Since 2003, Gaia College has been offering holistic horticulture education to students all over the world. Our courses integrate essential knowledge of ecology, permaculture and organic gardening to build a solid ecological foundation for your career and/or personal life.
Are you starting your own landscaping business? Starting a new business is an exciting and challenging endeavour! Learn what you need to know to build your business successfully.
Gain knowledge and skills to plan and manage your business. Develop business and marketing plans for your business with guidance from your instructor.
This course goes well beyond information found in textbooks and on the web. It provides practical solutions to common business challenges.
While it is addressed to small business owners in the ornamental land care and farming sectors, this course is equally applicable to all other types of small businesses.
Topics discussed are:
Choosing the appropriate legal entity for your business
Being aware of and working within legal parameters governing your business
Evaluating the pros and cons of different business financing options
Developing strategies to increase sales, profitability and cash flow
Using information presented in financial reports and financial ratios to make informed business management decisions
Managing risk
Preparing estimates and budgets
Hiring and retaining a competent workforce
Developing a business strategy, business plan and operational plan for your startup or current business
Who should take this course?
Anyone contemplating going into business for themselves
Small business owners feeling overwhelmed by rules and regulations they need to learn more about
Small business owners without a formal business plan.
Students can expect to dedicate 6-10 hours per week to successfully complete this course.
As well, our courses are offered in the continuing education realm and are designed so students can complete them according to their own schedule. The work is divided up into 14 weekly topics and students are expected to complete their assigned work and quizzes by the given deadlines.
Our courses do not use online meetings, so we are not using Google Meet, Zoom or other online meeting applications.
If you have any questions about studying online with Gaia College please see our FAQs page
Fees
Fees: $795.00
Fees include:
Comprehensive on-line educational materials
Unlimited access to our on-line course resources, community center, including libraries, discussion forums and much more.
Payment Options
By Mail: Cheque drawn on a Canadian bank; Money order in Canadian funds
On-line: Visa, Mastercard
Policies
Please be sure you are familiar with our policies.
Prerequisites
There are no academic prerequisites for this course, however students must
be proficient in English (written)
be comfortable with current computer and internet technology, including spreadsheets and word processing programs
have an email account capable of receiving a large number of messages for the duration of the course
have access to high-speed internet
have access to a computer capable of running a current version of FireFox or Chrome. Tablets and phones are not supported at this time.
Evaluations
There are no formal exams in this course, as the emphasis is on developing practical skills and the ability to synthesize information.
To receive a Certificate of Completion students must contribute to all on-line discussions and satisfactorily complete all assignments and quizzes.
Texts
There are no required texts in this course. All required materials are provided online.
Credits
This program is eligible for Continuing Education Credits (CECs) with the following:
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) Also applies to B.C. Landscape & Nursery Association (BCLNA) and Landscape Ontario Pre-approved: 24 Credits
National Association of Landcare Professionals - American (NALP) Pre-approved: 24 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Certified Arborist Pre-approved: 5 Credits
International Society of Arboriculture: Board Certified Management Arborist Pre-approved: 5 Credits (Management)
B.C. Society of Landscape Architects As per certification renewal guidelines - eligibility of this program has been confirmed
Master Gardeners of Ontario Inc. (MGOI) Pre-approved: 24 Credits
Canadian Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL) Pre-approved: 6 Credits
Architectural Institute of British Columbia (AIBC) Pre-approved: 42 Non-core LUs
This course partially satisfies the requirements of:
