A Practical Guide for Indigenous Entrepreneurs to Start a Business in Northern BC
- Sarah Vanderlinde
- May 12
- 3 min read
If you’ve been thinking about starting a business in Burns Lake or somewhere else in Northern BC, this guide is a great first step.
For many people, it starts with a simple thought.
“I could do this better.”
“There’s a need for this here.”
“I want something, and I could create that.”
And those are good instincts.
At the same time, it is totally normal to feel unsure about where to begin. Access to funding, figuring out what steps to take, and knowing who to talk to can all feel unclear at the start.
This guide will help you take your first steps with more clarity.
Start with something real and not perfect
A lot of people get stuck trying to come up with the “perfect” business idea.
In reality, the strongest businesses in Northern BC tend to be practical.
They:
Fill a gap in the community
Support existing industries like forestry, construction, or tourism
Offer services people already need but can’t easily access
If people are already asking for it or struggling to find it, it is usually a good sign.
Think local before anything else
In a smaller community, your market looks different than it would in a larger one.
It helps to ask:
Would you actually use this?
How often would they need it?
Does demand change throughout the year?
You don’t need to complicate your research, but you do need an honest understanding of the people around you.
Look into funding and support early
This is something a lot of people leave too late.
There are funding opportunities and supports specifically for Indigenous entrepreneurs, including:
Start-up funding
Training and mentorship
Support for equipment
Many of these funding sources have timelines, and some require extensive planning before you apply.
Setting up a 1:1 appointment with someone at BLNDC can help you set you in the right direction.
Keep your business plan simple
You don’t need a long document filled with complicated language, but you do need clarity.
People need to understand:
What are you offering?
Who is it for?
How will it make money?
How do I go to market and do marketing?
What do you need to get started?
That’s enough to get moving, and it’s often what’s needed for funding applications too.
BLNDC offers free business plans. You can check it out here: Entrepreneurship business plans
Build your skills as you go
Having a good idea is one thing, but running a business is something completely different.
Depending on what you’re building, you might need:
Training
Certificates
Learning the basics of managing money or pricing your work
It doesn’t have to happen all at once, but investing in your skills early makes everything easier later.
Talk to one of our employees here at BLNDC to see what training is available and whether it is the right fit for you, or if you need help with some basics of entrepreneurship.
Talk to people sooner than you think
One of the biggest advantages of Northern BC is how connected its communities are.
Talking to:
Other business owners
Organizations
People already working in the industry
Can give you insight you won’t find online.
It can also open doors you didn’t expect.
How BLNDC can help
Starting something new can feel like you’re on your own, but you don’t have to be.
BLNDC works with Indigenous entrepreneurs across Burns Lake and Northern BC by offering:
Business development support
Marketing your idea
Employment and training programs
Guidance around funding, loans, and opportunities
Sometimes the most helpful thing is just having someone to talk through your idea with and figure out your next steps.
Starting a business is a big step that can be very meaningful for you and have a huge impact on communities.
It’s not about getting everything right from the beginning, but it is about starting with something real, staying connected to your community, and building as you go.
That’s where the strongest businesses come from.
Get in contact with us today and follow our Facebook Pages! Burns Lake Native Development Corporation Facebook Page
Comments