1. Have you decided on a business structure?

2. Whether starting a corporation, proprietorship, or partnership, have you completed a name search and registered your name with Corporate Registry?

3. If buying an existing business or franchise, have you researched thoroughly and received professional advice?

4. Have you protected your intellectual property through the use of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and industrial design registration?

5. Have you contacted the local zoning and licencing authority in your city, town or municipality in order to obtain all appropriate development permits and business licences?

6. Have you obtained all necessary provincial and federal licences and permits, including any special licences required for specific businesses?

7. Have you obtained the advice of a lawyer or a real estate broker before signing any lease agreements?

8. Have you contacted Revenue Canada in order to obtain an employer's account number for Unemployment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and income tax deductions?

9. Have you contacted Revenue Canada in order to open an instalment account to pay income taxes?

10. If hiring employees, have you registered with the Workers' Compensation Board?

11. If you will have a staff of five or more, have you registered with Alberta Health Care for group deductions of medicare premiums?

12. Have you contacted the Employment Standards Branch of Alberta Labour and the federal Department of Labour to ensure that you comply with all pertinent labour regulations?

13. Have you registered for the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?

14. If you are a manufacturer, have you contacted Revenue Canada, Customs and Excise regarding the payment of excise tax?

15. If you plan to import products, have you contacted Canada Customs?

16. Have you consulted with a knowledgeable insurance broker on the types and the amounts of insurance you will need for your business?