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FAQs
Q: How do I start a small business?
Please visit the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) website: www.sba.gov for a complete guide on start-up basics and business planning. In addition, the SBA’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) offer one-on-one consultation for business planning, as well as training courses. To locate the small business development center nearest you click here.
Q: What legal aspects do I need to consider?
Business licenses, zoning laws and other regulations vary from business to business and from state to state. Your local Small Business Administration (SBA) office, http://www.sba.gov , and/or chamber of commerce, http://online-chamber.com/USA.html, will provide you with general information, but you will need to consult your attorney for advice specific to your enterprise and area. You also must decide about your form of organization (corporation, partnership or sole proprietorship) and tax status.
Q: How do I obtain a business permit?
Business License & Permits (CalGOLD site)
Check the website www.calgold.ca.gov for permit application & information.
To search the CalGOLD web site for your business permits:
1. Enter your business type (EX: sidewalk and street vending) or search all categories, and select your business type and then press "Continue".
2. Select your County and City, then press "Continue"
At this point the system will generate a list of the requirements in your City and County for your business type.
If your business is in the unincorporated area of Los Angeles, call 213-974-2011 to find out if your business needs a County Business License. If you're in the city of Los Angeles or an incorporated city, call the city hall where your business is located for license and permit information. The following is the phone number for the City of Los Angeles Business License 213-626-9271.
Q: How do I file for a fictitious business name (FBN)?
Call the County Registrar-Recorder at 562-462-2056 or visit their website at http://regrec.co.la.ca.us to ensure that your fictitious name statement (FBN) has been properly completed and you are informed of the correct fee. It is recommended that the document be reviewed in person by a filing clerk in Norwalk or you may submit a FBN at the Van Nuys District office, located at 14340 W. Sylvan St., Van Nuys. If submitted at the Van Nuys office your document will not be filed until it is received by the main office in Norwalk (within three days). If you need your FBN filed immediately, you must take it to Norwalk. The fee is $10 for the first fictitious business name and $2 for additional fictitious business names filed on the same statement and conducting business at the same location. Fictitious business names application forms are available on the Internet.
Q: Where can I obtain more information about zoning?
Questions about zoning, case filing or other general information can be answered by the Los Angeles County’s Regional Planning Department. Their division, the Land Development Management Agency, have staff that is available for walk-in assistance and to answer telephone inquiries between the hours of 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Monday – Thursday. Service may also be obtained by emailing zoningldcc@planning.co.la.ca.us . They also accept zoning inquiries by fax at 213-626-0434. Please allow 5 business days for a response. When inquiring about zoning on a property, please provide the property address and Assessor’s Parcel Number.
Questions about planning permit and zone change cases currently being processed can be answered by the Zoning Permits section. General questions about zone changes or planning permits should be directed to their Land Development Coordinating Center, http://planning.co.la.ca.us/luz.htm . Zoning Permit staff can be reached between the hours 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Thursday, by calling (213) 974-6443. When calling, please have the case number ready.
Questions about zoning violations can be answered by the Enforcement section. Staff can be reached between the hours 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday - Thursday, by calling (213) 974-6453. If you would like to report a zoning violation, please send a signed letter indicating the location and nature of the violation to Department of Regional Planning, 320 W. Temple Street, Room 1341, Los Angeles, California 90012.
Questions about the County's population, census or other demographic information can be answered by the Research section. Staff can be reached between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., Monday- Thursday, by calling (213) 974-6476. You may also send questions to amalakates@planning.co.la.ca.us to receive a response by e-mail.
Q: Can I operate a business from my home?
Yes. In fact, experts estimate that as many as 20 percent of new small business enterprises are operated out of the owner's home. Local SBA offices, http://www.sba.gov and state chambers of commerce , http://online-chamber.com/USA.html can provide information on how to manage a home-based business.
Q: Are some locations better than others?
Time and effort devoted to selecting where to locate your business can mean the difference between success and failure. The kind of business you are in, the potential market, availability of employees and the number of competitive establishments all determine where you should put your business.
Q: What do I do when I’m ready?
You have done your homework: you have a complete business plan; you know where you want to operate; you know how much cash you will need; and you have specific information on employee, vendor and market possibilities. You now may want someone to look over your plans objectively. A SCORE representative at the Small Business Administration can also review your work and help with the fine tuning, http://www.score.org/online . Then, when you have made the final decision to go ahead, it is time to call the bank and get going.
Q: How do I find out about suppliers/manufacturers/distributors?
Most suppliers want new accounts. A prime source for finding suppliers is the Thomas Register, which lists manufacturers by categories and geographic area. Most libraries have a directory of manufacturers listed by state. If you know the product line manufacturers, a letter or phone call to the companies will get you the local distributor-wholesaler. In some lines, trade shows are good sources of getting suppliers and looking over competing products.
Q: How do I incorporate my business?
Once the decision to incorporate your business has been made, the legal process begins with the preparation of a certificate of incorporation. Whereas in the past this was prepared by three or more legally qualified individuals—today, only a single incorporator is needed.
The state is likely to have a standard form for incorporating a business. The three typical pieces of information requested are: corporate name, purpose and corporate life span. The corporate name is usually required to be a business name dissimilar from any other firm incorporated within the state. In addition, the name must not be deceptive or misleading. The state charter office can tell you whether the name you want is available. The purpose of the business must be stated. It is a good practice to use a "specific object" clause that spells out the specific purpose for which the corporation is being formed. While most corporations are formed for an indefinite period, it is possible to set up a specific limited life. Often the reason for creating a corporation is because the life span of the business is unlimited.
Incorporation documents will require: the names and address of incorporators; location of the registered corporate office in the state; the maximum amount and type capital stock to be issued at the time of incorporation; a provision for preemptive rights; a provision for regulation of internal affairs of the corporation; names and addresses of corporate directors until the first stockholders’ meeting, and the right to amend or repeal provisions within the certificate of incorporation.
The above requirements cover incorporating as either a "C Corporation" or Sub-Chapter S Corporation." However, the sub chapter S Corporation has several additional incorporation requirements such as: it must be an independent group not affiliated with any other; it may have only a single class of stock; no more than 35 stockholders and it may have only individuals or estates as stockholders; and it must be a domestic corporation. Before signing any legally binding documents, consult with your attorney for legal advice.
Q: How do I buy a business?
SBA offers Property for Sale, http://app1.sba.gov/pfsales/dsp_search.html through the administration of its loan programs. Property may be commercial, residential, farm, machinery, equipment, or vacant land.
Q: How do I sell a business?
The SBA offers several publications to specifically help in this area, for further information, visit: http://www.sba.gov/gopher/Business-Development/Success-Series/Vol4/Sell/ . Also, browse the SBA’s Online library of publications at http://www.sba.gov/library/pubs.html.
Q: How do I develop a business plan?
The SBA offers an online tutorial to walk you through the process at http://www.sba.gov/starting_business/planning/basic.html. In addition, several outside resources are available at http://www.sba.gov/hotlist/busstart.html.
Q: What are the requirements to start-up an e-business?
Please see the answer to home-based business question (#6)
Q: How do I obtain a seller’s permit?
You may obtain a seller’s permit by visiting the State Board of Equalization’s website at www.boe.ca.gov or you may call their information center at 800-400-7115.
Q: How do I obtain a copyright or trademark?
For copyrights visit the U.S. Copyright U.S. Library of Congress’ website at http://www.copyright.gov/. For trademarks and patents, visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office’s web site: http://www.uspto.gov/
Q: How do I obtain an import license?
You may obtain an import license by contacting the U.S. Customs Service: http://www.cbp.gov/
Q: Where can I obtain a loan?
If your business in located in an unincorporated area of Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles County Community Development Commission (CDC) has a micro loan program to assist you, if you qualify. You can contact the CDC at http://www.lacdc.org/economic/business/index.shtm
In addition, the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) offer assistance with loans and business plans at no cost. You can contact their Lead Center at 562-938-5020.
Another helpful loan resource is the LAEDC’s Business Development Services Center at 888-4LAEDC-1 or e-mail at info@laedc.org. LAEDC provides referrals to service providers and economic development professionals; offers free- or low-cost information on technical assistance, financing, or workforce preparation; helps identify permit and licensing agencies.
Q: How do I get a small business grant?
At this time, Congress has not set aside any monies for grants to start and/or expand a small business. The U.S. Government does have grants that meet other purposes not related to business needs. The following web site contains some of those resources: http://www.sba.gov/financing/basics/grants.html
The SBA does, however, provide a loan guaranty program for loans made by your local lender. The SBA guarantees loans that the lender could not normally approve. For information on this program and all of the SBA’s financial assistance, please go to: http://www.sba.gov/financing/sbaloan/7a.html
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