Question: Who can join the Comox Valley Home-Based Business Association?
Answer: Membership is open to any individual or business that operates, is interested in operating, or has ever operated, a home-based business. The cost of an annual membership (effective June 2011) is $75. If you own more than one home-based business, an ‘additional business membership’ may be purchased for 50% of the cost of a full membership ($37.50). Note, however, that individuals/businesses holding more than one membership are only entitled to one vote. If you have questions, please feel free to contact our membership director.
Question: What are the advantages of membership in the CVHBBA?
Answer: The Comox Valley Home-Based Business Association provides a place to meet like-minded individuals and to exchange essential strategies before and after each general meeting. The meetings provide valuable information for home-based businesses and are designed to encourage and assist members in their professional growth. The CVHBBA also helps to replace the social setting lost when an individual works from their home.
Question: Do I have to attend a lot of meetings?
Answer: Members may attend as many or as few meetings as they want. However, members are encouraged to participate in monthly meetings in order to promote their businesses, to learn from each other, and to share business experiences. Members are also encouraged to participate in the many networking and social functions organized by the Home-Based Business Association.
Question: Where and when are your meetings held?
Answer: Meetings are held in the Best Western Westerly Hotel, Cliffe Avenue, Courtenay, on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. We don’t have a formal meeting in December – instead we have one of our biggest social events of the year – our HBBA Christmas party.
Question: What is a home-based business?
Answer: A home-based business is any lawful business or commercial activity that is conducted from residential property and that is clearly incidental and secondary to the main use of the dwelling unit for residential purposes.
Question: Are there any tax advantages to operating a home-based business?
Answer: There may be many tax advantages to operating your business from at home. They may include deducting a portion of your mortgage and utility expenses, your computer and computer related costs, your household cleaning costs and even some of your child/elder care costs. However, before you decide to deduct any expense related to a home-based business it is important that you consult an accountant to discuss the possible ramifications of those deductions.
Question: What government regulations should I be aware of?
Answer: Each level of government, provincial, regional and municipal has its own regulations and you must comply with the regulations in the area(s) where you conduct business. You must comply with required licensing, areas designated on your property for home-based business, the amount of space allowed, parking, the number of deliver vehicles allowed per week, and the type and size of signage, to name a few. Consult a specialist such as Invest Comox Valley.
Question: How can I learn more?
Answer: We actively encourage and invite guests to attend our regular Membership Meetings. If you are running, or even considering a home-based business operation, please feel free to come out to a meeting or two. Get to see more of what we are about and meet some of our members. We are confident that you will see the value of membership with the HBBA after only a meeting or two.