Practical Online Courses for Product Business Beginners

Learn the fundamental concepts of starting a small product business in Canada—from initial idea development through basic day-to-day operations. Our self-paced video courses walk you through each stage with clear, realistic explanations.

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About These Courses

Prairie Product Business Courses were developed with Canadian entrepreneurs in mind. We understand the unique landscape of starting a product-based business in Canada—from navigating provincial regulations to understanding shipping logistics across vast distances. Our content addresses the practical realities that Canadian small business owners face, including working with Canadian suppliers, understanding cross-border considerations, and managing seasonal fluctuations common in many product categories.

Our approach is grounded in realistic expectations. We do not promise quick profits or guaranteed success. Instead, we focus on helping you understand the terminology, processes, and considerations involved in running a small product business. Each course is designed to give you a clearer picture of what is actually involved so you can make more informed decisions about whether and how to proceed with your business ideas.

All courses are delivered through self-paced video lessons that you can access at any time. This format allows you to learn at your own speed, revisit complex topics as needed, and fit your learning around your existing schedule. The content is educational in nature, designed to build foundational knowledge rather than provide personalized business or financial advice.

Course Tracks

Our curriculum is organized into focused tracks, each covering a specific aspect of product business fundamentals. You can take tracks in any order based on your current interests and needs.

Getting Started with Product Ideas

Learn how to evaluate product concepts, research market demand, and assess basic feasibility. This track covers methods for generating ideas, understanding competition, and determining whether a product concept warrants further exploration.

Working with Suppliers and Orders

Understand the basics of finding suppliers, requesting quotes, and placing orders. Topics include domestic versus international sourcing, minimum order quantities, communication best practices, and what to expect during the supplier relationship process.

Packaging, Shipping and Returns Basics

Explore the fundamentals of product packaging, shipping options within Canada and internationally, and establishing return policies. Learn about packaging materials, carrier comparisons, shipping cost calculations, and handling customer returns professionally.

Simple Online Store Setup

Get an overview of creating a basic online presence for your products. This track covers popular e-commerce platform options, essential store pages, product listing best practices, and basic payment processing considerations for Canadian sellers.

Understanding Numbers and Costs

Develop foundational knowledge of product pricing, cost tracking, and basic financial concepts relevant to small product businesses. Learn how to calculate landed costs, set prices, track expenses, and understand common financial terminology.

Learning Outcomes

After completing our courses, participants typically report improvements in the following areas:

  • Better understanding of product business terminology and common industry concepts
  • Clearer view of the sequential steps involved in developing and selling a product
  • Improved ability to ask informed questions when speaking with suppliers, service providers, or advisors
  • Greater awareness of the various costs and considerations that affect product profitability
  • More realistic expectations about timelines and effort required for different business activities
  • Enhanced confidence in evaluating whether a product idea is worth pursuing further
  • Foundational knowledge to support further learning and research in specific areas of interest
  • Familiarity with common tools, platforms, and resources used by Canadian product sellers

These outcomes reflect educational benefits. Individual results depend on many factors including prior experience, the specific product category, and how the knowledge is applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. These courses are educational resources designed to teach concepts and provide information. We do not guarantee any specific income, profit, or business outcome. Success in any business depends on numerous factors beyond the scope of any educational program, including market conditions, individual effort, timing, capital, and many other variables outside our control.

Our course content is developed by individuals with experience in product-based businesses and e-commerce. The material is designed to share practical knowledge and explain concepts clearly. The content is educational in nature and represents the perspectives and understanding of the creators based on their experience.

Students have access to email support for questions about course content and technical issues with accessing materials. Support is available during regular business hours and response times may vary. We do not provide personalized business consulting, one-on-one coaching, or individualized advice as part of the course offering.

Refund requests may be submitted within 14 days of purchase. Requests are reviewed individually. To be eligible for consideration, you must not have accessed more than 25% of the course materials. Full details of our refund policy, including the review process and any limitations, are available on our Terms page. We encourage you to review the course descriptions and free preview materials before purchasing.

These courses are designed for individuals who are curious about starting a small product-based business and want to learn fundamental concepts before taking further steps. They are appropriate for complete beginners who have little or no experience with product sourcing, e-commerce, or small business operations. The content assumes no prior business education.

No. The content in these courses is general educational information. It is not personalized advice tailored to your specific situation, finances, or business circumstances. For matters requiring professional advice, such as legal, tax, or financial decisions, we recommend consulting with qualified professionals who can assess your individual circumstances.

Upon purchase, you receive access to the course materials for a period of 12 months. This allows ample time to complete the content at your own pace and revisit lessons as needed. Access details and any renewal options are described in the Terms of Service.

Request the Course Overview PDF

Interested in learning more? Request our free Course Overview PDF for detailed information about each track, sample lesson topics, and pricing.