When it comes to starting a business, Calgary is a unique city. If you’ve lived in Calgary for a long time, you know there’s a lot of history here. Business empires have risen and fallen in Calgary, the 80’s being an infamous oil boom and bust season.
In this article, you’ll get everything you need to know about the hottest small business industries in Calgary, some insider information on what businesses do well and what not to bother with, how to register a corporation in Calgary.
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Part 1: Why Calgary is Canada’s #1 City for Starting a Business
Ask any Albertan and they will tell you that Calgary is a very different city than the Provincial Capital, Edmonton. Calgary is a Southern Albertan city where entrepreneurial immigrants from inside and outside of Canada flock to found startups in a variety of industries.
Sometimes called “Cow Town”, it is fast-growing, and entrepreneurs choose to move here for high paying sales jobs at innovative companies. Some find a niche and strike out on their own, and in turn, successful local businessmen and business women work as venture capitalists and financiers to invest in the future millionaires and billionaires of Calgary.
Here are 10 key reasons why Calgary is Canada’s number one City for starting a business:
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1. Calgary is Still Growing Rapidly, with a demand for new businesses and services.
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2.
Many of the business opportunities in Calgary
are service based and do not require a degree.
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3.
Being Self-employed is Socially Acceptable and
encouraged in Calgary.
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4.
Calgary has always had an entrepreneurial
Mindset.
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5.
With so many multimillionaires and billionaires,
there are opportunities for new startup businesses due to the “Trickle-Down”
effect.
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6.
Calgary money is “New Money” and flows faster
than the older parts of Canada.
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7. It is relatively easy to become a business owner in Calgary.
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8. Calgary is conveniently located between the second and third largest cities in Alberta; Edmonton and Lethbridge. This makes Calgary the one of the best places in Western Canada for scalability and expansion.
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9. Sometimes called the Texas of Canada, Albertans value thinking big, a good work ethic, taking business risks, and living large, making Calgary a great business startup climate.
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10.
Taxes are quite a bit lower in Alberta than the
rest of Canada, making it a magnet for inventors and business pioneers.
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As you can see, these are some of the reasons why Calgary is high ranking when it comes to cities in Canada to start a business.
Depending on your skillset and talents, you might find it very easy to get ahead here. Let’s have a look at some of the best industries to start a business in.
Facts that Support the Idea that Calgary is the #1 Place to Start a Business In Canada
Calgary, located in Alberta, boasts a population of 1.4 million residents. Renowned for its exceptional quality of life, it has been ranked as the #1 most liveable city in North America and secured the impressive position of #5 globally according to the 2019 Global Liveability Ranking by the Economics Intelligence Unit.
As the fourth largest city in Canada, Calgary stands out for having the youngest population among major cities in the country, as highlighted by the Calgary Economic Development report. Recognized as the energy capital of Canada and a global finance hub, it serves as a pivotal center for both national and international economic activities.
In terms of diversity, Calgary proudly claims the spot of the #3 most diverse city in Canada, fostering an inclusive and vibrant community. Additionally, it holds the distinction of having the highest number of patents per capita in the nation, as indicated by the C.D. Howe Institute in 2018.
Furthermore, Calgary boasts the highest concentration of corporate head offices and small businesses per capita in Canada, showcasing its thriving entrepreneurial spirit and business-friendly environment, as acknowledged by Calgary Economic Development.
With 40 international consulate offices, Calgary maintains strong international ties and serves as a diplomatic hub. It is also home to the largest urban pathway network in North America, offering residents and visitors ample opportunities for outdoor recreation and exploration.
Cultural richness abounds in Calgary, as evidenced by its status as the residence of Canada’s National Music Centre and its world-renowned annual event, the Calgary Stampede. Moreover, with over 333 days of sunshine per year, Calgary proudly claims the title of the sunniest city in Canada, further enhancing its allure as a desirable place to live and visit.
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Part 2: Top 10 Calgary Startup Business Ideas
As an accountant that previously worked at a business bank in Calgary, I can say that there are certain industries that do exceptionally well in the Heart of the West. Here’s my top 10 list with reasons to back it up:
1. 1. Home Repairs and Maintenance
If you are a good handyman, there’s a pretty good chance you’ll do very well in YYC. Even if your not so good, Calgary is a great place to build up your skills. Calgarians take a peculiar amount of pride in their homes and don’t always want to do the work themselves. There is plenty of business doing odd jobs, painting, building decks, doing renovations, flooring, etc. There’s so much work that you’ll probably be better off specializing in skill rather than being a general handyman and watching all the business leads slip through your fingers because you can’t handle all the work. Starting a business doing minor repairs is a great way to put down your professional roots in the Stampede city.
Specific Home Repairs & Maintenance Business Ideas That Work in Calgary:
- Snow Removal, Lawncare, Tree Trimming. Calgarians are busy bees with no time to do yard maintenance.
- Exterior siding (Painting, Stucco, Siding Installation). Many of the homes in Calgary are older and need a face lift.
- General Home Repairs & Troubleshooting. If you’re a jack of all trades, you’ll be in high-demand in Calgary.
- Irrigation Setup and Install. With unpredictable weather in Calgary, a dry year means a flood of sales for you.
Pros:
- Plenty of Home Repair Work Available.
- Most businesses don’t require huge start up costs. Just a pickup and some basic tools.
- Easy to advertise. Throw some ads up on Kijiji and off you go. You’ll get referrals from there if you’re good.
- Get your workout at work.
Cons:
- Home repairs and maintenance is a labor-intensive business, and it can be hard to find skilled workers who are willing to work in Calgary.
- Work can be seasonal. You may want to diversify in the less busy times of year, say doing Christmas Light Installations.
- Wear and Tear on the body. Labor jobs sound great when someone is in their early 20’s, but it gets harder when you’re pushing 40.
2. 2. Junk Removal & Scrap Metal Hauling
There is a surprising amount of money to be made in YYC doing junk removal and scrap metal hauling. With more affluent neighborhoods in Calgary, one man’s junk can be another man’s treasure. Junk removal business can double dip by charging a fee to clean out someone’s property, then perhaps sell some of the goods that would’ve otherwise be taken to Shephard landfill.
Just like home repairs, if you’re an abled body with a pickup truck or trailer, word is going to spread fast and you’ll be cleaning out the whole neighborhood in no time. If you can team up with a few real estate sales agents, you might not have to do any advertising.
Pros:
- Rewarding Work. You might just get to keep some treasures.
- Extremely easy to advertise. A scrap metal hauler and junk removal service can easily operate full-time solely on word of mouth.
- Tons of Spin-off business. From reselling, to investment opportunities, you’ll have some wild business opportunities come your way.
Cons:
- Not the most prestigious line of work. You’re going to get dirty doing entry level grunt labor.
- A lot of time spent on the road. You’ll essentially be a junk chauffer.
- If you want to grow your business, you’ll need to invest in a lot of capital such as trucks, trailers, machinery, a storage yard, etc.
3. 3. Direct Sales
If you want to get rich in Calgary, get into direct sales. There’s a reason you always see door-to-door salespeople knocking on doors, selling security systems or electric plans. There’s big money to be made doing direct sales in Calgary because there is a higher average discretionary income. The best part of doing direct sales is that it’s easy to get into, you just need to be a people-person and have some sales skills.
You can easily work for some big referral fees, here are some of the best places to do that:
- Home Energy Sales (Gas & Electric)
- Direct Sales for Renovation Companies (windows & Doors)
- Selling Security System packages
- Selling Fitness Memberships or health-related packages
- Selling Renewable Solar equipment
I could write an endless list of direct sales opportunities in Calgary, but I’d never finish, so let’s move on.
Pros:
- Anyone can get into it.
- Huge upside earning potential
- Absolutely NO initial investment in many cases
Cons
- Easy to get sucked into multilevel Marketing scams.
- Direct selling can be high-pressure; some people just aren’t built for that.
- Can be taken advantage of if you’re not careful. Some will make big promises only to pay little in return.
4. 4. Hotshot Delivery Transportation Trucking Service
Did you figure out by now that Calgary is a fast-paced city? There are a lot of established businesses in the city that need things, and they need them NOW. If you don’t mind spending your day in traffic, there’s a lot of potential for starting up a local shipping service to haul small freight from point A to point B. This has a lot of potential in Calgary because so many businesses in Calgary have locations in Edmonton and Lethbridge, and they need someone to transport goods between cities.
Pros:
- If you’ve got a few businesses on the go, this could be your perfect solution. You’ll have plenty of time to talk on the phone during trips and down time between loads.
- It’s simple business that’s easy to manage.
- It’s in high-demand in Calgary because of it’s between Edmonton and Lethbridge.
Cons:
- Fuel prices are on the rise.
- Insurance costs might be high.
5. 5. Photography Business
If you have a good eye for photography, there are plenty of special events in Calgary that need a good photographer. You can get in as a photographer for little league sports pictures, high-end weddings, social events, business profile pictures, and so much more. As a city bustling with commerce, there is a demand for real estate photography and images for web marketing.
Pros:
- Work is not labor-intensive, so you can do photography into your old age.
- You are perceived as both a professional and an artist
- Lots of Repeat business means you’ll be busy. Think school shots, sports teams, business social media profiles…
Cons
- Cameras can get really expensive.
- Hours not always the greatest (lots of evenings and weekends)
- Lots of midnight hour photo editing.
6. 6. Construction Trades services
Anything that has to do with construction is going to do well in Calgary. There is a good mix of new residential and commercial construction here, with endless new projects on the horizon. If you have skills in major construction trades like carpentry, concrete, roofing, electrical, or plumbing, hanging out a shingle in Calgary is going to be profitable, probably more than you think. There may be certifications or trade requirements for you to get into the industry, but they will pay off in the long run.
Pros:
- Can be highly lucrative in Calgary, especially electrical and plumbing.
- Constant new construction, especially new developments around the outskirts of the city.
- Many trades are at retirement age, leaving a huge vacuum in the YYC Construction industry.
Cons:
- May require you to be certified or take apprentice programs
- Requires investment in service trucks, equipment, and gear
7. 7. Personal Fitness Trainer
Are you into fitness? Calgary is a city that loves fitness. As it has the largest walking path network of any city in Canada, and the sunniest large city in Canada, Calgarians have an innate desire to shape up for those summer months. Starting a business as a personal fitness trainer can be a bit more difficult. You’ll probably have to be in pretty good shape to gain credibility, but the potential for some big-time payoff is there.
Pros:
- Minimal startup costs.
- Flexible hours and locations
- Don’t necessarily need a certificate, just some old-fashioned muscle
Cons:
- Lots of competition, you’ll need to build face to face networking skills
- Competing with gym trainers
- You’ll need a place to meet clients (i.e. multiple gym memberships)
- You’ll be busy evenings and weekends
- Difficult to scale your business.
8. 8. Pet sitting & Dog Walking
Calgarians lead busy lives. Many enjoy pets but don’t have time to take them on daily walks and don’t want to leave them at home for long periods of time. There is surprisingly a lot of money to be made with pet sitting in Calgary. The best part about pet services is that, if you are an animal lover, it is going to be a very relaxing business.
Pros:
- Low Stress business
- A lot of 9-5 hours
- Not difficult work
- Ideal business for young adults, students, and elderly
Cons:
- Clients can be picky
- Might get boring or lonely
- Pets can do bad things while you are watching them
9. 9. Cleaning Business
House cleaning can be competitive, but have you thought of specialty janitorial jobs? You can focus on cleaning dental clinics, banks, or offices that you can build through referrals. If you do a good job, the clients will pass your name on to others. Calgary has a lot of office buildings that need regular cleaning services.
Pros:
- Not much overhead costs, just some supplies and tools
- Repeat business, so not much advertising needed
- Income is very predictable
Cons:
- If you are cleaning banks or offices, you’ll be working the nightshift
- Hard to find employees (long-term)
- Often pay is low
10 10. Social Media Marketing
Did you know Alberta is addicted to the internet more than any other place in the world? I’m not sure that’s an actual fact, but I’d be willing to wager a small amount that Calgarians are on the extreme high-end of internet usage, especially small business owners. If you are good at posting on social media, you could make a decent living helping small businesses advertise to their customers online through Facebook, LinkedIn, Youtube, and Kijiji.
Pros:
- Low overhead, just some computer and cell phone equipment
- Work from home
- Very flexible hours
Cons:
- Competition. Everyone wants to work at home posting on social media
- It can be very time-consuming posting ads all day
- People can say harsh things about you online
- Can take a long time to see results
Conclusion
These are 10 great business ideas that I see a lot of potential for here in Calgary.
If you’ve got a small business, we do business bookkeepingand tax preparation. Whatever field you are in, you cannot escape the requirements of filing tax returns, submitting GST, and sending in payroll taxes to the CRA.
We’re here to help! We have many years of experience working with small businesses just like yours and can work on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annual basis depending on the needs of your company. If you’ve got an accounting mess to clean up and are behind with the CRA, we can fix that for you!
Please give us a call today to discuss the needs of your business. We appreciate your consideration.
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