Now that your business plan, if not finished, is at least underway, you can begin the process of actually building your business: deciding how it will be structured, giving it a name, selecting a location and securing any necessary permits and licenses. Are you ready? Then let’s get started.

 

Business Structure

Choose Your Structure

One of your first decisions as a business owner is to determine how your company will be structured: as a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation or limited liability company. Choosing your best fit depends on your personal tax situation, type of business, number of owners and whether or not you plan to have employees.

Find official descriptions of these legal structures in the dba Florida^TM section from the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. The taxes related to each are described here.

 

Naming Your Business

Pick the Perfect Name

Choosing a name is one of the most important business decisions you’ll ever make, and it’s a task you shouldn’t take lightly. Plenty of advice about how to name your business is available online, but here are four tips to get you started:

1. Brainstorm Gather friends and family for a brainstorming session. Come up with keywords that relate to you, your business and the products or services you provide. Look to pop culture and literary devices for ideas.

2. Be concise Many of the business names we know best — Apple, Exxon, Google, Mattel, CitiBank and Starbucks — have just 5-10 letters. They’re easy to spell, easy to pronounce, easy to search and fit in a 144-character Tweet.

3. Keep your options open You might want to one day enlarge your product line or expand into new locations, so give your company a name that allows you the flexibility to do that.

4. Consider trademark The name you ultimately choose is no good if it’s already taken. Before you order signage or letterhead, do an online search (www.uspto.gov or www.trademarkia.com) to see if another company is already using the name.

If you intend to conduct business under a name other than your own, even if the name seems very similar, you must file a Fictitious Name registration application with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations. For all the details, see dba Florida^TM.

Permits and Licenses

Know Which Ones You Need

Launching a business typically involves paperwork. Unless you're a home-based sole proprietorship with no employees, you will probably need to obtain certificates, licenses and permits in order to legally operate. Here's an overview of what you might need.

Zoning Permit Required by most Florida counties and cities and must be obtained prior to receiving a business tax receipt. For addresses within city limits, contact the city zoning department; for addresses outside city limits, contact the county zoning department. Note: Some jurisdictions require permits from both city and county.

Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License) Required by most Florida counties and cities. If you are located within your city limits, and the city and county issue separate business tax receipts, contact your municipal and county government offices to find out if you need just one or both.

State and Professional Business Licenses Close to 200 job categories/professions require a state license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. In addition, more than 100 businesses require a license, permit or registration from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Costs vary depending on the profession; applicants must meet established criteria to be licensed. Health-related professions and businesses are licensed and regulated by the Florida Department of Health.

Beverage Licenses Businesses in Florida that sell alcoholic beverages must apply for a beverage license through the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. Fees are based on types of beverages sold or served. Retailers and wholesalers of beer, wine or liquor are subject to federal occupational tax and must register with and obtain a control number from the U.S. Department of Treasury.

Health Permits and Licenses Required for public lodging and public food service businesses and are available from the Division of Hotels and Restaurants. Licenses for retail food stores, food processing plants and food storage/distribution businesses may be obtained from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs.

Retail Establishment Licenses Required by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation for any business financing the sale of goods or services sold by installment contract or revolving charge account to a retail buyer. Also subject to licensing and regulation: collection agencies, consumer finance companies, mortgage brokers, securities dealers and investment advisors, and mortgage business schools.

Environmental Regulations Permits are required for any business that is an actual or potential polluting source; one-time construction permits and renewable operating permits are also required. Permitting is mandated for such activities as dredge and fill, storm water construction, water treatment, sewage treatment and drainage well construction. Apply through the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

 

Finding the Right Site

Location. Location. Location.

For businesses that depend heavily on customer traffic for success, choosing the right location may be more important than choosing a name. Aside from customer exposure, some factors to consider include:

Zoning Is the area zoned for your type of business?

Affordability Are rents in this location consistent with your budget?

Condition Is the site ready to be occupied or will renovations be needed?

Competition Are surrounding businesses complementary or competing?

Suppliers Can suppliers find you easily?

Potential Employees Does the area offer a labor pool you could draw from?

Safety What is the crime rate? Will your employees feel safe alone in the building?

Image Is the location consistent with the image you want to project?