Explore

In the early days of starting a business, you want to know you’re heading in the right direction. Our experts start by listening and asking the right questions to make sure your co-op will create value for the people involved and is designed for success.

Once you’ve been assigned a member of our team to guide your co-op, they will help you:

  • determine if a co-operative is the right fit for your business idea
  • identify the co-op’s purpose
  • ensure you have the right people involved
  • find a structure that will work best
  • identify your next steps.

If they feel will meet your group’s needs, your Co-operatives First team member will lead you through our Exploring Opportunities workshop. This will give you a chance to gain clarity and set goals.

You may also be interested in the tools and resources available on the Co-op Creator, which outline many of the steps you’ll take to start your co-op. Check out the Early Stages section of this resource site to get started.

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What our clients have said:

Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.

– Donna Webster, Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

Co-operatives First has been instrumental in getting ART off the ground. From general conversations at conception to make sure that the co-op model was a good fit, helping us become an incorporated non-profit in Saskatchewan, to the support they provided for the development of our business plan, Co-operatives First has provided resources, education, and guidance that have been instrumental to our success so far.

– At Risk Together Co-operative 

 

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block