We all want to be legit, so there's some things we need to do before we actually start a business. This blog is a plan of what I need to do. The links here are for a San Francisco based business, but your local City Hall has the same sort of links for your area.  Remember, break things down into small steps and take one step at a time.

10/05/08 09:14:36 PM

10/20/07 10:00pm Saturday

To find out if you need a business license take the quiz at... http://www.businessnameusa.com/dba.htm I took the quiz and found that I do need a business license. I also got this comment " This Quiz Results Apply to ALL States & ALL Types Of businesses including: Ebay Business, Online Websites, Home Business, Swap meets, or Outdoor Event Selling, Sole Owners, Corporations, Contractors, Attorneys, Engineers etc, or ANY Other Type of Business."

Before I actually make money with a business I need to do a couple of things.

Get my business registered. Since I have no employees the fee for a business license is $25.00, and I go to City Hall.  I'll be registering as an "individual" as opposed to a "partnership" or a "corporation".

Business Registration Certificate

Getting a Business Started in San Francisco

San Francisco City and County Small Business Commission

Get a fictitious name registered. Fictitious Business Name (FBN) Filing Instructions

Here is a list of Legally Adjudicated Newspapers
Court-approved for publication of legal notices
 

Get that fictitious name published once a week for four weeks.

Should you choose  SFWeekly, for example, here's the format they use:

FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT FILE NO. The following individual is doing business as NAME San Francisco, CA ZIP: NAME San Francisco CA ZIP. This business is conducted by an individual. The registrant commenced to transact business under the above-listed fictitious business name on DATE. Signed NAME. This statement was filed with the Deputy County Clerk NAME of the City and County of San Francisco DATE.