Starting

Any content that fits under the umbrella of starting your practice. Should include anything that requires the Starting submenu

Legal Issues and Insurance

10 months to opening:

Obtain police check

Developing an Identity

You’ll want to start this process approximately 10 months before you plan to open your doors.

Image IS everything. It is worthwhile to hire a graphic designer to create an image for your clinic—don’t consider yourself an expert in branding or visual identity. Check local college advertising and graphic arts programs—many programs require students to develop branding and visual identities for course projects—you may be able to hire a talented student to help you.

Naming Your Practice

You’ll want to begin the naming process about 10 months to one year before you plan to open your doors. Choosing a name for your practice is a very important first step and lays the foundation for how your public will view your business in the future.

Marketing

Determine your patient focus and conditions (This may change depending on your location)

Financing Your Business

What’s in it for me?
This is the first question you will get, although in most cases it will not be put so bluntly. Every lender wants to know whether they will get their money back, and what interest they will earn on their money while it is outstanding.

Put yourself in their shoes
Every lender has a horror story of a borrower who looked so nice, and honest, and hard working, and had such a great business plan …and then it all went bad and they moved to Mexico, without paying them back.

Building a Strong Business Plan

You’ll want to start this process approximately 10 months before you plan to open your doors.

Office Admin

Give Yourself a Personal Check-up

As you start planning your business, consider your personal needs and attitudes. You'll be happiest if your business reflects the person you are and want to be.

Think, dream and plan
Take a little time to step back from your day- to-day life and think about what you like and where you would like to go. What is your passion? What makes you happy? What type of patients would you like to work with?

Getting Started: Starting Your Practice

Developing a business plan, ensuring funding, registering your business name, designing brochures – these are just some of the tasks that are involved in starting your practice.

Some tips for navigating through this section

Explore each business topic if you're looking for specific advice, or use the checklist if you need general, sequential guidance. For example, use the links on the left to lo learn more about a particular subject, such as applying for a GST number. Download or use the e-checklist if you need step-by-step assistance.

Meet with Potential Financing Sources

Again, start early