Are you in the trades and looking to start your own business?
Registration now open for the StartSmart: Trades Business Blueprint – Your step-by-step guide to launching success.
If you are ready to stop working for someone else’s dream and turn your trade skills into a thriving business — then this is the program for you to start building your own trades business today.
Work Smart Canada is a builder of business models and business owners, an advocate for capacity management, accountability and boundaries, and most importantly …
We help entrepreneurs stay entrepreneurs!
Smart Courses & Micro-Programs
From starting a business to growing a business to closing a business — we have customized micro-programs and resources to help you succeed.
Start Smart
Are you ready to stop working for someone else’s dream and turn your skills or passion into a thriving business?
If you have been thinking of starting a business OR have started and are ready to build a business that will last, then this is the program you have been looking for!
The StartSmart micro-programs are a step-by-step, action-based programs that include live training, business coaching, and hands-on activities that help you actually start a business (and not just learn how to do it).
Plan Smart
Have you been running your business for a few years and ready to plan your future?
May be you have questions about how to grow?
Or may be you are struggling with capacity or sustainability.
Click the button below to check out one-on-one business coaching options and micro-programs to help you create real goals, real plans, real systems, and actionable steps to move you and your business forward.
Exit Smart
Are you thinking about selling your business?
Closing your business?
Doing a business valuation?
Or are you seeking guidance with succession planning or legacy planning to hand over your business to future generations?
Click the button below to access tools and resources to help guide you through the process of preparing different exit strategies with clarity and without worry.
Smart Tools & Resources
Check out our community events and directory of free and fee-based downloadable tools and resources including business plan templates, cash flow spreadsheets, accountable goal setting & action planning resources, scheduling and productivity planning, and many checklists.
The Growth Collective & Community
There are so many wonderful in-person and virtual networking events and communities available for business owners at any stage and in any industry to join.
BUT …
These events provide you with only a portion of the actual support you need.
Because entrepreneurship can be lonely and many feel disconnected.
It can be overwhelming wearing all the hats and expected to know all the answers.
It can be frustrating when your family and friends don’t understand the challenges you encounter.
That’s where The Growth Collective comes in. It is a unique support community, designed only for business owners.
Here you are surrounded by only business owners who can relate to the successes, the challenges, the lifestyle shift, the ambition, the dreams AND everything in between.
Join us in November! There is no fee to join or attend.
Feature FREE Download for November
Do you feel like you never have enough time in a day?
Does it stress you out leaving things on your to-do list?
It’s time to break down your behind the scenes planning and clearly see if your time and capacity match.
Download the FREE Work Smart Success Routine Planner today!
Feature Download for November
It’s officially Q4 and now is the perfect time to start planning for 2026.
Let’s review the good, the bad and ugly.
What did we do well? What mistakes did we learn from?
Where do we want to take our business in 2026?
Download the Work Smart Goal Strategy Planner for 2026 to start planning today.
Welcome & Hello!
My name is Jodi Laking -- I have been an entrepreneur for 20+ years and I love working with business owners and entrepreneurs at different stages to help them start, build and grow a sustainable business.
I am here to help you take that idea in your head and turn it into a reality — whether it’s guiding you on the steps to start a business or working with you to grow and level-up your current business strategy.
Through my own business ventures, mentoring connections and government entrepreneurship-based roles, I offer over 20+ years of personal entrepreneurial experience and 15+ years experience working with and supporting hundreds of service-based, trades, and e-commerce business owners from start-up to mid-stage entrepreneurs to 30+ year industry veterans.
My knowledge and expertise include:
Business planning and strategy development
Goal setting and action planning
Systems development and accountability
Capacity management and setting boundaries
Hiring and onboarding subcontractors and employees
Pricing strategies, financial accountability and planning for growth, accounting and bookkeeping
Funding acquisition (previous coordinator for Starter Company Plus and Digital Main Street programs)
Succession planning and closing a business
Operations management including business structure registration and working with municipal departments including licensing, zoning and building
Market research and target market review
Sales strategy development and client retention
Now, here is where I’m a little bit different … I also know and understand the importance of developing the person behind the business.
It is extremely important to help business owners create and prioritize customized capacity management and accountability practices into their lives to help them be the best leaders and owners they can be — while achieving both their professional goals and personal dreams. If you don’t — you will burnout.
I help new and mature business owners to understand that entrepreneurship is not just a career change — it’s a lifestyle shift.
My goal and my focus is to help business owners build long-term, sustainable businesses.
We create plans and goals and practices to help entrepreneurs STAY entrepreneurs.
It’s time to invest in yourself and your business. Let’s stop day dreaming about the what-ifs and the shoulda, coulda, wouldas.
Let’s start talking about your idea to start and grow! Let’s bring this idea to life!
So, today, right now, click the button below so we can continue this momentum.
We can chat via phone or Zoom, or meet-up at a cozy cafe or dive into a gooey pizza.
I want to meet you.
I want to learn about your ideas and dreams. And in turn, I want you to experience the opportunity to turn those ideas and dreams into reality.
What are Your Next Steps?
Book a FREE Discovery Call
I don’t bite - I promise!
This call is an introduction - for both us.
I want to meet you and learn about the business you want to start or build.
You want to learn how we can work together and how I can help you achieve those plans and goals.
So, I encourage you to click on the link below to schedule a free, 20-minute discovery call.
Join my Email List!
I know you are likely already subscribed to 1,463,211 email lists BUT …
We’re here to help you level-up in 2025.
Not just your business, but YOU - the human who wears the hats, feels the pain and makes the magic.
Join the WSC weekly newsletter where we provide strategies and guidance on starting and growing a business, capacity management & boundary setting, as well as productivity & planning tools and resources to help you move forward.