👥 What Small Business Owners Need to Know: A Simple Guide for Small & Immigrant Business Owners
Hiring your first employee is a big step — and a major milestone for any growing business. But it can also be confusing: contracts, payroll, legal requirements, taxes, and onboarding.
This guide simplifies the entire process and helps you navigate it clearly and confidently.
📌 1. Decide What Role You Actually Need
Before hiring, ask:
- What tasks take most of my time?
- What brings the most value to my business?
- Which role will provide the fastest relief or growth?
Typical first hires:
- Sales assistant
- Admin assistant
- Store clerk
- Social media manager
- Delivery/operations support
Register for Payroll
Canada
You must:
- Register for a Payroll Account with CRA
- Know CPP, EI, Federal & Provincial tax obligations
- Keep proper employee records
USA
You need:
- EIN number
- State tax account
- Worker’s compensation insurance
- I-9 verification
- Employee tax withholding setup
Create a Simple Employment Contract
Include:
- Job title
- Duties
- Schedule
- Pay rate
- Overtime rules
- Code of conduct
- Termination conditions
- Confidentiality clause
📌 2. Understand Legal Requirements
Before hiring, you must:
- Register for payroll (CRA in Canada / IRS EIN in the U.S.)
- Understand minimum wage laws
- Set up record-keeping for payroll
- Provide mandatory employment standards:
- vacation pay
- breaks
- stat holidays
- overtime rules
📌 3. Write a Clear Job Description
Include:
- Job title
- Main duties
- Schedule
- Skills required
- Location (in-person or remote)
- Salary / hourly pay range
- Experience needed
📌 4. Where to Find Applicants
- Indeed
- Job Bank (Canada)
- Local community groups
- Facebook groups
- Your store window
- Your website
- Natives Arena (future community postings!)
📌 5. Interviewing Candidates
Ask questions to assess:
- Reliability
- Customer service
- Alignment with your business values
- Ability to work in a multicultural community
- Communication skills
Example questions:
- “Tell me about a time you solved a customer problem.”
- “Why do you want to work here?”
- “How do you handle busy or stressful moments?”
📌 6. Onboarding Your New Employee
Provide:
- A clear training plan
- Your brand standards
- A schedule
- Safety training
- Tools or uniforms
- A welcome packet
Manage Payroll Correctly
Options:
- QuickBooks
- Wave Payroll
- ADP
- Square Payroll
Always pay:
- On time
- With proper tax deductions
- With a record of each payment
📣 Final Advice
Hiring is an investment in growth. Start small, hire someone who fits your values, and build systems early so you can scale easily.
Need templates?
Email: resources@nativesarena.com
📌 7. Track Performance
- Weekly check-ins
- Clear expectations
- Feedback and encouragement
- Recognition of good work