The Business Start-Up Checklist serves as a general guide, outlining the tasks you will need to complete before your grand opening day. The nature of your business will determine when and which tasks you need to prioritize from the list. While the order may vary, this checklist is a valuable resource to familiarize aspiring entrepreneurs with the essential steps involved in launching a new business.
- Choose the product or Service
- Present Business Plan to Finance Source (Financial Institution or Investors)
- Obtain Adequate Finance Commitments
- Choose Business Name
- Open a Business Checking Account
- Obtain Necessary Licenses/Permits – Including Tax Accounts, Sales Tax, State and Federal Withholding, etc.
- Secure Lease for Place of Business
- Contract for Renovations
- Obtain Adequate Insurance – Fire and Theft, Liability, Workers Compensations, etc.
- Order Inventory
- Hire Appropriate Employees
KY BUSINESS ONE STOP PORTAL:
https://onestop.ky.gov/pages/default.aspx
The Kentucky Business One Stop is designed to help you along every step of the way in making your business a success. This page will guide you through the first steps in creating your new business. With a resource filled checklist and user-friendly website, the Kentucky One Stop will help ease you into the start of your new business.
KY SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER:
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (Kentucky SBDC), offers support and guidance for entrepreneurs looking to start or grow their business in Kentucky. Starting a business can be an overwhelming task, but with the right resources and guidance, you can successfully start your business and achieve your entrepreneurial goals.
SMALL BUSINESS ASSOCIATION:
Small Business Association has different resources from helping you with planning, launching, managing and growing your business! SBA offers free online classes to help guide you in the right directions. Their closest office is located at 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Place, Suite 188, Louisville, KY 40202 or you may call them at 502-582-5971. They are open Mon-Fri from 8:00am – 4:30pm.
SCORE:
https://www.score.org/kentuckiana
SCORE offers free business training on a variety of small business topics. Watch low or no-cost webinars, take online courses or attend online workshops. If you enjoy learning in person, attend a local workshop.
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS:
https://kctcs.edu/workforce-solutions
Our statewide system of colleges provide anytime, anyplace customized training and support services for business and industry. We are a results-oriented training provider, with a track record of success in providing workforce solutions to 5,300 Kentucky companies annually. KCTCS colleges provide training in multiple formats, making it easy to find the solutions that work for you. Additionally, through the KCTCS-TRAINS program, KCTCS can provide funding for companies to offset the cost of training their employees.
KY COMMISSION ON SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY:
https://ced.ky.gov/entrepreneurship/advocacy
This is a great resource to stay informed on the legislation and policy changes that could effect you and your small business. This can help you stay up to date on license and permit requirements, taxes, and other areas of government that affect you.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- Register your business name with the Anderson County Clerk’s Office at 100 S Main Street, Lawrenceburg, KY, 40342 or give them a call at 502-839-3041.
- Are you starting your own corporation? You’ll need to register with the Secretary of State as well: https://www.sos.ky.gov/pages/default.aspx
- Licensing and zoning – Licenses are administered by different state and local departments depending on your individual business. Always consider zoning regulations when choosing your business location. The local business license office will be able to assist with any questions. To obtain a business license in Anderson County, you will need to go to the following locations to apply:
- Lawrenceburg City Hall (City Business License)
- 100 N Main Street, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342. You may call them at 502-839-5372. For more information visit: Business License – City of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky (lawrenceburgky.org)
- Anderson County Sheriff’s Office (County Business License)
- 208 S Main Street, Lawrenceburg, KY, 40342. You may call them at 502-839-4021. For more information visit: Business License | Anderson County Sheriff
- Lawrenceburg City Hall (City Business License)
- Taxes –
- Kentucky Taxpayer Assistance Centers – https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office
- 600 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Place, Louisville, KY 40202 or call 502-912-5060
- Kentucky Department of Revenue – https://revenue.ky.gov/pages/index.aspx
- 501 High Street, Frankfort, KY 40601 or call 502-564-4581
- Kentucky Taxpayer Assistance Centers – https://www.irs.gov/help/contact-your-local-irs-office
- Health & Safety Regulations –
- Kentucky Department of Labor – https://elc.ky.gov/pages/index.aspx
- 500 Mero Street, Third Floor, Frankfort, KY, 40601 or call 502-564-3534
- OSHA Area Office – https://www.osha.gov/contactus/bystate/KY/areaoffice
- 500 Mero Street, Third Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601 or call 502-564-3070
- Kentucky Department of Labor – https://elc.ky.gov/pages/index.aspx
- Home Based Processing – If you are interested in starting your home based processing or catering business, click the following link to find the Kentucky requirements for at-home food/catering services : https://achdonline.org/restaurant (scroll down the page) or call the Anderson County Health Department at 502-839-8099 for more information
- Securing your location –
- Need building inspections? Contact Tom Bond, Building Inspector
- 100 North Main Street, Lawrenceburg, KY, 40342 or call 502-839-5372 Ext. 1004
- Need electrical inspections? Contact Tim Crick at 502-604-8818
- Seeking that perfect location for industry? https://andersoncountyforward.com/about-us/
- Kentucky State Fire Marshal Occupancy and Safety Inspections – https://ksfm.ky.gov/newstatic_info.aspx?static_id=287&menuid=75 call 502-573-0388 or email cynthia.tackett@ky.gov if you need an inspection regarding your commercial property.
- For local Fire Marshall Inspections, contact Adam Brown at 502-839-5039
- Need building inspections? Contact Tom Bond, Building Inspector
- Join your friendly, neighborhood Chamber of Commerce and schedule your Grand Opening –
- Memberships are affordable! Sign up here: https://andersonchamberky.org/becoming-a-member/
- You will receive a Welcome to the Chamber email which includes links to your benefits!
- You will also receive a visit from the staff and a welcome bag which includes member promotional items!
- Host your soft opening and iron out any kinks in production and flow of business.
- Call us to schedule your ribbon cutting procedure (please allow at least 2 weeks in advance).
- Ask for our “Grand Opening” banner! Place it at your location to let people know you are open for business!
- Congratulations! We look forward to working with you and helping you grow!
Contact us! Call 502-839-5564, email jerilynn@andersonchamberky.org or visit us at 1388 Bypass North, Lawrenceburg, KY, 40342
