Small Business
Looking to start a small business or side hustle? This pathway has everything you need to get started. Access free and flexible online learning with your library card.
Topics to discover
in this Learning Pathway
Entrepreneurial Mindset
Discover how successful entrepreneurs think, and learn to identify, assess and apply these skills.
Beginner | Udemy.com | 83 minutes
Take a tour through five influential business books that will prepare you mentally and emotionally for what is ahead as an entrepreneur. Learn the skills you need to get through the inevitable roadblocks. Please note: you will be required to create an account with Udemy to access this course.
Intermediate | HSTalks | 30 minutes
Learn how to discover opportunities in a niche market. Gather and interpret information about markets, competitors and government.
Beginner | Enterprise Toronto | Self directed
Explore ten modules with supporting worksheets and checklists focusing on answering the basics of starting a business. Please note: Your business NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System) is required when registering. You can search for a NAICS code on their website.
How to Create a Business Plan
Explore the technical skills needed to conduct market research and write an effective business plan.
Intermediate | HSTalks | 41 minutes
Learn the fundamentals of writing a business plan and work through all its key components. Follow along and start drafting your business plan.
Beginner + Intermediate | LinkedIn Learning | 40 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn how to refine your business plan and cement your ideas into a well-written document. Receive guidance on thinking through your sales strategy, day-to-day operations, staffing, and financial forecasting. Sample business plan provided.
Beginner | Enterprise Toronto | Not indicated
Explore ten modules that include supporting worksheets and checklists that focus on the basics of starting a small business such as business planning, marketing, financials/accounting, market research and general information on startups. Your business NAICS code is required when registering. You can search for a NAICS code on their website.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Learn to pick the right opportunity for you and develop marketing techniques to build sales. Explore financing options, time-management techniques, employee-management procedures, business policies and more. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Managing and Growing Your Small Business
Learn tips and strategies to help your small business succeed.
Intermediate | LinkedIn Learning | 60 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn strategies and techniques for managing a small business and its challenges. Redefine your purpose and values, establish a framework for success and promote your business in a smart, efficient way.
Intermediate | HSTalks | 36 minutes
Explore competitive strategy and its framework. Learn how to apply these concepts to formulate strategies that will enhance your small business' for better performance and explore the various sources and types of competitive advantage.
Beginner | O'Reilly for Public Libraries | 47 minutes
Learn memorable principles and simple exercises that will guide you traditional business thinking to “designful” thinking.
Marketing and Sales
Learn the key principles of an effective marketing strategy to help your business grow and boost revenue.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 60 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn how to identify your target market and formulate your brand message. Plan an initial social campaign, select the best marketing channels to get their attention and learn how to measure your results.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Master cost-effective strategies including strategic partnerships, local marketing, search engine optimization, social networking, e-mail marketing, lead generation, and niche marketing. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 48 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn a three-step sales system that you can incorporate into your small business to boost sales. Explore the seven foundations of sales, learn common-sense techniques and get tips to start building your sales system.
Bookkeeping and Finance
Learn the skills needed to make informed financial decisions for your business.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 99 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Effective bookkeeping is essential for tracking the financial status of your business. Explore the four key steps in the bookkeeping process: analyzing transactions, recording the effects, summarizing the effects, and preparing financial reports.
Beginner | HSTalks | 13 minutes
The cashbook is a simple way to record cash transactions.
Beginner | HSTalks | 16 minutes
Learn how to use these statements to monitor what money is owed and received through your business.
Beginner | O'Reilly for Public Libraries | 7 hours 36 minutes
Explore Quickbooks software for creating accurate bookkeeping documents such as estimates, invoices, statements, deposits and more. Make sense of your financial reports and easily reconcile bank statements.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 51 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn the five reasons why so many small businesses fail. Explore strategies to manage your business well by tracking your accounting, managing your operating cycle and forecasting cash flow.
How to Start an Online Business
Learn how to sell a product or service and build an online business from scratch.
Beginner | Gale Courses | 24 hours
Build a solid foundation for creating and growing a successful digital business. Learn to launch your own website, explore product development and implement a process that will drive customers to your business. This course is facilitated by an instructor.
Beginner | LinkedIn Learning | 82 minutes | Certificate Eligible
Learn to select a target industry and customer base, validate your product idea, get it onto the market, develop your brand, and sell your product either in your own online store or in marketplaces.
Beginner | O'Reilly for Public Libraries | 52 minutes
Explore how social media can unveil insights into your users and your company. Learn how leading brands derive actionable intelligence from social and enterprise data.
Additional Resources
We suggest
Small Business Services
Take part in our free programs and seminars on everything you'll need to run your small business.
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Job and Career Help
Find the tools and support you need to develop your skills and achieve your career goals.
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Computer Training
Attend free, in-person computer classes across Toronto. No library card required.