Launch Your Burnaby Marketing Consulting Services with Confidence
This page walks you through starting a marketing consulting business in Burnaby under NAICS 541613. You’ll get a practical roadmap—from six key requirements to permits, costs, and a realistic timeline—to move from idea to first client.
Six essential requirements to launch your Burnaby marketing consulting firm include: 1) choose a business structure, 2) register a business name, 3) obtain a Burnaby municipal business license, 4) register for GST/HST with the CRA if you meet the threshold, 5) open a dedicated business bank account and set up invoicing, and 6) secure basic professional liability insurance. Permits beyond the license vary, but starting with the municipal license and CRA registration is common. Startup costs typically range from a few hundred to a few thousand CAD, covering license fees, insurance, a basic website, and essential tools. A typical setup timeline runs about 1–4 weeks to get licensed and ready to bill clients, with ongoing steps as you onboard clients.
Burnaby’s business community—tightly connected to Vancouver’s markets—offers a steady stream of local SMBs and tech firms that need marketing support. It’s a practical, growth-friendly place to start a marketing consulting practice with affordable workspace and strong local networks.
Requirements Overview
The most critical requirement for operating a marketing consulting business in Burnaby is the Business Number (BN) Registration. This federal identifier is essential for invoicing clients, opening a bank account, filing taxes, and dealing with government programs. You cannot legally operate the business without a BN, so securing it upfront is non-negotiable and should be your first step.
Mandatory operational requirements include privacy and safety rules. If you handle client personal information, you must follow PIPEDA’s privacy principles. If you hire employees or contractors, WorkSafeBC coverage is mandatory to protect workers and stay compliant with workplace safety rules. You’ll also want to plan for taxes—GST/HST registration may be required depending on revenue, and payroll deductions registration if you have staff.
Business registration and tax basics include registering your BC business name if you operate as a sole proprietorship or partnership, and using your BN for tax purposes. Apply for GST/HST registration if your turnover meets the threshold or if you want to claim input tax credits. Set up payroll deductions registration if you have employees, and align with WorkSafeBC requirements as applicable.
Next steps: lay out your business structure, gather documents, and start with BN and BC business name registrations. Then check GST/HST thresholds and privacy requirements, and consider consulting an accountant or business advisor to tailor registrations to your plan. With these essentials in place, you’ll be on solid footing to launch and grow your Burnaby marketing consulting.
Detailed Requirements
Here are the specific requirements for starting a marketing consulting services in Burnaby:
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Business Number (BN) Registration RequiredA 9-digit Business Number is required for most businesses operating in Canada. It is used to interact with the Canada Revenue Agency and other federal programs. Required for GST/HST, payroll, corporation income tax, and import/export accounts. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) at canada.ca. Takes 15-30 minutes. As of November 3, 2025, online registration is MANDATORY for new BNs - phone registration no longer available. You'll need: business name, address, owner SIN, business type, and start date. BN (9-digit number) issued INSTANTLY online. Available 21 hours/day, 7 days/week (closed 3-6am ET for maintenance).
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Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) Compliance RequiredProfessional services that collect, use, or disclose personal information must comply with PIPEDA federal privacy law. Includes consent requirements, security safeguards, and breach notification obligations. No registration required - compliance law. Follow PIPEDA's 10 fair information principles when handling personal data: accountability, identify purposes, consent, limit collection/use/retention, accuracy, safeguards, openness, individual access, challenging compliance. Appoint someone responsible for privacy. Penalties: up to $10M or 3% global revenue under proposed Bill C-27. Contact: Office of the Privacy Commissioner 1-800-282-1376.
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BC Business Name Registration (Sole Proprietorship/Partnership) RequiredRegistration of sole proprietorship or partnership business names with BC Registries Register sole proprietorship or partnership at bcregistry.gov.bc.ca. Name reservation: $30 (standard) or $100 (priority 1-2 days). Registration fee: $40. Total: ~$70. Name reserved for 56 days after approval. Registration is continuous (no renewal required). No name protection for sole proprietorships. Personal names operating under own name do not require registration. Contact BC Registries: 1-877-526-1526.
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GST/HST Registration ConditionalRequired if annual taxable revenue exceeds $30,000 (small supplier threshold). Taxi/ride-share drivers must register regardless of revenue. Businesses with gross revenues over $30,000 in any single quarter or over four consecutive quarters must register for, collect, and remit GST/HST. Small suppliers (under $30,000) may register voluntarily. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when your revenue exceeds $30,000 in any 4 consecutive quarters (small supplier threshold). Takes 15-30 minutes. You MUST register within 29 days of exceeding threshold and start charging GST/HST immediately on the sale that made you exceed it. Need your BN (or get one simultaneously). As of Nov 3, 2025, online registration is mandatory. Voluntary registration available anytime for input tax credits.
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Payroll Deductions Registration ConditionalRequired if you pay salaries, wages, or other remuneration to employees. Must register before first pay period. Required if you have employees. You must withhold Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), and income tax from employee wages and remit to CRA. Register FREE online through Business Registration Online (BRO) when you hire your first employee. Takes 15-20 minutes. You'll need your Business Number (BN) or can get one simultaneously. Payroll account (RP) added to your BN instantly. Register BEFORE your first pay date. Required to deduct CPP, EI, and income tax from employee wages. For 2025: CPP rate 5.95%, EI employee rate $1.66/$100 insurable earnings.
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WorkSafeBC Coverage and Registration ConditionalRequired if you have workers in BC. Workers compensation insurance coverage through WorkSafeBC for employers in British Columbia WorkSafeBC coverage required for most BC employers. Average base premium rate: 1.55% of assessable payroll ($1.55 per $100). Register online at worksafebc.com. Apply 30 days before starting business or hiring workers. Processing: ~10 business days. Premium rates vary by industry classification (514 classification units). COR certified employers eligible for 10% rebate. Contact: 604-276-3100 or 1-888-967-5377.
Funding & Grants
Available funding programs that may apply to your marketing consulting services:
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Cohort-based program supporting Quebec companies operating primarily in immersive/interactive digital content (VR/AR/MR, interactive scenographies, installations). Selected cohorts share a total funding envelope. First cohort (2024): 17 companies shared $7.5M; second cohort (2025): 11 companies shared $3.725M (~$340K–$440K per company). Video games, animation, VFX, and traditional formats are not eligible.
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Non-repayable project or composite (multi-year) grants for arts sector innovation, development, and support activities. Project grants normally up to $50,000; composite grants up to $50,000/year for multi-year periods. Exceptional projects may receive up to $100,000. Rolling intake — no fixed deadlines.
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The HIPP provided up to $200,000 over 9 months for Stage 1 proof-of-concept, with Stage 2 covering up to 75% of eligible expenses over up to 3 years (minimum 25% applicant cost-share). Eligible applicants included Alberta post-secondary institutions, government entities, health delivery agents, and for-profit or not-for-profit organizations. The program …
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A provincial personal and corporate income tax credit for arm's-length investors who purchase shares in certified eligible NL small businesses. The credit is 35% for businesses operating outside the North East Avalon region and 20% for businesses within the North East Avalon. Maximum annual credit is $50,000 per investor. Carry-forward: …
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The Invest Nova Scotia Payroll Rebate is a negotiated incentive for knowledge-based companies creating at least 20 net new full-time positions in Nova Scotia. The rebate is 5–10% of eligible gross payroll, disbursed annually over a set period (typically up to 5 years), after audited confirmation of job creation. Eligible …
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