How to Build a Business That Goes the Distance
Business is like a tractor pull: if the structure isn’t ready, the sled wins.
The Kind of FOMO I Never Expected
Despite the pumpkin-flavoured takeover (yuck—anyone else?) and the creepy dollar-store aisles, I firmly believe summer is still alive and well for at least the rest of the month. Please don’t tell my sun-loving heart otherwise.
Speaking of sun, Rick and I are in the middle of an epic two-month road tour of North America. One of my favourite parts of travelling is noticing the subtle differences between cultures. Culture isn’t only in museums; it shows up in gas stations, take-out pizza dives, and hiking trails.
Back home in small-town Canada, I’m missing the most significant cultural event of the year: our town's fall fair, feat—the Tractor Pull.
And I’ll admit it: I’ve got a pang of FOMO. As a suburban kid, I didn’t grow up with fairs. I had no idea what a tractor pull was until recently, and now? I find myself wishing I were there. Cheering on the Tractor Pull
For the city folk: a tractor pull is a contest where competitors hitch souped-up tractors to a giant weighted sled. The farther you can drag it down the dirt track, the better. It’s noisy, gritty, oddly thrilling.
And this year, my son is competing with our family tractor.
He’s 21 and a diesel devotee. I don’t know where he gets that from.
He recently came to me with an announcement that made me just as excited as his pull entry:
“Mom, I’m starting a diesel repair business.”
When My Son Said He Was Starting a Business
There are few moments more satisfying for an entrepreneur-parent than seeing your kid catch the spark. I know exactly where he gets it from.
And here’s the advice I gave him, the same advice I’d give you:
After you pick a name, incorporate.
Because incorporation isn’t just about tax breaks, it’s about setting your structure before the sled gets heavy.
Here’s how I explained it:
What I Told Him Next: Start With Structure
Imagine you’re starting a mobile tractor-repair business. You’ve got your truck, you’ve printed flyers, and your farm neighbours are calling. You can run it two ways:
As “just you” (sole proprietorship) → Every dollar you make (or every problem that happens) is tied directly to you.
As a corporation → It’s like creating a brand-new “person on paper” that owns the business.
Here’s why the second option—incorporation—is the way to go:
Protection for you. If your truck breaks something on a farmer’s property and they sue, they’re suing the corporation, not you personally. Your house, your car, and your savings are safer.
Easier to grow. A corporation can have more than one owner. If your friend wants to join in or an investor wants to help you scale, you can give them shares.
Tax benefits. Corporations pay taxes differently than individuals do. The rates are lower, and you can leave money inside the company to grow instead of paying personal tax on it right away.
Professional presence. Clients, banks, and suppliers often take a corporation more seriously. “Johnny’s Diesel Repair Inc.” sounds sturdier than “Just Johnny Fixing Tractors.”
Future options. You can sell shares of your corporation one day, or pass them on to family. It’s a structure that lasts beyond you.
So: incorporating your business is like tuning your tractor before the pull. It keeps you safer, makes it easier to grow, and gives you the stamina to go the distance.
A Tractor Pull Is Just Like a Business
Business building is not so different from a tractor pull. It’s not about the first few feet; it’s about sustaining the pull all the way down the track.
Your name may get you started. Your idea may get the crowd’s attention. But it’s incorporation—the structure under the hood—that lets you finish strong.
This weekend, I’ll be cheering for my son from afar as he competes in our town’s tractor pull.
And I’ll be cheering for you, too, as you build a business that can go the distance.
And if you’re not sure whether it’s time to incorporate? Here’s a little experiment you can try with AI:
📝 Try This With AI: Are You Ready to Incorporate in Ontario?
Copy + paste this prompt into ChatGPT and walk yourself through the checklist:
I want you to act as a friendly legal guide for Ontario entrepreneurs.
Ask me 10 yes/no questions to help me decide if I’m ready to incorporate my business in Ontario.
Keep each question clear, plain-language, and beginner-friendly.
Cover these areas:
– Do I have a business name in mind?
– Do I understand what products/services I’ll sell?
– Do I expect to earn enough that tax savings might matter?
– Do I want protection for my personal assets (like my house/car)?
– Am I planning to have partners, investors, or family members involved?
– Do I want to create shares for family tax planning later?
– Am I ready to keep separate books and a separate bank account for the business?
– Do I plan to apply for financing or grants that require incorporation?
– Do I want my business to look more professional to clients and suppliers?
– Do I want my business to continue (or be sold) beyond me?
After I answer, tally up my responses and tell me whether I should:
1. Incorporate now
2. Wait a little longer but prepare
3. Talk to a lawyer/accountant before deciding
End by reminding me that this is general guidance only—not legal advice.