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.

Register Now
Attend an info session

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.

Smart Start

Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.

Offer one for trades (evenings - targeted to men) and one for service trades (ex. hair stylist, RMT, etc. - targeted to women) - run on Mondays during the day

2026 is a great year to launch a business!

Smart Scale

Smart Growth or Smart Scale - this is the Business RESET section / may be Smart Planning or Smart RESET?

Back to Business Series?

Where will I put masterclasses or Smart Capacity Sync?

Smart Planning - then list two program - one is business reset and the other is smart future planning which is essentially a business planning, goal setting and financials program to plan out their future growth

Ready to build & scale?

Smart Exit

Guide people to sister company, YBE too

List resources for selling your business, doing a valuation, steps to close independently

Thinking of closing or selling?

Smart Tools & Resources

Check out our 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.

Resources at your fingertips!

Feature FREE Download for November

Add your pricing strategy. Be sure to include important details like value, length of service, and why it’s unique.

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 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 30+ year industry veterans.

My knowledge and expertise include:

  • Business planning and strategy development

  • Goal setting and action planning

  • 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 immerse 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.

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.

Meet Jodi

  • "We absolutely ADORE Jodi -- her personality is incredibly welcoming, receptive, and ready to help you achieve your goals."

    Allie C., Branding and Web Design Business Owner

    1-on-1 Coaching Client

  • “Jodi is an INCREDIBLE business coach ... Jodi is honest and direct, yet kind and fun to talk to, she will not waste your time with fake platitudes. I HIGHLY recommend her programs if you want to take your small business to the next level.”

    — Jaime Drayer, Kitties and Cabernet

    Smart Growth Strategies Simplified Program Client

  • "Before I met Jodi, I was skeptical of business coaches, but she is the real deal."

    Vanessa Green, Greenlight Content

    1-on-1 Coaching Client

  • "You have helped me meet all of my expectations and more. I really enjoy having you in my corner. You are professional, fun, knowledgeable and very good at what you do.”

    Sara Lodge, Sara Lodge Nutrition

    1-on-1 Coaching, Business Planning, Smart Growth Strategies Simplified Program

  • “You have been a gem for helping me keep myself on point. You have been an invaluable asset to me. Huge. I can't even put into words how much love and gratitude I have for you. You exceeded my expectations in every way and you are a lovely, amazing human being. Thank you a million times from the bottom of my heart. I could not have done this without you! I hope this new year is good to you because you deserve only all the good things."

    Carrie Loyer, River Road Nature School

    Business Planning and Financial Forecasting Client

  • "Jodi is a great listener, she has a wealth of knowledge and is compassionate. Every business owner out there wanting to GROW their business needs Jodi in their life!!! I encourage you to at least do yourself a favor and budget this into your life... YOU NEED THIS!”

    — Lystra Dawson, Radiance Laser Clinic

    1-on-1 and Smart Growth Strategies Simplified Program Client

  • “Thank you Jodi for providing an excellent six week accountability workshop! The content, support and resources this woman can provide your business with are outstanding! Don’t miss any of her workshops! Exceptional value!”

    — Kerri R., Registered Massage Therapist and Health Clinic Owner

    Six-Week Accountability Group Client

  • "[Jodi] was very helpful with just an initial call! We discussed options for incorporation, tips for getting ahead of finances and she laid out a few different flexible plan options for me and my business. Jodi was professional and friendly and I would highly recommend to anybody looking for a tune-up of their business.”

    — Adam Cole, Done Right Pest & Wildlife Control [Owner]

    1-on-1 Consultation Client

  • "I cannot express my gratitude enough for finding this program and team. Not only did the bootcamp make the actual process of starting a business simple but the training provided step-by-step guidance for moving through the start-up process. Every day, I was provided with real steps and actions to take to actually start my business."

    — Mollie O., Holistic Nutritionist, Wellness Start-up

    1-on-1 and ‘Start a Business in 90 Days Bootcamp’ Client

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.

Book a Call!

Join the 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.

Sign Me Up!