Choose the business structure for the actual plan
Sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations can have different legal, tax, financing and administrative consequences. Incorporation can create a separate legal entity, but it also brings record-keeping and filing obligations. The right structure depends on ownership, expected growth, liability exposure, financing and succession plans.
B.C. Registry Services operates the Business Registry for starting and managing many B.C. businesses and organizations. Use the official BC Registries portal to verify current filing processes rather than relying on old incorporation instructions.
Shareholder and partnership arrangements
Businesses often focus on launch-day percentages and ignore what happens when circumstances change. A shareholder agreement can address decision-making, transfer restrictions, financing, death or disability, disputes, exits and buy-sell mechanisms. Partnership arrangements can serve a similar preventive role where two or more people operate together without a corporation.
Ownership documents should match the commercial reality. If one person contributes cash, another contributes labour and a third controls key intellectual property, a simple equal split may not answer the hard questions that appear later.
Contracts should explain performance, not just price
A useful commercial agreement identifies what each side must do, when performance is due, how changes are approved, how payment works and what happens if the relationship breaks down. Depending on the transaction, warranties, indemnities, liability limits, confidentiality, intellectual-property rights, privacy terms, termination provisions and dispute-resolution clauses may matter.
Commercial leases
Commercial tenants do not necessarily have the same protections as residential tenants. Rent is only one part of the economic deal. Operating costs, additional rent, repair obligations, insurance, assignment rights, renewal options, personal guarantees, fixturing periods and restoration clauses can materially affect cost and flexibility.
Buying or selling a business
A purchase may be structured as an asset transaction, share transaction or another arrangement. Due diligence can include corporate records, contracts, employees, tax matters, leases, licences, intellectual property, litigation and secured debt. The definitive agreement then allocates risk through representations, warranties, covenants, closing conditions and indemnities.
When a business dispute develops
Preserve documents before positions harden. Review the governing contract, limitation periods, notice requirements and any mandatory dispute process. A strong demand letter is not simply aggressive wording; it connects the facts, legal position, evidence and requested solution. If litigation becomes likely, see our civil disputes guide.
Starting a Burnaby business
Our business-startup checklist covers naming, structure, agreements, registrations and early contract planning. Legal and tax advice should be coordinated where a decision has both consequences.
For owner conflict, see our shareholder dispute guide. If you are considering an acquisition, use the buying a business in B.C. guide for due-diligence and closing issues.