

Small Business Financial Guide
This guide will help you take charge of your financials by guiding you on:
- Financial Fundamentals
- Accounting Software
- Breakeven Analysis
- Financial Statements 101
- Guide to Financial Terms
- Hiring an Accountant
- Balance Sheet Template
- Income Statement Template

Small Business Marketing Guide
Discover the strategies and processes that go into driving eager customers to your doorstep including:
- Marketing Guide
- Different by Design
- Ideal Client Worksheet
- Marketing Channels
- 12 Golden Rules for your Website

Educational Videos
Steps to Starting a Business as an Indigenous Entrepreneur
Starting your Indigenous small business is exciting and rewarding, but the start-up process can be overwhelming. This video will walk you through the steps to starting a business as an Indigenous entrepreneur to help you get your new business venture up and running!
Finding Contract Opportunities as an Indigenous Business
When a company, organization, or government needs a specific job to be competed, they’ll often post an RFP (Request for Proposal) online. These are great opportunities for your Indigenous small business! Learn what an RFP is, how to write a winning proposal, and how to find opportunities from Governments and other organizations.


Small Business Basics Video Series
Business Financing
Finding financing for your business can be challenging. Learn how the process of securing financing works so you can increase your chances of success. This video outlines the 5 C’s of lending and how you can prepare to meet as many of them as possible. Growing your business by accessing outside sources of funding (traditional sources like banks, and non-traditional sources like non-profits and government programs) is an important process for every business owner to understand.
Life as an Entrepreneur
Small business ownership can be an exciting career choice. This video covers the basics of what to expect on each step of your entrepreneurial journey. You’ll learn about the 3 key roles you will play in your business along with the challenges and rewards of each role. Discover how to identify when you’ve outgrown a role and how to build a business that works for you.
First Steps in Business
Are you starting a new business but aren’t sure how to begin? Learn about the basic steps involved in starting and running a small business so you can feel confident turning your business idea into a reality. This video explains business basics like operations, finances, marketing, and sales so that you can locate resources for your business quickly, and is accompanied by a downloadable resource so you can start getting organized today.
Tools:
- Community Futures Highwood Information Sheet
- Client Intake Form
- Business Plan Template
- Financial Projections Template
- Financial Projections for loans under $30K
- Loan Application
- Schedule of Fees
- First Steps in Business
- Financial Worksheet
Resources for local businesses:
- Canadian Federation for Canadian Business
- Trade Commissioner
- Info For Local Restaurants
- Alberta Jobs Now
- Alberta Biz Connect
Useful Links:
Business
- Agriculture Financial Services Corporation
- BizPal
- Business Development Bank
- Business Link Business Service Centre
- Canadian Cattlemen’s Association
- CanadaOne - Guide to Start a Small Business
- The Canadian Innovation Centre
- Alberta Women Entrepreneurs
- Canadian Federation for Independent Business
Youth Entrepreneurship
- Youth Resource Network of Canada
- Junior Achievement of Southern Alberta
- 4H Alberta
- Alberta Youth Entrepreneurship Camp
- Futurpreneur
Community Economic Development
- Economic Developers Association of Alberta (EDAA)
- Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC)
- SouthGrow Regional Initiative
Government
- Alberta Employment & Immigration
- Alberta Finance and Enterprise (AFE)
- Alberta Municipal Affairs
- Canada Customs and Revenue
- Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- Government of Alberta
- Government of Canada
- Western Economic Diversification
Grants
- Grants for non-profits
- Economic development funding & grants
- Business grants & financing
- Business benefits finder
- Canada-Alberta Job Grant
- Canada Summer Jobs Grant
Community
Regional Information Sites
Tourism Resources
Communities

Let’s see what we can do for your business
Give us a call, send us an email, or drop in for a chat.