Category Archives: Small Business Help

Part 1: 3 Essential Steps For Starting a Small Business in Florida – By Heidi S. Webb Attorney at Law

STEP 1 – Write a mission statement and outline a general business plan.

Every business needs a mission statement behind it – whether you decide to make it public or not. A mission statement is essentially the skeleton of your entire company, and the very nucleolus of your more fleshed-out business plan.

That’s why, first and foremost, you should establish and continuously refer back to a concrete mission statement. Otherwise you’ll have a bunch of great ideas and good intentions floating around without a common goal lined up­­­­, no body or vessel for the soul of your business idea to live in, so to speak.

While the soul of your business is what counts – a soul without a body (or a foundation) doesn’t have much agency to make things happen (sorry to get all metaphysical on you, but it’s a good analogy!). 

So, after you get a solid mission statement in order – next draft a general business plan.

What you include in this plan really depends on the nature of your business, but here are a few things you can choose to record:

  • Your start-up list and goals: What have you done so far? What do you need to accomplish next? Where do you hope to be in 6 months, a year, 5 years?
  • Determine your purpose, your potential, and your potential market as best you can.
  • Make sure to list your “differentiators”, the things that make you different than the competition. These will be important to your success in the field. 
  • Your finances and budget. What’s the projected cost of your operating materials, rent, staff, etc.? These are very early projections, but this will give you some direction as you move forward.

Drafting even a quick, general business plan will help you make the best use of your time when you consult with a small business attorney, bank representative, or accountant. Don’t blindly jump into anything – take time to organize your thoughts, goals and perimeters before establishing any concretes. 

Now check out STEP 2 of the 3 Essential Steps for Starting a Small Business in Florida, all about making your business official and navigating your choices on the very allusive yet essential, sunbiz.org. 

Part 2: 3 Essential Steps For Starting a Small Business in Florida – By Heidi S. Webb Attorney at Law

STEP 2 – Become official and get all your ducks in a row.

First make sure you know the differences between a corporation and a Limited Liability Company (which I explain in the link), and decide on a designation for your business. FYI: If you’re considering starting a “Partnership” with another party, you should keep in mind that consulting with an attorney is highly recommended. 

Next, make your business official. Brace yourself; you’re going to have to spend some time on sunbiz.org. Like all government websites, it’s a little behind the times and sometimes slow and frustrating to navigate – but all the information and forms you need to start your small business should be there.

Good news is, on the sunbiz site you can e-file for your business right there on the spot without too much hassle or time wasted. Just make sure you don’t rush into anything without knowing the rules, regulations and requirements of the type of business you’re venturing into.

 Here’s a helpful list of resources they have for Starting a Small Business in Florida.

Last, keep all of your start-up documents and information – like your Employer Identification Number (EIN) – recorded and organized in at least two different places: Keep all of your important business-related documents and files electronically on your computer, and also keep hard copies of all of your information in a folder or filing cabinet at your home or office.

If you missed it, here’s STEP 1 of the “3 Essential Steps for Starting a Small Business in Florida – By Heidi S. Webb Attorney at Law.” And make sure you don’t miss out on STEP 3, which contains links to helpful, free resources for business owners in the Volusia County/Daytona Beach area. 

If you need the services of a small business attorney or the advice of a trusted lawyer as you establish your company or organization, contact Heidi S. Webb Attorney at Law to set up a free consultation. 

Part 3: 3 Essential Steps For Starting a Small Business in Florida – By Heidi S. Webb Attorney at Law

STEP 3 – Ask for help.

Seek out as much knowledgeable, unbiased information, advice, and counsel as you can – just make sure to not rely on just one, single source for feedback. Make sure you include an expert or two in the mix. Variety in this arena will enhance your perspective and confidence going into business for yourself.

Don’t worry. You don’t have to pay for the advice of an expert every step of the way while you’re materializing your small business.

Yes, it’s smart and safer to get a small business attorney and perhaps an accountant to review your business credentials at certain points (and in certain situations it’s essential), but with the Internet and many free, professional services based locally – there are SO many resources and insights entrepreneurs can take advantage of.

Here are some organizational chapters in the Daytona Beach/Volusia County area that are incredibly worthwhile for small business owners to look into:

SCORE in Daytona BeacSCORE Logoh offers free business and marketing workshops AND personalized, free business counseling either on email, phone or face-to-face with your very own SCORE business professional. Everything SCORE provides is completely free, and with the service of this non-profit, you’ll get business advice and direction from successful business people in a number of different fields. 

 

The Daytona Bsbdcdaytona logoeach Small Business Development Center, located near Daytona State College, has an incredible amount of resources, including free events, seminars and consultations to help entrepreneurs navigate the business realm. Even longtime business owners can benefit from free advice on topics like marketing trends and improved business software. For a list of their upcoming events in Daytona Beach, click here.

Need more guidance? Don’t forget about STEP 1 and STEP 2 of the essential steps for starting small business in Florida! If you’re looking for the services of a small business attorney for business contracts or any complicated legal facets of your company, contact Heidi S. Webb Attorney at Law to set up a free consultation. 

Attorney Heidi Webb practices in the areas of Small Business Law and Estate Planning. Her office is located in the historic Kress building in Daytona Beach, FL, and she serves all cities in Volusia and Flagler Counties, including Ormond Beach, Palm Coast, Port Orange, and surrounding areas.