r/SmallBusinessCanada

I newly incorporated in Ontario and the corporation is just myself as the director and I will be doing consulting. I purchased general and professional liability insurance and received my COI today. Under Insured, the COI names my corporation on the first line but says o/b my name on the line below. Can anyone tell me what this o/b means? Is it of any significance? Thanks. The broker confirmed during the application that my corporation is what is insured.

I want to start a local service business doing cleaning and i want to make sure that any potential liability is managed properly in the event someone sues me or something. I dont want my wife and family savings and risk.

I will be getting insurance and having strict contracts in place with clear terms.

Ive heard sole proprietorship will not suffice for protecting my family. Is this actually correct?

The business will be mostly subcontractor based in the beginning especially (eventually hiring in house once cashflow supports it) and I want to protect against a sub doing shotty work/damaging something and then expecting payment before fixing it if possible.

In this industry its very common for subs to do bad subpar work so until i have a solid team i trust in place this is a big risk, and if a client refuses payment because of it I dont want a subcontractor trying to invoice and sueing me for non payment

What is the most effective way to protect against this and does having a corporation meaningfully protect me?

Hi all

I am 8 weeks from launching a saas. I am deciding between 2 lawyers to help with

1. ⁠Trademark clearance search and opinion (search only; I won't be filing an application at this stage).
2. ⁠Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
3. ⁠Paid subscription terms within the Terms: monthly/annual plans, automatic renewal, a free trial converting to paid, cancellation, refunds, price changes, and a free tier after the trial (including what happens to the user's data).
4. ⁠Quebec Consumer Protection Act compliance for online subscription sales.
5. ⁠Privacy Policy update for a payment processor (likely a U.S. company such as Stripe), including how the cross-border transfer should be described under Law 25.
6. ⁠CASL consent for marketing emails.
7. ⁠Site disclaimer review (the "not financial advice" language across the site
8. ⁠Terms for an introductory offer for early subscribers (not decided yet).
9. ⁠A template mutual NDA

My accountant advised against incorporation and wait until I have the revenue to justify accounting costs. Suggested liability insurance as a safety net.

Lawyers haven’t really pushed too hard on that point.

I am self funded and trying to launch as cost effectively as possible.

Any advice?

Hello,
Government of Canada has opened its source of AI list where companies can apply and then get tenders/rfps. I have the skills of starting up engineering teams from 0 -> 1, having worked in multiple founding software teams. I keep cost minimal, provide tailored solutions, and not vibe code LOL.

I am lacking the business acumen, the front, and the reputation. If you are in the works of getting your consultancy/business on it, I can provide you with technical solution on an hourly basis, and help you with tech compliance as well. I also work on sr&ed if needed.

open to suggestions!