GURU Business Canada

Business Tools

GURU SmartStart Calculator

Estimate what it costs to start and operate your business before you commit a dollar. Choose a business template, adjust the numbers to match your plan, and see a clear funding estimate in seconds.

All amounts in Canadian dollars (CAD), excluding HST/GST. Estimates are for planning purposes only and do not guarantee profitability or adequate funding for every circumstance.

1. Choose your business type

2. Review and adjust your costs

VerifiedEstimateQuotation required

Check or uncheck items, edit amounts, and add your own expenses. Legitimate zero costs are allowed.

Ontario business name registration
Verified priceOne-time
$
HST/GST registration (CRA — no charge)
Verified priceOne-time
$

No expenses in this category yet — add one below.

No expenses in this category yet — add one below.

No expenses in this category yet — add one below.

Opening stock
Planning estimateOne-time
units
$
Opening packaging
Planning estimateOne-time
units
$
Sample / test orderOptional
Planning estimateOne-time
units
$
Packaging replenishment (~50 units/mo × $1.20)
Planning estimateMonthly
$
Domain name (.ca, 1 year)
Verified priceOne-time
$
Shopify theme — free (Dawn or similar)
Verified priceOne-time
$
Shopify theme — premium (optional upgrade)Optional
Planning estimateOne-time
$
Logo and basic branding (freelance)
Planning estimateOne-time
$
Product photography — DIY light-box kit
Planning estimateOne-time
$
Launch marketing — paid social / ads (first 30 days)
Planning estimateOne-time
$
Ongoing monthly marketing budgetOptional
Planning estimateMonthly
$

No expenses in this category yet — add one below.

Business insurance (home-based rider)
Planning estimateMonthly
$
Shipping supplies — scale, labels (one-time)
Planning estimateOne-time
$
Shopify Basic plan
Planning estimateMonthly
$
Email marketing — Klaviyo (free to 500 contacts)Optional
Verified priceMonthly
$
Accounting software — Wave (free)Optional
Verified priceMonthly
$

No expenses in this category yet — add one below.

3. Adjust reserve and contingency

3

Covers your monthly operating costs for this many months while you build sales. Does not include one-time startup costs or inventory.

10%

Applied to one-time setup costs and opening inventory only.

Include owner support allowance (optional)

Personal living expenses are kept separate from business costs. This allowance is additive and not included in the contingency base.

Estimated funding needed

Your Own Shopify Store · Excluding HST/GST

One-time setup costs

Registration, branding, equipment, launch

$1,115

Opening inventory and materials

Stock, packaging, supplies

$2,100

Cash reserve (3 months)

$313/mo monthly costs x 3 months

$939

Contingency (10%)

Applied to setup and inventory only

$322

Total estimated funding

$4,476

Monthly operating

$313/mo

Breakdown by category

Registration, Permits & Licences$60
Opening Inventory, Materials & Packaging$180
Branding, Website & Online Store$705
Marketing & Customer Acquisition$750
Insurance$195
Vehicles, Shipping, Delivery & Storage$50
Software, Subscriptions & Administration$114
What the reserve covers: Your monthly operating costs — platform fees, insurance, packaging, and ongoing expenses — for 3 months. It does not include one-time startup costs, inventory, or projected sales receipts.
Discuss My Estimate with GURU Business Canada

Important notice

The GURU SmartStart Calculator provides planning estimates only. Amounts shown exclude HST/GST. If you register for HST/GST, you may recover input tax credits on eligible purchases — consult an accountant for your specific situation. Verified prices are sourced from published provider websites and are subject to change; access dates are noted in item details. Planning estimates are based on reasonable market ranges and are labelled accordingly. Items marked Quotation required must be obtained from qualified suppliers or professionals before finalizing your budget. This calculator does not guarantee profitability, adequate funding, or suitability for any particular business or individual circumstance. GURU Business Canada recommends consulting qualified legal, accounting, and business professionals before committing funds.

Ready to take the next step? A GURU Business Canada consultant can help you refine these numbers and build a plan.

Book a Free 35-Minute Discovery Consultation