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Checklist for Starting a Business

DEVELOP A BUSINESS PLAN
Your nearby Small Business Development Center has been established to help business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs succeed. Their goal for new business owners is to help them do the careful planning required to minimize the risks of launching a new enterprise. The Napa Valley College Small Business Development Center provides Professional Business Counseling, Excellent Low Cost Workshops, Information & Resources and an Annual Rx for Business Program. Napa Valley College Small Business Development Center 1556 First Street, Suite 103 Napa, CA 94559 (707) 253-3210 | Fax (707) 253-3068 www.napasbdc.org

JOIN YOUR LOCAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The Napa Chamber of Commerce functions as a trade association for member businesses and professionals. Included in their services to members are business education and promotion, legislative advocacy, referrals, networking opportunities, community/business events and the primary source for community information. One of the first things a new business owner should do is join the Chamber and take advantage of its networking opportunities. Napa Chamber of Commerce 1556 First Street, Suite 104 Napa, CA 94559 (707) 226-7455 | Fax (707) 226-1171 www.napachamber.com

CONSULT WITH NECESSARY PROFESSIONALS
As a business owner, you will want to establish a relationship with several outside professionals. You will need to set up bookkeeping procedures, choose your legal structure and set up agreements and contracts, obtain financial information and financing, obtain insurance coverage for liability, fire, theft, workers’ compensation, etc., and find a location for your business to take place. This guide will give you contacts in many important areas such as Accountants, Attorneys, Bankers, Insurance Agent/ Brokers, Real Estate Agents, etc.

FILE A FICTITIOUS BUSINESS NAME STATEMENT, IF APPLICABLE, WITH THE COUNTY CLERK
Also, publish the notice with a local newspaper and file an affidavit of publication with the County Clerk within 30 days of publication. Napa County Clerk–Recorder 900 Coombs Street, Room 116 Napa, CA 94559 (707) 253-4246

Newspapers qualified to publish fictitious Business Names:

Napa Valley Register 1615 Second Street Napa, CA 94559
(707) 226-3711
St. Helena Star 1328 Main Street St. Helena, CA 94574
(707) 963-2731
Weekly Calistogan 1360 Lincoln Avenue Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-4035
The American Canyon Eagle Published weekly each Tuesday Box 333 3429 Broadway, Suite C-1 American Canyon, CA 94503
(707) 256-2210 | Fax (707) 254-3240

OBTAIN A BUSINESS LICENSE FROM THE CITY HALL COLLECTION DEPARTMENT
The City of Napa requires those doing business in the City to pay a business license tax. The tax on most businesses is based on gross receipts earned and must be renewed at the end of the applicable period. City of Napa Finance Department 955 School Street Napa, CA 94559 (707) 257-9508 www.cityofnapa.org

CHECK THE PARKING/ZONING LAWS AND LAND-USE ORDINANCES THAT MAY APPLY
Napa Planning Department, Community Services Building 1600 First Street Napa, CA 94559 (707) 257-9530

APPLY FOR A STATE EMPLOYER TAX IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
If your business will pay wages, contact the Tax Office for a State Identification number. Also, contact the Office for disability insurance tax, state withholding tax and unemployment insurance tax. Ask for the California Employers Tax Guide (Form #DE 44). Tax Office 50 D Street Santa Rosa, CA 95404 (800) 852-5711 | Forms (800) 338-0505

PURCHASE LABOR COMPLIANCE PRODUCTS FROM THE NAPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Most of the employment posters businesses must post are required by law and carry a penalty for failure to post. Napa Chamber offers compliance products from the required posters to handbooks on labor issues. These products can be purchased at www.napachamber.com in the Chamber Store. Members of the Napa Chamber receive a discount on all products. Visit our Web site at www.napachamber.com.

SCORE BUSINESS COUNSELING
Business counseling by seasoned executives is provided free of charge to small business owners and budding entrepreneurs. Workshops on “Starting a Business” and “Business Plans” are also provided. For appointments contact the Napa Chamber office at (707) 226-7455. For general information contact David Mendelson, email: mendee@napanet.net or call (707) 571-8342. SCORE is a Small Business Administration-sponsored organization.