If you’re a Makers vendor, chances are your business didn’t start with a five-year plan or a legal roadmap.

It probably started with a creative spark. A product you loved making. A few sales at a market. Maybe something that began as a side project and slowly, almost quietly, turned into a real business.

And then one day, you catch yourself asking: “Wait… do I need to incorporate?”

It’s a question we hear often from our vendor community, especially as businesses begin to grow in ways that feel exciting and overwhelming. To help demystify this stage, we’ve partnered with Ownr, a Canadian platform that helps founders understand and set up their business structure with clarity and confidence.

This guide isn’t here to push you into a decision. It’s here to give you the information you need so you can choose what makes sense for your business, at your pace.

There’s no “right” time to incorporate

Let’s clear this up first: Incorporation isn’t a milestone you’re supposed to hit.

It’s not proof that you’re “official enough”, it's not required to be successful, and it’s not something every business needs.

Incorporation is simply one option, a tool that can be helpful at certain stages of growth, and unnecessary at others. Many Makers vendors start as sole proprietors and stay that way for years. Others choose to incorporate when their business becomes more complex.

Both paths are valid.

Understanding the most common business structures

Before deciding anything, it helps to understand your options, without the legal jargon.

Sole proprietorship

This is the most common starting point for small businesses.

You and the business are legally the same
It’s simple and low-cost to set up
Business income is reported on your personal taxes
You’re personally responsible for the business

For many creative founders, this structure offers flexibility and ease in the early stages.

Corporation

A corporation is a separate legal entity from you as an individual.

The business exists independently from the founder
There’s more setup and ongoing administration
It can offer liability protection
It often supports scaling, hiring, or partnerships

As Ownr often emphasizes, incorporation isn’t about being “bigger”, it’s about whether your business needs a structure that supports where you’re headed.

And if you do decide it's the right move, you can Incorporate with Ownr online in minutes, without navigating the tedious paperwork on your own.

Signs it might be time to explore incorporation

You don’t need to check every box below, or any of them, to run a successful business. These are simply common moments when founders start asking more questions.

You might consider learning more if:

Your revenue is becoming more consistent
You’re taking on higher-value or custom orders
You’re hiring help or working with contractors
You want clearer separation between personal and business finances
You’re planning to scale (online growth, wholesale, partnerships)
You’re feeling more aware of personal liability as your business grows

None of these mean you have to incorporate. They’re signs that your business is evolving, and that understanding your structure could help you plan more confidently.

Why understanding your structure matters (even if you don’t change it)

Even if you decide to stay a sole proprietor, understanding your options is empowering.

Your business structure can affect:

Liability and personal risk
Tax planning
Credibility with retailers and partners
Long-term growth opportunities

That’s why education matters. And why working with resources like Ownr can be helpful not to rush a decision, but to make an informed one.

Join our free webinar with Ownr

To support our vendor community through this stage, we’re hosting a free educational webinar in collaboration with Ownr.

In this session, you’ll learn:

The difference between sole proprietorships and corporations
How each structure affects your goals as a founder
How to decide what makes sense for your current stage of growth

You’ll leave with clarity, not pressure, and a better sense of what your next step could be, whether that’s incorporating now, later, or not at all.
Register and save your spot here!

Growth doesn’t need to be rushed, but if you’re ready for the next step…

At Makers, our goal is to support you not just in selling your work, but in building a business that’s sustainable, values-led, and aligned with your life. Understanding your business structure is one part of that journey, and one you don’t have to navigate alone.

Start, manage, and grow your business with Ownr and get 20% off automatically at checkout. Click here to begin!

*Makers may earn a small commission for sign-ups made through links in this post. These commissions get reinvested directly back into our ad budget to support our vendors

You’re Growing, Now What? How to Know When It’s Time to Incorporate