The survival curve for small businesses is steeper than most founders expect. In Canada, about 85% of new businesses survive year one, which sounds encouraging until you realize that drops to 50–60% by year five and only 35–40% by year ten. These figures come from Statistics Canada's Business Register data and align with US Small Business Administration numbers, so the trend is consistent across North America. Industry matters significantly. Service businesses with low overhead (consulting, agencies, freelancers) often survive longer because they can pivot quickly and carry less inventory risk. Retail and food service have higher failure rates due to lease commitments, inventory costs, and thin margins. Tech startups have a different curve entirely—many fail fast within 18–24 months, but those that find product-market fit can scale aggressively. The biggest killers are cash flow mismanagement, lack of market need, and underestimating customer acquisition costs. A profitable business on paper can still collapse if receivables stretch too long or if the founder burns through their runway before reaching sustainable revenue. We see this constantly with clients who spent $15,000 on a beautiful website but allocated nothing for ongoing SEO or paid acquisition. At Ottawa SEO, we push clients to think in terms of runway and unit economics before worrying about brand polish. If you're launching a local service business in Ottawa or Toronto, you probably need 12–18 months of operating expenses saved or a clear path to breakeven within six months. For e-commerce or SaaS, expect 18–36 months unless you have traction already. The businesses that last aren't necessarily the best ideas—they're the ones with enough capital buffer, a founder who can sell, and the discipline to cut losses on what isn't working. Your website and SEO strategy should reflect that reality: build for conversion and iteration, not just aesthetics.