Plan

Every business should have a plan, and our team of experienced professionals can help. If you have a group, a clear idea, and you’ve incorporated your co-op, there are a few options for your next step:

Business Coaching

You’ll work with our experienced Entrepreneur-in-Residence and your designated Co-operatives First team member figure out the details of how your co-op will work.

These experts will provide your group with customized support through the start-up process, including business planning or feasibility assessment, market research, financial modelling and budgeting, tools for applying for grants or financing, and other supports tailored to your needs to help your co-op succeed.

This product is available on a limited basis to groups who apply during our quarterly intakes. We will choose among applicants that have already incorporated their co-operative, with an emphasis on groups from rural and Indigenous communities, the merit of the proposed business idea, and the level of need.

Online resources

If you don’t work with us directly through this process but could still use some guidance, we have plenty of helpful resources.

The Co-op Entrepreneur modules of our Introduction to Co-operatives course are a great introduction to how a co-op works and the steps you’ll take to start one. If you’re ready to get started, you can use our Biz Plan Generator, which will prompt you to think through all aspects of your business and create a business plan. And you can supplement your knowledge with the tools in the Business Planning section of the Co-op Creator. With these resources, you can create a business plan that’s ready to submit to funders and guide your team.

REQUEST SUPPORT

What our clients have said:

The Introduction to Co-operatives course – I love that it’s in bite sizes and easy to read, watch and understand. Though short, I think it captures most if not all the essential aspects of starting a co-op business.

– Wunmi Akinlosotu, Blooming Ladies Multi-Stakeholder Co-operative

 

Co-operatives First provided assistance and funding for completing our feasibility study, community needs assessment, guiding us as we formed the co-operative in order to move forward with our application to the Ministry of Education, Early Years for space development funding. This was a quick process, everything happened so fast and they were there to help, guide and move us along!

– Maple Creek Childcare Cooperative

“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