General Self-Employment Program

Who Is Eligible:

  • Unemployed residents, living in the Lower Mainland.
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada.
  • Have a viable business idea.
  • Have an active EI claim (collecting EI now); or
    A reach back status (collected EI anytime in the past three years); or
    Collected maternity/parental benefits anytime in the past five years; or
    Be able to self-identify as having a physical or mental impairment that restricts your ability to get or maintain long term employment.

If You Qualify:

The General Self-Employment Program provides a support program to assist clients as they begin and grow their businesses. The Government of Canada may provide funding of $300 per week for 48 weeks while you participate in the program. The components of the program are broken into three phases: Pre-Entrepreneur - Phase I, Self Employment - Phase II and Business Start-up - Phase III.

Phase I: Pre-Entrepreneur (2 Weeks)

This initial screening process is designed for individuals interested in starting a business. The Pre-Entrepreneur Phase will give candidates an overview of what it means to be self-employed and what will be expected of them as participants in the program.

This phase is comprised of four major components:

  1. Finance
  2. Sales and Marketing
  3. Operations
  4. Self-Awareness

The Finance component provides participants with the information required to research and complete preliminary financial reports. The financial research project is designed to provide the participant and SEEDS staff with evidence of financial viability of the business.

The Sales and Marketing component provides participants with information required to conduct primary and secondary market research. The market research project is designed to provide evidence of a potential market for the participants product or service.

The Operations component provides a brief overview of the business structure, the human resources structure, the production methods or service delivery, strategic alliances and risk assessments.

The Self-Awareness component provides participants with the tools required to complete a personal evaluation to determine their personal suitability for self-employment.

Phase II: Self-Employment (8 Weeks)

This phase focuses on completion of a business plan and the development of the knowledge and skills required to successfully start and grow a business.

This phase is comprised of five major components:

  1. Business Concept Development
  2. Finance
  3. Sales and marketing
  4. Operations
  5. Self-Awareness

The Business Concept Development component assists the participant with the development of a description of the industry, a description of the business, a vision statement, a mission statement and business goals.

The Finance component assists in the development of projected cash flow and income statements. The participants determine their start up costs, analyze the cost of goods sold, develop pricing strategies, conduct market analysis and analyze operating costs and capital purchases.

In the Sales and Marketing component participants are presented material to assist in the development of sales, marketing and customer service strategies. Participants develop a product or service description; conduct an industry and competitive analysis; develop a description of their target market; and develop a comprehensive sales strategy.

The Operations component assists the participants with the development of a description of the business structure, the human resources structure, the production methods or service delivery, strategic alliances and risk assessments.

The Self-Awareness component provides participants with the tools required to complete a personal evaluation to determine personal suitability for self-employment.

Phase III: Business Start-up (40 Weeks)

Business Consultants

Once a participant has completed phase II and begins the full time operation of his or her business, a Business Consultant is assigned. During phase III Business Consultants will provide the following services:

  • Ongoing support and feedback to participants as needed
  • Assist participants implementing their action plan as described in their business plan
  • Monitor participants progress through monthly reports submitted by clients

Coaching (Phase III)

The coaching component provides participants with an ongoing support system. The goal is to assist the participants in meeting their personal and professional objectives through group support, goal setting and personal accountability.

Education Seminars (Phase III)

Ongoing education seminars provide the participants with the opportunity for continued development and networking.

Resource Library

A library of resource materials in the form of books, videos and CD-ROMs is available for the participants use at any stage of the program.

Computer Lab

A computer lab with a variety of word processing, spreadsheet, accounting, presentation and graphic design packages is available for participants use.