Starting a Business

When starting a new business, there are many important decisions to make and many rules and procedures that must be addressed. While there is no single source for all filing requirements, the following steps have been developed to assist you in starting your business.

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It is helpful to begin with a business plan. A business plan is a blueprint of every aspect of your business. Sales, Marketing, Advertising, Promotion and Location are just some of the aspects of creating a plan. Click on the following link to the US Small Business Administration to find a tutorial on how to create a business plan.

If you would like help deciding on a location for your business, visit the California Business Investment Services (CalBIS) section of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency website. CalBIS provides tailored site selection services for businesses, real-estate executives, and site selection consultants.

Choose a business structure. Select a business entity type from the following list for a brief overview of the principal types of legal business structures available in California. A legal representative and accountant should be consulted before making a determination as to the type of business entity to form.

Your next step will be to file your tax and employer identification documents.

Most businesses require licenses or permits in order to operate. Please click on each of the resources below to determine if your business requires any licenses or permits.

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