Turning a Local Handyman Idea into a Registered Business

When Rocksolid Handyman approached Tradebrain, they had the vision and skill to offer reliable home repair and maintenance services. However, they needed guidance to navigate the complex first steps of launching a new business in British Columbia. 

From registration and compliance to branding and marketing, Tradebrain supported Rocksolid Handyman through every stage of the startup journey.

This project showcases how our business consulting for startups approach helps entrepreneurs like Rocksolid Handyman build strong operational foundations that last.

The Challenge

Like many trades professionals starting on their own, the founder of Rocksolid Handyman faced the challenge of turning his trade expertise into a structured and compliant business.

He needed a clear roadmap to register his company, set up essential tools/processes, and build a foundation for acquiring its first handful of customers. With many tasks involved, key ones were easy to slip through the cracks.

Tradebrain stepped in as a small-business operations consultant, providing both strategic guidance and hands-on setup support.

The Solution

Our first goal was to create a Startup Roadmap —a step-by-step plan that prioritizes “must-haves” before moving to “nice-to-haves.” This ensured that Rocksolid Handyman’s foundation was legally sound and financially organized before branding and marketing efforts began.

Phase 1: Must-Haves

We guided Rocksolid Handyman through the whole registration process, with each step tracked in a shared progress checklist:

• Submitting the Name Request with BC Registries

• Completing incorporation and confirming the BC Business Number

• Setting up general liability insurance and WorkSafeBC registration

• Opening a dedicated business bank account

• Creating a professional business email and verifying trade certifications

Once everything was in place, we supported the owner as he took on his first few jobs—helping him send his first quotes, issue his first invoice, and celebrate his first dollar deposited into the new business account. TradeBrain walked him through how to use his new tools, ensuring he understood every system without feeling overwhelmed.

This hands-on guidance made the transition from skilled tradesperson to business owner smooth and stress-free, giving him the confidence to focus on what he does best: the work itself.

Still to come - Nice-to-Haves

Once Rocksolid Handyman’s operational setup is complete, we will move to the branding and marketing phase. We’ll help by:

• Creating a Google Business Profile and social media pages
• Launching a simple, conversion-focused website
• Setting up a branded business email
• Implementing a lightweight accounting system to track expenses and revenue
• Developing a starter brand kit with logo, colours, and fonts

With a phased rollout, we make each step approachable and stress-free.

The Result

Within 4 weeks, Rocksolid Handyman went from a concept to a fully registered and operational business, ready to serve customers across BC.

By partnering with Tradebrain, they avoided costly missteps and administrative bottlenecks, allowing them to focus on what they do best—providing exceptional workmanship.

Why Working with Experts Matters

Tradebrain’s role extends beyond paperwork and setup. We craft unique, detailed startup plans that empower new entrepreneurs to build a solid foundation for long-term success. These plans help keep them focused and on track, to encourage success in the early days of their business.

We believe every trade-based business deserves a start that’s as strong and well-built as the work they deliver. Rocksolid Handyman is proof that when strategy and structure come together, a business can stand the test of time.

Interested In Launching Your Own Business With Confidence?

At Tradebrain, we help small businesses like Rocksolid Handyman turn great ideas into operational success. Our business consulting for startups focuses on building strong foundations so owners can focus on what they do best. 

Book a free 15-minute consultation to learn how our small business operations consultants can help you go from idea to operation—the right way.