2. How can I find out if I need a local license or permit?
Contact your local Commissioner of Revenue or the Administrators office for your County, City or Town. The numbers are located in the white pages of your phone book or the blue pages of some local directories. Web links to all localities are available in the Local & Regional Resources section of our web site.
3. How can I get help with starting or growing my business?
Contact DBA's Virginia Business Information Center at (804) 371-0438, toll-free at (866) 248-8814, or email vbic@vdba.virginia.gov for a list of counseling resources near you. You may also want to visit DBA's Business Resource Center for a wealth of information on getting started or growing your business.
4. Will my discussions with DBA remain confidential?
All client information discussed by the client with DBA personnel is confidential.
5. Are there grants available for small business owners?
Almost never. While certain publications have perpetuated the myth of "free money", the reality is that 95% of new businesses are financed with personal funds (savings, family, and friends) and loans. So, if you are serious about starting and growing a viable business, you must be resourceful enough to capitalize it without "fantasy" money. Contact DBA's Virginia Business Information Center at (804) 371-0438, toll-free at (866) 248-8814, or email vbic@vdba.virgonia.gov to find counseling resources available to help you do this.
6. What kinds of licenses and/or permits are required to start a business?
Licensing and permitting requirements vary from location to location and between different business types. However, all new businesses should begin with this basic list of licenses and registrations:
LOCAL:
1. A business license from the city, town, or county in which your business will be located. Check with the Commissioner of Revenue in your locality.
2. You will also have to meet zoning laws, building codes, and similar regulations in your locality. Check with your building code administrator before finalizing a site.
3. Check with your local SBDC for information on any other local permits or licenses.
4. Most businesses will also need to register under the fictitious name law with the Clerk of Circuit Court in their locationSTATE:
5. You will need to file for a sales and use tax number: https://www.ireg.tax.virginia.gov/Login.jhtml
6. Some business types also require specific state licenses. http://www.state.va.us/dpor/
7. Corporations, limited partnerships, and limited liability companies need to register with the Clerk of the Virginia State Corporation Commission. http://www.scc.virginia.gov/division/clk/index.htm
8. FEDERAL You will need an employer's identification number: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=98350,00.html
7. How do I become registered as a supplier for the Commonwealth?
Visit www.eva.state.va.us to register as supplier on the Commonwealth's electronic procurement system. For technical assistance, contact the eVA help desk at: 1-866-289-7367.
8.How much does it cost to discuss my business questions with a DBA counselor?
Nothing! The information, management counseling, and technical assistance services of DBA's professional staff are provided at no charge.
9. Do you work with start-ups only?
No! DBA works with businesses of all sizes in all industries. Contact DBA's Virginia Business Information Center at (804) 371-0438, toll-free at (866) 248-8814, or email
vbic@dba.virginia.gov to find counseling resources appropriate for your business.
10. Do you help home-based and family-owned businesses?
Yes, DBA helps all types of small businesses. Our business analysts are professionals who have worked with businesses of all sizes in all industries. You will be paired with a staff member whose specialty matches your business needs.
11. How can I get a loan?
The kind of financing most entrepreneurs seek through commercial lenders is debt financing. Most banks provide debt financing for existing and start-up businesses. Banks vary substantially in their lending practices. While one bank may decline your loan application, another may be willing to take a higher risk or be interested in lending to small businesses. It is advisable to understand a bank's lending guidelines before applying for a loan. The general guidelines that would enable a lending officer to at least make an informed decision regarding your loan proposal are as follows: consideration of the business idea, usually explained in a business plan, collateral down payment (or equity in an ongoing business), credit history and personal financial net worth, management ability, ability to repay the debt, and conditions of the economy and/or market area.
12. Where can I find help at the Federal level?
The U.S. Small Business Administration (www.sba.gov) is an excellent resource for small business at the federal level. Several lists of Frequently Asked Questions are included on their site including:
13. What Commonwealth agency provides certification as a small, woman, or minority-owned business? The Department of Minority Business Enterprise provides oversight and management of certification for small, woman and minority-owned (SWAM) businesses.
14. What are the advantages of being certified as a small, woman or minority-owned business?
The Commonwealth has a plan to increase utilization of small, woman and minority-owned (SWAM) businesses as suppliers in state purchasing. Commonwealth agencies provide the Department of Minority Business Enterprise with a monthly detailed report of purchases with "SWAM" vendors. Certification provides procurement officers with a means of identifying "SWAM" vendors, who are "certified" as meeting specific guidelines. The Department of Minority Business Enterprise provides certification for "SWAM" firms.
15. What is 8 (a) certification?
This designation, created by the U. S. Small Business Administration, is designed to enhance procurement opportunities with the federal government, for socially disadvantaged business owners. For additional information and a list of specific FAQs on the 8(a) program, visit this website:http://www.sba.gov/8abd/indexfaqs.html.
16. What does MBE stand for?
MBE stands for "Minority Business Enterprise." The Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise certifies that firms are minority owned through an application process that verifies ownership, profit distribution, and executive control. For more information about DMBE, or to download the MBE certification application, visit www.dmbe.virginia.gov.
17. What is DBE certification?
DBE stands for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise. A federal program administered by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), DBE certification identifies socially and economically disadvantaged firms for inclusion in VDOT procurements, in which federal highway funds are utilized. Generally, women and minorities apply for this designation. In rare instances, non-minority males may successfully make a case for DBE status. For more information, visit: http://virginiadot.org/business/const/prequal.asp
18. What is meant by the acronym "SWAM"?
SWAM is an acronym for "Small, Women, and Minority" businesses. With Executive Order 29 On Equal Opportunity In State Procurement, Governor Mark Warner, directed Virginia government agencies to provide periodic SWAM reports, detailing participation levels of SWAM vendors in state procurement, in accordance with the Virginia Public Procurement Act.
19. What is certification and how could it help my business grow?
Certification as a small, woman, or minority-owned (SWAM) business is a designation that identifies historically underutilized suppliers in the marketplace. The Commonwealth of Virginia has a plan to improve access to state government contracting for SWAM vendors. Certification as a SWAM vendor provides the procurement officer with a means to identify a potential vendor as "SWAM."
20. What are the criteria to qualify as a Women's Business Enterprise?
The firm must be 51% or more owned by a woman or women, with day-to-day executive control by a woman or women. There must be “real and continuing” female ownership, with female officers who have prevailing control over capital and human resources, delivering “real” impact on company direction and growth.
21. What does WBE stand for?
WBE stands for "Women's Business Enterprise." The Virginia Department of Minority Business Enterprise certifies that firms are woman-owned through an application process that verifies ownership, profit distribution, and executive control. For more information about DMBE, or to download the MBE certification application, visit http://www.dmbe.virginia.gov.
22. Where can I get assistance with selling my product or service to the state?
The Virginia Department of Business Assistance can help you with state government procurement. Contact the Virginia Business Information Center (VBIC) for information on getting registered as a supplier, identifying business opportunities for your company, and accessing resources and training available on state procurement.
23. Is there one site that I can go to for business information that is related to the federal government?
Yes: http://www.firstgov.gov/Business/Business_Gateway.shtml
24. What is a good resource for trade research?
http://www.exportvirginia.org/programs_gmr1.htm
25. Is there a “live help” feature available to assist me?
Yes: Click the “live help” icon on theDepartment of Business Assistance home page.
26. I’m an out-of-state corporation and want to do business in Virginia. Is there a form to register as a foreign corporation in your state?
Yes. You can find a form (PDF) from the Virginia State Corporation Commission website.
27. I’m an out-of –state corporation. Do I need to register the corporation if I just have an employee in Virginia?
Yes
28. Do you have an agency in Virginia that helps out-of –state companies find new location?
Yes: the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP)
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