Preparing for a WESK Business Advising Appointment: What to Bring

By GrantHub Research Team · · Lire en français

Preparing for a WESK Business Advising Appointment: What to Bring

A WESK business advising appointment works best when you come prepared. These one-on-one sessions are designed to help women in Saskatchewan start, buy, or grow a business, but the value you get depends on the clarity of the information you share. Knowing what to bring to a WESK Business Advising appointment can save time and help your advisor give you practical, targeted guidance from the first meeting.

What Is WESK Business Advising and Who It’s For

WESK — Women Entrepreneurs Saskatchewan offers one-on-one business advising to support women at different stages of business ownership. The program is open to women who are starting a business, purchasing an existing one, or growing an established company in Saskatchewan.

To access business advising, you must:

  • Be an active WESK member
  • Complete and submit the business advising intake form
  • Book your appointment using the link provided, typically within five business days of form submission

There is no direct grant funding attached to business advising. Instead, the service focuses on planning, strategy, and connecting you to relevant programs and resources, including grants and financing options when appropriate.

What to Bring to a WESK Business Advising Appointment

Coming prepared helps your advisor understand your business quickly and provide advice you can act on right away. You do not need a polished pitch deck, but having the right documents and information makes a big difference.

1. A Clear Description of Your Business or Idea

Be ready to explain:

  • What your business does or will do
  • Who your customers are
  • Where your business operates (community, region, or online)
  • Your current stage: idea, startup, existing business, or acquisition

If you are still in the idea phase, a short written summary or notes are enough. If you are already operating, bring a brief overview of your products or services.

2. Your Business Plan (If You Have One)

A formal business plan is helpful but not required. If you have one, bring:

  • Your executive summary
  • Financial projections
  • Market research or competitor analysis

If you do not have a plan, your advisor can help you understand what sections you need and how detailed they should be for your goals.

3. Financial Information

Financial context allows your advisor to give realistic advice. Bring what you have, even if it is incomplete:

  • Startup budget or use-of-funds estimate
  • Current revenues and expenses
  • Cash flow projections
  • Any existing loans or financing

If you are buying a business, bring available financial statements from the seller, such as profit and loss statements or balance sheets, if accessible.

4. Specific Questions or Challenges

Write down 3–5 questions you want answered. Examples include:

  • Is my pricing realistic for my market?
  • Am I ready to hire my first employee?
  • What funding programs might fit my business?
  • How do I validate demand before launching?

Clear questions help the advisor focus the session on what matters most to your business.

5. Information About Funding or Grants You’re Considering

WESK advisors can help you understand funding readiness and point you toward relevant programs, even though they do not provide grants directly.

Bring:

  • Names of grants or loans you are considering
  • Deadlines you are working toward
  • Eligibility criteria you are unsure about

Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter programs by province and industry in seconds before your appointment.

6. Ownership and Registration Details

If your business is already registered, bring:

  • Legal business name and structure (sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership)
  • Date of registration
  • Shareholder or ownership breakdown, if applicable

This information matters when discussing growth, financing, and grant eligibility.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Coming without a goal for the meeting
Advising sessions are more productive when you know what you want help with, even if your goal is broad.

Waiting until everything is “perfect”
You do not need finished documents. Advisors expect early-stage ideas and rough numbers.

Not disclosing financial constraints
If cash is tight or timelines are urgent, say so. It affects the advice you receive.

Assuming advising includes direct funding
WESK business advising provides guidance and referrals, not direct grants or cash.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is WESK business advising free?
Business advising is available to active WESK members. Membership fees may apply, but there is no separate fee for standard advising sessions.

Q: How long does it take to book a WESK advising appointment?
After submitting the advising intake form, you are typically required to book your appointment within five business days using the provided link.

Q: Can WESK advisors help if I am buying an existing business?
Yes. Business advising covers starting, buying, and growing a business, including guidance on evaluating and planning a business acquisition.

Q: Do I need a registered business before meeting an advisor?
No. You can access business advising at the idea or planning stage, before formal registration.

Q: Can WESK advisors help me find grants?
Advisors can explain funding readiness and suggest relevant grant or financing options, but they do not award funding directly.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile before or after your advising session.

Next Steps

Preparing for a WESK Business Advising appointment helps you get clearer advice and move faster on key decisions. Gather what you have, write down your questions, and be open about your challenges. After your session, tools like GrantHub can help you explore grants and funding programs that align with the strategy you build with your advisor.

See also:

  • How to Start a Business in Saskatchewan: Advisor-Backed Startup Checklist
  • Municipal Business Incentives in Saskatchewan: Who Qualifies?
  • How Women Entrepreneurs Can Use the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub

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