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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 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. 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 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

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: (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 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 them 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 website at www.napachamber.com

SCORE BUSINESS COUNSELING

Business counseling by seasoned executives provided free of charge to small business owners and budding entrepreneurs. Workshops on “Starting a Business” and “Business Plans” 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.