Five things nobody tells entrepreneurs and how to manage them

Starting a business can be one of the most rewarding things you'll ever do. While there is a lot of advice on how to reach for the stars, many are shy to talk about some of the big battles entrepreneurs may encounter when they are just starting out. While you bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in your particular area, running a business requires you be an expert in a number of areas that may not be your strong suit. Not only are you expected to hit the ground running on the business elements of your firm, different levels of government expect you to know all the rules from day one. Why re-invent the wheel when you can rely on the knowledge of the independent businesses that have come before you?

With 109,000 small and medium-sized business owners as members and 10,000 here in Alberta, Amber Ruddy, Alberta director of provincial affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB), shares some of the early roadblocks (Canada Revenue Agency, red tape, credit card fees) and what can be done to address them.