Grandpa Starts a Business, Grandma Asks About Taxes

 This morning, I told Julie some news.

I said:

“I have registered Grandpa Journey as a sole proprietorship.”

I was rather pleased with myself.

After all, I had just completed an online Ontario business registration. I had gone through five steps, filled in the forms, checked the information, reviewed the PDF, made the payment, and finally received the registration certificate and registration key by email.

In my mind, it was quite an achievement.

At 80, Grandpa had officially started a little business.

I was expecting perhaps a little excitement from Julie.

Instead, she asked:

“What about taxes?”

😂

Well, that brought me back to earth very quickly.

Grandma's First Question

Julie wasn't particularly excited about my new business adventure.

Her concern was much more practical.

Taxes.

I explained to her that I had registered as a sole proprietor, not created some big corporation with employees, offices, and complicated financial responsibilities.

My idea is actually quite simple.

I have two blogs:

Grandpa Journey — my personal stories, memories, and everyday adventures.

AI123.ca — my journey of learning and experimenting with artificial intelligence.

I want to see whether these two blogs can generate a little income through direct advertising and other small opportunities.

That's all.

No fancy office.

No employees.

No big investment.

Just Grandpa, his computer, his two blogs, and a lot of curiosity.

Then I reminded Julie about the $30,000 GST/HST small-supplier threshold.

Her expression changed.

She was relieved.

And suddenly, the conversation became much easier.

Grandpa Starts a Business

It was actually quite funny when I thought about it afterward.

Here I am at 80 years old.

I have spent most of my life doing ordinary things—working, raising a family, making friends, enjoying retirement, playing ping pong, walking in shopping malls, gardening, and remembering the past.

And now I have become a business owner.

Not exactly the kind of business owner you read about in the newspapers.

I don't have a boardroom.

I don't have employees.

I don't have a company car.

I don't even have a business card yet.

But I do have an Ontario registration certificate.

That counts for something. 😄

Grandma Keeps Grandpa Grounded

Maybe this is what makes Julie and me a good team.

I am the dreamer.

I see possibilities.

I think:

“Why not try this?”

Julie sees the other side.

She thinks:

“Yes, but what about the taxes?”

😂

Perhaps I need both.

Without me, maybe there would be fewer adventures.

Without Julie, perhaps there would be a few more surprises when tax time arrives.

So I am glad she asked.

It reminded me that starting a business isn't just about having an idea and registering a name.

There is also a practical side that I need to learn.

And I will.

One step at a time.

At 80, There Is Still Room for New Adventures

What makes me happiest is not the business registration itself.

It is the fact that I am still willing to try something new.

At 80, I could easily say:

“I'm too old for this.”

Instead, I say:

“Why not?”

Maybe the advertising experiment will work.

Maybe it won't.

Maybe I will make a little money.

Maybe I won't.

But I am having fun finding out.

And now I have something new to talk about with Julie.

So today's little family conversation can be summarized very simply:

Grandpa starts a business.

Grandma asks about taxes.

Grandpa explains the $30,000 threshold.

Grandma is relieved. 😄

And Grandpa?

Grandpa is still smiling.

Because at 80, the journey continues.

And apparently, there is still room for Grandpa to become an entrepreneur.