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 and referral 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.

Accountant (link to Classification draw)
Attorney (link to Classification draw)
Banker (link to Classification draw)
Insurance Agent/Broker (link to Classification draw)
Real Estate Agent (link to Classification draw)

• File a Fictitious Business Name Statement,
  if applicable, with the County Clerk
  
  Also, publish the notice with a local newspaper and file and 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
(Find link on County website for filing Fictitious Business Name)

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
Newsroom Tel: 707.256.2210 / Fax: 707.254.3240
 

• Obtain a business license from the City Hall Collection Department
  The City of Napa requires businesses 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 Revenue and Collections Department
955 School Street
Napa, CA 94559
(707) 257-9508
www.cityofnapa.org

• Check the parking/Zoning laws and land use ordinances that might apply 
   Napa Planning Department, Community Services Building
  1600 First Street, Napa
  (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 #. Contact them also 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

NOTE: These are not all of the requirements necessary to start your business. For more information regarding requirements, contact the NVC-SBDC.
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